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Introduction
Do you experience a burning sensation in your chest after meals? You are not alone. Finding effective home remedies for acid reflux is a common quest. While occasional heartburn is common, frequent occurrences could indicate GERD (Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease), a chronic digestive ailment where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, irritating its lining. Thankfully, natural remedies for acid reflux and lifestyle adjustments can offer relief. Discover effective options for acid reflux treatment at home with these seven natural remedies for GERD, grounded in Ayurveda principles, to help manage acid reflux and GERD while keeping Ayurveda insights in mind.
Ayurveda Perspective on GERD
In Ayurveda, GERD-like symptoms are understood as Amlapitta, a condition arising from aggravated Pitta dosha. Factors such as incompatible food combinations, contaminated foods, and excessive consumption of sour, spicy, or acidic substances can trigger this imbalance. This leads to acidity, causing symptoms such as heartburn, sour belching, and indigestion. Ayurveda treatment focuses on pacifying the aggravated Pitta, restoring digestive balance, and protecting the stomach and gut from further damage
Lifestyle and Dietary Changes
Simple changes in your daily habits can significantly reduce acid reflux. These natural remedies for GERD include:
- Avoid Trigger Foods: Limit oily, spicy, and acidic foods, as well as common heartburn triggers like fatty and fried foods, alcohol, tomato sauce, caffeine, garlic, onions, chocolate, and mint.
- Smaller, Frequent Meals: Instead of large meals, opt for smaller portions more frequently to prevent overeating.
- Mindful Eating: Eat slowly and avoid rushing your meals.
- Post-Meal Posture: Do not lie down immediately after eating; wait at least 2-3 hours after meals before going to bed.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight: Excess weight puts pressure on the abdomen, increasing the risk of acid reflux.
- Proper Clothing: Avoid tight-fitting clothes that can compress your abdomen.
- Elevate Bed Head: Raising the head of your bed by 6-9 inches helps reduce gastroesophageal reflux by preventing acid from flowing back into the esophagus.to help keep stomach acid down.
- Avoid Smoking and Alcohol: Both can worsen acid reflux.
- Manage Stress: High stress and anxiety can exacerbate acid reflux symptoms.
Include Specific Foods in Your Diet
Certain foods can help prevent acid reflux. These natural remedies for acid refluxinclude:
- Potatoes being alkaline, help in reducing acids.
- Consuming juice or pomegranate as such helps prevent acid reflux
- Consuming Amla juice or 2 Amla on an empty stomach can reduce reflux.
- Probiotics in yogurt promote a healthy digestive system and aid nutrient absorption.
- Bananas act as natural antacids and help lower acid levels due to their high potassium content.
- Papaya soothes the stomach and aids in better digestion; consume a slice or two daily after food.
- Eating apples, especially after dinner, can prevent acid reflux.
7 Home Remedies
Here are seven powerful natural remedies to combat acid reflux based on the Ayurveda principles –
- Chew five to six fresh Tulasi after every meal or make tea by boiling crushed leaves in water for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Boil crushed green cardamom in water for a soothing drink or chew a single clove after meals, as these spices are natural reducers of acid production.
- Take 20 minutes of pure aloe vera juice or gel before meals to reduce inflammation in the digestive tract and heal it.
- Take a spoonful of organic honey at bedtime or mix it with water to neutralize stomach acids and create a coating over them.
- Fenugreek: Soak fenugreek seeds overnight in water, strain them, and drink them first thing in the morning to strengthen digestion.
- For relief from digestive problems and acidity, prepare a tea of jeera (cumin seeds) or mint leaves.
- Eat fresh amla or ripe bananas mixed with a pinch of cinnamon powder to calm your stomach and provide lasting relief.
Other remedies include banana with honey and cinnamon, lemon and ginger juice, and almonds. Avoiding food for half an hour or after previous food is digested, and drinking cold milk or coconut water can help maintain pH balance. Soaking raisins overnight and consuming them on an empty stomach with honey can also relieve acidity. Chewing saunf and almonds before food is also useful. These home remedies provide a wide range of natural ways to manage acidity, GERD, and gastritis. Take these remedies consistently. Avoid trigger foods. Eat in smaller portions. Don’t lie down immediately after meals. Consider periodic gentle fasting with water and fruits.
Note: Although these natural remedies are safe in general, it would be advisable to consult a medical professional for persistent symptoms or when a person has other health-related conditions.
Apollo AyurVAID has a comprehensive way of treating GERD patients, utilizing Ayurveda therapy with personalized care. After doing a complete health assessment, including clinical tests to measure the root causes of the symptoms, protocols are used to assess individual conditions, recognizing dietary triggers, stress, lifestyle patterns, and metabolic imbalances to plan treatment. Our therapies aim to balance the digestive fire, reduce acid reflux, diminish inflammation, and treat diseases. Guided by a firm protocol, end-to-end care is ensured, and continuous monitoring of GERD symptoms. The team of trained Ayurveda physicians and therapists works to restore digestive balance, prevent recurrence, and promote overall well-being.
Conclusion
In corporating these home remedies for acid reflux into your daily routine, you can effectively manage GERD symptoms and improve your overall digestive health. Remember to consult a healthcare professional or an Ayurveda practitioner for personalized advice and treatment options.
References
- Bhawana, A et al. (2023). Role of Ayurveda Modalities in the Management of Urdhwag Amlapitta (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease): A Critical Review. AYUSHDHARA. https://doi.org/10.47070/
ayushdhara.v10isuppl2.1199 - Naram, S P et al. (2024). MANAGEMENT OF GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE THROUGH AYURVEDA: A CASE STUDY. International Journal of Advanced Research. https://doi.org/10.21474/ijar01/18745
- Waskar, R, Bhakare, R (2024). Ayurvedic Management of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (Urdhwag Amlapitta) – A Case Report. Journal of Natural Remedies. https://doi.org/10.18311/
jnr/2024/34895 - Zhang, M et al. (2021). Dietary and Lifestyle Factors Related to Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Systematic Review. Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management, 17, 305 – 323. https://doi.org/10.2147/TCRM.S296680
- Shikieri, A E E et al. (2024). Associations of Plant-Based Foods, Animal Products, and Selected Sociodemographic Factors with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Risk. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21121696
