Acid reflux, also commonly known as Acid Indigestion, usually comes from the failure of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to contract after swallowing food, causing stomach acid to regurgitates up into the esophagus. Acid reflux will cause heartburn but no pain. In more serious cases, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) will occur. Acidity can be caused due to a long gap between meals, empty stomach, or excessive intake of tea, coffee, smoking, or alcohol.
Here are 18 simple ingredients available in your kitchen or refrigerator that can be used to get rid of stomach acidity.
1. Basil Leaves/ Indian Tulsi
The soothing and carminative properties of basil leaves can give you instant relief from acidity.Basil leaves can soothe the effects of acid reflux, it also helps to heal the irritation and soreness as well as ease the digestion process. At the first sign of gas, eat a few basil leaves or boil 3-4 basil leaves in a cup of water and let it simmer for a few minutes. Sip on it frequently. You could also just chew a few basil leaves before a meal.
2. Fennel Seed
Fennel seed is an aromatic but powerful herb that helps in digestive conditions and has many other benefits. Fennel seeds contain a compound known as Anethole, which is known to suppress spasms of the stomach or gastrointestinal tract spasms. Therefore, it is considered to be an effective remedy for Acid Reflux.
Take half a teaspoon of Fennel Seeds and chew them slowly after your meals.
3. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a natural antacid that effectively helps to dispel stomach gas and thus relieves acidity. Most people use this cinnamon for their better digestion and acidity. Try this cinnamon tea to keep the acidity and indigestion at bay. Cinnamon also has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. For relief, drink cinnamon tea to heal infections in the gastrointestinal tract.
· Take a pot and place this on the stove or heat.
· Add cinnamon powder and water to it.
· Stir it well and boil it for few minutes.
· Then turn off the heat and pour this in an empty cup.
· Drink this cinnamon tea for 2 – 3 times a day to clear the acidity.
· Or you can also add this cinnamon powder to the soup or salad and have this regularly.
4. Buttermilk/ Yogurt
Traditional buttermilk is made by the process of churning the curd to separate the cream or butter from it and this buttermilk (the liquid which is left over after the extraction of butter or cream) will act as an excellent remedy for treating the acidity.
Buttermilk has lactic acid which helps to neutralize the acidity or acid reflux in the stomach. It also contains a lot of vitamins, calcium, potassium, and other traces of phosphorous in which all make it a nutritional drink. This natural drink soothes the stomach and thus prevents acidity and other digestive problems.
You can also include some other ingredients like asafetida, ginger, coriander leaves, curry leaves, and sea salt, etc. to enhance the digestive properties and to cure the problem completely.
Yogurt contains probiotics that help to keep the digestive system healthy. It also helps to absorb the proteins and nutrients to the body. Be sure to eat lots of yogurts.
5. Jaggery
Jaggery will also help for better digestion by alkalizing the digestive tract and reduces the acidity in the stomach. You can easily find this jaggery in most of the Asian or Indian markets. You just simply suck a small piece of this jaggery after completing each meal until the acidity calms down in the stomach.
You can also drink a glass of cold milk by dissolving enough of jaggery (for sweetness) in that milk for instant relief. But make sure that diabetic patients should not use this remedy for their health issues.
6. Cloves
Over the years, cloves have grabbed a prominent place in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda to treat digestive disorders. Cloves are carminative in nature, thus preventing the formation of gas in the gastrointestinal tract.
You can even eat crushed cloves and cardamom (mixed in equal amounts) to treat acidity, and get rid of bad breath (which often accompanies this problem).
Cloves have anti-inflammatory properties, eugenol and include other compounds like capsaicin, pinene, etc., which helps with better digestion.
· Mix a pinch of clove powder in a tsp of honey and add it to a small amount of hot water.
· Drink this to get relief from acid reflux.
· Alternatively chew a few ground cloves after eating.
7. Cumin Seeds
Cumin seeds work as a great acid neutralizer, aid digestion and relieve stomach pain. Cumin seeds have found that it helps to stimulate the pancreatic enzymes which further helps for proper digestion and ultimately keeps all the digestive problems including this acidity along with its symptoms at bay.
· Slightly crush some roasted cumin seeds, stir them into a glass of water or
· Steep one teaspoon of cumin seeds in a cup of boiled water and drink it after every meal.
8. Ginger
Ginger Root is an amazing natural herb that is known to absorb stomach acid and have the secondary effect of calming the nerves. Ginger has excellent digestive and anti-inflammatory properties. To help neutralize stomach acids,
· chew a slice of fresh ginger, or
· have a spoonful of ginger juice two-three times a day, or
· steep fresh ginger in a cup of boiling water and drink up.
9. Cold Milk
For those who are not lactose intolerant, milk can help stabilize gastric acids in the stomach. It is rich in calcium, which prevents the buildup of acid in the stomach. Milk is high in alkaline as well as contains a highly acidic substance. It cures acid reflux and sometimes it can be a cause. Therefore, drink only a glass full of chilled fat-free milk to get rid of the problem.
10. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar is an amazing remedy for Acid Reflux. Very often, your acid reflux is in fact the result of too little stomach acid. That’s where apple cider vinegar steps in. It may sound bizarre to drink an acid as a cure for an acid problem, but there are good acids and bad acids and Apple Cider Vinegar is among the good ones.
Add 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to 1/2 glass of water.
Sip this glass of water while eating your dinner.
11. Coconut Water
When you drink coconut water, your body’s pH acidic level turns alkaline. It also helps produce mucous in your stomach, which protects the stomach from the harmful effects of excessive acid production. Coconut water that has been taken from tender coconut is generally a natural isotonic beverage that has the same levels of the electrolytic balance which we have in the blood.
12. Banana
Bananas contain natural antacids that can act as a buffer against acid reflux. This is the simplest home remedy for getting rid of acidity and heartburn. Eat one ripen banana every day to prevent discomfort.
13. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera acts as a natural healing agent. This is one of the rarely known acid reflux home remedies that have a powerful effect on soothing inflammation. It is able to help with heartburn too as it lowers inflammation. This means when your tummy starts getting inflamed and irritated, or your esophagus is getting eaten away at, a glass of aloe vera juice may be the most appropriate thing to help calm it down.
You will need
§ 2 cup aloe vera juice
§ Drink 2 cups of aloe vera juice, room temperature or cool, before meals.
Keep in mind that aloe vera can act as a laxative, so if you are not looking to run to the loo throughout the day, definitely look for a good brand that has the laxative component removed.
14. Chewing Gum
Chewing a gum is by far the easiest treatment for acid reflux. People with gastroesophageal reflux disease or chronic heartburn get quick relief when they chewed a small piece of sugar-free gum for about 20-25 minutes after lunch. This is because chewing gum stimulates the salivary glands and enhances the flow of saliva so any acid in the gut is washed away. It also reduces cases of flatulence.
15. Apple
Eat apples after your meals, particularly at night time, to prevent acid reflux. Apples create an alkaline state in the stomach, neutralizing excess acids and ease the digestion process.
16. Potatoes
Potatoes are alkaline in nature and help to lessen the acid levels in the stomach. Eating potatoes with meals will help to reduce the problem.
17. Papaya
Papaya contains an enzyme called Papain which dissolves proteins, so taking after meals will helps for better digestion.
18. Sleep with Chin Up (and don’t lie down)
Usually, Heartburn gets worse at night, thanks to the fact that you are lying down when you sleep. Gravity acts against you, and it’s simpler for the newly digested contents of your stomach to back up into the esophagus along with the acid.
Try elevating your head about 5 inches when you peacefully sleep by placing books or small blocks under the two legs at the head of the bed. This the best cure for heartburn without medicines or herbal remedies.
You could also try a wedge-shaped small pillow under the mattress, but don’t just pile up extra pillows as it’s simple to slip off of them during the night. Don’t lie down within 4-5 hours after eating, as lying down with a full stomach makes the stomach contents press harder against the lower esophageal sphincter.
