When do you need them?
Just to be sure – heartburn is a burning sensation in the stomach.
It often occurs when digestive juices (chiefly hydrochloric acid) back up and enters the esophagus.
Your esophagus is NOT equipped to handle the acid.
And so it burns!
What does my heartburn have in common with my heart?
Well, the sensation of burning is located so that it feels like your heart is affected.
But is it?
Most often it is not. However what we commonly call “acid stomach” may in fact be a heart problem. And so if the problem persists it better check with your doc.
Causes of heartburn
Heartburn is very common in North America.
It is mostly caused by excessive intake of all those yummy foods: spicy foods, fatty foods, fried foods, alcohol, coffee, chocolate, citrus fruits and tomato containing foods (pizza!!)
More serious underlying reasons why heartburn keeps coming back include:
- hiatus hernia
- stomach or esophageal ulcer
- gallbladder issues
- stress
- food allergies
- and nutritional deficiencies such as lack of enzymes
All of these must be properly addressed and treated.
That said, natural remedies for heartburn will be helpful here nevertheless.
Heartburn is also associated with overweight and obesity.
Excess body weight, particularly a large abdominal area, will bring heartburn repeatedly. This occurs most when you lie down in bed, and yes may even lead to insomnia.
Apple cider vinegar for heartburn
I know what you may be thinking: vinegar is acidic!
Well in fact apple cider vinegar will help to neutralize you stomach acid.
It has the alkalizing effect on the body and has long been regarded as one of the best remedies for heartburn.
Drink this mixture while eating a meal.
Other easy natural remedies for heartburn
- Use up 20 drops of glycerin based extract of catnip and fennel in warm water. (This extract once saved the life of our youngest boy). This tincture is well known as a good carminative formula. But in my practice I always use first before any other heartburn remedies.
- Drink unsweetened peppermint tea, as needed; Some people report that peppermint actually makes their condition worse. So, please find out what works best for you.
- Mix 1 tablespoon of Aloe Vera juice in a glass of warm water and drink as needed. Note: out of all natural remedies for heartburn diluted aloe is also very soothing for the esophagus.
- Add 3 – 4 drops of peppermint oil (essential oil) to a glass of warm water. Drink as needed. May I suggest a Peppermint Oil I am using myself?
- Potato juice for heartburn
Potato juice is very alkaline and high in potassium. Lot of people find a quick heartburn relief using this simple recipe.
Don’t peel the potato. Just wash it and put it in the juicer. Experiment with the dosages. Begin with 1 tablespoon of juice mixed with 1 tablespoon of water. Drink immediately after preparation 3 – 4 times daily.
The question of digestive enzymes
In most cases a health professional will recommend digestive enzymes.
The stomach needs proper tools in order to do its job: break down the food. For the very same reason you must chew your food well. You need to eat slowly (so much for the fast foods!)
The question is: what type food enzymes should you choose?
With or without hydrochloric acid?
In order to assure that your enzymatic supplement is properly selected you can try this simple test.
Stomach Acid Home Test
Hydrochloric acid naturally made in the stomach is absolutely necessary for digestion of foods, most especially the proteins.
The are situations when people suffer from heartburn and yet do not have enough hydrochloric acid to digest their foods.
This easy test will help you determine what you case is.
Take 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or freshly squeezed lemon juice.
If this makes you heartburn worse, then you probably have too much hydrochloric acid (over-acid stomach chemistry).
Should this be the case you will need to select good plant based enzymes with no hydrochloric acid added.
But if this test makes your heartburn to quickly disappear then, in fact and truth, you actually need more hydrochloric acid in order to assure a proper and complete digestion.
In this case then you will want to use digestive enzymes formulation that includes some hydrochloric acid.
Natural heartburn remedies in long term treatment
The most valuable natural remedies for heartburn will:
- neutralize stomach acid,
- provide protection of the mucus lining of the esophagus from irritation
- aid and promote digestion
- soothe the digestive tract
- have anti-ulcer effects
So, what are these natural remedies for heartburn?
You will need a supplement that contains calcium is some form, plant derived alginic acid, ginger, slippery elm, marshmallow, licorice root and similar herbs.
Because it’s going to soothe even the worst possible heartburn in mere 15 minutes!!
WHAT THE MEDICAL BOOKS SAY
Over-the-counter antacids are commonly recommended and massively used. Antacids reduce stomach acidity. These drugs contain magnesium, aluminum, sodium bicarbonate.
The problem with antacid drugs is that their action is brief. Therefore they need to be used frequently.
There are histamine antagonist drugs available as well. They are supposed provide longer lasting effect. Some are only available via prescription.
Proton pump inhibitors, foam barriers and pro-motility medications are all examples of another classes of drugs.
WHAT YOUR HERBALIST SAYS
Read labels of antacids. Check the main ingredient. Do not take anything that aluminum or sodium. Calcium carbonate works well as antacid and contains no aluminum.
Antacids provide relief of symptoms, regardless of whether the person has an acid stomach. Therefore they often mask the underlying cause.
Over-the-counter antacids may contain excess aluminum and sodium.
With prolonged use a dangerous mineral imbalance may occur.
Excess sodium can aggravate hypertension.
Excess aluminum has been implicated in Alzheimer’s.
Natural remedies for heartburn, especially when the reasons are trivial and do not involve a complicated serious underlying disease, provide an excellent alternative and are very safe.
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Consult your doctor before using any of the above if you are currently taking any prescription medication. Do not discontinue use of any prescription medication without your doctor’s knowledge and approval. Nothing written or portrayed in this website should be taken as prescription, diagnoses or a substitute for consultation with a competent medical doctor. For educational purposes only.
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