5 Natural Remedies for Heartburn
The burning sensation in your chest, the bubbling sensation up your throat, the unpleasant taste of sourness in your mouth — there’s no doubt heartburn can be nasty! And the worst part, there’s no knowing when it will strike.
Heartburn, or acid reflux, has nothing to do with your heart. Instead, it describes a digestive disorder that causes a feeling of burning in your chest — hence heartburn. Heartburn occurs when the bands of muscles at the end of your gullet let food travel back up past the sphincter — bringing a nasty flow of gastric acid up your gullet. This acid is what gives the burning sensation all too familiar to many of us.
There are several reasons why you might suddenly suffer from heartburn. You may be overeating — or eating too quickly. Or, you could be chowing down on spicy foods or suffering from stress. But thankfully, some easy, natural and effective home remedies can instantly ease the burn. In this post, we break down our top five!
Brew a Cup of Cinnamon Tea
Herbal teas are one of the best and easiest ways to tackle heartburn naturally. From parsley tea to chamomile tea, dozens of herbal teas can help to ease the burn. Our favourite, however, is cinnamon tea.
Cinnamon has long-held an impressive reputation as an anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic ingredient. It is these properties that make cinnamon tea such an effective treatment and way of neutralising stomach acids.
To make the tea, you’ll need:
- One teaspoon of cinnamon powder or a couple of sticks of cinnamon
- One tablespoon of honey
- A large cup of water
Soak the cinnamon in a cup of boiling water, strain and add honey for a sweet taste. For best effects, drink the tea half an hour after eating to reduce stomach irritation and lower the level of stomach acids.
Sip on Aloe Vera Juice
Have you ever slathered aloe vera gel onto sunburnt skin and melted into the soothing, cool sensation it delivers? Heaven, right? But aloe vera is not only great for soothing burnt skin — it can also combat painful heartburn. Aloe vera is a natural hydrator that reduces inflammation and soothes irritation. Trust us — there’s nothing more glorious than feeling the cooling liquid slip down your throat when that distinctive burn takes over.
Sadly, you can’t just grab your nearest bottle of aloe vera after-sun as it contains chemicals that aren’t suitable for consumption. But don’t fret. Aloe vera juice is available from most shops and it’s also easy to make in the comfort of your own home. All you need is:
- Five tablespoons of edible aloe vera gel
- Two dollops of honey
- Juice of 1 lemon
- ½ a cup of water
Pro tip: Make in advance so you can sip as soon as you feel the signs of heartburn coming on. But be warned, aloe vera juice is a laxative so drink with caution. Perhaps it’s best for drinking in the comfort of your own home too!
Chow down on Fennel
Fennel has been used as a medicinal product for hundreds if not thousands of years. In particular, it’s famed for its’ ability to ease a range of digestive issues. Fennel salads and stews are great for getting rid of bloated bellies while fennel seeds work like antacids and anti-inflammatories.
If you’re prone to heartburn from rich or highly acidic meals, try preparing a simple fennel salad as a side dish. Or put together a fennel tea to take the edge off using:
- Fennel bulb
- Lemon juice
- Honey
Eat as a whole food or grate into boiling water for a tasty, soothing tea. The fennel will help to offset the richness of your meal and prevent the burn from taking over!
A Spoonful of…. Baking Powder
Mary Poppins may have served up a spoonful of sugar. But if you’re suffering from heartburn, you’re better off with baking powder. Baking powder — or sodium bicarbonate — may not sound particularly appetising, but it sure does ease the burn. Sodium bicarbonate has an alkaline PH, which means it’s above 7.0 on the PH scale. So it can help to neutralise the acids in your stomach.
Unlike sugar, baking powder doesn’t have the greatest flavour. We’d recommend mixing half a teaspoon of baking soda with a large glass of water for a smoother taste.
Fight Fire with Fire — Apple Cider Vinegar
“Fight fire with fire”, “The hair of the dog”, “like for like.” In most countries and cultures, you’ll find an old wives tale that preaches this idea — cure yourself with the poison that harmed you. It may seem counterintuitive to have more acid when you’re experiencing acid reflux. But there’s a reason why these sayings proliferate.
Although we often think of acid reflux and heartburn as symptoms that arise from an abundance of acid, sometimes the opposite is true. If you’ve tried everything else on this list and still can’t shake that burning feeling, then maybe it’s time to try some acid.
Pure, raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar has a whole host of health benefits and in some cases can be used to help fight heartburn. But remember, as an acid, it’s super important to dilute it, or you risk damaging your teeth and gums. We like to make this simple drink:
- One tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar
- Eight ounces of water
- A teaspoon of honey (optional)
Mix together and drink. Simple!
Don’t let acid reflux and heartburn rule your life. Alongside these natural remedies, there is a whole range of natural, noninvasive treatments and therapies that can help you to ditch the heartburn for good. Browse our selection of alternative treatments and holistic therapies and take control of your health today.