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Natural Heartburn Throat Pain Relief

Heartburn and throat pain can occur from stomach acid or bile that backwashes into the esophagus (food pipe), irritating it. If this occurs chronically, it can be known as GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). There are natural heartburn throat pain relief options that do not involve taking chemically made drugs.

  1. Gum & Candy

    • Chewing natural gum (ones made without chemicals and with natural sweeteners) after each meal can bring heartburn relief. Gum works by increasing the production of saliva in the mouth but does not add any more food or bulk to the stomach. The saliva from the gum chewing will run down the throat and help prevent more acid from going back up the food pipe. An alternative to gum is dried fruits, also something chewy. However, chew without swallowing and then spit out the fruit. Swallowing just adds more bulk to the stomach. Natural cough drops and hard candies are also an option, since sucking on them will produce more saliva.

    Body Position

    • Simply changing the position of your body during and after eating can help ease heartburn and throat pain. While eating, sit up straight (no slouching), so the food has a clear path down the food pipe. Also, avoid lying down after eating. Waiting 2 to 3 hours after eating before reclining can relieve and prevent further symptoms.

    Papaya

    • Eat papaya to ease heartburn and throat pain. Papaya contains natural enzymes to assist the breakdown of foods in the stomach, ease indigestion and soothe burning.

    Acupuncture

    • Acupuncture is helpful for many conditions, including heartburn. An acupuncturist inserts very thin needles, very different and much smaller than medical needles, into specific points on the body that are thought to have a positive effect on the stomach and indigestion.

    Cabbage

    • Eating cabbage helps digestion, reduces the burning feeling from heartburn, and has a cooling effect on the stomach. Add some cabbage to meals or side dishes by tossing chopped cabbage into a salad or cooking and mixing it with a particular dish.

    Herbs

    • Herbal folk remedies that were used to treat acid reflux include licorice, slippery elm, chamomile, fennel, ginger root, angelica root and other herbs. These herbs are thought to provide relief with heartburn, stomach upset, constipation and diarrhea.

      Caution: Herbs carry side effects and should not be taken without first consulting a doctor.

    Alcohol Consumption

    • Cut back on or stop drinking alcohol to help ease reflux symptoms. Alcohol increases stomach acid, which in turn increases the amount of acid that could backwash into the esophagus and cause throat pain and/or heartburn.

    Smoking Cessation

    • Stop smoking to ease heartburn and throat pain. Saliva neutralizes stomach acid and starts the process of digestion, but smoking dries out the saliva of the mouth and the throat.

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