Heartburn is related to acid reflux, which is also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. These digestive issues are sometimes referred to as “indigestion.”
But what causes heartburn and acid reflux? Lifestyle habits and diet, mostly. They commonly produce various yet temporary but often painful, symptoms.
The most common times one experience acid reflux or heartburn symptoms occur at night, after consumng a large meal, during movement such as lifting or bending, or when laying down flat on your back.
Common Heartburn Symptoms:
- Bitter and sour tastes in your mouth
- Burping, belching and feeling nauseous or symptoms of dyspepsia
- General discomfort below the breast bone or in the upper abdomen
- Pain and burning sensations in the chest
- Pain that seems to move up from your stomach at first, and can reach as far up as the throat
- Regurgitation or having the sensation of acid backing up into your mouth or throat
- Stomachaches shortly after eating, or the feeling like stomach acid is “churning”
- The feeling of being overly full
Natural Remedies for Heartburn:
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is one of the most common and effective home remedies for acid reflux. It helps in digestion and to balance acid production in the stomach.
Materials:
1-2 tsp organic raw apple cider vinegar
Warm water
Diredtions:
1. Combine 1 to 2 teaspoons of organic raw apple cider vinegar in a cup of warm water.
2. Drink it 20 to 30 minutes before meals.
3. Do this on a regular basis, at least for a few months.
Note:
You can also drink apple cider vinegar combined with water when heartburn strikes.
2. Chew Gum
The Journal of Dental Research conducted a research that showed individuals with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or chronic heartburn, experienced relief when they chewed on a piece of sugar-free gum for at least 30 minutes after a meal.
This is because chewing gum can increase the flow of saliva and stimulate the salivary glands. Any acid that has built up in the gut is washed away and diluted or cleared out more quickly. The clearance of acid can help improve the symptoms of GERD.
This could be applied to occasional heartburn as well. It is your saliva that actually makes normal bouts of reflux completely painless.
Material:
1 piece Sugar-free gum
Directions:
1. After a meal, chew a piece of gum for at least 30 minutes to help fight off heartburn.
3. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice contains a pH of around 2, making it an acid that is stronger than vinegar. Also, it contains an added boost with lots of nutrients, especially vitamin C. Therefore, not only can it help with heartburn, but it contains more nutrients as compared with apple cider vinegar.
Material:
1 organic lemon
¼ cup Water
Directions:
1. Juice 1 organic lemon into a glass.
2. If you can drink the lemon juice straight drink it. Otherwise, add ¼ cup of water and drink it.
Notes:
Organic lemon juice is acidic, some people worry it might harm the tooth enamel. Unless you are doing this daily, this will not be a big issue.
Read More:
1. 5 Foods That Can Reduce Acid Reflux
2. Treat and Manage Acid Reflux Heartburn and GERD With These All Natural Healing Drinks
3. Foods That Trigger Heartburn