Acid reflux is one of the most irritating conditions affecting the digestive tract. This is characterized by a burning sensation felt in the person’s chest region and mostly experienced after eating. This is also called heartburn and acid indigestion.
Normally, the food travels from the mouth to the stomach through the esophagus. In some cases, however, the acid content will move back from the stomach towards the esophagus, causing a burning sensation to be felt in the chest region.
There are a lot of medical treatment options available for the effective relief of acid reflux. However, antacids, histamine blockers, and proton pump inhibitors bring with them a host of side effects when they are taken for more than eight weeks. Thus, many patients wish to look for natural treatments that have minimal, or no side effects.
Here, we provide six natural ways to treat this condition.
Glutamine:
Glutamine is an amino acid that is naturally found in the human body. This amino acid is available in large quantities in food items such as beef, chicken, fish, eggs, dairy products, beets, beans, spinach, cabbage, and parsley. Glutamine is a good anti-inflammatory substance which helps in reducing intestinal inflammation caused by acid reflux. It also has great cleansing properties.
Aloe vera:
Aloe vera has great medicinal properties and is usually taken orally as juice. Aloe vera is one of the best herbal plants used to treat various health-related issues. Most doctors prefer aloe vera for the treatment of acid reflux as it is both safe and effective.
Licorice:
Licorice is an herb used for hundreds of years to treat various ailments affecting the spleen, liver, and kidneys. It has also proven results in the treatment of stomach ulcer. Licorice works by providing a protective gel to cover the surface of the stomach, thus protecting it from the destructive effects of the acids.
Slippery elm:
This is sourced from a deciduous tree that grows in North America. It provides relief to acid reflux patients by providing a thick, mucilaginous lining to the walls of the digestive organs, thus reducing the pain caused by the stomach acids.
Apple cider vinegar:
We all know that vinegar is acid-based, so you might be surprised why apple cider vinegar is recommended for the treatment of acid reflux. Apple cider vinegar does contain acetic acid, but it has been proven to help close the esophageal sphincter after food has passed through it. This sphincter is the valve separating the esophagus from the stomach.
Sodium bicarbonate:
Sodium bicarbonate is also known as baking soda – another substance with a range of benefits, from being used as a baking ingredient to being used as a cleaning agent in the home. It is also used to help kill odors in refrigerators or ovens that cannot be totally eliminated using only the usual cleaning products. It can also act as an antacid and can help treat acid burns. For acid reflux, half a teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate is mixed with 4 oz water, and this solution is taken every two hours. However, it cannot be taken more than seven times over a 24-hour period.
People with high blood pressure and people with sodium-restricted diets are advised not to go for this treatment as this may result in serious disorders.
