Find a Natural Remedy for Acid Reflux and Heartburn

Discover a natural remedy for acid reflux and heartburn...

Did you know antacids can make your heartburn and acid reflux worse?

Understand acid reflux causes. Find your own natural cure for acid reflux and heartburn....

Acid reflux and heartburn can be intensely painful.

Unfortunately, antacids and conventional treatments can actually make it worse...!

Learn how to avoid acid reflux causes, and find an effective natural remedy for acid reflux….

• ’Acid reflux’ is the term for when some stomach acids, or partly digested foods, come up from the stomach into the food pipe (‘esophagus’).
• This causes belching, burping, indigestion or heartburn.
• Heartburn can be quite scary – a quite intense, burning pain, right below the breastbone …. No wonder people get scared they are having a heart attack!
• Normally the stomach is kept quite tightly closed, when you aren’t actually eating!
• This is done by a ring of muscles between the stomach and the food pipe (esophagus) called a ‘sphincter’.
• When these muscles become ‘loose’ – we’ll look at ‘why’ in a minute – acid from the stomach is forced upwards into the food pipe.
• The lining of this esophagus (food pipe) is quite delicate and sensitive to the acid. This is what causes the pain.
• Heartburn and acid reflux usually occurs around 1 – 2 hours after eating. (If you have pain on an empty stomach, which improves when you eat, you may have an ulcer instead.)
• You should take heartburn or acid reflux seriously, and try to stop it happening in the future…
• If you suffer acid reflux repeatedly over a number of years, it could lead to inflammation of the esophagus wall, and even esophageal cancer (sorry, I don’t mean to scare you!)
• Acid reflux into the lungs can also cause asthma.

The Problem with Conventional Acid Reflux Treatments...

• Antacids are commonly used to treat acid reflux and heartburn.
• This is fine short term, or for one-off treatments, but do take care….
• Using antacids frequently, or long term may actually make your acid reflux worse!
• Using antacids can actually cause ‘rebound acid’ – when you stop taking them, the stomach produces more acid and makes your condition progressively worse…!
• Other conventional treatments can cause:
  • headaches
  • rashes
  • confusion
  • anxiety
  • depression

Always remember to consult your healthcare provider before taking any decisions regarding your health.

Acid Reflux Causes

• Acid reflux causes are actually quite simple, which means that a natural cure for acid reflux is actually very achievable.
• One of the main acid reflux causes is simply over-eating.
• Other causes are:
  • lying down or twisting soon after eating
  • too tight clothing around the stomach
  • certain foods and chemicals:
    • cigarette smoke
    • alcohol
    • fatty foods
    • mints
    • chocolate
    • onions
    • caffeine

What You Can Do to Find a Natural Cure for Acid Reflux…

• Make sure you eat your meals in a relaxed, leisurely manner.
• Don’t eat too fast, and chew well.
• Eat smaller meals, more frequently.
• Avoid:
  • alcohol
  • coffee and tea
  • smoking
  • saturated fats and deep fried foods
  • white sugar and refined carbohydrates
  • spicy foods
  • onions
  • citrus fruits
  • tomatoes
  • mints
• Avoid ’carminative’ herbal treatments – fennel, lemon balm, peppermint or spearmint. These relax the sphincter muscle and can cause acid reflux.
• Don’t lie down after eating, or eat a meal, just before bedtime.
• Don’t drink during a meal or about half an hour either side.
• Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing around your stomach.
• Raise your pillows, so that your head is raised up, around 15-23cm. This may help to prevent acid reflux while you sleep.
• Where possible avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and other anti-inflammatory drugs. These can irritate your esophageal lining even more.

Natural Remedies You Can Take….

They tend to be quite fast acting so you can take them as you feel your symptoms coming on….

Liquorice
Marshmallow Root
Slippery Elm
Aloe Vera
Calendula/Marigold

Liquorice

• Liquorice is an excellent natural remedy for acid reflux.
• It helps to heal delicate and damaged stomach and esophageal linings. It is good for healing inflammation.
• As a natural remedy for acid reflux or heartburn choose DGL liquorice (deglycyrrhizinated) rather than ‘whole’ liquorice.
• For mild acid reflux drink 1 cup of liquorice tea after meals, as needed:
  • Use 1-2 teaspoons of dried, chopped liquorice root, in a cupful of hot water
  • Cover and steep for 10-15 minutes. Strain and drink.
• For moderate or severe heartburn or acid reflux take DGL liquorice tablets, or take a stronger solution:
  • 1/4 teaspoon of powdered liquorice root in 4 tablespoons of water
  • Take after every meal and before bed.
• DGL liquorice is better tolerated by those with high blood pressure or heart problems, than ‘whole’ liquorice.
• Caution:
  • Do not use ‘whole’ liquorice for more than 6 weeks at a time.
  • Do not use ‘whole’ liquorice if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • Do not use ‘whole’ liquorice if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart, thyroid, liver or kidney problems.
  • DGL liquorice may cause diarrhea in some people.

Marshmallow Root

• This is very soothing to delicate membranes in the body.
• Try a tea, tincture or capsules. Capsules are probably best as the tea doesn’t taste great.
• Caution: Consult your healthcare provider if you are taking any other medicines.

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Slippery Elm

• This, too, is used as a natural remedy for acid reflux because it is so soothing.
• Take it as a tablet, or make a tea:
  • Use 1 teaspoon of Slippery Elm powder in a cup of hot water

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Aloe Vera

• Aloe Vera is quite a well known natural cure for acid reflux.
• The soothing juices help to heal inflammation in the esophagus.
• Avoid aloe vera rind which can cause stomach upsets. Make sure you go for aloe vera pulp instead.
• Take care, as lots of aloe juices contain citric acid, which can make your symptoms worse.
• Instead, go for a freeze dried powder:
  • Try half a teaspoon of the powder in a small amount of water, after meals, when symptoms occur.

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Calendula or Marigold

• Calendula (common name ‘Marigold’) is a lovely, gentle natural remedy for acid reflux and heartburn.
• You can either take this as a preventative measure, everyday, or only when you feel symptoms coming on.
• Tale the tincture after meals, or….
• Make a tea:
  • Use 1 teaspoon of dried flowers in a cup of hot water.
  • Steep for 10 minutes
  • Drink 1-2 cups after meals, or as required.

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I hope that these natural remedies and lifestyle changes can help your heartburn and acid reflux improve.

I am sure you will be pain free in no time…

What works for you?

Do you have any tips and experiences in finding a natural remedy for acid reflux, to share? Tell us about your experiences...

For more natural health remedies to improve your digestion, return to the main page for holistic remedies for stomach and digestive problems.

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