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Ease Heartburn Naturally: Top Home Remedies

| Modified on Feb 27, 2024
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Apple Cider Vinegar

Heartburn, that uncomfortable burning sensation in your chest and throat, can disrupt your day and turn meals into daunting experiences. While over-the-counter medications are commonly used, many are turning to natural remedies for a gentler approach to relief. This article explores safe and effective natural remedies to soothe heartburn.

Understanding Heartburn

Heartburn occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach. This can cause a burning sensation in the chest or throat, a sour or bitter taste in the mouth, and even difficulty swallowing. Common triggers include spicy foods, overeating, stress, and certain medications.

Effective Natural Remedies for Heartburn

1. Mustard

Mustard is a popular natural remedy that can alleviate heartburn symptoms due to its alkaline properties, which help neutralize stomach acid. A teaspoon of plain yellow mustard taken directly or mixed with a glass of water can provide immediate relief. Its vinegar content and minerals are believed to aid digestion and soothe the esophagus and stomach, potentially easing the burn of acid reflux.

2. Ginger

Ginger is renowned for its gastrointestinal soothing properties. Incorporating ginger tea into your daily routine can help neutralize stomach acids, reducing heartburn symptoms. Use fresh ginger root to make a soothing tea, or add it to your meals for a flavorful, heartburn-relieving ingredient.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar

Though it might seem counterintuitive to fight acid with acid, apple cider vinegar can actually help balance stomach pH by neutralizing stomach acid. Mix one tablespoon with a glass of water and drink before meals to prevent heartburn.

4. Baking Soda

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) offers quick, temporary relief from heartburn by neutralizing stomach acid. Mix a teaspoon in a glass of water and drink sparingly, as it's high in salt and can cause side effects like swelling and nausea if overused.

5. Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe vera juice has anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe the gastrointestinal tract and reduce the inflammation heartburn causes. Drink a half-cup of aloe vera juice before meals to keep heartburn at bay. Ensure the juice is free from laxative components.

6. Chewing Gum

Chewing sugar-free gum after meals can reduce acid in the esophagus, thanks to increased saliva production which helps push the acid back down into the stomach. Opt for a gum that doesn't contain peppermint or spearmint, as these flavors can relax the LES (lower esophageal sphincter), worsening heartburn.

7. Almond Milk

Almond milk can neutralize stomach acid, thanks to its alkaline properties. Drinking a glass of almond milk after meals or when heartburn strikes can offer relief.

8. Avoid Trigger Foods

Identifying and avoiding foods that trigger your heartburn is a natural way to reduce symptoms. Common culprits include spicy foods, citrus fruits, tomatoes, chocolate, and caffeinated beverages.

Lifestyle Modifications for Heartburn Relief

In addition to these natural remedies, lifestyle changes can significantly reduce heartburn occurrences. Eat smaller, more frequent meals, avoid lying down immediately after eating, elevate your head while sleeping, and maintain a healthy weight.

Conclusion

While these natural remedies can provide relief, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional if you experience frequent heartburn. They can help identify underlying conditions and recommend a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Embracing natural remedies alongside healthy lifestyle choices can lead to a more comfortable and enjoyable life, free from the discomfort of heartburn.

Continue reading to learn which natural remedies helped Earth Clinic readers, and please let us know your favorite remedy for heartburn!

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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ACV and Baking Soda

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Posted by Sandy (Kent, Ohio) on 10/15/2007
 ★★★★★

I was having burning and have long suffered with heartburn. I tried the ACV, baking soda and honey last night and it did feel much better. This morning I had a second dose - this time with the organic cider vinegar - but I immediately had the "runs" -. I am wondering' if I should cut back to one tablespoon of ACV since constipation has never been one of my problems - just the opposite. The burning feels a bit better and I am belching a lot but I wonder if I should limit dosage?

Replied by Alena
(Salt Lake City, Ut)
08/22/2011

It's the baking soda that is giving you the runs. Lol. Baking soda and Cream of Tartar will do that to a human :) FYI Cream of Tartar is AMAZING at clearing up yeast infections.

Almonds

8 User Reviews
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Posted by Monica (Nj) on 09/15/2017
 ★☆☆☆☆

Almonds made my heartburn worse. I guess one's personal cure for heartburn depends on the particular cause. After eating about 10 almonds I feel like I have a rock stuck in my upper stomach. Lots of pressure. Like I need to belch but none is coming.

Almonds
Posted by Inspirewear (South Florida) on 01/28/2016
 ★★★★★

Hi everyone:

I have acid reflux. I eat raw foods and one thing I like to eat is raw or blanched almonds. One day after lunch I realized after eating a handful of almonds that there was no heartburn for me. That's when I realized that almonds can be good for heartburn.

Almonds
Posted by Carolinabe (Winston-salem, Nc, Usa) on 06/22/2012
 ★★★★☆

Couldn't sleep tonight with bad heartburn. After trying OTC acid reducers to no avail, I started looking online for remedies I had in the house. No apple cider vinegar to be found at 1 am, but I had plenty of almonds! 5 seems to have made a huge improvement.

Almonds
Posted by Jen (New Haven, Ct) on 04/18/2012
 ★★★★★

I just ate a few almonds and felt more pain as they went down and then - poof - total relief about 5 minutes later.

Almonds
Posted by Cindy (Paradise, Ca) on 09/27/2011
 ★★★★★

Eating about 10 almonds, I use raw, always stops heartburn immediately for me.

Almonds
Posted by Sharon (Lockport, IL) on 03/19/2008
 ★★★★★

Eating a handful of raw almonds stops GERD dead in its tracks. My daughter ate almonds throughout her pregnancy whenever heartburn hit. It worked for her also.

Replied by Chundra
(Cleveland, MS)
09/25/2008
★★★☆☆

WORKED TEMPORARILY

I tried the almonds and they partially worked. I am going to try the apple cider vinegar when I get home.

Replied by Braveheartlion
(Rome, Ny)
11/25/2011
★★★★☆

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

These worked for my heartburn as I am in my 7th month of pregnancy, but I sure did get sick of them. I have also have read that too many nuts can cause constipation which is also a problem of late pregnancy, so be careful. ACV and baking soda work not so well and the taste is awful with a burn of their own.

Aloe Vera

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Posted by Chris (Stony Brook) on 10/10/2019
 ★★★★★

I just started drinking 1/2 cup of aloe vera juice in the morning and before bed and my heartburn feels a lot better.

Apple Cider Vinegar

29 User Reviews
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Posted by Jackie (KS) on 04/28/2022
 ★★★★★

I tried Apple Cider Vinegar before for heartburn it didn't work b/c I was using too much. I now use 1 teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar w/mother and 1 tablespoon of raw honey in 12 ounces of hot water. one dose in morning and one in at night about bed time. working great so far have able to stop meds. only stopped meds for a few days so far. I have been diagnosed w/ hiatal hernia, that is causing heartburn. I will update if heartburn comes back.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Carrie (Livonia, Mi) on 12/31/2014
 ★★★★★

So glad to have found this site. I have been taking 2 Tbs of ACV for my heart burn and completely gone. I also gave up wheat and that helped significantly.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mavis (Ireland) on 04/27/2014
 ★★★★★

Have been suffering servere heartburn for the past 2 weeks. This wasn't just the usual burning and pain associated with this complaint but a feeling like somebody was squeezing my throat. I tried all the usual remedies to no avail. Visited EarthClinic and tried the ACV and honey remedy and after the first dose I got immediate relief. I will keep using it until I have no further pain but I look forward to being able to get some sleep at last. Many thanks for this wonderful site. I have used it many times over the years but have only just registered so I can thank you properly.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Bill (Boston, Ma) on 09/30/2013
 ★★★★★

Heartburn: I have tried ACV and it seems to work. I take it with some water and honey. I had a fruit citrus drink and the heatburn flared up almost right away. Lots of good filtered water helps too. You have to watch what you eat. Citrus is not good for heartburn. Bill

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Valerie (Chicago, Illinois) on 12/31/2012
 ★★★★★

I just wanted to express my gratitude for this site. I am what you'd call a return patient to Earth clinic, after curing another 'ailment' permanently, I came straight to this site at 2 am last night after a severe attack of heartburn. The second one in 2 weeks. Since no one in my household ever has heartburn I was unsure what would work fast. I tried in desperation the 2 tbs of ACV and 1 tbs of honey with a little warm water and yes within minutes I felt a great deal of relief, and within half an hour I was comfortable enough to go back to sleep. Thank goodness I can go to a site that is sincere in it's attempt to keep remedies as natural as possible. Thank you friends out there!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Laura (Houston, Mo) on 11/01/2012
 ★★★★★

I have been using Apple Cider Vinegar(2tsp), honey(1 tsp) and cinnamon(just a few dashes)for the last week as a way to control the worst heartburn I have ever had. I could not believe how well it works!! Amazing!! I thought I'd have to take an acid reliever for the rest if my life. So happy to know there is something out there that is holistic and helps with so many other things too, like my allergies, while bringing the heartburn under control... Even better than the strongest dose of Zantac! I recommend it to anyone battling this beast!!

Replied by Joan
(Ellensburg, Wa)
11/09/2012
★★★★★

I really didn't think it would work, but it did. I put just a tiny splash of ACV in a coffee cup added a little bit of honey and filled it up with water. Microwaved 1 minute because I don't like hot liquids. I haven't had heartburn since. Usually I eat at least ten Tums everyday.

Replied by Sunny
(Los Angeles, Ca)
11/21/2012
★★★★★

Many thanks for this website. I had heartburn like 4-5 times a day before I started using ACV. After two months of taking it, I may only have very very minor heartburn once a week. I took a tbsp of ACV with honey and warm water. Once I took 4-5 tbsp for my flu a few days. But now my teeth can't stand for it. I felt like they were going to crack even though I was not eating. So I switched to less than 1 tbsp and added molasses for my grey hair this morning. I also made the homemade toothpaste to remineralize my teeth. I just tried last night and I don't feel like they are going crack now. I also did the coconut oil pulling. Lets see the result later.

Replied by Caroline
(San Francisco, Ca)
01/20/2013

I find that it helps to drink the ACV water through a straw--that way it bypasses the teeth.

Replied by Purplebutterfly
(Usa)
05/15/2015

I use DGL everytime and it works. :-)

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Michelle (Yorkshire, England) on 08/07/2012
 ★★★★★

THANK YOU for your advice. I have suffered with persistent heartburn problems for the last 2-3 months. My GP has prescribed increasingly higher doses of PPI's which did not appear to bring any significant benefit. A gastroscopy indicated upper tract inflammation but no other problems and I tested negative for H Pylori. 9 days ago I decided to ditch the drugs and try ACV ( 2 tblsp with honey in warm water) twice a day before meals - I also began taking Aloe vera juice. I felt much better within 2 days and have not looked back. I have been able to resume my yoga practice including inverted postures and have not had any disruption to my sleep. I am still taking care with my diet and am not fully back to normal, but it has only been just over a week. I am due to go travelling in china in @ 5 weeks - do you think I will need to take the ACV with me?


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