After eating a great meal, the last thing you want to think about is heartburn and indigestion. As a passionate foodie, I understand that certain meals or foods can trigger a bout of heartburn and/or indigestion. That’s why I’ve discovered home remedies for heartburn and indigestion so that you can enjoy your food with the peace of mind that any heartburn or indigestion will be squandered.
CAUSES
Anyone can get heartburn and indigestion, and it can happen at any age in life. However, there are certain things that can make you more prone to developing heartburn and indigestion. The most common causes of heartburn and indigestion come from three major areas: lifestyle, diseases, and medications.
Lifestyle Causes:
- Eating too much and too quickly
- Eating when you are stressed
- Consuming high fat foods
- Smoking
- Drinking alcohol
- Stress and/or fatigue
- Eating late at night
- Food allergies
- Depression
Medication Causes:
- Aspirin
- Birth control or estrogen pills
- Steroid medications
- Thyroid medications
- Select antibiotics
Disease Causes:
- GERD
- Ulcers
- Stomach infections
- Food poisoning
- Heart attack
- Angina
- Stomach Cancer
- Stomach infections
- IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
- Thyroid disease
- Pancreatitis
- Gastroparesis
In addition to the most common causes of heartburn and indigestion, there are a few other causes that you should be aware of. Pregnancy can cause heartburn and indigestion in the later stages of the pregnancy.
There is also a condition known as functional and/or non-ulcer dyspepsia. This condition can cause long lasting heartburn and indigestion, even without any of the above listed causes or triggers. The following list of foods are foods to avoid with acid reflux as well.
Foods that cause heartburn and indigestion include:
- Tomatoes
- Red wine
- Citrus fruits
- Chocolate
- Black Pepper
- Garlic
- Raw Onion
- Spicy Foods
- Coffee
- Peppermint
- Tea
- Sodas
- Fatty foods
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Since heartburn and indigestion are quite common ailments, many people recognize the signs and symptoms right away. Typically a person with heartburn and/or indigestion will exhibit at least one, if not a combination, of the following signs and symptoms:
- bloating
- abdominal pain
- acid reflux
- nausea- either with or without vomiting
- decreased appetiteacidic taste in the mouth
- gurgling, bubbling, rumbling, and/or growling of the stomach
- stomach cramps or discomfort
- constipation
- diarrhea
- excessive gas (either through flatulence or belching)
If you are experiencing any of the above listed signs or symptoms of heartburn and indigestion, it is essential to get a proper diagnosis. A diagnosis from you doctor can ensure that you indeed do have heartburn and/or indigestion and not something more serious.
For many, a simple evaluation of what they have eaten that day can give them the indication that they have heartburn and/or indigestion. If you have never experienced heartburn or indigestion before, speak to your doctor right away.
TREATMENTS
Once you have been diagnosed with heartburn and indigestion, you can begin treatment. The following home remedies for heartburn and indigestion can help to soothe, treat, and even prevent heartburn and indigestion altogether. If you are searching for how to stop heartburn and indigestion, these home remedies can naturally and safely help your ailments.
1. Administer Baking Soda
Baking soda is one of the easiest ways to relieve your symptoms of heartburn and indigestion. Since it is a very safe, natural method, it is a great home remedy to use for heartburn relief during pregnancy.
The baking soda will help to neutralize the burning sensation caused by the acid reflux. This is because baking soda is a base, with a Ph level higher than 7.0.
Required Ingredients:
- 1 glass of water
- ½-1 teaspoon of baking soda
Process:
- Combine the baking soda with the glass of water and stir until the baking soda is fully dissolved.
- Drink the mixture.
- Repeat as often as 3 to 4 times per day, for no more than one week.
2. Administer Aloe Juice
Photo Credit: canaryaloe.es
The Aloe Vera plant is often used as a natural remedy for soothing burns or sunburn. Yet, it can also help with heartburn by relieving the inflammation. Whenever your stomach is irritated or inflamed, or your esophagus becomes irritated or inflamed, aloe juice can gently soothe the pain away.
Required Ingredients:
- ½ cup of Aloe Vera juice
Process:
- Drink the Aloe Vera juice either cooled or at room temperature, before your meals.
- Repeat as often as necessary to prevent heartburn and soothe the irritation and inflammation.
Notes: Aloe Vera is a natural laxative, so be cautious in over indulging in this home remedy.
3. Chew a Piece of Gum
Chewing a piece of gum can be just what you need to stop heartburn and indigestion in their tracks. Chewing gum for thirty minutes after a meal can help to alleviate and prevent heartburn since you are activating your salvia production. The increase in salvia will help to wash away any acid that is being built up in your stomach.
Required Ingredients:
- 1 piece of sugar free chewing gum
Process:
- Pop a piece of chewing gum in your mouth after you have finished a meal.
- Continue chewing for at least 30 minutes after your meal.
- Repeat after eating your regular meals, especially if you are eating any foods that are known to trigger your heartburn and/or indigestion.
4. Place Your Chin Up
One of the best physical things you can do for your body when you have heartburn or indigestion is to bring your chin up. Heartburn will tend to become worse at night since you are lying down. In this case, gravity will work against you and bring any acids in your stomach upwards, making the heartburn worse.
Required Ingredients:
- Something to elevate your head by six inches (either a few books, pillows, etc.)
Process:
- Use an object of your choice to elevate your head and chin.
- Do not lie down 3-4 hours after eating a meal.
- Use nightly or when you feel the effects of heartburn or indigestion.
5. Administer Apple Cider Vinegar
Photo Credit: heinzvinegar.com
While you have acid boiling and burning in your stomach and esophagus, it might seem counter-productive to add more acid to your already struggling system, but apple cider vinegar can make you feel so much better.
Sometimes acid reflux can be caused by a lack of acid or lowered amounts of acid in your system. Adding a bit of acidic apple cider vinegar can stop these problems before they occur.
Required Ingredients:
- 3 tsps or 1 tablespoon of raw, unfiltered, apple cider vinegar
- 6-8 ounces of fresh water
Process:
- Combine the apple cider vinegar with the water and drink before a meal.
- You can repeat before each meal or even 3-4 times throughout the day.
Notes: If you notice that your acid reflux is worsening, discontinue this home remedy.
6. Eat an Apple or Banana
Bananas and apples contain high amounts of natural antacids that will help to soothe your heartburn and indigestion. Ripened apples and bananas can easily soothe your burning and inflammation, and help to prevent the heartburn and indigestion from happening in the first place.
Not to mention, the added vitamins and fiber will be great for your diet.
Required Ingredients:
- One ripened banana or apple
Process:
- Eat one of the selected fruits each day, preferably before a larger meal or foods that may trigger your heartburn or indigestion.
7. Administer a Gingerroot Tea
Ginger is a well-known home remedy for several stomach issues and ailments, ranging from nausea and including heartburn and indigestion. Fresh ginger root works best, but dried or powdered ginger root can help just as well.
Required Ingredients:
- 3 quarter slices of fresh ginger root
- 2 cups of hot water
Process:
- Add the ginger root to the hot water and allow to simmer, covered, for at least 30 minutes.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Either remove or keep the ginger slices in the water and pour a cup of the tea.
- Drink at least 20 minutes before your meal.
- Repeat when necessary.
8. Track the Triggers
Keeping track of what triggers your heartburn and indigestion is crucial for understanding when and where you will be prone to getting it. Tracking your triggers will help you understand what to avoid as well. While it will take time and effort on your part, tracking your foods is the best way to determine what the actual cause of your heartburn is.
Required Ingredients:
- Pen and paper
Process:
- Record your foods and beverages in a daily diary.
- Record the times you are experiencing heartburn, and for how long.
- Compare your notes each week to track where you are experiencing heartburn and the suspected sources.
- Any correlations between foods and times of heartburn and indigestion will be easily noticeable and you can adjust your diet accordingly to help prevent heartburn and indigestion from coming back.
9. Avoid Tight Fitting Clothing
When you wear tight fitting clothing, you can actually place pressure on your stomach and cause heartburn and indigestion from the added pressure. For example, if you are wearing tight fitting jeans, when you sit, you will immediately place pressure on your abdomen. This extra pressure will make your lower esophageal tract to allow the contents of your stomach to push through and end up causing heartburn and indigestion.
Required Ingredients:
- None
Process:
- Check to make sure you are not wearing tight fitting belts, shirts, or pants.
- Change to something that fits more loosely to prevent pressure on your abdomen.
10. Administer Mustard
Photo Credit: foodandwine.com
Consuming high quality mustard can help to alleviate your heartburn and indigestion. This is because mustards are a natural alkaline and contain high amounts of minerals. These naturally occurring properties will help to neutralize the acids in your stomach. Consuming mustard can help you stop the creeping heartburn when you feel it begin or if you are currently experiencing it.
Required Ingredients:
1 tsp of high quality mustard ( grey poupon for example)
Process:
- Measure out the mustard and consume.
- Have a glass of juice or water to wash away the taste if you do not like mustard.
- Repeat when you are suffering from heartburn or indigestion.
11. Administer Almonds
Consuming almonds with every meal, will help to prevent heartburn and indigestion altogether. The almonds will help to neutralize the acids in your stomach and help prevent the inflammation and burning associated with heartburn and indigestion.
Required Ingredients:
- 3-4 organic, raw almonds
Process:
- Consume 3-4 of the raw, organic almonds before or during your regular meals to prevent heartburn.
Notes: Do not eat more than 3-4 at a time as an overload of almonds can actually end up causing heartburn when they are consumed in excessive amounts.
12. Administer a Chamomile Tea
Chamomile is quite popular as a natural remedy for its calming and soothing properties of the skin and internal systems. The chamomile will help to balance the Ph levels of your stomach as well as soothe and prevent inflammation from occurring.
Required Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of chamomile petals
- 1 cup of boiled water
- Strainer
- Dash of honey or lemon
Process:
- Add the chamomile to the boiled water and let steep for 3 minutes
- Strain the chamomile petals
- Add the honey and lemon and enjoy 20-30 minutes before eating.
- Repeat before meals as often as needed.
13. Watch How, When, and What You Eat
Just as tracking your triggers is important, watching how, when , and what you eat is also essential in preventing heartburn and indigestion.
Required Ingredients:
None
Process:
- Avoid foods that can trigger your heartburn. (see the above listed foods that can cuase heartburn for examples).
- Do not eat 3-4 hours before you lie down or sleep.
- Don’t take in giant or large mouthfuls of food. Taking smaller bites will enable your stomach to digest the food without producing an excess of stomach acids.
In addition to the home remedies for heartburn and indigestion, there are a few other tips you can adhere to so you can learn how to prevent acid reflux, heartburn, and indigestion before it begins.
How to prevent acid reflux, heartburn, and indigestion
- Eat small bites, and small meals.
- Cut back on alcoholic and caffeinated beverages.
- Cut back or quit smoking.
- Don’t exercise on a full stomach.
- Avoid wearing tight fitting clothing.
- If stress is one of your triggers, meditate or find ways to relax.
As a passionate food lover, I know I’ve experience heartburn and indigestion from time to time. I hope the home remedies for heartburn and indigestion can help you as they have helped me. If you have found a favorite home remedy for heartburn and indigestion, please share! I hope you have enjoyed this list and please let me know what you turn to when you have heartburn and indigestion.
Dr. Kyra Russel Jr.
A qualified doctor, Dr. Kyra Russel Jr. is someone who wears many hats, working also as a health writer, author, researcher, and media medic. She is a master communicator who is passionate about putting convoluted health information into words that make the information widely accessible. Her primary interests are child and adolescent health, women’s well-being, beauty, and nutrition.
