Prevent Heartburn: 6 Simple Remedies

Heartburn is that uncomfortable burning sensation that starts in the chest and can travel into the throat. You may also experience other symptoms, including an acidic or bitter taste in your mouth. Fortunately, there are some simple and quick remedies that can ease the symptoms of heartburn and reduce them completely.

Chamomile

This herb is considered to be one of the most effective remedies for heartburn. Chamomile is available in capsule form as well as tea form. You can make chamomile tea from a prepared tea bag or purchase loose leaf chamomile to make your own tea bag. Chamomile also has a very calming effect on the entire body. You may want to consider consuming chamomile tea before and after you eat to prevent or cure heartburn.

Aloe Vera Juice

The juice offered by the aloe vera plant is an amazing substance that coats and soothes the esophagus, stomach and digestive tract. Please note that aloe vera is also sold for skin care use to treat sunburn and other skin conditions, so be sure to purchase aloe vera juice that is intended for internal use. To treat heartburn, you can consume ¼ cup of aloe vera juice 20 minutes before a meal. There are also aloe formulations that are sold specifically for internal use and are combined with other herbs that help soothe the digestive tract such as marshmallow and slippery elm.

Ginger

This is a common remedy for heartburn as well as other digestive disturbances. Ginger can be taken 20 or 30 minutes before you sit down to enjoy a meal and may reduce the occurrence of heartburn that would otherwise be present either during your meal or after it. You can take ginger in capsule form or with tea. If you choose to take ginger in capsule form, try taking 2 capsules before your meal. If you drink ginger tea, be sure it is plain ginger tea and not mixed with caffeine.

If you find that consuming ginger has alleviated your symptoms to some degree but not completely, take more ginger after 30 minutes of the first dose. You can also chew on candied ginger for heartburn relief. Candied ginger has tones of sweetness accompanied by a spicy flavor and can be consumed again after 10 minutes if your symptoms have not completely subsided.

Papaya

Another excellent remedy for heartburn is papaya fruit. It can promote proper digestion and cure indigestion. Papaya contains papain which is a digestive enzyme that positively aids in digestion and soothes the stomach. Papaya can be taken in many forms to prevent and treat the occurrence of heartburn.

If you are able to locate fresh papaya, try eating it with your meal. You can eat it by itself or add it to your salad. It’s naturally sweet so it can also be consumed as a dessert. Papaya can also be purchased in a chewable tablet form. If you purchase papaya in tablet form, you may want to consume some both during and after your meal for best results. It will help start the enzyme process before your meal to ensure for proper digestion which can decrease the likeliness of developing heartburn in the first place.

Apple

The statement that “an apple a day can keep the doctor away” is not far off from the truth. An apple can actually help to neutralize stomach acid. Granny smith and braeburn apples are two of the most effective at treating heartburn. Apples contain two substances that neutralize stomach acids; mail acid and tartaric acid. When the stomach acids are neutralized, the pressure on the stomach is reduced. If you want to try an apple for heartburn relief, you can consume one after a meal as well as throughout the day to prevent heartburn.

Change Your Position

Heartburn can occur while laying down. If that is the case, you can simply sit up for a while which may reduce your symptoms completely. The acids will travel lower into the stomach instead of up into your esophagus and throat. You can also place some pillows beneath your upper body if you aren’t able to sit up fully. If you use pillows, be sure that the pillows are supporting your chest and pushing your upper body in a position that is more like sitting straight up rather than reclining.

As you try out these remedies for heartburn, keep in mind that research has shown that stress is a factor fo heartburn. A survey showed that 58 percent of people who suffer from heartburn on a regular basis also admitted to having a hectic lifestyle. Another 52 percent agreed that work-related stress makes their symptoms more severe. Stress also has an effect on the digestive system because it slows down digestion, which can increase the likelihood of heartburn.

Beyond the remedies listed above, health experts recommend that you slow down and take time to eat at a slower pace. If you are prone to heartburn, be sure to refrain from laying down after you eat. You may want to consider avoiding foods that contain caffeine and tomatoes, as well as foods that are fried. Heartburn can be treated and overcomed, especially when diet and lifestyle changes are addressed along with simple remedies to ease the unpleasant symptoms that accompany heartburn.