Some advise eating little or slow; Others blame spicy foods, or attribute it to lemons and oranges. To begin with there are a number of recommendations to treat acid reflux from the standpoint of natural medicine. But the long-term goal is to determine and avoid what causes heartburn.
Natural medicine to calm stomach acid
As soon as you feel the unsettling burning of heartburn, drink a large glass of water. This will dilute the acid and bring it down to the esophagus and thence to the stomach.
Prepare an infusion to relieve heartburn by adding a teaspoon of freshly grated ginger root to a cup of boiling water; Let stand 10 minutes and then drink. Used long ago to calm the nausea caused by motion sickness, ginger also helps relax the muscles that line the walls of the esophagus, preventing gastric acid from being propelled upwards.
According to herbalists, an infusion of anise, caraway or fennel seeds also relieves acidity. Sharpen two teaspoons of either of them into a cup of boiling water; Let stand 10 minutes, strain and drink.
Traditional Ayurvedic medicine specialists in India prescribe ground cinnamon or cardamom infusions to relieve heartburn. Add a teaspoon of either of them, ground or powdered, to a cup of boiling water; Let stand and take it.
Protects the esophagus to prevent heartburn
The marshmallow root is one of the oldest remedies for heartburn. This plant produces a sticky and feculent substance, called mucilage, that covers and protects the mucous membranes of the esophagus. Maybe this is what you need if your esophagus burns. In a cup of water, shake one teaspoon of marshmallow root powder and sip it. Take three to four cups a day.
You can prepare a drink no less mitigating with American elm. Add a teaspoon of crust powder to a cup of hot water. Drink several cups a day.
Also a variant of licorice, called DGL (licorice deglicirricinado), contains a soothing mucilage. It can be purchased in capsules, but works best mixed with saliva, so take it preferably in the form of chewing gum. Chew two to four pieces of DGL 380 mg three times a day, half an hour before eating. If you do not get 10 in this presentation, buy DGL capsules (take up to 1 g per day). Some brands contain 250 mg, with a recommended dose of 2 to 4 capsules per day.
How to neutralize acid reflux
Saliva helps to neutralize gastric acid. Chew a piece of sugar-free chewing gum, or imagine a hearty snack that will make your mouth water: everything is good as long as it makes you swallow and swallow extra saliva.
Sodium bicarbonate is alkaline and neutralizes gastric acid. Mix ½ teaspoon baking soda and a few drops of lemon juice in half a cup of warm water. Do not take bicarbonate alone: lemon juice is necessary to dissipate some of the gas that bicarbonate generates in the stomach when it comes in contact with the acid in it.
Vegetable juices such as carrot, cucumber or radish help to neutralize gastric acid by its alkaline nature. If preparing the juice is inconvenient or you do not want to do it, then eat them raw.
How to Prevent Heartburn Effectively
No matter how bad you feel, keep your body erect. If you are standing, the force of gravity will keep the acid in the stomach. Avoid stooping after eating and do not lie down immediately after finishing a hearty meal.
If heartburn causes you discomfort at night, consume your food at least two hours before bedtime. In that time the gastric acids will be able to descend before you lie down.
You can lift the head of your bed about 15 cm with an extra pillow. When sleeping inclined, the force of gravity helps keep the acid in the stomach.
