Heartburn is a burning sensation as a result of acid reflux and acid indigestion which normally occurs when the gastric glands produce a lot of acids. The excess acid refluxes back into the oesophagus where it causes irritation and leads to the term ‘heartburn’ as the oesophagus lies just behind the heart.
Most pregnant women experience heartburn especially in their first trimester and have to listen to the old tale that their baby will have lots of hair. Although hair is a good thing, there is always something you can do to calm your chest down after a bout of acid reflux.
If you constantly experience heartburn, please consult your doctor and find out the underlying causes. Excessive production of acids can lead to serious stomach and oesophagus diseases. Before you take any home remedy, supplement or herbal medicine it’s always best to consult with your doctor especially if you’re pregnant.
These common home remedies provide relief and help cure acidity:
-
Aloe Vera Juice
Aloe vera is an alkaline forming food that helps to balance overly acidic habits and is thus used as a natural remedy for acid reflux. It provides relief to the oesophagus and aids the digestion system as well by providing vitamins and essential amino acids.
To cure heartburns, take half a cup of aloe vera juice or aloe vera gel just before meals. Taking it in this form provides utmost relief as the aloe comes into contact with the oesophagus.
-
Baking Soda
Add half a spoon of baking soda into a glass of water as an effective drink against acidity. Baking soda neutralizes the acid production in your stomach and lowers the effect of the acid or the chances of it reversing to your oesophagus.
-
Ginger
The most effective way is to chew on a slice of ginger. Ginger is used as a natural home remedy for various ailments as it contains natural anti-inflammatory and digestive properties. Alternatively, take a spoonful of ginger twice a day to cure reflux.
-
Milk
This is the most used acid reflux remedy. Milk contains calcium which prevents the build-up of acid in your stomach.
-
Chewing Gum
Yes. Ten shillings worth of gum. The chewing and swallowing movement pushes the acids back to the stomach, prevents acid reversal and produces saliva which is alkaline and acts as an acid buffer.
-
Keep a Food Diary
There is always something you can remove from your diet, for example, caffeine and large food portions and something to add like black pepper, cinnamon, cardamoms and Licorice root; spices that are alkaline and help reduce acidity.
Keeping track of your food will show you which foods are triggers and provide you with information that will be helpful to you and your health provider.
Are there any home remedies that have helped you find relief? Let us know in the comments below.
You may also like: 4 Remedies to Soothe your Teething Baby
Weekly Roundup: Halloween, Apple Cider Vinegar and a Babymoon!
Don’t forget to register for our weekly newsletter and follow us for interesting highlights on MumsVillage Facebook page!