Herbal Acid Reflux Treatment

Heartburn, contrary to its name, has nothing to do with the heart. The pain caused by heartburn is but generally centered in the chest, so it is no surprise how the condition got its name. It is not a disease, though it can be a symptom of one, but rather a dietary condition that many people experience periodically. Most people who experience heartburn can trace it to certain foods that they believe triggered it. But often there are also underlying problems that are the real cause of the heartburn. Often just changing habits is a natural remedy all on its own.

What is Heartburn?

Heartburn is a condition where the acids of the stomach enter upward into the esophagus and cause a burning sensation. The stomach is the only organ in the body lined with tissue strong enough to withstand the powerful acids used to break down foods. Both ends of the stomach have a muscle called a sphincter which keeps the stomach ‘closed’ while the acid does its work. The Lower Esophageal Sphincter normally keeps these acids out of the esophagus, but occasionally acid splashed up into it, and that is when we experience heartburn. If the condition is persistent, it is often called Acid Reflux Disease, and sometimes Gastroesophagal Reflux Disease.

What Causes Heartburn?

There are three main factors that contribute to heartburn: The foods we eat, the way we eat it, and the overall health of our bodies. People who follow a healthy diet full of vegetables and high-fibre foods, drink plenty of water, get plenty of exercise, eat smaller meals spaced throughout the day, and get a excellent night’s sleep do not get heartburn very often, if at all.

Some foods have been linked to the potential to cause heartburn. This does not mean you will necessarily experience heartburn when you eat these foods, just that the potential exists. Here is a list of common heartburn triggering foods:

* carbonated drinks

* alcohol

* coffee

* garlic

* tomatoes

* onions

* mint

* chocolate

* dairy products

* citrus fruits and juices

* processed meats

* spicy foods

* very fatty foods

Natural Remedy for Heartburn: Steps to Follow

The best natural remedy for heartburn that is caused by certain foods is to simply avoid eating those foods. Occasional heartburn can be honestly easily traced to certain foods, just by reviewing what you have eaten that day. Keeping notes on your eating habits for a few weeks will also reveal patterns of foods that are causing the condition. If your heartburn is more persistent, than other factors may be at work.

Stress can be a significant factor in making heartburn. Exercise is the best stress relief there is, and of course it contributes to overall health. Meditation is also an brilliant stress relief, and can be practiced pretty much anywhere you can get some silent time alone.

Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is also an vital measure that can control heartburn. Do not, but, drink a lot of water during and immediately after eating. This dilutes the acids and enzymes used to breakdown food in the stomach, and can lead to digestion problems.

Eat smaller meals that are easily digested. Do not eat to the point of feeling uncomfortable. Also, eat well before bedtime, and do not lie down after eating. It is vital to keep the esophagus in an upright position while food is being digested. If you are sitting, sit up straight. Do not slouch on a chair or couch after eating.

Natural Remedy for Heartburn: Folk Remedies

Folk remedies are thoughts that have been handed down for generations. Sometimes they are called ‘Ancient Wives’ Tales’ in an attempt to discredit them, but many of these solutions have been effective for hundreds of years. Simply experiment with them and see what works for you

* Drink a glass of water with a few tablespoons of vinegar in it before eating. The vinegar strengthens the muscles of the lower esophageal sphincter.

* Pineapple juice and slices neutralizes the stomachs acids

* A glass of water with lemon will also increase alkalinity (even though it is citrus)

* Cottage cheese is supposed to help

* A raw potato, shredded with a cheese grater, then eaten, is also supposed to help

* A bowl of oatmeal has an absorptive quality that will soak up excess acid

* Marshmallow root tea is also reported to be a excellent natural remedy for heartburn

* Papaya fruit is also supposed to boost alkalinity thus neutralizing acids

* Bicarbonate of soda – the main ingredient in antacids – can be dissolved in a glass of water and is very effective in treating the symptoms of heartburn.

It is vital to remember that these methods treat the symptoms of heartburn, and not the underlying cause. Follow the steps above and you may never need to use any of these natural remedies for heartburn at all.

The need for a natural remedy for heartburn is strong: millions of people around the world suffer from heartburn. The truth is, but, that in most cases the condition is caused by poor eating habits and can be easily avoided. Unfortunately, most people do not want to change their habits.

There is a commercial running on television in North America that shows a man who gets the latest antacid pill and can now go back to eating all the junk food he “likes”. This is typical of the attitude of most westerners: Give me a pill that solves my problem but don’t question me to change any of my habits. But sometimes a change of habit is exactly what is needed to solve a problem. That is certainly the case when it comes to a natural remedy for heartburn.

Author: Brent Craig
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Digital Camera Times