What causes heartburn?
In the process of digestion, our heart makes an acid, which helps food to digest easily. But sometimes these acids are formed more than is required, which leads to heartburn. It can also be formed from food and drinks which are acidic in nature and high in fat like citrus food, tomatoes, onion, chocolates, carbonated beverages, caffeinated beverages, alcohol, etc.
When the food in our stomach does not take food back up into the tube (esophagus) that carries food from our mouth to our stomach, we feel heartburn. It is a chronic condition with many causes. A burning feeling just below our breastbone or ribs is the signal of heartburn.
Stress can contribute to heartburn and can cause poor digestion, which creates a build-up of acid in the stomach. Stress can make them feel uncomfortable.
Symptoms of heartburn
- Coughing
- Chest pain
- Problem in swallowing
- Vomiting
- A burning feeling in your throat.
- Sour throat.
- Bad breath.
- Nausea
- Bitter taste
What not to do in heartburn
Mint is good for an upset stomach, but when it comes to the digestive tract like heartburn it might be not so useful as this cause the stomach acid to pour back into the esophagus and make heartburn worse. Mint-flavored products should be avoided in heartburn.
Instead of taking 3 large meals, take six small meals. This won’t make your stomach too full. It will also not allow the stomach to produce excess acid.
Wolfing down food is also one of the major issues in heartburn because when we eat quickly, our digestive system is not able to work properly.
It has been found that persons who smoke are more likely to suffer from heartburn than non-smokers. Each time a smoker cough get more chance of heartburn as it increases the abdominal pressure which leads to heartburn.
Alcohol causes heartburn by triggering the stomach to make more acid, so it’s dangerous for a person who is suffering from heartburn.
Chocolates are another common trigger for heartburn. This allows the stomach acid to escape into the esophagus and cause heartburn. It contains compounds like caffeine, which triggers the stomach to produce more acid.
Spicy foods are more likely to produce heartburn because it contains a compound called capsaicin which slows the rate of digestion and leads to irritation, gastritis, and heartburn. So it’s best to reduce your intake of spicy food if you are suffering from heartburn.
Aloe vera
We all are aware of the curative effect of aloe vera. This cactus-like plant has many super magical powers. In 2015, it has been proven that decolorized and purified aloe vera juice is a safe and effective treatment for reducing heartburn. It’s best to use pure aloe vera gel obtained directly from an aloe vera plant. Aloe vera is used for heartburn because of its alkaline properties. It helps neutralize the acid present in our stomach.
Ginger
The roots of ginger in heartburn are proven to be very effective. Chewing a little ginger or having tea with ginger can help in solving heartburn problems. Its small doses can give relieve gastrointestinal irritation. Ginger can reduce the stomach acid flowing up into the esophagus, which heals heartburn. It absorbs excess stomach acid. Ginger is rich in antioxidants and chemicals which give us a remedy for a no of diseases. But ginger if taken in more amounts can also worsen the condition. Side effects are only seen in the powdered form of ginger. Ginger also reduces nausea and eases swelling, and muscle pain. Having ginger root tea two times a day can help one to relieve heartburn.
Tulsi Indian herb
Tulsi is one of the best ayurvedic products. Who is not aware of the natural benefits of tulsi? Tulsi is the cure for many diseases. It has compounded that act as a digestive agent, triggers our stomach to produce more mucous, and reduces the effect of peptic acid in the stomach. It does not allow the stomach to produce more acid. Chewing leaves of tulsi in the morning can help you get instant relief from heartburn, and gastritis and also heals your heart. Boiled tulsi leaves in water give more relief to our stomach during stomach burn.
Drinking water
Water is the easiest solution for heartburn but acts as a catholicon by drinking a little water after a meal dilutes the acid which results in less heartburn. It can frequently make the digestion process better and reduces acidity too.
Standing straight
Sometimes, wrong body posture can also result in heartburn. People feel heartburn behind the breastbone and after eating. It can get worse when sitting or lying down. To avoid heartburn, one should sit in vajrasana (yoga form)after having a meal for 15 minutes.
Milk
The commonly used natural remedy for heartburn is milk as it contains calcium. But, milk might not be a great heartburn remedy. However, it is a big source of bone building.
Yogurt
It not only heals heartburn, but also the probiotics present in it help to digest the food properly. Probiotics are those which are good microorganisms that kill harmful bacteria.
Papaya
Eating papaya daily has a number of benefits. Papaya contains an enzyme called papain which helps us to keep safe from acidity and also improves digestion. The fiber content also clears the stomach. They are low in acid and offer a taste of the tropics.
Liquorice
It is an ayurvedic medicine that gives instant relief from heartburn. It can be used by making powder.
Lemon
Lemons contain vitamin C. Lemon when taken with water forms bile juice. This bile juice helps to digest food easily. Two drops of lemon if taken with Himalayan black salt will give you instant relief to your chest.
Radish
It is a great remedy for heartburn and is also very healthy. Not everyone prefers it due to its spiciness, but this instantly heals our heartburn.
Bananas
Banana is very beneficial for our stomach. Banana is a natural antacid that heals our stomach. Intake of two bananas can give you relief from heartburn.
Fennel
It can also be taken as it is popular as a mouth fresher. It also gives you relief from acidity. One can chew fennel or take it with hot water. Can also have it after food.
Taking oats as a meal
It is a good source of fiber. It also absorbs stomach acid and reduces symptoms of heartburn. A diet high in fiber is linked to a lower risk of heartburn.
Seafood
Seafood is good for heartburn because it contains taurine which does not allow more gastric acid to form. A person suffering from heartburn must have seafood.
Coconut water
This gives a good source of helpful electrolytes such as potassium. These electrolytes promote pH in the body, which is important in controlling heartburn.
Pomegranate
It has recently been referred to as the so-called “super fruit” due to its high antioxidant properties. It gives a beneficial effect on our stomachs.
Watermelons, cantaloupe, and honeydew are all low-acid fruits that are considered to be the best fruits for heartburn
The human heart is a vital muscular organ. It is present between our lungs and is in the middle of our chest and to the left of our breastbone. The heart is a pump, usually beating about 60 to 100 times per minute. Even for a single time when it hits, it sends blood throughout our body, delivering oxygen to every cell. After delivering oxygen, the blood then returns to the heart. The blood pumped by the heart provides our body with oxygen and nutrients.
The size of our hearts is like a clenched fist. An adult heart has a mass of 250 to 350 grams, whereas the cardiac chambers of newborn babies are 20 to 25 grams.
Most people do not actually know what is the function of our heart. They think their emotion comes from their heart, which is absolutely wrong, it’s the function of our brain. They might think this because when we are scared or happy, our heart beats faster, but this emotion comes from our brain.
Heartburn is also known as acid indigestion, which is a common symptom of GERD (gastroesophageal) reflux acid. Pyrosis is the medical term for heartburn.
1 thought on “Home remedies for Heartburn”