As anyone who regularly suffers from heartburn knows, it can be extremely uncomfortable to feel acid burn in your throat and cause deep pain in your chest.
While there are drugs that can help, many popular medications have serious long-term side effects. In contrast, these ten home remedies are both cheaper and safer. Consequently, they’re well worth trying before you reach for a bottle of pills.
1. Artichoke leaf extract
Artichoke leaf extract is supposed to help bile flow from your liver, potentially reducing key hangover symptoms as well as heartburn. For example, one particularly compelling study from 2003 showed that participants who took artichoke leaf extract reliably experienced fewer acid reflux symptoms than those taking a placebo.
 |
| 10 Home Remedies for Heartburn |
Artichoke leaf extract is supposed to help bile flow from your liver, potentially reducing key hangover symptoms as well as heartburn. For example, one particularly compelling study from 2003 showed that participants who took artichoke leaf extract reliably experienced fewer acid reflux symptoms than those taking a placebo.
2. Baking soda
Baking soda is an alkaline substance, so it can be effective in neutralizing the acid associated with heartburn, reducing pain and discomfort as a result. Simply stir a single teaspoon of baking soda into eight ounces of slightly warm water, and drink as needed (with 3-4 hours between “doses”). Baking soda is also said to counteract bloating by helping the body break down fatty foods, so it’s a great remedy for those with several digestive problems.
3. Aloe vera juice
Just as aloe vera soothes irritated skin when applied topically, aloe vera juice promotes healing throughout the digestive system and helps to cut down inflammation. The recommended dose is about a quarter cup of aloe vera juice 15-30 minutes before eating, and it’s important to avoid drinking more than this (as excessive amounts have been known to cause cramps and loose stools).
Baking soda is an alkaline substance, so it can be effective in neutralizing the acid associated with heartburn, reducing pain and discomfort as a result. Simply stir a single teaspoon of baking soda into eight ounces of slightly warm water, and drink as needed (with 3-4 hours between “doses”). Baking soda is also said to counteract bloating by helping the body break down fatty foods, so it’s a great remedy for those with several digestive problems.
3. Aloe vera juice
Just as aloe vera soothes irritated skin when applied topically, aloe vera juice promotes healing throughout the digestive system and helps to cut down inflammation. The recommended dose is about a quarter cup of aloe vera juice 15-30 minutes before eating, and it’s important to avoid drinking more than this (as excessive amounts have been known to cause cramps and loose stools).
4. Ginger tea
Also a wonderful remedy for the nausea caused by pregnancy or motion sickness, ginger tea is a cheap and effective home treatment for heartburn. You can buy ginger tea in most stores, but you can also make it at home by adding a teaspoon of ginger to a cup of freshly boiled water. Consuming raw ginger is also said to help absorb acid in the stomach.
Also a wonderful remedy for the nausea caused by pregnancy or motion sickness, ginger tea is a cheap and effective home treatment for heartburn. You can buy ginger tea in most stores, but you can also make it at home by adding a teaspoon of ginger to a cup of freshly boiled water. Consuming raw ginger is also said to help absorb acid in the stomach.
5. Stress reduction
Sufferers of heartburn often note that it gets worse when life becomes particularly stressful. If you commit to tackling stress, you may well see an improvement in your acid reflux. One of the best things you can do is learn basic mindfulness exercises that quiet your thoughts and induce feelings of calm. Start by just sitting with your eyes closed for ten minutes and focusing solely on your breathing.
6. Fennel seeds
Chewing on a handful of fennel seeds 2-3 times a day may help to discourage excessive production of stomach acid. However, if you don’t like the taste of the seeds, you can make fennel tea by adding 2tsp of fennel seeds to boiling water. Strain after 5-10 minutes, and drink several times a day. As a bonus, fennel also counteracts bad breath!
Chewing on a handful of fennel seeds 2-3 times a day may help to discourage excessive production of stomach acid. However, if you don’t like the taste of the seeds, you can make fennel tea by adding 2tsp of fennel seeds to boiling water. Strain after 5-10 minutes, and drink several times a day. As a bonus, fennel also counteracts bad breath!
Welcome To Health Extreme: Health Extreme delivers relevant information in clear, jargon-free language that puts health into context in peoples' lives. Through medical content, insights from experts and real people, and breaking news, we answer: how it happened, what it feels like, what you can do about it, and why it matters.
Health Extreme is produced by editors and journalists dedicated to delivering accurate, trusted, up-to-date health and medical information, for consumers. We focus on problem-solving content to help you make decisions during complicated, stressful times. We write in plain English, using real-life examples. Contact Us through the Chat with WhatsApp widget below.
