These ten home remedies for heartburn help quickly – and we have most of them at home! From now on you can leave medicines in the cupboard.
What is heartburn?
Sometimes just consuming too much fruit juice is enough – and a painful burning sensation sets in behind the breastbone or in the upper stomach area. In medicine, these symptoms are called heartburn. Reflux often occurs at the same time – i.e. the backflow of acid from the stomach into the esophagus. In most cases, the unpleasant symptoms are harmless and can be controlled with simple home remedies for heartburn.
Heartburn symptoms
The following symptoms indicate heartburn:
- burning pain behind the breastbone and/or in the upper abdomen
- acid regurgitation
- Pressure or tightness in the chest
- Abdominal and/or stomach pain
- malaise
- sometimes difficulty breathing and/or sharp chest pain
10 home remedies for heartburn that really help
The following Home remedies for heartburn can relieve the symptoms:
1. water
Probably the easiest home remedy for heartburn! Drink lukewarm, still water. Through this the gastric juice is diluted on the one hand and on the other hand led back into the stomach.
2. Chamomile tea
Chamomile tea also dilutes and also has a calming effect, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory.
3. Potato Juice
The one contained in potatoes Starch binds excess stomach acid and relieves heartburn. The potato juice has a basic and deacidified effect. Drink a small glass of it about twice a day before meals. Here’s how it works: Squeeze raw, peeled (!) potatoes in a juicer and drink. Or grate with a grater, put in a kitchen towel, squeeze over a glass and then dilute with water. If that’s too much work for you, you can also simply buy potato juice from a health food store.
4. Baking soda
Baking soda (also: sodium bicarbonate or baking soda) neutralizes gastric acid and helps to relieve the symptoms of heartburn. Here’s how: Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to a glass of water, stir well, then slowly drink the solution.
5. Healing Earth Powder
Healing earth binds acid and is a good remedy to relieve acute heartburn. To do this, you drink the finely ground powder dissolved in water in small sips: one to two teaspoons in half a glass of water up to three times a day.
6. Chewing Gum
By the Chew of (sugar-free) chewing gum, more saliva is produced, which in turn dilutes the stomach acid that has risen and also neutralizes it.
7. Rollkur
A roll cure is intended to soothe and soothe an irritated stomach lining So relieve heartburn can. This is done by the soothing liquid wetting the stomach all around. Chamomile tea or potato juice are particularly suitable for this. Here’s how you do it: Drink a few sips, lie on your left side for a few minutes. Drink again and lie on your back for a few minutes. Do the whole thing again with the right side, at the very end you lie down on your stomach. Notice if the heartburn subsides.
8. Elevate your head
Stomach contents have a harder time getting up when the esophagus is elevated. So if you’re at the Sleep If you have problems, a simple home remedy for heartburn is to put your head or upper body higher in bed. Either about one adjustable slatted frame or extra pillows.
9. Flaxseed
Flaxseeds are not only generally good for the gastrointestinal tract, they are also a good home remedy for heartburn. Because they contain special mucilage that swell when they come into contact with liquid. In the body The flax seeds lay like a protective film on the sensitive stomach wall and keep the aggressive stomach acid away. For heartburn, it is best to boil a teaspoon of flaxseed with 250 milliliters and drink the mixture slowly after it has cooled down a bit. Attention: Since the flaxseeds bind water, it is generally important to drink a lot when using them. It should be at least 2.5 liters.
10. Apple cider vinegar
At first, the idea of using apple cider vinegar for heartburn might sound strange. In fact, this home remedy can prove itself. Then Apple cider vinegar is basic – it regulates the pH value of the stomach and also has a positive effect on digestion. Mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of still lukewarm water and sip the mixture.
And what about milk as a home remedy for heartburn?
Milk has long been considered a good home remedy for heartburn. newer Studies suggest, however, that milk does not relieve the symptoms, but can actually make them worse. One reason for this could be the slightly acidic pH value of the milk. On the other hand, the digestion of fats takes a relatively long time, which means that even more stomach acid is produced.
Incidentally, most of the home remedies for heartburn cannot be scientifically proven anyway But many sufferers swear by it. So it can at least not hurt to try the treatment with home remedies once.
Causes of heartburn
In order for the stomach to digest our food and kill pathogens, it produces hydrochloric acid. If the muscle at the end of the esophagus does not properly close the entrance to the stomach, this will occur reflux of the acidic stomach contents into the esophagus (oesophagus) – and the unpleasant feeling of heartburn arises. Reflux disease is also referred to when gastric juice flows back into the esophagus.
Heartburn can also be caused by:
- Acidification of the stomach from greasy food, sweets, coffee, alcohol, juices or hot spices such as chili or ginger.
- Pregnancy, as the growing baby puts more pressure on the stomach.
- Hormonal changes can also be a cause.
- Mental and physical stress such as stress, anger or strenuous sport.
- Frequent bending over, as this increases pressure on the esophageal obstruction.
- Increased production of stomach acid. Smoking, as this reduces tension in the esophageal sphincter.
- Eating late.
- A generally poor or deficient diet also promotes heartburn.
- Some medications, such as antibiotics or proton pump inhibitors, can also cause problems.
When should I see a doctor about heartburn?
In some cases, heartburn can also cause breathing problems. As a precaution, the doctor should look for possible causes of the symptoms – there could be one serious illness behind the heartburn. The same applies if there is a strong feeling of pressure on the chest or sharp chest pain.
Even if painful heartburn is common in general, it makes sense to see a doctor. Stick behind the heartburn, for example irritable stomach, changes in the gastric mucosa or the stomach germ Helicobacter pylori, home remedies can no longer help. In this case, drugs are used under medical supervision.
Our tip for your health: prevent heartburn
So that home remedies for heartburn do not have to be used in the first place, it is best to try to prevent them from the outset. The following tips help prevent heartburn:
- Balanced nutrition: To prevent heartburn, make sure you eat a low-acid, healthy diet with lots of fruit and vegetables, lots of fiber (e.g. in whole grain products), fish, some lean meat, nuts and seeds, and lean dairy products.
- Time at a glance: Avoid heavy meals, especially in the evening, and have your last meal at least three hours before going to bed.
- Waiver of stimulants: It is best to avoid cigarettes altogether. Other stimulants such as coffee or alcohol should only be consumed in moderation.
- Wear loose clothing: Clothing that is too tight puts pressure on the stomach and encourages stomach acid to rise – and thus heartburn.
By the way: Here you can find out which home remedies help with cystitis or what you can do if you constantly have a sore throat or your nose is blocked! We also reveal why a tear in the esophagus is so dangerous.
Sources
- Baenkler H.-W. et al.: Internal medicine, Georg Thieme Verlag, 2nd edition, 2009
- Info portal of the Professional Association of German Internists eV: www.internisten-im-netz.de
- Köppen, H.: Gastroenterology, Georg Thieme Verlag, 2010
- Avidan B, Sonnenberg A, Schnell TG. (2002). Chewing gum for heartburn. Dtsch doctor’s bl. 2002; 99(10): A-651 / B-527 / C-498