[toc]A person is said to be suffering from heartburn, if he/she experiences a burning sensation in the esophagus and chest. This painful burning sensation usually starts from the chest and slowly spreads up the entire region of neck, mouth and throat. Heartburn is also known as acid reflux. It is mainly caused when the acid of the stomach travels back up in the esophagus region due to inability of the body to digest the food properly. Heartburn is caused due to consuming rich spicy food, stress, anxiety, sedentary life style, consuming huge quantities of oily food etc.
Heartburn maybe experienced by people of all age groups but is especially very common in women during pregnancy. Occasional heartburn is nothing to be worried about and can be simply solved by making minor lifestyle changes and proper food habits. However, in some cases heartburn may be indicative to other health related disorders and medical attention must be sought immediately. Below mentioned are some herbs which are very effective an curing and preventing the problem of heartburn.
8 Herbal Remedies For Heartburn
Hyssop
Hyssop has been used traditionally by herbalists worldwide to prevent and cure the problem of heartburn. Hyssop helps in protecting the lining of the stomach from the excess acid produced by the gall bladder for digestion. Hyssop also is very beneficial to provide relief against other stomach problems like indigestion and gas.
Hyssop is famous for its anti-spasmodic property which helps in calming the stomach spasms responsible for heartburn. This herbal remedy helps in providing a cooling and soothing effect to the lining of the stomach, thereby being especially useful in cases of heartburn caused by stomach ulcers. A herbal tea made using Hyssop provides instant relief from cases of severe heartburn.
Marshmallow
Marshmallow is a very useful herbal remedy used for curing indigestion and heartburn. Marshmallow is very rich in mucilage, which is very slippery in nature. This mucilage forms a protective covering over the lining of the esophagus and stomach, thereby protecting the areas from acid of the stomach.
This property of Marshmallow helps in reducing the instances of heartburn to a great extent, providing a calming and soothing effect to the stomach. The root of the Marshmallow is rich in medicinal properties and a herbal tea made of the same is every effective in soothing the problem of heartburn. Alternatively, it is also available in form of tonic , powdered form and capsules.
Chamomile
Chamomile is a herbal remedy used since centuries to cure the problem of heartburn. Chamomile is renowned for its ability to reduce inflammation. Chamomile reduces the inflammation of the lining of the stomach caused due to excess production of acid, thereby preventing heartburn. Chamomile provides an immediate soothing and calming effect to the stomach tissues and helps the person to relax by stimulating better digestion.
Chamomile herbal tea, taken before each meal is especially very beneficial in overcoming the problem of heartburn and indigestion in adults. Chamomile is also a very active ingredient of many anti-colic syrups available for treating stomach upsets in children.
Angelica
Angelica is a very powerful herbal remedy which helps in preventing and providing relief against heartburn and indigestion. Angelica contains chemical substance known as angelicin, which helps in aiding digestion by stimulating the production of more bile juice. This herb also helps in removing the gas easily from the body and relieves the symptoms of cramping in the stomach.
All these properties of Angelica, makes it a much sought after herb for treating heartburn problem. Angelica is known as a bitter tonic, which not only supports the better working of the digestive system but also also helps in improving the circulation of blood in the body. Angelica can be consumed in form of herbal tea, capsules, tonic, extract etc.
Caraway
Caraway is yet another very important herb used for various problems of the digestive tract including indigestion and heartburn. Caraway helps in promoting better digestion in the body and in providing relief from stomach spasms which cause heartburn.
This herbal remedy is very effective in soothing the irritated stomach lining, thus reducing the instances of heartburn caused by anxiety, nervousness, indigestion, colic etc. Caraway is available in form of tonic and can be used in combination with other herbs to provide relief from symptoms of heartburn.
Wood Betony
Wood Betony has been used as a herbal remedy since ancient times by the European people to overcome the problem of heartburn. Wood Betony is a little bitter in taste and helps in aiding better digestion in the body. It also helps in absorbing excess fluid in the stomach, thereby providing relief against symptoms of diarrhea.
Wood Betony also helps in calming the nerves lining the stomach cavity, thereby reducing spasms responsible for heartburn caused due to reflux of acid in the esophagus. Wood Betony is available in form of powder, extract, tonic, tincture etc.
Wormwood
Wormwood is a very effective herbal remedy used for curing heartburn and other stomach related problems. Wormwood is extremely bitter in taste and is excellent for improving digestion. This herb stimulates the gall bladder to produce more bile juice which accelerates the rate of digestion and removes the problem of heartburn.
Wormwood is also very helpful in removing gas from the body, provides relief in gastritis and stomach ulcers. Wormwood herbal tea is especially very effective in providing immediate relief from heartburn. Alternatively, it is also available in form of infusion, extract, powder and capsules.
Slippery Elm
Slippery Elm is also a very powerful and effective herb which provides immediate relief from the problem of heartburn. Slippery elm is rich in mucilage, which swells and gains volume when it comes in contact with water. This mucilage coats the lining of the esophagus and the stomach, thereby protecting it from the excess acid produced by the gall bladder.
This herb also helps in soothing and calming the irritated walls of the stomach by reducing the inflammation and irritation of the tissues caused by bile juice, thereby providing relief from heartburn. Slippery elm can be taken in form of tonic, extract, capsules, tonic etc.
