Natural Remedies for Ulcers, Heartburn & Digestion.

Posted by Administrator on 10/1/2012

You're probably well aware that medications can help calm the burn, but natural heartburn remedies and lifestyle changes may be another way to get some much-needed relief.

Bananas act as a natural antacid in the body. You can eat either fresh or dried bananas.

Chamomile Tea. Chamomile has been used to help neutralize stomach acid. It is also used by people as a stress reliever.

Apple Cider Vinegar. People have reported that natural apple cider vinegar works for them. Apple cider vinegar can be taken in tablet, capsule, or liquid form.

Ginger Fresh. Ginger is one of the oldest remedies for heartburn. It is also used to help treat nausea. Ginger can be added to food when it's cooked, eaten raw, or consumed as ginger tea.

Turmeric helps stimulate digestion and prevent acid build-up. Turmeric is used in curried foods. If you don't want to use turmeric in your cooking, it is available in capsule form and can be taken before meals.

Aloe Vera Juice The juice from the aloe vera plant has been used to soothe an irritated esophagus. Aloe vera juice has a long history of use in Europe as a natural home remedy to relive heartburn. You should only use aloe vera juice that has been specifically prepared for internal use.

Chewing Gum. It may sound strange, but gum stimulates the production of saliva, which is an acid buffer. Plus, chewing gum makes you swallow more often, which pushes those nasty acids back out of your esophagus. When you pick a pack of gum, just make sure it's sugar-free so you also protect your teeth.

Finding Heartburn Relief at Home

A few simple strategies can help soothe the burn of heartburn:

Watch what you eat. Avoid specific foods that trigger your heartburn, but also watch out for peppermint, caffeine, sodas, chocolate, citrus fruits and juices, tomatoes, onions, and high-fat foods. Eat more fiber to keep your digestive tract moving and healthy. Also reduce your portion sizes. Try eating five or six small meals a day, rather than three big ones. Eating too much at once is a big heartburn trigger.
Watch when you eat. Push away the plate at least two or three hours before bedtime so your stomach has a chance to empty before you lie down.
Watch how you eat. Eat slowly, taking smaller bites.
Lose Weight. Excess abdominal fat can press against the stomach, forcing acids up into the esophagus.
Keep a diary. Write down what you've eaten and when your heartburn symptoms occur so you can pinpoint which foods are your triggers and avoid them.
Toss the cigarettes. Smoking can reduce the effectiveness of the muscle that keeps acids in the stomach. For this, and so many other health reasons, it's always the perfect time to quit.
Loosen your belt. Ditch the skin-tight jeans. Tight clothes put added pressure on the abdomen.
Tilt up. Put wood blocks under your bed to raise the head about 6 inches. Don't bother raising your pillows, though -- it's not effective for heartburn.
Work it out. Exercise may protect against the acid reflux that leads to heartburn.