How To Treat Acid Reflux Naturally- 8 Ways

As we all know, what else we eat goes to our stomach through an oesophagus which is known as a food pipe. Have you ever thought that what we eat does not come up? This is because of the sphincter at the opening of the stomach. At the entrance of the stomach, there is a valve or sphincter (ring muscle) which closes soon after the food enters the stomach. This sphincter is also known as a cardiac sphincter with a gateway between the oesophagus and the stomach.

This mechanism is all because of rhythmic peristaltic waves. Any issue or problem with this sphincter leads to the disease called GERD or Acid reflux. If this cardiac sphincter does not close all the way or partially, then the acid from the stomach regurgitates and irritates the oesophagal lining and causes pain in the epigastric region. In this article, we are going to discuss Acid reflux, its ayurvedic aspect, and home remedies in detail.

What is acid reflux?

As we mentioned above when the gateway of the oesophagus and stomach does not function properly, then the acid from the stomach comes up and irritates the lining of the oesophagal wall. If this condition occurs for more than two weeks, then you might have a disease called GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux or acid reflux, or acid regurgitation)

Etiology/Causes

One of the main causes is the improper working of the cardiac sphincter. So the most common reason why this sphincter is not working properly is hiatus hernia.

Other possible reasons for this are

• Eating large meals
• Lying down right after the meal
• Eating heavy meals and doing strenuous exercises
• Eating snacks just before the bedtime
• Consuming excessive citrus and spicy foods
• Smoking
• Drinking excessive alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee, and tea
• Taking NSAIDS such as diclofenac, aspirin, ibuprofen

Clinical features/signs and symptoms

The person who is having this disease shows two most common symptoms that are Heartburn (burning pain or discomfort in the epigastric region and Regurgitation (a sour or bitter taste in your mouth or throat).

Other symptoms of this disease are

• Bloating
• Bloody stool or bloody vomiting
• Excessive burping
• Dysphasia
• Heaviness in the abdomen
• Nausea
• Hiccups
• Hoarseness of voice
• Sore throat
• Dry cough

Diagnosis

It’s better to see your doctor when you have symptoms for more than two weeks. In conclusion, You may need one or more diagnostic tests for acid reflux

• Endoscopy: The most common diagnostic procedure for diagnosing GERD.
• Esophageal manometry: This procedure will check the function and movement of the oesophagus and cardiac sphincter.
• pH monitoring: This test can check for acid in your oesophagus.
• Biopsy

Ayurvedic overview on Acid Reflux

In Ayurveda, we can correlate this disease with Amalpitta.

Parichay/definition

“Amlam ch pittam amalpittam” this shloka means acidification of gastric juices is Amalpitta.

Nidana/Causes1

Following are the causes of Amlapitta

• Eating excessive acidic and hot food
• Drinking excessive alcohol
• Eating stale and heavy food
• Overeating or eating a toxic food combination
• Suppression of natural urges

Lakshan/signs and symptoms

Symptoms of Amlapitta include

• Avipak (Indigestion)
• Utklesha (Nausea)
• Tikta-amlodgar (Acid eructations)
• Hridyakantha dah (burning in chest and throat)
• Aruchi (Anorexia)

Home Remedies for Acid reflux

Whenever do you ask Google what home remedy is good for acid reflux? Then it answers many reliable and effective home remedies. So, If someone is facing this problem, then he/she can adopt these home remedies for acid reflux pain:

1. Licorice

Licorice is also known as Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra). This herbal product has a soothing and antacid effect. Another, It gives relief from the symptoms of acid reflux. It is also helpful in the sore throat which is also a symptom of acid reflux.

How to prepare and consume

• Take 1 tsp of licorice powder
• Add it to a cup of boiling water
• Steep the solution for approximately 10 minutes
• Strain the solution
• Consume the tea at least twice daily

2. Decoction of coriander, cumin, and fennel

These are also known as Dhaniya, Jeera, and Saunf in Hindi. Decoction of these three things gives you relief from acidity.

3. How to prepare and consume

• Take 1/4th of each coriander, cumin, and fennel. (Dhaniya, Jeera And Saunf)
• Boil all these in about 400 ml
• Prepare decoction
• Boil till 50 to 60 ml remains.
• Filter and drink twice daily for 20 minutes of the meal

3. Asafoetida

It is called Hinga or Hing in Hindi. This thing has medicinal properties. It gives relief from bloating, acid reflux, indigestion, etc.

How to consume

When you cook something, then add one teaspoon daily for better results

4. Apple cider

This is made from crushed apples. This apple cider maintains the pH of the stomach.

How to consume

Dilute this apple cider with a little amount of water and consume it twice daily.

5. Ginger

This is best for gastric problems. It helps in alleviating the symptoms of gastritis, acid reflux, indigestion, etc.

How to consume

• Chop fresh ginger root
• Add the chopped ginger to a cup of boiling water
• Keep it covered for 10 minutes
• Strain the solution
• Add honey to the solution
• Consume the tea twice or thrice daily for a week to get wonderful results

6. Buttermilk

This is a good home remedy for acidity and indigestion. It contains lactic acid that helps in soothing the stomach lining. It also acts as a natural probiotic.

How to consume

• Take buttermilk and add black pepper (a pinch)
• Drink one glass of buttermilk daily

7. Amla

This is considered a good Ayurvedic herbal fruit for acidity. It acts as a natural defence mechanism against acidity. It heals the injured lining of the stomach and oesophagus.

How to consume

Eat two to four amla daily or you can take 1 tsp amla powder twice daily with lukewarm water

8. Mint leaves

In Hindi, it is known as Pudina. These mint leaves are very useful for acidity and indigestion. Because It gives a cooling effect on the digestive system.

How to prepare and consume

• Take 8-10 leaves and blend them with some water
• Then add a pinch of rock salt
• Consume this preparation once a day daily

What else we can do is

• Drink plenty of water
• Don’t overeat
• Follow a low-carbohydrate diet
• Limit your alcohol intake
• Don’t drink too much coffee
• Avoid raw onion
• Avoid too much citrus juice
• When you feel discomfort then elevate the head of your bed
• Quit smoking
• Lose weight
• Avoid eating late at night
• Eat smaller meals
• Avoid taking stress
• Do brisk walking after eating
• Avoid eating or drinking hot meals

Conclusion

At last, we concluded that acid reflux is a very painful condition. Everyone faces this problem once in a life. But it can be managed by applying a healthy lifestyle and by some herbal remedies. Also, we can manage this disease by applying some home remedies. So above mentioned home remedies are very effective in managing acid reflux and its related problems.

References

1. Madhav Nidan 51/1
2. Madhav Nidan 51/2

10 Causes of Acidity That You Should Be Aware Of To Avoid This Disease

1. Eating too much
2. Eating rapidly
3. Eating Regularly
4. Eating Spicy and oily meals
5. Eating before taken food digestion
6. Eating after a long time period
7. Eating too many acidic foods
8. Sleeping after eating immediately
9. Sleeping less
10. Too much tea & coffee

These are the common causes of the Acidity problem and abstinence from these irregular habits results in a healthful stomach. So, a little lifestyle change helps to prevent the Acidity disorders which suffer you regularly.