6 Tricks to Stop Heartburn
If you’re looking for heartburn remedies, take into account these 6 pieces of advice to get rid of heartburn from an acid reflux test to fennel tea.
Stay Away from Over-the-Counter Treatments
Over-the-counter antacids such as Alka-Seltzer, Tums, Maalox, and Rolaids can offer immediate relief, but they don’t actually target the root of your heartburn problem. In fact, they can even create additional digestive issues, like constipation, diarrhea, cramps, and gas, and they may also interact with other medications you’re taking. If your heartburn flare-ups occur more than twice a week or endure for a couple weeks or more, contact your doctor for alternative treatments or try one of the remedies below.
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Do an Acid Reflux Test
Acid reflux results when your body makes too much or too little HCl, the acid that breaks down food in your stomach. When you experience heartburn, do a little test by drinking a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. If it alleviates the symptoms, this means your body isn’t producing enough HCl, and you’ll benefit from sipping pure apple cider vinegar mixed with water as you eat. If the test makes the symptoms worse, this means your body is producing too much HCl. Try drinking up to three teaspoons of baking soda daily, mixed with water in increments of a quarter to a half teaspoon per glass.
Change Your Eating Habits
Eating while talking, eating quickly, or drinking water while you eat are all culprits that prevent food from being broken down by the enzymes in your mouth and stomach. For better digestion and less heartburn, make mealtime a quiet time to sit down and chew your food thoroughly before swallowing.
Bitters for Heartburn
Alcohol is not particularly good for heartburn, but those bitters you bought don’t have to go to waste. Before you sit down for a meal, pour yourself a glass of water and add a few dashes of bitters (like the kind normally used for cocktails). One common botanical ingredient in Angostura and Peychaud’s bitters is gentian root, which stimulates the flow of stomach acids, bile, and saliva, getting your system ready for digestion.
Switch Your Sleeping Position
The esophagus connects to the stomach on the right side of your body. Acid reflux occurs when the food in your stomach presses against or flows into the entrance of the esophagus. To remedy this, simply sleep on your left side. Even if you’re not completely comfortable at first, the reduction in reflux symptoms will be worth it!
See also: Natural Remedies for Stomach Pain
Brew Some Fennel Tea
Fennel is an aromatic herb used in cooking that doubles as a healthy treatment for a range of digestive issues, including heartburn. Place a few teaspoons crushed fennel seeds inside a tea infuser, then add boiling water and steep for 7–10 minutes, covered. When crushed and soaked, fennel seeds release volatile oils that have been found to relieve heartburn.
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The suggestions offered here are for informational purposes only. The author and publisher do not accept liability for damages arising from the use, attempted use, misuse, or application of any of the suggestions included on this website.
Image courtesy of Shutterstock.
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About the Author
Bruce Lubin and Jeanne Bossolina-Lubin are the proud parents of three boys and more than a dozen books. After saving thousands per year using everyday tips and simple lifehacks, they started their own business in the hopes of sharing their knowledge with others. They have been known to go into their friends’ refrigerators to turn their eggs upside down so that they last longer.
