More often than not, eating food outside causes acidity just under the chest, making us feel very uneasy. It has a burning sensation and is known as acid reflux. Acid reflux occurs when the ring of muscle that allows food into your stomach relaxes when it shouldn’t. This makes the acid from your stomach go back up your esophagus, which then causes the intense feeling of heartburn. If this happens to you very rarely, then opting for prescription medicines doesn’t do much harm. But if you’re highly susceptible to it, then choosing home remedies for acid reflux is a better idea. Ayurveda encourages natural treatment and ingredients for health benefits as it doesn’t trigger any side effects and does the job as well as any other medicine.

Some of the basic and easiest ways to cure acid reflux are:

Baking soda

Just a teaspoon of baking soda (or sodium bicarbonate) can quickly diminish the burning sensation caused by the acid reflux. Baking soda is a base substance, and its pH neutralizes your stomach acid. However, do not use this remedy for more than a week consistently, because it contains a lot of salt and can lead to side effects like nausea.

Aloe vera juice

This plant has so many benefits, it’s almost too difficult to keep up with it. From being good for the scalp to soothing skin burns, it also reduces inflammation from the inside. Drinking half a cup of cool aloe vera juice before meals help keep acid reflux at bay. Keep in mind that aloe also acts as a laxative!

Say no to supine

The supine position, better known as lying down, actually aggravates acidity. This is because the esophagus is more accessible to the contents of your stomach when you’re horizontal, which includes the stomach acid. Wait for at least 3 to 4 hours after a meal to lie down in your resting position, or else all the food you just ate will press against the lower esophageal sphincter, which is what triggers acid reflux.

Add more acid

Contrary to the logical rebuttal of this statement, often acid reflux is caused because of a lack of acid in the stomach. The stomach acid is what prompts the sphincter to tighten or relax, so it is important to maintain a balance of acid quantity in your stomach. Mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and drink up before every meal, and before it’s time to sleep. If you feel that it is making the acidity worse, then low amounts of acid in the stomach is not your problem.

Bananas and apples

Eat an apple a couple of hours before you go to bed, or a ripe banana every day. Bananas contain natural antacids which block the acidity.

Avoid alcohol and cigarettes together

More than a home remedy for acid reflux, this is just a tip. Nicotine and alcohol weaken the sphincter, relaxing it unnecessarily. Alcohol irritates the stomach condition by itself anyway, so it’s a healthier option to not mix the two when you’re out celebrating.

Good yellow mustard

Mustard sauce is full of minerals and is an alkalizing food, so even if it tastes a bit weird, it’ll neutralize the acid in your stomach and thus reduce the burn of acid reflux. Just take a teaspoon full of only mustard and consume it directly.

Almonds

Eat 3 to 4 almonds after every meal or just anything you eat. Almonds have shown to neutralize stomach acidity and relieving the acid burn.

Fennel seeds

Baked fennel seeds (saunf) are also recommended to help settle the stomach and balance digestion. Eat a ¼ teaspoon of baked fennel seeds 3 times a day between meals.

Don’t skip meals

Even if you don’t feel hungry, make sure you always consume something or the other between meals. Fruits, warm milk, coconut water, or even a date shake can keep the acidity low.

Spicy, hot food doesn’t help

Chillies, cayenne peppers, jalapeno peppers, sour and salty tastes such as vinegar, alcohol and acidic foods and fruits like grapefruit, orange, and even yoghurt and ice cream should be avoided if you want to be rid of acid reflux.

Following these simple and easy home remedies for acid reflux are sure to bring about favourable results.

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Author of the Blog: Dr. Ramchandra Konduskar

Expert Review By: Dr Smita Pankaj Naram

Co-Founder, Ayushakti Ayurved Pvt Ltd