Indigestion comes in varying degrees of simple or occasional, moderate, and acute. Indigestion is also called acid reflux, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), and pyrosis, but its medical term is “Dyspepsia.” Indigestion occurs when some of the acidic stomach contents, backs up into the esophagus. Indigestion can be treated with prescribed medical treatments, or with the many home remedies and OTC products that have proven successful. Lifestyle factors contribute to acid indigestion, including the types of foods we consume, like fatty foods.
Fatty foods promote acid reflux and overload the existing stomach acids, making them work harder, causing excess acid secretions. Popular OTC antacids are usually the first treatment tried by people who experience acid indigestion symptoms. These products are helpful to an extent, because they contain salts, magnesium, calcium, aluminum, hydroxide or bicarbonate properties, which neutralizes the acid in the stomach. To safely get rid of indigestion and to be able to control its effects, see proven home remedy methods and tips below for quick and lasting relief.
1. Peppermint Oil:
Peppermint Oil has been proven to soothe intestinal muscle spasms, prevent nausea and ease acid indigestion symptoms. Either in capsule form, candy, or powdered form, Peppermint has a soothing, menthol effect on the stomach and esophagus.
2. Chamomile Tea:
Chamomile herbs have been used for years to treat acid indigestion. It calms the stomach and the intestinal tract. Its properties contain strong antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial compounds. Drinking Chamomile tea twice a day can be the best self help for indigestion relief. Chamomile can be taken by people of all ages to relieve stomach and intestinal symptoms.
Take a spoonful of fennel or caraway seeds; place either one in your mouth, chew and swallow. These seeds have demonstrated their effectiveness in stopping acid indigestion, because of the oils contain in them. Their natural properties relieve nausea, control flatulence, and relieve varying acid indigestion symptoms.
Deglycyrrizinated licorice coats the lining of the stomach, thus reducing acid indigestion and stomach upsets. DGL is a safe and effective version of the traditional glycyrrizin product found in licorice roots. Physicians have recommended this herb product for its effective use for gastrointestinal issues in their patients.
Ginger root powder is an effective herb, to get rid of indigestion than many medical prescriptions. Even fresh ginger root or ginger capsules, are nature’s own bicarbonate for GERD. Ginger has long been used to treat acid reflux or acid indigestion. It seems to have a calming effect on our digestive system, giving acid indigestion sufferers, gentle and quick relief.
Wormwood was used in the 19th century to alleviate all forms of digestive problems. It is a bitter herb, but its bitter properties are what reduce the acidic fluid buildup in the stomach and intestinal tract.
7. Gentian Root:
Gentian is a bitter herb, which stimulates the proper digestion juices which are soothing to the stomach. It remedies nausea, heartburn, diarrhea and more. Taking a capsule or its powdered form, before meals, helps to improve the digestion tract by increasing saliva fluids, bile, and stomach acids that aid in the body’s digestion movements.
The artichoke plant is used for all of its leaves, stems, and roots, to make medicinal ingredients. Artichoke stimulates the flow of bile from the liver, which reduces the symptoms of heartburn and that burning sensation of indigestion.
9. Cat’s Claw:
Cat’s Claw is an herb that when prepared as a tea, helps to alleviate acid indigestion symptoms. Cat’s Claw contains the qunovic acid glycosides, which reduces acidic build up in the stomach, intestine, and dilates blood vessels, while also getting rid of excess fluids in the body. Simply steep a few ounces of Cat’s Claw in an 8 ounce of hot water for 10 minutes. Drink Cat’s Claw tea at least three times a day. This combination is safe and effective to get rid of indigestion.
10. Apple Cider Vinegar:
A majority of people use apple cider vinegar to prevent acid reflux or reduce acid indigestion symptoms. Even though apple cider vinegar is naturally an acidic product, its effect on calming acid indigestion, controls the pain and burning in the throat and upper chest. Prepare one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to a half-cup of water and drink once daily, particularly after a dinner meal.
11. Baking Soda:
Place a teaspoon of baking soda into a glass of water and drink away your burning sensations from acid indigestion. Baking soda neutralizes the acid build-up in the stomach, because of its natural systemic alkalizing ingredients.
12. Hot Water:
Simply sip a cup of hot or warm water to ease acid indigestion acidic symptoms. This action washes the acids back down the esophagus, into the stomach. However, drink only a couple of times a day because too much warm or hot water can add agitation to the stomach, causing more acid reflux.
Whole grain foods contain selenium, which protects the trachea and esophageal lining from sour acid indigestion fluids. Whole grains have always aided in the regulatory rhythm of our digestive system. Whole grains absorb the excess stomach acids because of their bulky nature. Choose low fat whole grain foods, which can include:
- Brown Rice
- Graham Crackers
Additionally, helpful foods, which combat indigestion, include corn chips, pretzels, saltine crackers, macaroni or other low fat noodles. The recommended portion is six to ten servings per day, from this grain group, helps to prevent indigestion and if you are already suffering from acidic build up, this food group can be enjoyed without agitating the stomach.
Organic fruits and vegetables are fiber rich foods. The stomach and digestive system are eased when this food group is introduced into the body. Fiber rich fruits and vegetables contain compounds that naturally repel gas, constipation, heartburn, stomach and throat burning sensations and other indigestion symptoms. Do not fry or add creamy sauces, nor make soups from fruits and vegetables, rather eat them raw and simple. Safe acid indigestion repellent foods are green beans, peas, carrots, baked potatoes, apples, pears, melons, peaches, and berries.
15. Chewing Gum:
Place a stick of chewing gum in your mouth after a meal, chew for 30 minutes to an hour and experience an immediate decrease in the burning sensations in the throat and chest, associated with indigestion. Just the act of chewing, helps to create additional saliva, which automatically lowers and neutralizes the acid in the stomach and esophagus. However, choose the flavored gums that are beneficial, such as cinnamon or fruit flavors.
Yogurt is a part of the probiotics family, which contains living organisms that are very beneficial to the body’s digestive system. Eating low fat yogurt daily, helps to strengthen the lining of the GI tract, reduces excess acids, and protects the stomach and intestinal tract from harmful bacteria. Also select skim or 1 percent milk, fat-free cream cheese, goat cheese, feta cheese, and fat-free sour cream.
Extra lean meats are safe to add to the stomach’s natural acidity, without causing any reflux symptoms. The helpful meats include, lean ground beef, skinless chicken breast, lean steaks, and fish. Do not add spicy seasonings in their preparation and do not eat fried meats.