Most of us experience the discomfort of heartburn at some time in our lives and some experience it daily. Fortunately, as our heartburn article points out, there is no need to take extreme measures to control or treat heartburn. Natural preventive and palliative treatments are available that are safe and effective substitutes for antacids and other medications.
Herbal Treatments for Heartburn
Before antacids became available, most people relied on herbal treatments for heartburn. Some of the oldest and most effective of these include:
- Liquorice root tea is a common folk remedy for heartburn, especially in Mediterranean countries and Asia. It is said to reduce the symptoms of heartburn when they occur and also lessen the severity and frequency of symptoms if taken daily. A possible positive side effect of licorice is that it is believed to reduce stress, which is said to be one of the possible causes of heartburn.
- Papaya enzymes are believed to be of benefit in treating heartburn. The easiest way to take these is in the form of chewable tablets.
- Aloe Vera is said to be good for both relieving the symptoms of heartburn and reducing the frequency of its occurrence. Aloe vera can be taken in capsule form or as a juice. It seems to work better for some people when taken before meals, while others find relief when they take it with or after meals.
- Slippery Elm is a well known treatment for heartburn in the north-eastern United States and Canada, where the slippery elm tree grows naturally. The inner bark of slippery elm contains a substance called mucilage, which swells up when mixed with water. It is believed that this gel-like substance coats the oesophagus and protects its lining from the irritating effects of acid reflux.
- Marshmallow bark is another natural treatment that contains mucilage. Like liquorice and slippery elm, it is said to relieve the symptoms of heartburn when taken as a tea. Natural health practitioners caution that marshmallow should not be taken by diabetics and pregnant or nursing women, so caution should be taken with this treatment.
Controlling Heartburn Naturally
Researchers have long believed that diet played an important part in controlling heartburn and many other digestive disorders. A Scandinavian report revealed that a high fibre diet could reduce the risk of experiencing heartburn by up to 50%. In a 2010 United States study, it was discovered that regular intake of high-fibre foods such as fruit, vegetables, legumes and whole grains could reduce the occurrence of heartburn or GERD.
Probiotics, often called healthy bacteria, are said to be of benefit to the entire gastro-intestinal tract. The two strains of probiotics to look for are L. reuteri and Lactobacillus acidophilus. These can be taken in capsule form and can be found in many naturally cultivated yoghurt products.
A simple way to treat and possibly prevent the occurrence of heartburn is to chew gum. When you chew gum, you produce more saliva and this is said to help neutralise stomach acids.
As with so many illnesses and disorders, a healthy diet and lifestyle can help reduce the risk of heartburn. Smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle and stress are believed to all contribute to the disorder. Combine natural treatments for heartburn with a healthy lifestyle and you may find you never have to reach for the antacids again.
