5 Natural Alternatives to Help Relieve Heartburn

Heartburn is an irritating feeling that no one should get used to. It is a form of indigestion that is caused by acid regurgitation. The acid makes its way into the esophagus, causing you to feel a burn-like sensation around the chest. It is estimated that about seven million people in the United States are suffering from this issue in some degree. The following are five natural ways to deal with heartburn.

Baking Soda

1. Use Some Baking Soda
One of the easiest solutions for heartburn is baking soda. Many of you might not think that baking soda would be effective, but it can be. It may be a bit of an old wive's tale, which might make you feel like it is not going to work, but it does have positive results due to its pH balance.

Baking soda is considered a base, which means that it neutralizes acids and alkalinity. The thing that you should take a closer look at is its effect on acids. Keep in mind that the esophagus is like a valve that is meant to stay closed when you are eating to prevent stomach acids from escaping the stomach. The problem is the valve does not work at times, which means that the stomach acid needs to be neutralized.

Still, it is important to note that baking soda has sodium, so it is not recommended for those on a low-sodium diet. At the very least, you should talk to your doctor before using baking soda. All you need to do is mix half a teaspoon of baking soda into eight ounces of water, and drink it.

2. Take a Bit of Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a plant that is known to soothe burns and some injuries. The natural properties of aloe can reduce inflammation and irritations. The acid from the stomach will begin to irritate and inflame the stomach lining, which is what leads to the reflux.

The aloe vera juice will attempt to soothe the lining to stop the irritation from getting worse. All you need to do is take about half a cup of aloe vera before eating. Be sure to remember that aloe vera is a laxative, so it might be wise to get an option that has the laxative component removed.

3. Incorporate Yoga Into Your Life
Attempting to find a way to be active should help the body activate the metabolic process. This does not mean that you have to do anything too rigorous. In fact, the best activity that you can participate in is yoga.

Yoga is not too demanding, but it still helps raise the body's metabolic rate to minimize the chances of heartburn. If you exercise on your rug, be sure to consider oriental rug cleaning to prevent dust from irritating you while doing your yoga exercises. Yoga is therapeutic and effective, but it does require your full attention. Dust can lead to allergies, which could distract you while you attempt to do a little yoga.

4. Chew Some Gum
This is a pretty simple solution to the issue and will not cost much. All you have to do is chew a piece of gum for 30 minutes after a meal. The chewing naturally activates the salivary glands, which means more saliva.

The saliva will slowly make its way towards the stomach and dilute acid buildup. This should definitely help decrease some of the symptoms. Be sure to stick to natural gums like those made of sap or sugarless gums to ensure that you do not raise the risk of cavities.

5. Be Sure to Stay Up or Walk Around After Eating
Proper digestion is the key to ensuring that you do not suffer from this ailment continuously. What you want to do is make sure that you do not lay down after eating, so try to schedule your meals at least 3 hours before going to sleep.

It is also a good idea to walk for at least 20 minutes after a meal to help your body properly digest the food you just consumed. Failing to do some of these suggestions could unnecessarily aggravate the lining in the stomach. For example, laying down on the bed will allow the acids to rise higher, which could lead to heartburn.

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