Natural Home Remedies for Heartburn

Heartburn or acid reflux can be both uncomfortable and irritating, but there are many natural home remedies for heartburn available.  There are various over the counter medications you can use, but you should try to avoid this because those medications also have side effects. There is also the potential of being allergic to them, and they can be costly.  Trying natural home remedies can save you money and can be better for you because they are natural.

Natural home remedies for heartburn are simple. Try avoiding the foods that you know cause you heartburn.  Do not eat a meal right before going to bed, instead try to eat at least two hours before you lay down. If you find that you are very hungry before bed, have a light snack like a piece of toast with a small glass of milk.  Reduce portion sizes of meals, such as using a smaller plate.  As your stomach becomes fuller, it increases in pressure and can push acids up into your esophagus, thus causing heartburn.  Slow down when you eat, take smaller bites, and chew food thoroughly.  This helps aid in digestion keeping acids to a minimum.

Stress can be another big contributor to heartburn.  It can also lead to overeating, making bad meal choices, skipping meals, smoking and drinking alcohol, all of which can cause heartburn.  Try some stress reducing tasks, like closing your eyes and breathing deeply for five minutes, taking a hot bath, reading your favorite book, or taking a walk.  You can also try meditating, or join a local gym and check out classes such as yoga or dance.  Exercise can reduce stress and help control heartburn, and make you less prone to doing things that are bad for you like overeating and smoking.

Try to quit smoking.  This can be difficult, but smoking actually weakens your lower esophageal sphincter, and this is what keeps acid in your stomach where it belongs.  When the sphincter becomes weakened, it opens, allowing the acids to escape into your esophagus, causing heartburn.  Try at least one of these home remedies for heartburn to start getting some relief.