Do you ever get a burning sensation in your chest? If yes, then you shouldn’t ignore it. This burning sensation is known as Heartburn and it is usually accompanied by chest pain, regurgitation or difficulty swallowing. With that being said, it has become a common problem these days due to our dietary choices and lifestyle habits. If you’re thinking of taking an antacid to supress the discomfort, stop and try Ayurvedic remedy for heartburn instead. These remedies can be easily done at home while treating the root cause of the problem.
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What is Heartburn?
Heartburn in simple words is the burning sensation you feel in the chest. It happens when the acidic content in the stomach come back in the esophagus, causing discomfort and thus this burning sensation. It could be related to various diseases like GERD, gastritis, hiatal hernia, gall bladder disease, pancreatitis, cardiac ailments, etc.
It is essential to pay attention at the condition and prevent it from developing into any chronic disease. Ayurvedic remedy for heartburn is a simple and effective at home solution for this problem since it is backed by Ayurveda and is being used in India since thousands of years.
Symptoms
- Burning sensation after meals that worsens after lying down or at night
- Sour or bitter backflow into throat or mouth
- Difficulty swallowing
- Burning sensation in chest
- Chronic cough or hoarseness
- Sore throat
- Chest pain
- Nausea
Causes
- Eating spicy and fried food
- Caffeine
- Consuming alcohol
- Smoking
- Eating large meals or overeating
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- GERD
- Esophagitis
- Lying down immediately after eating
- Cardiac conditions
- Gastritis
- Severe stress
- Hiatal hernia
- Peptic ulcer disease
- Gallbladder ailments
- Pancreatitis
- Eating acidic foods
Ayurvedic Perspective on Heartburn
If you’re having occasional heartburn then it is a result of imbalance of Pitta dosha in your body. As per Ayurveda our body consists of three doshas i.e. Vata, Pitta and Kapha and Pitta dosha is the fire of our body. It is seated in the stomach and when there is an excess of Pitta dosha, it results in heartburn.
Balancing this excess Pitta dosha is the key to treating heartburn. Since Pitta is fire, we need cooling ingredients to help calm it down. Here are a few Ayurvedic remedy for heartburn that will treat this condition while sitting at home and making a few necessary changes in your routine.
Ayurvedic remedy for heartburn at home
Best natural drink for heartburn
One of the best ways to treat heartburn is drinking Aloe vera juice. Prepare fresh Aloe vera juice and drink a small amount of it before any meal. Make sure you don’t add any artificial sugars to this juice. It is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, reducing acidity and soothing the digestive tract.
Cure heartburn naturally
Mix cumin seeds, Fennel seeds and coriander seeds together and take one teaspoon of this seed mix after every meal. Cumin seeds improve digestion, helps in balancing stomach acid and have carminative properties which reduces gas and bloating. Fennel seeds help neutralize the acid in the stomach, thus relieving heartburn. Whereas, Coriander seeds calms inflammation and aids in reducing acidity.
Best herb for heartburn
Licorice root is an amazing herb used for treating heartburn. Just make a tea by simmering Licorice root in water for 3-5 minutes and drink it twice a day. It not only soothes the lining of the stomach and esophagus but also reduces inflammation.
Fastest way to cure heartburn
Ginger is celebrated in Ayurveda for its anti-inflammatory properties. You can drink ginger tea once a day or chew a small piece of ginger with little honey to help relieve heartburn. You can also add a pinch of black pepper to the ginger tea to enhance its effect.
Instant heartburn relief
Freshly made buttermilk helps reduce irritation and soothes the stomach lining, thus providing instant relief from heartburn.
Alternatively, you can also drink a cup of cold milk to get instant but temporary relief from heartburn.
Triphala for Heartburn
Triphala is cherished in Ayurveda for its various health benefits. Triphala is a blend of three fruits i.e. Amalaki, Haritaki and Bibhitaki. You can add a teaspoon of Triphala powder to warm water and drink it before going to bed every night. This balances the digestive functions, reduces inflammation, and acidity.
Also Read Ayurvedic Remedy for Acidity: Natural Solutions for Digestive Health
Diet and Lifestyle Modifications
- Avoid sleeping right after having a meal, instead go take a walk for a few minutes post-meal.
- Stay away from several drinks like coffee, tea, alcohol etc.
- Refrain from eating spicy, oily food, chickpea flour, rice, brinjals, black gram, potato, sour vinegar, and fast food for a while.
- Stay hydrated. Add coconut water or water infused with coriander seeds in your diet.
- Incorporate yoga, walk or exercises in your daily routine.
When to consult a doctor?
You should consult your doctor if you’re experiencing:
- Frequent heartburn (more than twice a week)
- Chest pain along with heartburn
- Unexplained weight loss
- Pain while swallowing
- Symptoms worsening even after taking medicines
