10 Home remedies to cure acidity

Acidity or acid reflux disorder is very common problem affecting more than 20% adults in the western countries. Acid reflux happens when contents from your stomach move up into your oesophagus. It’s also called acid regurgitation or gastroesophageal reflux. Acid reflux can cause an uncomfortable burning feeling in your chest, which can radiate up toward your neck. This feeling is often known as heartburn. If you have acid reflux, you might develop a sour or bitter taste at the back of your mouth. It can also cause you to regurgitate food or liquid from your stomach into your mouth.

The best solution or remedy of acidity or heartburn or any kind of disease would be avoiding the cause. If you want to know the cause behind acidity or heartburn then check this link.<strong><u>Acidity/Acid reflux – Symptoms, Causes, Mechanism</u></strong>

While our immediate and natural response when we get acidity is to reach for that antacid but it will not give you a long-term relief.

Imagine This – Acidity Strikes at The Most Inconvenient Time and All You Have At Hand Is Tea, Milk etc. What Do You Do? I have listed below 10 best home remedies than can cure acidity instantly and can give you a long-term relief.

1. BUTTERMILK (CHAAS/TAAK)

The lactic acid in buttermilk normalizes the acidity in the stomach and gives a soothing effect. Did you know that buttermilk is categorised as a sattvic food in Ayurveda? So, the next time you get acidity after eating a heavy or spicy meal, skip the antacid and drink a glass of chaas instead.

TIPS

A glass of buttermilk topped with black pepper and coriander helps in instantly easing out symptoms of acidity.

2. COLD MILK FOR ACIDITY

Milk has a high amount of calcium, which helps to prevent acid build-up by absorbing the excess acid produced. Also, if the milk is cold, it sure does provide instant relief from the burning sensation that one feels during reflux. Avoid adding sugar.

Full fat cow’s milk may relax the lower oesophageal sphincter, which can worsen the reflux symptoms. Use low skimmed milk or any plant-based milk because low skimmed milk doesn’t contain fat, hence can not cause acid reflux. Plant based milk like almond milk, soya milk, coconut milk etc.

3. CURD

Curd is a dairy product obtained from milk by fermenting. The pH of milk can range between 6 and 8 but the fermentation process reduces the pH of curd to 4.3 or 4.4. The duration of fermentation can make curd even more acidic. Although curd is technically a high-acid food, it is recommended for most people as it has a soothing effect on the stomach.

TIPS

You can eat it with fruits or even make curd rice. Start to include curd in your daily diet. It would help you in stopping acid reflux in the long term.

4. YOGHURT

Yogurt rich in probiotics can work in two different ways to give you heartburn relief.

• Presence of probiotic bacteria mainly Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus strains besides others in yogurt help in destroying harmful bacteria that causes gas and bloating. Gas and bloating is one of the main reasons that causes acidity.
• lowering inflammation. Studies have shown that Probiotics reduce inflammation which in turn strengthens intestinal muscles.

Overall impact of both these properties is reduction in acid reflux. So, if you suffer acid reflux often then eat yogurt daily.

TIPS

The best way to have unsweetened homemade yogurt is to have it first thing on an empty stomach, diluted with water.

5. 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 harmful effects of excessive acid production. Since it is rich in fibre, it aids digestion and prevents the re-occurrence of acidity.

6. HONEY FOR ACIDITY

Afterall it is an age old home remedy for soothing your heartburn. There isn’t enough research on honey but theoretically scientists believe that honey should stop relaxing LES due to its many helpful properties which means it can cure acidity.

It is believed that high density, high viscosity and low surface tension of honey creates a protective coating on the mucous membrane of esophagus. This can stop LES to relax, resulting in stomach contents remaining in the stomach without trying to get back up in the food pipe. In addition to this its antioxidant properties inhibit nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 production to reduce inflammation. Reduced inflammation also stops LES to relax.

Honey also aids in digestion and reduces stomach gases. Combined impact of all these effects ease acid reflux and heartburn.

TIPS

You can take honey in two different ways to effectively reduce acid reflux and heartburn.

• Keep one teaspoon of honey in your mouth after food and let it slowly move down your throat. Don’t swallow. Just let it move down your throat on its own gravity. This is the most effective method to get relief almost immediately.
• Add a teaspoon of honey in a cup of warm water. Stir it well and sip it slowly to enjoy.

7. AJWAIN (Thymol seeds, bishop’s weed)

Consumption of ajwain gives relief from acidity and flatulence. It is very good for digestion and is an effective anti-acidic agent.

TIPS

Boil ajwain in water. Filter the mixture and then drink it

8. FENNEL SEEDS

You can also “chew sauf after meals, to prevent stomach acidity”, advises Nutritionist Anshul Jaibharat. For its multitude of gastrointestinal benefits, fennel tea is sure to help the digestive tract be healthy and happy.

TIPS

The fennel tea is considered very useful to help indigestion and bloating because of the oils found in these seeds.

#Fennel tea

• Bring water to boil
• Add crushed fennel seeds and ginger is optional
• After few minutes strain the mixture.
• Add honey and mix it well.

9. CHEWING GUM FOR ACIDITY

When it comes to acid reflux chewing gum works to reduce acid in the Esophagus. The active chewing can increase your saliva production and cause you to swallow more, this allows any acidity in your mouth to be cleared much more Quickly. Gum chewing may provide even more relief if you chew bicarbonate gum. Bicarbonate can neutralize the acid present in the esophagus.

Your saliva already contains bicarbonate if you chew gum with bicarbonate you’re not only increasing saliva production but you’re also adding more bicarbonate into the mix this can amplify its neutralizing Effects. Chewing sugar-free gum for half an hour after eating may reduce symptoms of acid reflux. These effects can vary depending on the type of gum you’re chewing. Chewing sugar-free gum may help reduce inflammation and irritation.

TIPS

If you plan to add chewing gum to your daily routine remember to choose a sugar-free gum avoid minty gums.

10. TULSI LEAVES (BASIL LEAVES)

One of the safest ayurvedic products, Tulsi helps in stimulating stomach to produce more mucus. It contains antiulcer properties and reduces the effects of gastric acids

TIPS

In a cup of water add 2-3 basil leaves. Let the water come to a boil. Then let it simmer for few minutes. Strain the mixture and add honey for flavour.

One of the easiest way to beat the discomfort is by chewing 4-5 tulsi leaves.

#ANTACIDS

The antacids which are the most common drugs used for acidity. As the name indicates these are anti acids which means they contain basic chemicals that neutralize the acid present in your stomach so that there is no acid to reflux.

The problem with antacids is that their action is very short lived. They are emptied from the empty stomach quickly, in less than an hour, and the acid then re-accumulates. The best way to take antacids, therefore, is approximately one hour after meals, which is just before the symptoms of reflux begin after a meal. Since the food from meals slows the emptying from the stomach, an antacid taken after a meal stays in the stomach for longer and is more effective. Antacids are usually aluminium, magnesium or calcium based. Aluminium-containing antacids have a tendency to cause constipation, while magnesium-containing antacids tend to cause diarrhoea. Antacids containing both aluminium and magnesium cause less problems.

Its good to make some necessary changes in your lifestyle if there is frequent episodes of heartburn or acidity. Because In extreme cases, some people have surgery to tighten the LES to minimize their distress. But we can often stop heartburn before it reaches that point. For information regarding lifestyle changes or what to avoid for preventing acidity then read this article. Acidity – Diet and lifestyle changes

For more such article check out the website medicoved.com

Author : Dr. Easminara Shaikh