I feel fairly confident in assuming that ALL of you have probably experienced the pain of heartburn at some point. I used to get it really bad when I was pregnant. But the WORST culprit for me is eating spicy foods! Eating a spicy dish is almost guaranteed to cause me major discomfort. There are plenty of other foods that can set off heartburn too, like tomatoes, onions, chocolate, coffee, alcohol, and caffeine. Other heartburn triggers include dishes high in fats and oils, and certain medications.
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So what’s a girl (or guy) to do, suffer in silence? Of course not! Why would you endure the discomfort of heartburn when there are plenty of simple home remedies that can relieve the pain? My hope is that somewhere in this post, there’s at least one remedy that works perfectly for you!
23 Natural Remedies For Heartburn
Juices
1. Aloe Vera Juice
Just as Aloe Vera acts as a coolant and reduces the inflammation on the skin, it also cools down the stomach and provides heartburn relief. Aloe vera juice has a long history of use in Europe as a natural home remedy to relieve heartburn. You should only use aloe vera juice that has been specifically prepared for internal use.
2. Pineapple Juice
Drinking 4 oz. of pineapple juice after meals highly effective in reducing hyperacidity and heartburn. Pineapple contains bromelain, which is an enzyme that helps control levels of hydrochloric acid in your stomach.
3. Vegetable Juice
Vegetable juices, like raw potato, celery and cabbage are very alkaline in nature and are helpful in correcting an acidic stomach. Papaya juice contains the digestive enzyme papain, which has a soothing effect on the stomach and aids in the breaking down of protein.
Fruits
4. Apples
Even a slice of apple can calm down acid production and reduce the burning sensation. Apples neutralize the acid in your stomach in about 5 minutes. Braeburn or Gala apples work best. Celery sticks and cabbage will also minimize stomach acid.
5. Bananas
Bananas act as a natural antacid in the body. You can eat either fresh or dried bananas.
6. Grapes
Eat 10 to 20 grapes whenever you experience any type of digestion issue. Grapes are very good at relieving indigestion, as well as an upset stomach.
Herbs & Spices
7. Basil
Basil leaves also help in relieving heartburn, as well as combating nausea and gas. Chewing 2 to 3 basil leaves minimizes stomach acid.
8. Chamomile
Chamomile tea has been used to help neutralize stomach acid. It is also used by people as a stress reliever.
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9. Cinnamon
You can also make teas made of crushed cinnamon or cardamom to cool the heat of heartburn. Add 1 teaspoon of either crushed or powdered herb to 1 cup boiling water, steep, strain and drink.
10. Fennel
According to herbalists, tea made from anise, caraway, or fennel seed can ease the burn of heartburn. Add 2 teaspoons of any of them to 1 cup of boiling water, steep for 10 minutes, strain and drink.
11. Garlic
Even though many people BLAME garlic for their heartburn, a clove or two can erase the burn as quickly as it came. Chew a clove of garlic when heartburn occurs, or store a few cloves of garlic in apple cider vinegar, and drink a sip of the liquid when heartburn occurs.
Raw garlic is a power-packed antibiotic, and is known to kill the pathogenic microorganism that is most often found in those suffering from gastritis.
12. Ginger
Fresh ginger is one of the oldest remedies for heartburn. It is also used to help treat nausea. Ginger can be added to food when it’s cooked, eaten raw, or consumed as ginger tea. Combine 1 tbsp. of ginger and lemon juice with 2 tbsp. of honey in 8 oz. of warm water. Drink when you begin to feel the effects of indigestion.
13. Peppermint Oil
Add two drops of peppermint oil to 8 oz. of cold water and drink whenever you have indigestion. If you are unable to drink this mixture, suck on one piece of peppermint candy to relieve indigestion and stomach irritation. Peppermint oil is a regular ingredient in over-the-counter heartburn medicines and a great cure for heartburn.
14. Turmeric
Turmeric helps stimulate digestion and prevent acid build-up, and is commonly found in curried foods. If you don’t want to use turmeric in your cooking, it is available in capsule form and can be taken before meals.
Candies
15. Chewing Gum
Chewing gum stimulates the salivary flow rate, and any acid that accumulates in your stomach is washed away and cleared more quickly. Choose a sugar-free, fruit-flavored gum. Mint gums can be irritating to some people.
16. Licorice
A form of licorice called DGL also provides heartburn-soothing effects. It provides protection from acids by promoting mucus release in the stomach. DGL comes in large tablets that you place in your mouth and allow to melt. You can chew them slightly, but don’t swallow them since it is your saliva that helps activate the DGL.
17. Candied Ginger
See the entry for ginger above.
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Other Kitchen Staples
18. Almonds
Almonds are especially good for digestion because their high oil content neutralizes stomach acid. Take a handful (about 15-20) and 1/2 hour later your heartburn should be gone.
19. Apple Cider Vinegar
Stir 2 Tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into 1/2 cup of water or apple juice & drink immediately after each meal. It will calm stomach troubles and brings about digestive relief. Apple cider vinegar can also be taken in tablet or capsule form.
20. Baking Soda
Baking soda is a natural antacid. Mix between 1/2 and 1 teaspoon of baking soda with a glass of water to neutralize acid and temporarily alleviate heartburn caused by acid reflux. If you have heartburn regularly, avoid using this remedy. It is high in salt and could cause side effects like swelling and nausea.
21. Buttermilk
To help relieve heartburn, try drinking a half cup of ice cold buttermilk. You can use regular whole milk, but the effects of heartburn relief are not as quick. It is highly recommended you include fermented milk and soy products regularly in your diet, because they can help correct acid reflux problems.
22. Mustard
Mustard is a little known and surprising remedy for heartburn. It supposedly works because it contains turmeric, which gives it that distinctive yellow color. The next time you have an attack of acid reflux, try 1 tsp of yellow mustard with about ½ glass of water.
23. Potato
Potato juice not only neutralizes the acid in your stomach, but it also heals the lining of your esophagus. It is simple, safe and effective. Juice one raw potato and add an equal amount of cold water. Make sure to stir the mixture well until it is cloudy from the starch. Drink it right away for the best result.
Here are some general tips and tricks to help you treat heartburn, or better yet, avoid it entirely!
Tips & Tricks For Heartburn
- Some people can eliminate heartburn by simply drinking water. Water can help to wash excess acid that splashes into the esophagus.
- Avoid specific foods that trigger your heartburn.
- Try to avoid eating at least 2-3 hours before bedtime, so your stomach has a chance to empty before you lie down.
- Eat slowly, and take smaller bites.
- Excess abdominal fat can force stomach acids up into the esophagus, and that can make heartburn worse or more frequent. Follow a diet and exercise program to shed extra pounds.
- Smoking can reduce the effectiveness of the muscle that keeps acids in the stomach. For this reason (and so many others!) it’s always a good time to quit!
- Ditch those tight jeans. Tight clothes put added pressure on the abdomen.
- If you experience heartburn frequently, consider raising the head of your bed a few inches. This will make it harder for stomach acids to move into your esophagus.
- If you have frequent or severe heartburn, see a doctor. It may be a more serious condition.
Even though heartburn is always unpleasant, you can always be ready with an effective home remedy! And ff you have experience with any of the remedies listed above, or if you have a few of your own, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! :-)
I used to get chronic acid reflux, and it was always a few hours after going to sleep, it was excruciatingly painful! The only relief from the burning pain was sipping iced water slowly and often. I tried milk (because it soothes the burning of chilli) but it just wouldn’t work, the acid made a mucus and the milk made more, so when I coughed up the mucus, the acid would burn my throat again. I couldn’t guarantee when it was going to happen, or I’d have kept almond milk on hand. If you haven’t felt the burning caused by… Read more »
Eating a raw potato can be dangerous. I would recommend a sweet potato very safe and healthy.
Taking luke warm water after meals has been helpful for along with some medications. .
Hi Jillee, I’m glad you brought this subject up. I have used Papaya enzyme pills for years when I have indigestion though that doesn’t happen often. I can’t use the juice much for two reasons one it is tart enough to nearly lock my jaws open and that truly hurts and the other is the price of juices are way out of my budget range. The papaya enzyme pills taste like candy and melting them in the mouth stimulates the salivary flow rate as you mentioned. In 1975 my mother told me about reading an article in the “Prevention Magazine”… Read more »
I was looking for relief that wasn’t medication as I take many meds, including Omeprisole. Some days not even that works. Anyway, I tried eating an apple…worked like a charm and no side effects that didn’t work with my usual meds. Thanks for the great advice!
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I have been suffering from heart burn and acidity since a few years. Taking medications did not help me much. Some people say taking lemons can alkalize the stomach through they are acidic by nature? Can i take luke warm water after meals?
A glass of room temperature water with a some fresh lemon juice can only help! :-)
Sometimes heartburn is actually caused by a lack of stomach acid. If the solutions presented by Jillee don’t work, Betaine might be the answer. It’s available at good health food stores as well as Amazon.
Agreed! This is so often caused by drinking carbonates beverages with meals or taking antacids. ACV is my go too, always, for indigestion. It raised the stomach acid so that proper digestion can take place in the stomach.
I have severe gastric problems including Barrett’s esophpagus and my gastroenterologist wants me to take medications that cause bone loss & I have osteroporosis. I am very interested in what you suggested, Jillee, & will write you after I have tried some of your suggestions.
Anne Marie. I too have barretts, So I would very interested in how these remedies work for you. If you find something,please email me.
Yes, it is more likely to have low stomach acid, rather than too much. They tend to treat all forms of indigestion alike, and they certainly are not.
One thing that works well is dill pickle juice, which is a vinegar, usually with garlic. Try it, even though it doesn’t sound right. Guess what…if it works, and it almost always does, that proves what your problem is.
I have had 2 surgeries to correct my acid reflux- the first one was not done correctly, the second one worked. I lost my voice for 5 months due to ‘silent’ reflux, the acid burned up my vocal cords. Would advise the following- no caffeine, limited alcohol, no smoking, hot water and lemon juice first thing in the morning, ( lemon juice is actually alkaline), candied ginger, green tea, kefir or lassi, yogurt, cottage cheese. I tried the lemon/honey/ ACV, but that made it worse. Mustard worked great, as did apples and bananas. I also take probiotics VSL#3 every day,… Read more »