Household Remedies for Heartburn

Heartburn, also known as indigestion or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is caused when excess stomach acid refluxes into the esophagus and causes pain. Other symptoms of heartburn can be a tightness in the throat or a burning sensation in the throat or chest. There are many medications on the market today that treat chronic heartburn, but often times a simple home remedy is enough to take care of infrequent cases of mild heartburn.

Papaya and Pineapple

• Papaya enzyme is good for soothing upset stomachs and easing the symptoms of heartburn. Fresh pineapple can work in the same way.

Baking Soda

• A tsp. of baking soda in 8 oz. of water is an excellent antacid and can be used several times over an hour to treat heartburn.

Orange Peel

• Orange peel extract is said to relieve heartburn.

Hard Candy

• Sucking on a piece of hard candy will help cure heartburn. However, avoid chocolate or peppermint, as they contain ingredients that relax the sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach and may actually worsen the heartburn.

Ginger Root

• Ginger root capsules may alleviate the symptoms of heartburn.

Fennel

• A 1/2 tsp. of fennel seeds can reduce heartburn.

Diet Modification

• The most important thing that you can do to help heartburn is to avoid the things in your diet that trigger it, such as peppermint, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, spicy food and acidic food, such as tomatoes and oranges.