Heartburn is a very common and unpleasant condition that is triggered when
stomach acid moves back up into your esophagus. It can make you feel
very uncomfortable like there is a small bonfire burning in your chest, and it
keeps burning right up to your neck. Though of course, there are many
medications that can help cure this condition, but medicines may have side
effects, and anyway depending on medications for every problem is not a good
idea. Why should you opt for medicine anyway when a natural cure for heartburn is available? Without further delay, let us get to learn few such
natural remedies for heartburn.
1. Eat mustard
Mustard is rich in minerals, it is alkalizing, and contains a weak acid in
the form of vinegar. If you straightaway eat mustard, even though you might not
like it, but you certainly will love the effects. Owing to its alkaline
properties, mustard will help neutralize the acid that might come up to your
throat, and thus it relieves you of the pain associated with heartburn.
Just take a spoonful of yellow mustard and eat it up, and enjoy the
results.
2. Try bananas
Bananas can be called a storehouse of natural antacids as they help lessen
the effect of heartburn naturally. Being high in potassium, which is an
alkalizing mineral with pH of 14, bananas can increase the pH and thus help
moderate the acidity of your stomach. Higher the levels of pH, lower will be
the acidity. Do make sure that you eat a ripe banana, overripe ones are even
better. Avoid the green or unripe bananas because they contain potassium in the
form of potassium nitrate, and this can only worsen your heartburn.
How to cure heartburnwith bananas? Just have one overripe banana every day and this will help
keep your heartburn away.
3. Slippery Elm will prove helpful
Slippery elm is yet another great natural cure for heartburn. It has been
used traditionally by Native Americans to cure various conditions including
boils, wounds, ulcers, sore throats, skin inflammations, diarrhea, and various
skin problems. This herb has a component, mucilage, which when you mix with
water, converts into a slick gel. It gives this herb its demulcent property
owing to which it soothes and coats the area where it is directed. If you drink
it to cure heartburn, it will coat the mucous layer that lines your stomach,
and thus act as a barrier preventing the acid from moving into your esophagus.
To follow this remedy just combine 1-2 teaspoons of slippery elm powder
into a glass of milk or water, stir it and have this drink 1-3 times a day
depending on the severity of your heartburn.
4. Apples can work wonders
Apart from bananas, apples are yet another fruit that is a natural cure
for heartburn, and it can even reduce the symptoms of chronic heartburn or
GERD. This is because apples help create an alkaline environment in your
stomach and this neutralizes the excess acid present there. This also improves
your digestion, which again prevents the occurrence of heartburn. So apples not
only can cure but also helps prevent heartburn.
Just have half an apple after each of your meals. If you frequently suffer
from night heartburn, you may even have an apple right before you go to bed.
5. Try Apple cider vinegar
Vinegar is an acid having a pH of around 5. Thus, it helps lower the pH of
the stomach contents, improves digestion, reduces the pressure build up, and
relieves the symptoms of heartburn.
All you need to do is add 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to one-fourth
cup of water and drink this mixture, preferably after every 5 minutes until
your heartburn subsides. Many people also drink a shot before having meals to
prevent the occurrence of heartburn.
6. Keep your chin up
Heartburn can get bad at night when you are lying down trying to get some
sleep. As gravity works against you, the digested food in your stomach may move
back into your esophagus together with the acid. So, when you sleep try to keep
your head about 6 inches high by placing some extra pillows under your head.
Now that you know about some natural cure for heartburn, make sure the
next time you experience the symptoms, do not go for the medications
straightaway, instead, follow one of these remedies to experience relief.