Many people treat heartburn with over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs, but there are many foods and natural remedies you can use to help reduce symptoms of heartburn. Most acid reflux symptoms are caused by a weakness in the lower esophageal sphincter, whose role is to hold digesting foods and acids in the stomach. The sphincter becomes lax, allowing stomach digest to escape and back up the esophagus. Eating certain foods can help the sphincter remain closed in the correct position, keeping stomach acids where they belong and allowing the esophagus to heal.
How to Stop Acid Reflux
Step 1
Eat ginger in all forms. An old folk remedy and one that is prevalent in Chinese medicine, ginger helps decrease symptoms of heartburn. Make ginger tea by soaking a small piece of raw ginger in hot water and adding a bit of raw honey to sweeten. Candied ginger or ginger ale will help with heartburn symptoms as long as there is real ginger in them.
Step 2
Pop a spoonful or two of unrefined, organic raw honey into your mouth when you feel burning in your stomach. High in potassium, raw honey is excellent for soothing away the pain of acid reflux, says Dr. Theodore A. Baroody in his book "Alkalinize or Die." Because honey is predigested in the bodies of bees, it is very easy for humans to digest. Honey helps create an alkaline environment in the stomach, aiding in protein digestion. Honey can be taken before bed to dispel acids during sleep.
Step 3
Take a small spoonful of mustard for acid reflux symptoms. Some people experience relief from burning pains by eating mustard. Sounds funny, but give it a try. One to 2 tsp. can reduce burning pains in the stomach and the esophagus, according to EarthClinic.com. Go slowly with this remedy and use less rather than more until you know whether it will work for you.
Step 4
Drink organic apple cider vinegar and make sure it contains mother of vinegar, a cloudy-looking substance floating on top, which indicates it is organic. Dr. Baroody recommends this as a wonderful treatment for reducing symptoms. Take 1 or 2 tsp. mixed with 8 oz. water twice a day for relief.
Step 5
Drink lemonade made with freshly squeezed lemons. Add a little raw honey to sweeten and freshly filtered water. The acid in lemon juice creates a paradoxical reaction in the stomach, creating an alkaline environment and reducing reflux symptoms.
Step 6
Eat an apple a day to keep the heartburn away. Sweet red apples eaten as a snack will help with your acid reflux pains. Try a slice or two at bedtime to help overcome acid reflux during sleep, according to a recommendation at EarthClinic.com.
Tips and Warnings
- Use all of the above remedies to find relief from heartburn. Alternate them throughout the day.
- The information offered here is for educational purposes and is not meant to replace medical advice.
Things You'll Need
- Ginger
- Ginger ale
- Organic raw honey
- Mustard
- Apple cider vinegar
- Lemons
- Sweet red apples
References
- "Alkalinize or Die;" Dr. Theodore A. Baroody; 1991
- "The pH Miracle, Balance Your Diet, Reclaim Your Health;" Robert O. Young, Ph.D., and Shelley Redford Young; 2002
- EarthClinic. com
