Home remedies for acid reflux

‘Acid reflux’, the problem might sound common nowadays, but if left untreated for some time, it can lead to serious consequences. It can even cause cancer.

Acid reflux is a phenomenon in which the acid that is produced by our stomach reverses its course of movement and comes to the upper portion of  body through the food pipe. One of the common causes of acid  reflux is an abnormality of stomach called ‘Hiatal Hernia’.

Hiatel hernia occurs when the upper part of the stomach and lower esophageal spincter (LES) moves above the diaphragm. Diaphragm separates the stomach from chest and acts as a platform on which lungs rest. However, in people suffering from hiatal hernia, acid can move upwards into the oesophagus and can cause symptoms of acid reflux.

Acid reflux causes a number of problems such as heartburn, cramps, hiccups, ulcers, burning sensation in chest or throat. Apart from hiatal hernia, some other causes of acid reflux are:

• Eating junk foods.
• Eating large meals and not performing physical work or lying down just after eating.
• Obesity
• Eating excess food items which contain acids such as tomato, garlic, tamarind, chocolates etc.
• Pregnancy
• Long-term medications, etc.

However, one can easily get rid of acid reflux just by following a few steps regularly. You only need some basic ingredients that you can easily get from your kitchen. Some preventions and home remedies for acid reflux are provided below:

• Drink more and more water (atleast 2.5-3 litres daily). Water helps in neutralizing the acid that is produced within the stomach.
• Take small bites while eating and chew each bite properly as chewing the food produces saliva which further reduces the chances of acid reflux.
• Do not eat spicy food. Spicy food causes a burning sensation in the stomach and has a tendency to cause ulcers.
• Elevate your bed by 5 or 6 inches. One of the causes of acid reflux is low height of your bed from the ground as it eases the upward flow of acid.
• Eat light dinner and have your dinner atleast 3 hours before going to bed. It will help in proper digestion of food and will regulate the acid produced by your stomach.
• Drink aloe vera and amla juice every morning. They contain many vital substances that can reduce stomach problems.
• Eat apples two hour before going to bed as apples act as natural antacid and it neutralizes the acidic effect.
• Avoid eating food items which contain natural acids such as tamarind, tomatoes, lemon, etc. as they can intensify your problem.

Wheatgrass juice

• Drink a glass of wheatgrass juice every morning. You can easily get wheatgrass juice from ayurvedic stores. Remember that you do not have to eat anything for atleast half an hour after drinking the juice.
• If you have a higher degree of acid reflux, then dissolve a spoonful of baking soda in water and drink the solution. Baking soda is a base which neutralizes the effect of acid in our body and maintains the pH level.
• After eating food, chew a sugar-free gum for a few minutes as it will produce saliva in large quantity which will alleviate the problem of acid reflux.
• Before eating your meal, add a spoonful of applecider vinegar in cup of water and drink this solution. This will give you an instant relief from acid reflux. But if your problem does not reduces, discontinue this method as its effect varies from person to person. For some people, it is a panacea whereas for some, it only makes the situation worse.

Yellow mustard

• Take a spoonful of yellow mustard and ingest it with water after chewing properly. Yellow mustard has alkaline properties which commensurate the acidic effect in body.
• Eat almonds after your meal. For best results, prefer soaked almonds to regular ones. Chew them thoroughly before ingesting.
• Boil grated ginger (of about 1 inch) in water and filter the solution. Drink this solution atleast 20 minutes prior to your meal. Ginger contains vital antioxidants and natural properties that can give you relief from stomach problems.
• Exercise daily as it can control the acidic flow in your body. Yoga and swimming are best exercises to get rid of acid reflux.

If your problem persists even after following the above mentioned steps, consult a doctor immediately.

We hope that the list of home remedies for acid reflux that we have provided above has served its sole purpose.

Thanks.