Home remedies for acidity, acid reflux, gas and heartburn

These are some of the effective home remedies for acidity, acid reflux and heart burn that can help you save money, time and get relief promptly. The article is focussed on a few tried and tested home-based methods that actually work. Doing physical exercise, such as yoga asanas or pranayama, empty stomach is also helpful but this article focuses on other solutions that can be done at home.

Possible causes of chronic acidity, acid reflux and heartburn

There are several causes of the issue. Lying down as soon as you eat, overeating, bending suddenly after having food, intake of tea or coffee, alcohol, spicy food or citrus fruits such as tomato can cause acidity in the stomach. Further, if someone is pregnant or is under medications of blood pressure, they tend to form acidity issues generally after food.

Home remedies for chronic acidity

The good part of the acidity and gas problem is that it has a solution. One does not have to visit a doctor every time for the same unless it is something severe. You can get relief from acid reflux using the ingredients present in the kitchen. Let us discuss some of the most effective remedies for acidity, acid reflux and heartburn.

1. Baking soda

The baking soda, also perceived as sodium bicarbonate is an anti-acid that helps end the burning (heartburn) sensation. Its pH level is more than 7 which neutralises the upshot of acid formed in the body. All one has to do is append 1 teaspoon of baking soda in warm water and drink it. This provides instant relief from acidity and heartburn.

Also note, patients with high blood pressure should not opt for this remedy as it has a high level of sodium content. Others should also consider this remedy for not more than a week to evade nausea or swelling.

2. Chewing Gum

Chewing gum though sounds actually unbelievable; it is one of the primary therapies to get rid of acidity. Keep chewing the chewing gum for 30 minutes after the meal. The excess chewing arouses more saliva in the mouth causing increased flow of the same in the stomach. Prefer chewing a sugar-free chewing gum.

3. Aloe Vera juice

The Aloe Vera juice is an excellent medicine to get rid of acidity, heartburn and acidity. One can buy a readymade Aloe Vera juice of any popular brand available in the market for convenience. Take a quarter cup quantity of the juice half an hour before food to avoid causing acidity after food.

4. Fennel seeds

The fennel seeds have the anti-inflammatory effect that benefit you with better digestion ultimately getting rid of the problem. Chewing the seeds forceful put an end to contraction of gastrointestinal tract leading to complete digestion. You can either eat the fennel seeds directly or boil them in a glass of water. Later, have this water and remove the seeds. One can repeat the same 2-3 times a day.

5. Apple and a banana

Eat ripe bananas every day for they have the anti-inflammatory effect to fight against acidity, acid reflux and heartburn. You can also have an over ripe banana to evade a very bad acidity for it has more of potassium making it antidote. An apple each day can also benefit you evading the problem of acidity beforehand.

6. Basil leaves

Chew 5-6 fresh Basil leaves to avoid the discomfort. Basil helps your stomach produce more mucous. The antiulcer properties diminish the effect of gastric acids. Eat them frequently even if you don’t feel the pain to avoid acid reflux. One can add basil leave to the boiling water while making tea or simply boil them in water and add honey to it.

7. Apple cider vinegar

The alkalizing result of Apple cider vinegar treats acidity. All you have to do is add two spoons of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water and consume this liquid two times a day prior to your meals.

8. Jaggery

The jaggery has an enormous contribution in better digestion of food leading to relief from acidity. It becomes alkaline in the stomach that removes acids. Thus, eat tiny pieces of jaggery every day until you are calmed from the problem. However, the diabetic patients are recommended to avoid using this remedy.

9. Cold milk

Milk has abundant of calcium content that absorbs the acid formed in the body. In case of bad burning ambiances, the cold milk will give you immediate relief. Mix one spoon of ghee into cold milk for better results. However, do not add sugar or any other additive to it. This is one of the most well known methods to fight acidity and heartburn.

10. Cumin seeds

The cumin seeds if chewed produce more saliva alike fennel seeds that moreover help in better digestion. The cumin seeds help relieve gas and get a calming effect to oneself. It treats ulcers and enhances metabolism in the body. Either chew some cumin seeds or boil them in water. Drink the water for instant relief. Leave the water to cool down once boiled.

11. Ginger

The ginger is popularly known for its digestive properties that help in better assimilation of required nutrients. It promotes mucus secretion in the stomach reducing the acidic effect. You can either boil ginger in water and drink the water or add some jaggery to the ginger and keep it in your mouth. Keep sucking it slowly letting the juice reach your stomach.

12. Mustard

Mustard is a component full of minerals and having an alkalizing effect. The alkalizing property neutralises the acid letting it come out through the throat. Have at least a teaspoon of quality yellow mustard every day.

13. Almonds

Try finding some organic almonds in the market. Eat 3-4 almonds every day after your meals. They are appetizing as well as beneficial for your stomach by neutralising fluids in the stomach averting chances of heartburn.

14. Eating habits require a change

Sometimes it is the eating habits that we do not focus upon cause chronic acidity, acid reflux and heartburn. Never take big bites or mouthful food at once. Always eat slowly and take smaller bites. This enables the food to digest easily and pump out excess acid if required.

If you are suffering from an excess difficulty of acid reflux, do not eat acidic food like tomato or any other citrus fruit. Further, keep a 3-4-hour gap between your last meal and bedtime. Lying down causes excess acid formation.

15. Have a walk

It is imperative to have a walk. Do not sit immediately after having food. Especially after dinner, it is important to go for a light walk letting your food digest without causing problems. The walk shall be for about half an hour. Small steps work wonder. However, you can even try out lifting legs one by one while walking and experience the release of gas.

These home remedies for chronic acidity, acid reflux, gassiness and heartburn are superlative for the fact that they will never cause a side effect.