Is it possible to treat heartburn at home?
If you do not have the necessary medications at home to combat heartburn, you can use the advice of traditional medicine. But you need to monitor the body’s reaction in response to the drug taken and not use components that cause an allergic reaction.
People who believe that medications are not suitable for them as a remedy because they are unnatural can also use traditional methods for eliminating heartburn. Most traditional methods are really effective; they can reduce stomach acidity and protect the mucous membrane.
According to statistics, approximately half of the residents of developed countries suffer from this symptom at least once a week. Many pregnant women periodically experience discomfort and burning in the esophagus due to physiological changes in the body, but such moments do not require treatment. Other cases of burning sensation may be associated with some disease, so doctors advise that in case of frequent cases of discomfort and burning, undergo a full examination.
The cause of heartburn is increased acidity, so all remedies for it are aimed at reducing the level of acidity.
Folk remedies to eliminate heartburn:
- herbal infusions and decoctions;
- fresh juices;
- using food;
- various improvised means.
Relieving burning sensation with herbs
Although getting rid of unpleasant symptoms with decoctions and infusions of herbs is considered a fairly safe way, one must remember about all kinds of allergic reactions and contraindications. Before use, you should consult your doctor.
Reasonable use of herbal methods well normalizes the level of acidity, restores the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, and eliminates burning sensation.
There are quite a lot of herbs, recipes for decoctions of which help with heartburn, the most effective are the following:
- chamomile, which is used in the form of infusions or decoctions. It has a good effect on the mucous membrane of the organ, soothes it, reduces fermentation, extinguishes burning and swelling. Treatment with chamomile is carried out together with taking antacid medications;
- aloe is a plant that contains substances that can eliminate inflammation, promote wound healing, and stop burning without the usual medications. For treatment, you need to squeeze out the juice of the plant and dilute a spoonful of the resulting juice in a glass of water. The diluted juice should be drunk in small sips;
- calamus root. To relieve symptoms, you need to crush the root and swallow a pinch of powder with water or simply chew a piece of the root, but it should not be used by people with kidney inflammation;
- Fennel, anise, dill in the form of a mixture, pour boiling water, let it brew, drink slowly until the symptoms disappear.
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How and with what to quickly remove heartburn
The symptom always requires a quick response and elimination of the burning sensation in the lower part of the esophagus, where it passes into the stomach. This phenomenon is common, and pharmacies have a sufficient selection of emergency self-help products. For people who prefer not to abuse medications, folk wisdom can also offer many useful recipes.
Folk remedies are no less effective in reducing acidity, which irritates and burns the walls of the esophagus. Many products protect against contact with hydrochloric acid.
Traditional medicine suggests fighting heartburn:
- Herbal infusions.
- Consumption of certain foods.
- Drinking fresh juices.
At the same time, there are recipes that immediately evoke a wary attitude. In particular, the recommended cigarette ashes suggest many contraindications and unpleasant side effects for the body. Perhaps, when nothing else is at hand during unbearable heartburn, it will help. But it is better to use more gentle methods.
Causes and measures to prevent heartburn
The feeling of a burning fire usually occurs when the locking sphincter located between the stomach and esophagus weakens. By passing back food masses mixed with hydrochloric acid, it leads to an attack of heartburn. Episodes of burning are repeated, since all the remedies used against them eliminate only the unpleasant sensations, but do not strengthen the locking valve.
Recurrences of heartburn become frequent if you ignore simple rules:
- You need to have dinner no later than two hours before going to bed.
- When eating, you need to pay attention to chewing food slowly and diligently, and not to distractions and conversations at the table.
- Medicines that stimulate the production of digestive acid in the stomach are taken only after meals.
- Tight belts are loosened at the table, and after eating, squeezing the stomach with corsets and shapewear is unacceptable.
Proper nutrition and the absence of harmful food addictions play an important role in preventing heartburn.
Herbs to help the stomach
Decoctions and infusions prepared on the basis of healing herbs are excellent for various gastric problems, eliminating a burning sensation and unpleasant belching. However, in the age of the spread of allergies, many plants, especially representatives of the Asteraceae family, become its provocateurs.
Without knowing about the side effects of herbs, it is better to consult a doctor first. But the benefits of medicinal plants are immeasurably greater. And the main one is that they treat high acidity, and do not just relieve heartburn. The effect of herbs is multifaceted and is aimed at improving digestion in general.
The most famous herbal recipes
There are many herbs in nature that fight high acidity. Here are just a few of them:
- Chamomile tea is a centuries-proven remedy that gently soothes inflamed mucous membranes, reduces fermentation in the gastrointestinal tract, and prevents bloating and heartburn. She is a constant participant in herbal remedies for gastritis, eliminating acid deposits on the walls of the stomach. The product is sold in filter bags and simply as dried flowers in pharmacies. 2 bags or 2 tbsp. l. The plants need to be infused in a glass of boiling water. And consume 3 tbsp three times a day. l.
- When heartburn torments at night, it is stopped with half a glass of flaxseed infusion, prepared from a spoon of seeds and 250 ml of boiling water.
- Calamus root is effective, but is not suitable for patients with kidney inflammation. To quickly eliminate heartburn, take a pinch of calamus powder. Or they simply chew a piece of bitter root.
- Angelica herb is brewed and drunk as tea.
- Drink tea from a mixture of dill, fennel and anise seeds in leisurely small sips until the burning sensation disappears.
- Aloe is the most famous plant among indoor flowers, which stops burning without medication, heals ulcerated mucous membranes, and saves from inflammation due to an unhealthy diet. It is enough to dilute a spoonful of juice extracted from agave leaves in a glass of water and take a few sips as needed.
- An infusion prepared from centaury herb for frequent episodes of heartburn is stored in the refrigerator to stop it with one sip. This tool is rightfully among the best.
- Calendula flowers have long been known as friends for an inflamed stomach. Regular tea works better than alcohol tincture.
- Peppermint tea relieves all pains and troubles associated with digestion. Fresh or dry chewed leaves of the plant immediately soothe heartburn.
Vegetable juices
Prepared from fresh vegetables, they can be drunk in separate doses or prepared as mixtures of several types of juices. The advantage of juice therapy is that it is always beneficial and does not give any side effects. If you drink 3 tbsp before eating. l. carrot, cabbage, or beet juice, an unpleasant burning sensation will not appear after lunch.
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The most well-known for high acidity are potato and carrot juice. Both are safe and always available. They are part of the treatment of gastritis and are allowed during pregnancy. Potato juice is prepared immediately before consumption. Thoroughly washed tubers are finely rubbed unpeeled, the mass is squeezed through cheesecloth and the juice is left to sit for 5 minutes.
If heartburn occurs regularly, potato juice is taken on an empty stomach in the morning for a 10-day course. But this treatment is not recommended for patients with diabetes.
Relief from heartburn with freshly squeezed juices
Freshly squeezed vegetable juices not only relieve burning sensations, but also have a beneficial effect on the human body. Using juices to relieve symptoms has almost no side effects. To get rid of the burning sensation, you should drink 3 tablespoons of carrot, cabbage, and beet juices before and after meals.
Freshly squeezed potato juice has a good effect on the body in this sense. This remedy is available and approved for use even by pregnant women. Potatoes contain starch, which coats the intestinal walls, protecting against exposure to an acidic environment. The juice should be prepared immediately before use. The potatoes are peeled and grated, the resulting mass is squeezed out, and the drink itself is left for 5 minutes and drunk. If attacks occur regularly, you should drink a glass of juice in the morning an hour before meals for 10 days.
Potato juice is contraindicated for consumption by people with diabetes, obesity, gastritis, and peptic ulcers.
Carrots cope well with high acidity. To do this, you can eat raw carrots or make juice from it, which can be diluted with cream or water for better digestibility. Boiled carrots can also help calm your stomach.
What foods can help you get rid of heartburn?
What foods help relieve symptoms:
- Pumpkin or sunflower seeds (dried or fresh) are good for heartburn. To do this, you need to consume a handful of seeds in the morning and during the day if an attack begins. Almonds neutralize acidity well; walnuts, which contain potassium, also help;
- Buckwheat is considered a good remedy for heartburn. To do this, buckwheat seeds are roasted in a frying pan until they darken, and then they are crushed. You should take this powder half an hour before meals;
- Peas can be used as a remedy for heartburn symptoms. To do this, take a few peas and chew them as thoroughly as possible. If the peas are dry, they should be soaked for several hours in advance. The swollen grains are chewed slowly;
- regular salt is the simplest solution to the problem. You need to dissolve a pinch by placing it on your tongue. After salt enters the stomach, enzymes are released that neutralize the effect of acid. It is undesirable to use this remedy in case of renal failure, in case of malfunction of the heart and blood vessels, as well as in inflammatory processes;
- Simple sunflower or olive oil can also cope with an attack of heartburn. Vegetable oil forms a film in the stomach that protects the stomach walls from acid and eliminates heartburn;
- Basil helps a lot. It is better to mix purple and green basil in equal proportions. You need to chop a bunch of this greenery and pour boiling water over it, leave for half an hour and take 20-25 minutes before meals. You can also simply eat fresh basil during your meal, this will also help get rid of heartburn attacks;
- get rid of heartburn with the help of apple cider vinegar, which is diluted in the amount of a teaspoon in a liter of water. Drink it in small sips before meals;
- Honey can normalize acidity in the stomach. For heartburn, you can dissolve a little honey in water and drink it or just eat a few spoons. In case of a severe attack, mix honey with aloe and take a spoonful of this mixture an hour before meals. If you are susceptible to allergies or have diabetes, it is not advisable to take honey;
- Viburnum berries or its bark are also used to relieve heartburn. The bark is infused, and fruit juice or jam is made from the berries. Viburnum is drunk as a decoction 3 times a day; the berries can be eaten in any quantity;
- flax seeds are ground into powder, poured with boiling water (2 tablespoons) and infused. Before and after meals, drink a sip, and drink the rest before bed;
- Almost all dairy products and milk contribute to the normalization of the gastrointestinal tract. Milk itself extinguishes the symptoms of heartburn; you should drink it in its pure form in small sips of 1-2 glasses. Those who are allergic to lactose should consume milk with caution;
- Ginger also helps with heartburn. It aids digestion and absorbs stomach acid. It is used in different forms: dried, fresh or pickled. Grated ginger is infused with boiling water and taken 3 times a day before meals;
- mint extinguishes acid well, so this method is good for those who have heartburn due to increased acidity. But you need to be careful because of an overdose, in this case the effect will be completely different - the release of acid will only increase;
- Bananas and pineapples are good for eliminating heartburn. Bananas act as antacids (eliminate heartburn and relieve pain), and pineapple contains bromelain, a natural enzyme that eliminates heartburn;
- anise. Its infusion is taken after meals 4 times a day. But you can’t use this infusion all the time.
Oils
To quickly get rid of the manifestations of an uncomfortable condition, traditional healers suggest using vegetable oils. They provide a coating effect on the walls of the stomach, preventing the negative effects of acid.
- The easiest way to overcome the burning sensation is to consume a little sunflower oil. It is recommended to do this as the attack progresses, repeating as necessary.
- Cedar oil is a useful folk remedy for heartburn. It contains many useful microelements. One spoon is enough to neutralize the activity of stomach acid. You need to drink on an empty stomach.
- Olive oil works no worse than sunflower oil. Take it little by little - no more than five milliliters when you feel a burning sensation behind the sternum.
- For increased acidity, take sea buckthorn oil. Add 20 ml of oil to a mug of water and shake well. Collect oil from the surface of the water and consume 1 tsp. three times.
Treatment with improvised means
In addition to the above products, heartburn can be eliminated with simple mineral water. The best ones for this are “Borjomi” and “Smirnovskaya”. It is better to stand the purchased water, get rid of the gas present there and drink it heated to 40 degrees an hour before eating or 30 minutes after eating. This method is suitable for both adults and children. It is better to drink water in portions, warm.
Drinking mineral water is not recommended for those who have acute intestinal diseases, bleeding, or vomiting. If you have diarrhea, you can take it in small portions. Its use is also prohibited for jaundice of any kind and hepatic colic.
Simple chewing gum can help with heartburn. It is enough to chew it for a couple of minutes, and copious salivation will dilute the increased concentration of acid. There are no contraindications for this method, but you should not chew it constantly.
Using soda
One of the most common remedies for heartburn is baking soda. Soda has contraindications, so you shouldn’t use it often. To relieve symptoms, baking soda should be diluted in water or milk and drunk in small sips. The effect occurs after 10-15 minutes. Usually, soda is used for a severe attack; for a mild attack, it is contraindicated. This method is only good for suppressing the symptom, but it does not get rid of the cause.
In people with problems in the gastrointestinal tract, it can cause complications. Also, people with nervous disorders should not use it, as they may become more irritable after using it. Sodium has a negative effect on kidney function; soda causes potassium to be excreted and fluid to accumulate, which can affect the heart. Frequent use of soda solutions can cause flatulence, nausea, and abdominal pain.
Relief with activated carbon
Activated charcoal is often used to combat heartburn. It absorbs excess acid and relieves pressure in the esophagus. Even pregnant women can use this method. During an attack, you need to crush 2 tablets of charcoal in milk, or drink them with water. This is one of the safest ways to suppress heartburn. If you do not exceed the dosage, no side effects are observed.
Lemon acid
Citric acid normalizes the acid-base balance in the stomach and relieves heartburn. If attacks occur infrequently, then you are allowed to take a maximum of 1 glass per day (100 ml of water with 1 teaspoon of citric acid). Citric acid is undesirable for ulcers and gastritis.
Vinegar water
Vinegar (3%), diluted with soda, sugar and a glass of boiled water, helps against heartburn. This mixture is best consumed before meals. This recipe is contraindicated for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, obesity, and hypertension.
Diet for heartburn
It is recommended to eat steamed dishes. Vegetables need to be boiled or baked. Healthy: potatoes, beets, beans, lentils. You need to add foods that contain complex carbohydrates to your diet: pasta, bran bread, dark rice. Allowed for consumption: low-fat cheeses, kefir, cottage cheese, lean meat, fish, boiled eggs, apples, bananas, still mineral water, dried fruit compotes, green tea.
You will have to give up fried, spicy, salty and fatty foods. It is recommended to limit the consumption of sausages and smoked meats. You should not eat fatty dairy products. Sour fruits lead to a significant increase in the acidity of gastric contents, which can cause heartburn. The secretory functions of the digestive system may be disrupted by consuming confectionery, cocoa, spices, fried eggs, tomato paste, black coffee, and carbonated water. You need to remove fast food and processed foods from your diet.
A normal diet alone is not enough for heartburn. Unpleasant symptoms may occur due to overeating. You need to eat in small portions, 4-5 times a day. You can’t rush and snack on the go; food should be chewed thoroughly. Dinner should be finished no later than 3 hours before bedtime. It is not recommended to lie down for 30 minutes; you need to walk slowly or sit quietly. You can't bend over. The amount of water consumed per day is adjusted to 2 liters, evenly distributing this volume.
Following these rules will help you avoid heartburn. During meals you need to drink non-carbonated mineral water. It cleanses the walls of the esophagus from acid. Medicines should be taken in doses prescribed by your doctor. If you need to lie down after eating, you need to place a high pillow under your head. If the causes of heartburn lie in mental disorders, consultation with a psychologist or psychotherapist is indicated. If there is a constant burning sensation behind the sternum, it is necessary to undergo fibrogastroduodenoscopy. A person should be attentive to his body; heartburn can signal the development of dangerous diseases.
Reviews
I love sunflower seeds very much, I eat mostly fried ones, but after eating the seeds I suffered from heartburn. I read that heartburn can be relieved by... seeds, but raw. Although at first I didn’t really like their taste, now I’m used to it, but I eat no more than a handful of them, and the heartburn and belching are as if nothing had happened.
List of references: https://aif.ru/dontknows/eternal/kak_izbavitsya_ot_izzhogi https://www.infoniac.ru/news/14-sovetov-kak-bystro-izbavit-sya-ot-izzhogi-v-domashnih-usloviyah. html https://www.segodnya.ua/lifestyle/wellness/kak-izbavitsya-ot-izzhogi-77-16-11-2018-688577.html lifehacker.ru/heartburn/ https://kp.ua/life/ 636265-kak-yzbavytsia-ot-yzzhohy-raz-y-navsehda https://mamsy.ru/blog/domashnie-sredstva-ot-izzhogi/ https://www.nur.kz/1753600-izzoga-priciny-lecenie -i-profilaktika.html Notes from the author of the article, based on personal experience. This material is purely subjective and is not a guide to action. Only a qualified specialist can determine an accurate diagnosis and prescribe treatment.