How to quickly get rid of heartburn using folk remedies: effective treatment at home

Many people are familiar with the unpleasant condition of heartburn, which is characterized by a certain burning sensation along the esophagus, behind the sternum. Most often, patients who have the problem of gastritis with high acidity are faced with such an unpleasant manifestation. In such a situation, heartburn occurs half an hour after a meal. This is the body’s reaction to the reflux of acid into the esophagus; in rare cases, pathology occurs on an empty stomach. What to do, what folk remedies exist for heartburn? Let's take a closer look at this issue.

Heartburn is not necessarily a companion to high acidity - it can also occur with decreased gastric secretion, which is typical in chronic atrophic gastritis or in old age. Heartburn is usually accompanied by painful abdominal cramps and belching. This unpleasant condition causes:

• consumption of carbonated drinks that contain citric or phosphoric acid, which irritate the esophagus;
• eating fried, sour or smoked foods;
• smoking abuse;
• the lower sphincter does not close tightly in the esophagus;
• neuropsychic and emotional disorders;
• pregnancy;
• individual intolerance to certain foods;
• excessive overeating.

When heartburn occurs, treatment with folk remedies can relieve unpleasant symptoms.

Gastroenterologist Mikhail Vasilievich:

“It is known that for the treatment of the gastrointestinal tract (ulcers, gastritis, etc.) there are special drugs that are prescribed by doctors. But we will not talk about them, but about those medicines that you can use yourself and at home...” Read more >>>

Treatment methods at home

Below I propose to consider effective methods for treating heartburn, which you can apply without leaving your home and rid yourself of this unpleasant ailment by using available food products:

1. For sudden heartburn, drink 1 tablespoon of olive or sunflower oil. This is the simplest and most accessible way to get rid of burning sensation;
2. Another common and effective method is to add a pinch of baking soda to ½ cup of warm water. This solution should be drunk warm, slowly and in small sips;
3. You can chew 1 teaspoon of dill seeds, calamus or several pieces of peas (dry) and swallow with plain water. The burning sensation will subside in about 15 minutes;
4. Burnt chalk mixed with spices (calamus, cumin, ginger) is an excellent remedy. To do this, chalk should be heated in a frying pan for 30 minutes, ground into powder and mixed with spices in a ratio of 3 to 1. Then dilute one teaspoon of this mixture in a third of a glass of boiled water and drink in small sips;
5. The most delicious antacid is walnuts, honey in honeycombs and sunflower seeds;
6. Mashed raw potatoes will also work great to solve the problem. Freshly squeezed white cabbage juice has the same effect. Drinking half a glass is enough;
7. Warm non-carbonated mineral water or milk will save you from unpleasant sensations.

Mineral water for heartburn

Non-carbonated mineral water also relieves heartburn at home. The salts contained in it inactivate excess acid in the stomach.

There are several rules for drinking water:

1. It is better not to use hydrocarbonate water, since its reaction with acid produces carbon dioxide, which increases discomfort.
2. Water with excess magnesium may cause loose stools in people with intestinal problems.
3. Water should only be still.
4. During exacerbations of gastrointestinal diseases, the use of warm mineral water is not recommended.
5. It is better not to drink chloride water.

Using medicinal herbs

Next, we will consider folk remedies that are quite effective in treating this disease, the main thing to remember is that if you have obvious diseases then it is better to consult a doctor

If you are quite healthy then the following recipes are for you:

1. Tincture of anise seeds with vodka. Take 1 teaspoon of anise and pour one liter of vodka, leave to brew for a month. After this, add 300 grams of sugar, lemon peel and mix well. You should take this tincture after you have eaten 25 ml;
2. Tincture from a mixture of herbs. Take 20 grams of plantain, St. John's wort and 5 grams of chamomile flowers and pour a glass of freshly boiled water. Leave for 4 hours, strain and drink 15 ml three times a day before meals;
3. Yarrow infusion: one dessert spoon of dry herb per glass of boiling water. Drink while the tincture is warm before meals.

Heartburn - what is it?

The feeling of heartburn occurs as a result of stomach acid being pushed into the esophagus. This leads to discomfort in the abdomen and under the breastbone. Regular heartburn should not be ignored. This phenomenon indicates a violation of the digestive processes and diseases. Heartburn is accompanied by stomach damage and other serious consequences. A medical examination by a gastroenterologist will help diagnose the disease.

Heartburn occurs with the following gastrointestinal diseases:

• gastritis;
• chronic form of cholecystitis;
• ulcers;
• poisoning;
• gallstones;
• chronic form of pancreatitis;
• disruption of the biliary tract.

Folk remedies are recommended for use for one-time attacks, as well as as part of complex therapy for the underlying disease. Today there are a large number of folk recipes, the doctor will help you choose the most suitable one. Heartburn often plagues men who abuse alcohol and smoking. Changing your lifestyle and giving up bad habits plays an important role.

Other available methods

• An effective remedy in the fight against heartburn is freshly prepared potato juice. You need to take the juice 3-4 times, ¼ cup each, 20-25 minutes before meals;
• Shilajit 0.2 grams mixed with milk and honey is an excellent remedy in the fight against heartburn. Take this mixture in the morning before meals and in the evening after eating. The course of treatment is 20 days;
• Celery root is an excellent antacid. Eat 1 tablespoon of pureed celery 30 minutes before meals three times a day for 30 days.

What diseases does heartburn indicate?

A burning sensation in the esophagus does not just occur on its own, but is most likely a symptom of one of the serious diseases. Therefore, you should be extremely attentive to your health and if heartburn occurs, think not only about how to quickly get rid of heartburn at home, but also about the deeper causes of this phenomenon.

1. Vitamin deficiency . It often happens that an attack of heartburn signals a vitamin deficiency called pellagra, a deficiency of vitamin B5 in the body. In these cases, appetite is disrupted, the skin becomes dry and begins to peel, the tongue turns red, vomiting, a burning sensation in the esophagus, headache with dizziness, and in difficult cases - convulsions and hallucinations.
2. Gastritis. In the case of gastritis, the gastric mucosa becomes inflamed, resulting in nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain in the acute form. If gastritis is chronic, you suffer from heartburn, you feel heaviness in the pit of your stomach, and two to three hours after eating spicy foods, you experience abdominal pain. Often only constant heartburn with sour belching signals chronic gastritis. At the same time, the tongue is coated and stool becomes difficult due to constipation.
3. Ulcer. In the case of a peptic ulcer, a typical formation appears on the mucous membrane of the stomach or intestines - an ulcer. Most often, this disease is detected in men, with seasonal exacerbations. If the peptic ulcer is chronic, then you suffer from constant heartburn, belching, and a white coating appears on the tongue.
4. Hernia. In the case of a hiatal hernia, the upper part of the stomach is displaced into the chest cavity. Gastric juice ends up in the esophagus and causes a painful burning sensation there.
5. Hepatitis. In the case of hepatitis, in addition to heartburn, the following symptoms appear: the sclera of the eyes turn yellow, there is no appetite, nausea, vomiting, weakness, bitterness in the mouth, dark urine.
6. In the case of osteochondrosis, when eating, you often feel heaviness in the esophagus and pressure behind the sternum or in the back. Thoracic osteochondrosis provokes heartburn, belching, bloating, constipation or diarrhea. In general, symptoms appear when the patient lies down immediately after sitting for a long time or if this part of the spine is involved in movement.

It should be noted that heartburn is considered a characteristic symptom of the following diseases:

1. Gastroesophageal reflux disease.
2. Various esophagitis:

• traumatic;
• professional;
• infectious;
• immune;
• allergic;
• medicinal;
• chemical;
• thermal.

1. Physiological and functional pathologies of the esophagus and sphincters.
2. Stomach diseases: gastritis or peptic ulcer.

It is important to remember that to make an accurate diagnosis you need to see a doctor and have a good examination.

Preventive measures

It's no secret that it is easier to prevent a disease than to treat it! Therefore, do not forget about this expression and find out what is needed for this.

In most cases, the cause of heartburn, even in healthy people, is poor nutrition. Therefore, the first thing you need to do is to improve your diet, reduce your consumption or completely give up fried, fatty, hot and spicy foods, as well as sugar. You should also remove carbonated drinks, strong coffee, tea from your diet, and of course heartburn occurs after alcohol;

Eat small meals often; overeating is one of the causes of heartburn. Also supplement your diet with vegetables that are rich in fiber and complex carbohydrates (cereals, pasta must be made from durum wheat).

In addition to nutrition, change the following habits:

• You should not lie down immediately after eating, so as not to create conditions for the passage of acidic stomach contents into the esophagus;
• Stop smoking or at least reduce it to a minimum! Smoking increases the symptoms of esophagitis;
• Stress can cause heartburn, so try not to get nervous.

Remember that heartburn is possibly a symptom of a serious illness - gastritis, cholecystitis, duodenitis and even ulcers! And if this is a fairly common occurrence, before starting self-medication, you need to visit a doctor and get examined.

This concludes today's publication. Don’t forget to subscribe to blog updates in the form below so as not to miss interesting materials.

Alexander Bely

Reasons for appearance

The feeling of heartburn can be caused by a number of factors. The main causes of heartburn are:

1. stress and various nervous disorders;
2. gastrointestinal diseases;
3. unhealthy diet (quick snacks, meals at night, dry meals);
4. overeating, fasting;
5. overweight;
6. lifting weights after eating food;
7. lack of proper sleep;
8. age-related changes (old age);
9. taking various medications;
10. late pregnancy, etc.

All this leads to a rise in acidity in the stomach, causing malaise and a burning sensation.

The main symptoms of heartburn are:

1. belching that occurs after eating;
2. burning sensation in the mouth and esophagus;
3. pain and burning in the chest area.

To treat heartburn in the early stages, as well as as preventive measures, it is recommended to use traditional medicine methods. In more severe stages, full medical treatment is necessary.

Traditional medicine offers a lot of recipes for the treatment of heartburn:

• consumption of herbal teas;
• decoctions;
• various tinctures;
• some foods that improve the functioning of the digestive system.

How to get rid of heartburn at home

Below are natural remedies for heartburn, including foods you can find in any kitchen, herbs, and other substances that provide relief from acid reflux. So, what helps with heartburn and is not difficult to find at home?

Baking soda - a remedy for heartburn

Sodium bicarbonate or baking soda sitting on your kitchen counter can relieve heartburn in minutes by lowering acidity levels. Baking soda has a pH higher than 7 and this helps neutralize stomach acid effectively. Once the acidity drops, you will no longer feel the burning sensation, even if the stomach contents move to the lower esophageal sphincter.

What to take:

• Soda – 0.5-1 tsp.
• Water – 0.5-1 glass

What to do:

• Add baking soda to a glass of water.
• Mix and drink.
• Do this every time you feel a burning sensation rising in your throat. You should not take more than 3 tsp. baking soda per day.

If heartburn persists after a week of such therapy, try other remedies or consult a doctor. Long-term use of baking soda is not advisable for your body.

Chew gum to relieve heartburn

Research shows that people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) experience relief after chewing sugar-free gum about half an hour after eating. The act of chewing stimulates the salivary glands and increases the flow of saliva, which flushes away and neutralizes stomach acid, bringing instant relief.

What to take:

• Chewing gum without sugar

What to do:

• After eating, chew sugarless gum.
• Chew for 25-30 minutes.

Vinegar can cure heartburn

Vinegar has long been used as a remedy for heartburn. Although there is no medical evidence for this, people who use it attest to its effectiveness. You can also use vinegar - regular or apple cider vinegar - but only after diluting it with water. This method may not help you, but you will only know this after you try it at least once.

What to take:

• Regular or apple cider vinegar – 1-2 tsp.
• Water – 1 glass

What to do:

• Add vinegar to a glass of water and stir well.
• The water is ready.
• You can drink it 2-3 times a day if you do not notice any discomfort.
• Drink it before meals or before bed if you can't sleep due to heartburn at night.

Caution: Never use vinegar undiluted. The acid in vinegar can damage not only the esophagus, but also tooth enamel. Always dilute vinegar with water before drinking and rinse your mouth with clean water afterwards to protect your tooth enamel. If you feel any discomfort, stop drinking it immediately.

Try slippery elm to relieve heartburn

Slippery elm is traditionally used by Native Americans to treat a variety of ailments, including wounds, boils, ulcers, burns, skin inflammation, coughs, sore throats, diarrhea, and stomach problems. The plant contains a sticky substance that turns into a gel when mixed with water. This gives slippery elm its desulfurizing properties, whereby it creates a protective layer and soothes the surface on which it is placed. In case of heartburn, it coats the lining of the stomach and esophagus and thus creates a barrier to acid.

What to take:

• Slippery elm powder - 1-2 tsp.
• Water/warm water/milk

What to do:

• Add slippery elm powder to water or milk, whichever you prefer.
• Mix well until the powder is completely dissolved.
• You can drink the mixture 1-3 times a day depending on the severity of your heartburn.
• Drink this drink after meals and before bed.

Make ginger tea

If you want to get rid of the nausea that accompanies heartburn, simply make a cup of fresh ginger root tea, which will soothe your stomach and make your life more comfortable. If nausea and heartburn become a constant part of your life, then you can also drink a cup of fresh ginger tea before meals. This helps reduce the activity of the stomach glands as ginger acts as an acid buffer.

What to take:

• Fresh ginger root - a piece 3-5 cm long
• Water 1-1.5 cups

What to do:

• Wash and peel the ginger root and cut it into slices.
• Place the pieces in a saucepan and cover with water.
• Bring the water to a boil.
• Now reduce the heat and cook for 10-15 minutes.
• Remove the ginger pieces from the tea or leave them floating in the water (you can chew them).
• Drink this tea 20-25 minutes before meals.

Eat bananas to get rid of heartburn

Banana can be called a natural antacid as it reduces the severity of acid reflux. Well, this is a good enough reason to use it more often. Containing high amounts of potassium, which is an alkalizing mineral with a pH of 14, banana reduces acidity by increasing the pH of gastric juices. The higher the pH, the lower the acidity. Eat ripe, preferably riper, fruit because green bananas contain potassium in the form of potassium nitrate, which can worsen symptoms. Potassium isn't the only reason bananas help with heartburn. They also contain a chemical that stimulates the stomach lining to secrete more mucus and act as a shield against acid.

What to take:

• A riper banana (with brown spots on the skin)

What to do:

• Eat one banana a day.
• This will help you prevent heartburn.

Apples reduce acidity

Bananas are not the only fruit that helps against heartburn. Nutritious and tasty apples will come to your aid when you want to get rid of a burning sensation in the chest. These fruits reduce the symptoms of GERD and chronic heartburn. How does this happen? Apple creates an alkaline environment in the stomach, so that excess acid is neutralized. It also improves digestion, which is another mechanism for relieving heartburn. But you need to eat sweet apples, preferably organic ones. And apple pie, unfortunately, will not help you.

How to eat apples to get rid of heartburn

1. Eat half an apple after every meal.
2. If you suffer from nighttime heartburn, eat half an apple before going to bed.
3. You can also eat 1 tsp with half an apple. fresh organic honey or black molasses. Honey and molasses are rich sources of potassium, which create an alkaline environment. This increases the effectiveness of apples as a means of preventing heartburn.
4. If you don't really feel like eating apples, juice them. Add some honey and drink.

Certain varieties of apples can provide instant relief. Therefore, try several types to understand which one “quenches” your inner “dragon” best.

Melon for heartburn

Melon has a pH of 6.1 and therefore can be a food that relieves heartburn. However, some people do not respond well to melons and have to avoid these fruits. If melon works for you, you can eat a few each day or puree the melon and other ingredients, which also treat heartburn. Here's one recipe that uses almond milk, melon, watermelon, ginger, and banana. Almonds are also said to be an excellent remedy for heartburn as they neutralize excess acid. Although you can eat it plain, adding a few nuts to this smoothie will not only make it delicious, but will also increase its effectiveness in fighting heartburn.

How to make a melon smoothie

What to take:

• Almond milk – 1 glass.
• Sliced ​​watermelon – 1/2 cup.
• Cantaloupe melon, chopped - 1/2 cup.
• Cantaloupe, chopped - 1/2 cup.
• Banana – 1 piece.
• Fresh ginger root - a piece 3-5 cm in size.

What to do:

• Place all the above ingredients in a blender and blend.
• Drink every morning if you have ongoing heartburn problems.

Use fennel and its seeds

Fennel has a pH of 6.9 and is therefore an effective heartburn remedy. In fact, this herb is not only good for heartburn, but also for many other diseases and conditions related to the gastrointestinal tract: it is effective for diarrhea, constipation, flatulence and bloating. Fennel contains an essential oil consisting of components such as fenchone, trans-anethole, limonene and a-pinene. All these substances have a carminative effect, which has a calming effect on the stomach and prevents the occurrence of any digestive disorders. Fennel fruits and seeds are equally effective for heartburn.

How to use fennel for heartburn

1. Slice the white underside of the fennel into thin slices, add a small amount of arugula and baby spinach and you have a wonderful salad.
2. Use the seeds in a variety of dishes, including chicken dishes.
3. Eat fresh fennel.
4. Chew some fennel seeds after meals to improve digestion and prevent heartburn.
5. Take 1 tsp. fennel tincture three times a day.
6. You can also consume half a teaspoon of liquid fennel extract every day. But you only need to choose one thing: either a tincture or an extract.

Parsley for heartburn

Some people find parsley effective in combating heartburn symptoms. This is due to the amino acid glutamine, which is present in parsley. Glutamine has some anti-inflammatory properties and thus reduces inflammation in the intestines and the severity of acid reflux. Parsley also alkalizes the contents of the stomach. Alkaline foods always neutralize acid and prevent heartburn.

What to do:

• Use parsley for seasoning and garnishing.
• Use parsley leaves to add flavor while cooking.
• Add parsley to salads.

Marshmallow can relieve heartburn

The very popular marshmallow herb contains a sticky substance that coats the mucous membrane of the esophagus and stomach with a protective layer. This creates a protective barrier against acid, which helps relieve heartburn. What else? Marshmallow also improves the regeneration of esophageal tissues damaged by the effects of acidic stomach contents.

How marshmallow can help fight heartburn

What to take:

• Marshmallow root – 1 tbsp.
• Water – 2 glasses

What to do:

• Place the marshmallow in a saucepan or jug.
• Pour water.
• Leave it overnight.
• In the morning, drink a strong herbal infusion with a bitter-sweet taste.

Caution: If you are taking any medications, consult your doctor before using marshmallow.

Use carom seeds to get rid of heartburn

Carom seeds or ajgon are an ancient remedy for heartburn and other stomach problems. This is one of the best Ayurvedic remedies for acidity and bloating. Carom seeds are natural antacids. Thymol present in carom seeds reduces acidity and relieves heartburn symptoms. It also soothes the stomach lining.

How to use carom seeds

1. Take 1 tsp. carom seeds and add a pinch of black salt. Eat it. If you cannot eat it plain, swallow it with a little water.
2. Take 1-2 tsp. carom seeds and boil in a glass of water for 5-10 minutes. Strain and drink.
3. Grind 1 tbsp. l. carom seeds and cumin seeds to a powder state. Now add 1 tbsp. ginger powder. Take a pinch or two of this mixture after meals.

Eat the right diet

Since the problem of acidity is most often related to food, it is best to think about what you eat. Unfortunately, there is no standard anti-GERD diet for everyone. You need to figure out for yourself what suits your stomach and what doesn't. For example, some people with constant acidity eat tomatoes without problems, while for others, tomatoes are heartburn triggers. You should experiment with your diet. But there are some foods that almost never cause heartburn:

1. Vegetables, preferably root vegetables and green vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, asparagus and beans.
2. Low acid fruits such as bananas, apricots, peaches, plums, pears, mangoes, berries and cherries.
3. Grains (bulgur, wheat and rice, especially brown rice).
4. Lean meat.
5. Fish.
6. Low-fat or low-fat dairy products.
7. Yogurt and probiotics: These help with indigestion.
8. High fat and spicy foods should be avoided.
9. Citrus fruits and tomatoes should be avoided.
10. Also avoid chocolate because it contains an ingredient known as methylxanthine, which relaxes the smooth muscle of the lower esophageal sphincter, which can cause heartburn.

Experiment to create your own diet that works for you.

Avoid triggers

You know that there are certain foods that cause heartburn. These include those that contain a lot of acid - citrus fruits and with a lot of spices. Limiting these foods will help reduce the incidence of heartburn. But again, your body is different and may react differently to foods. Yogurt may be a trigger for some, but not for you. Therefore, it is so important to find out which foods and even situations cause heartburn for you. Below is a list of some common triggers that cause acid reflux in almost all people (but not everyone). So, try and figure out the foods that cause heartburn for you.

What to Avoid to Prevent Heartburn

1. Coffee, tea and other caffeinated drinks.
2. Candies.
3. Acidic foods, such as tomatoes.
4. Alcohol.
5. Mint.
6. Citrus fruits and juices.
7. Fatty, fried foods.
8. Binge eating.