Heartburn can be anything from a mere annoyance to a sign that something major is wrong. According to Nicholas Talley of the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in a June 26, 2006 report on Medical News Today, heartburn affects an estimated 25% of people at least once a month and 12% at least once a week. But that burning sensation in the throat can be tamed with a few simple tricks.
Avoiding Heartburn Triggers
One of the best ways to help heal heartburn is to prevent it in the first place. Different people have different heartburn triggers, so what works for one person might not work for another. Here are some of the more common triggers:
- Specific foods: These can include chocolate, alcohol, spicy foods, dairy products, fatty foods, or foods that are personal triggers for an individual.
- Prescription drugs: Some prescription drugs can trigger heartburn or make mild heartburn worse. Reviewing all prescriptions with a doctor can help identify a potential relationship between medicines and heartburn symptoms and develop a plan to minimize the problem.
- Bedtime: Many heartburn sufferers make it a point never to eat during the three hour period before bedtime, since this often brings on acid reflux. Others elevate their heads 4-6 inches during sleep to prevent stomach acids from creeping into the esophagus.
- Eating too much: When there is too much food in the stomach, that can force acids up into the esophagus and cause heartburn. Eating smaller meals can help alleviate the problem.
- Stress: Excessive stress can cause acid production to increase, but relaxation techniques such as meditation and deep breathing can help. Another solution might be an adjustment of the daily schedule to reduce activity and provide more time for relaxation.
Herbs for Heartburn Relief
Many different herbs have shown promise for heartburn relief. A few of the well-studied ones are listed below:
- Licorice root. Also called DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice), licorice root is a popular folk remedy for heartburn. Research done on licorice root has indicated that the herb promotes stomach health and helps with ulcers, leading many to believe it may also ease GERD symptoms.
- Xiang Sha Yang Wei Wan. This mixture is an herbal blend commonly used in China to treat heartburn symptoms. While there have been some studies done on these herbs published in Chinese journals, these haven't been widely studied in the West.
- Other Herbs: Some herbs have not been studied extensively, but appear as folk remedies in cultures across the globe. Some of these include ginger root, slippery elm, dandelion and milk thistle.
Other Natural Methods to Treat Acid Reflux
For those who need a little more help with relieving heartburn but don't want to resort to drugs, natural remedies from around the world offer alternative options for curing acid reflux. Here are some of the most widely used remedies:
- Acupressure: There are a few different acupressure points that help alleviate heartburn. One is the CV 12point, located halfway between the breastbone and the navel, according to Michael Reed Gach, Ph.D, author of Acupressure’s Potent Points. Researchers at Australia's University of Adelaide led by Dr. Richard H. Holloway, found evidence in 2005 to support the effectiveness of using the Neiguan point, a few inches down from the palm on the inside of the wrist. Heartburn sufferers can use a fingertip or pencil eraser to press these acupressure points.
- Homeopathy and Foods: Naturum phosphoricum, also known as sodium phosphate, is a common homeopathic remedy for acid reflux. Aloe vera and apple cider vinegar are other home remedies often used for treating heartburn. These two treatments are commonly used in Europe and in traditional rural American communities, respectively.
With so many natural ways to treat heartburn, there's no excuse anymore for suffering through the pain of acid reflux. As always, consulting a doctor is a good idea before embarking on any natural treatment plan, especially for people with chronic or recurrent acid reflux, which may signal a deeper problem.
Sources:
Gach, Michael R. Acupressure’s Potent Points. 1990. Bantam
Prevention Magazine Editors. The Doctors Book of Home Remedies. 2003 Rodale Press.
Wang, Lihua. Chinese Home Remedies: Harnessing Ancient Wisdom for Self Healing. 2005 Career Press
Bridget Coila - I'm a cell and molecular biologist, freelance writer and photographer currently living in Beijing, China. I'm fascinated by science, ...
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