Can
folk remedies treat heartburn? Many
heartburn sufferers, frustrated and dissatisfied by the
conventional medical approach (that often produces
nothing but temporary relief accompanied by various side
effects), ask themselves whether there are folk remedies
that can serve as a healthier more effective
alternative. While it is obligatory to follow a complete
set of protocols to permanently stop the internal
medical condition that manifests as heartburn, there are
numerous folk remedies
that can bring significant relief to heartburn
sufferers.
Heartburn
can be defined as a burning and painful sensation in the
esophagus
area, just below the breastbone, which occurs due to the
regurgitation of stomach acids into the esophagus. While
sporadic heartburn (approx. once in a week) can happen
after a meal even among healthy individuals, persistent
heartburn is often an evidence of gastro esophageal
reflux disease (GERD), also called acid
reflux.
In simple
mechanical terms, gastro
esophageal reflux disease can be
described as a 'plumbing problem' with the digestive
system. Acid reflux disease occurs when a muscle called
lower esophageal sphincter (LES) that acts as a valve
between the esophagus and the stomach, randomly relaxes
or weakens. Normally, the LES opens only when food and a
drink pass from the esophagus into the stomach. After
the food passes, the
LES shuts off, keeping the digestive juices and
acid safely in the stomach. However, when the LES is
weakened and doesn't close properly, acid backs up into
the esophagus, burning its lining and causing painful
heartburn
and other GERD related symptoms.
The
weakening of the LES and extra acidity in the stomach
are the main conditions that contribute to gastro
esophageal reflux disease. Those conditions are usually
the result of numerous lifestyle,
dietary and medical factors. Certain dietary choices,
obesity, excessive stress, excessive fat ingestion,
inadequate sleep and genetic weakness can contribute to
the weakening of the LES, while intestinal dysbiosis
caused by certain dietary and lifestyle choices and
Candida infections can contribute to extra acidity in
the gastric system. For a heartburn remedy to be
effective it must first and foremost tackle those
underlying root causes.
While GERD
symptoms have been treated using folk remedies long
before the modern treatment technologies were available,
recent scientific researches support the effectiveness
of those traditional remedies. Here
are several examples of folk
remedies that have been found helpful in the treatment
of heartburn:
1. Elevate the head of your bed 6'' to 8''. This simple action will prevent stomach acid from flowing into your esophagus.
2. Sleep on your left side. The stomach is located on your left side, while the esophagus enters it from the right. When you lie on your left side, the esophagus is placed higher than your stomach, thus preventing the stomach content from reaching your esophagus.
3. Eat a teaspoon of raw unheated honey after each meal. Recent researches showed that raw unheated honey has powerful antibacterial and antioxidant properties, hence it can calm the inflammation in the esophagus.
4. Drink green tea with ginseng. This type of tea can improve your digestion and reduce acidity in the stomach.
5. Eat small to moderate meals. Small meals are easier to digest, so that your gastric system will produce less acid. For the same reason, eating slowly is highly recommended.
6. Drink plenty of water between meals. Mineral water is known as an alkaline forming drink; therefore drinking water can change the acid alkaline balance in your intestines.
Keep in mind that folk remedies can be highly beneficial for relieving your heartburn, yet it is only a small part of a comprehensive holistic treatment, which is obligatory for permanently curing and preventing heartburn.
Did you know that your painful, debilitating heartburn could be safely and permanently treatd using powerful all-natural holistic methods combined with traditional folk remedies?