Natural cures for acid reflux

Changes in food and lifestyle are also home remedies. 

Most vaidyas (ayurvedic doctors) would like to class this case under Aamlapitta. or Vidagdh ajirna. Modern science calls this Gastritis/GERD. In ayurveda, aamlapitta does not mean only accumulation/reflux of acidic fluids in stomach, but also a swelling on stomach. The part of stomach which tapers off and joins duodenum gets swelling. This ultimately leads to truncal obesity and loss of longevity

Tea, coffee, nicotin, hot and spicy foods, getting
absorbed in busy routine after food, lack of peace and convivial
surroundings during and after food, suppression of natural urges such
as urination, bowel motions, yawns, sneezes, tears, cough, belching,
vomits, sexual desire, hunger, thirst, sleep and encouraging anger,
jealousy, temptation, selfishness, possessiveness,  causes loss of stomach efficiency or digestive agni. Taking food within 2-3 hours after last food, mixing incompatible diet, (for a list of such items see,
http://www.healthy.net/scr/article.asp?Id=397), sedantary
lifestyle, excess sweets and confectionary in food, fried food,
excess of legumes, yogurt, soft floor also cause loss of digestive
agni. That is the reason excess of anything is to be avoided. now a days, breakfast/lunch of spicy/fermented/sour items like idli/dosa/upma/uttapa/bisibele bhat/sambar bhat is washed down by Tea or coffee in South India.
Traffic jams require more travel time and do not permit carrying home
food to work place and nearby fast food joint is the only option for
lunch.

These life style factors increase acidity of digestive juices in
stomach. The juices are sour in taste in stomach and become slightly
bitter in absorption area of the GI track. Increase of salty diet
 in food increases natural sour test of gastric juices. The result is the swelling of stomach, reduced hunger,  which means reduced metabolism and dhatukshaya (fatigue) ultimately. Reduced hunger and taste tempts patient to eat more spicy foods. Fermented foods like Steamed rice cake, pancake, dhokla are contra-indicated for people suffering from aaml-pitta.

The herbal remedy which can be prepared at home is Avipattikar Churna: In Avipattikar Churna some warming herbs are
used. Giger(Zingiber officinale), black pepper(Piper nigrum), Piper
longum, Vidanga(Embelia ribes), Trifla, Cardamom, Tamalpatra
(Cinnamomum tamala Nees or Cinamon leaf), Nagarmoth (Cyperus
Rotadus ) all these ingredients one part, Cloves ten parts, Nasotar
40 parts and Crystal Sugar 100 parts, all by weight. Pound all these together for uniform fine mixture and Take the mixture 3 to 6 grams (1 to 2 tsp) after meals, afternoon and night. The reflux and pain in stomach, and intestines will be cured. Pile patients can also derive good relief from this.

It helps urination giving a little diuretic action. This formula of
avipattikar churna suits those who do not have hard constipation. For
those having hard constipation, add combination of
Giloy(Tinosporia cordifolia), Sutshekhar(Laghu) and Pravalpishti
total 1 tsp (3 grams) for benefit of tackling constipation with
acid reflux.

Chamomile : An anti-inflammatory, appetite stimulant, digestive aid, diuretic, nerve tonic, and sleep aid. Helps colitis, diverticulosis, fever, headaches,and pain. It is a traditional remedy for stress and anxiety, indigestion, and insomnia.

Caution: Should not be taken for a long period of time, as this may leadto ragweed allergy. Should not be taken by those allergic to ragweed.

Peppermint : Flower Tops Leaves - Enhances digestion by increasing stomach acidity. Slightly anesthetizes mucous membranes and the gastrointestinal tract. Useful for chills, colic, diarrhea, headaches, heart trouble, indigestion, nausea, and spasms.

Anise - Seeds - Aids digestion, clears mucus from air passages, combats infections and promotes milk production in nursing mothers. Good for indigestion and for respiratory infections such as sinusitis. Also helpful for menopausal symptoms.

Before taking any herbal remedies for acid relux, or herbal remedies for reducing indigestion consult your physician or review the Natural Herbal Remedies report offered at :

Herbal Remedies Home Page

Plus you will receive Over 80 herbal tea remedies for all types of illness and pains.

Tea For Digestive Problems

1oz. chamomile
2/3 oz. peppermint
1 oz. caraway seeds
2/3 oz. angelica

Use 1 tsp of the mixture per cup of hot water. Steep the mixture 10
min. and strain.

This tea soothes the gastrointestinal tract and stimulates digestive
activity, making it useful for stomachaches or a too-full feeling.

Heartburn Tea

1 tablespoon Chamomile
1 table spoon Peppermint
2 pods Star Anise
Boil pods for 5 minutes and steep the chamomile and peppermint in
the Anise tea. Drink one cup every hour for two hours before bedtime.

Get More Information on Triple Complex Digestion Tonic Tissue Salts.

Get More Info on Natural Remedies for Stomach and Digestive Disorders.

Everyone at some point in time has experienced some form of heartburn. Often, what we notice is a bitter, sour or acid taste in our mouths. At times, we may feel as if partially digested foods or liquids are moving from our stomach back towards our mouth. Sometimes we may also experience chest pain that increases when we lay down. Each of these is an indication of heartburn.

Before we move on, however it is important to note that heartburn is only an indicator of a potentially larger digestive disorder called acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Acid reflux is neither a serious disorder nor life threatening. This is especially true for those who only experience it occasionally. There are nonetheless millions of Americans that encounter the discomfort associated with acid reflux monthly, weekly and for some daily.

But what causes acid reflux? Well, when we eat, food moves from the mouth through the esophagus and into the stomach for further digestion. At the end of the esophagus there is a circular band of muscles that relax and allow food and liquids to pass into the stomach. It then tightens and prevents foods and stomach juices from traveling back up into the esophagus. If, however, food or digestive juices escape the stomach and travel back up the esophagus, irritating the esophageal lining, this is when many people experience heartburn.

For some, acid reflux is due to a mechanical disorder where the sphincter muscle at the end of the esophagus becomes weak or doesn’t close correctly. This can cause them to experience acid reflux when lying down as well as when standing up.

In addition to mechanical issues that can cause the sphincter muscle to relax, alcohol, smoking, prescription medications and certain foods such as chocolate, onions, spicy foods and mints can also lessen the gripping power of this muscle.

Other reasons people experience acid reflux includes eating large meals. A large meal increases the pressure on the stomach. This pressure can cause stomach contents to literally be pushed out of the stomach and back into the esophagus.

Lying down right after a large meal also increases your chances of experiencing acid reflux because digestive juices can more easily move in the wrong direction. Pregnancy and obesity can also increase abdominal pressure and increase your risk of experiencing acid reflux as well. Other digestive disorders such as a peptic ulcer or insufficient digestive enzymes in the stomach can also cause stomach acid to build up and back up into your esophagus.

In addition to heartburn, individuals with acid reflux can experience difficulty swallowing, a persistent sore throat or feeling a lump in the throat, coughing or wheezing. In more severe cases, the individual may regurgitate blood or notice that their stool is black, which can indicate that it contains partially digested blood.

Thankfully, there are a number of alternative health methods you can try to help reduce your heartburn and acid reflux naturally.

Recommendations for Wellness

• Eat a number of smaller, more frequent meals instead of one or two large meals daily.
• Avoid lying down right after eating. Give your body a couple of hours to digest the food you’ve just eaten.
• If you experience acid reflux at night, elevate your head or the head of your bed 4-6 inches.
• If you are overweight, begin a diet and exercise program to help you shed a few pounds.
• Take a good look at what you are eating. If you are consuming chocolate, alcohol, fried or fatty foods, foods flavored with peppermint or spearmints or acidic beverages such as certain juices, coffee, tea and carbonated beverages, they may be contributing to your acid reflux and should be avoided.
• If you are taking prescription medications or suffer from a peptic ulcer, discuss your concerns with to your doctor to help you rule them out as the true cause of your acid reflux.
• Reduce your stress level. Sing, dance, meditate, practice deep breathing or do yoga to help your body relax. This will help to reduce the pressure on your stomach.
• Carminatives such as chamomile, fennel, ginger, peppermint and sage can work to sooth stomach muscles, increase the secretions of digestive juices as well as promote bile flow.
• Similarly, digestive bitters improve digestion through enhanced secretion of digestive juices
• Soothing herbs such as aloe vera, marshmallow and slippery elm have traditionally been use to combat the irritation often associated with heartburn.
• If you feel as if the foods you are consuming are not being digested properly, try taking digestive enzymes before each meal to help break down foods in the stomach and improve digestion. Food enzymes come in many forms.
• There are broad spectrum food enzymes that can help to digest proteins, carbohydrates and fats. There are also specialized enzymes that help digest specific types of foods.
• Hi-Lipase, a pancreatic enzyme, aids in the digestion of fats and may improve digestion in some people.
• Protease Plus provides your body with digestive enzymes designed to break down proteins.
• Lactase Plus provides the necessary enzymes to make milk and dairy products more digestible.

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Dr. Rita Louise, Ph D is a Naturopathic Physician, founder of the Institute Of Applied Energetics and the host of Just Energy Radio. Author of the books “Avoiding the Cosmic 2x4” and “The Power Within”, it is her unique gift as a medical intuitive and professional clairvoyant that enlivens her work. Let Dr. Rita assist you bringing health, healing and wholeness back into your life. Visit http://www.soulhealer.com or listen live online to Dr. Rita on http://www.JustEnergyRadio.com.

Acid reflux, also referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or reflux esophagitis is due to regurgitation of stomach contents. Fresh juice of pineapple reduces acid reflux due to the enzyme content. Chicory root, papaya and peppermint in the form of salads helps against acid reflux.

I have addressed a similar question on acid reflux at,
http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/askquestion/760/remedies-for-infant-with-gerd-what-is-the-best-thi.html

For more knowledge and remedies, visit,
http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/askquestion/128/treatment-for-acid-reflux-what-can-you-do-for-acid.html