7 TOP NATURAL HOME REMEDIES FOR HEARTBURN

Heart Burn and Natural Home Remedies.

Idowu Oyindamola shares some natural remedies on dealing with heartburns today!

Heart burn is a sensation of burning in the chest caused by
stomach acid
backing up into the esophagus. The burning is usually in
the upper and
central part of the chest, behind the breast bone. It is
caused by acid
reflux (also known as gastroesophagel reflux disease
GERD), which occurs
when the ring of the muscle that allows food into your
stomach (lower
esophageal sphincter LES), relaxes when it shouldn't. This
results in acid
backing up into the esophagus. Associated symptoms may
include difficult
swallowing, chronic cough, regurgitation and persistent
sore throat.
Most people get heartburn after eating large meals, fatty
foods or going to
lay down immediately after eating. Some other triggers may
include
alcohol(particularly red wine), caffeine, carbonated
beverages, acidic
fruits or juices(grapes and tomatoes), smoking, pregnancy
and obesity.
7 Natural Remedies for Heart Burn.
1. Baking soda

Also known as sodium bicarbonate, this is a natural antacid
and would give
quick relief from heart burn within minutes. You will need...
- ½ / 1 tablefulspoon of baking soda
- a glass of water
Directions
Mix ½ or 1 tbs of baking soda in a glass of water not more
than 8 ounces
and stir. Don't take more than 7 glasses in a day and this
remedy should
not be used for more than a week straight because it is high
in salt and
could have side effects such as nausea or swelling.
2. Aloe Vera juice.
Aloe Vera is generally used to soothe burns, it could be able
to help with
heart burn too because it reduces inflammation.
Drink ½ cup of cool or room temperature aloe Vera juice
before meals. It
could act as a laxative and so should be taken in moderate
quantities.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Many people believe that acid reflux is caused by over
production of acid,
well it's not always the case. You can reduce acid with
acid! Take 1-2
spoons of apple cider vinegar before meals. This will calm
the stomach and
reduce the pH of the stomach since it's a weak acid.
4. Lemon juice
Mix some lemon juice in a cup of lukewarm water and drink
on empty stomach
in the morning. It maintains a proper balance of acid levels
in the stomach
and prevents acid reflux.
5. Chew gum particularly mint
Studies have shown that chewing gum after meals would
increase saliva
production which reduces acid levels in the esophagus.
Mint also reduces
indigestion and has soothing properties.
6. Take ginger tea.
7. Diet changes.
- cut down on fatty foods
- Eat 2 hours before bedtime to allow digestion
- avoid eating late
- reduce alcohol intake
- don't over eat. It is best to eat 5-6 small meals throughout
the day than
just 2-3 large meals.
- don't lay down immediately after eating
-avoid tight fitting clothes.

Idowu Oyindamola is a medical student writer and Yourhealthdone Editor and contributor studying at the prestigious  Olabisi Onabanjo University. You can connect with her at 08086210154.