Heartburn is a burning discomfort in the chest caused by stomach acid rising up into the esophagus. This common condition affects nearly everyone occasionally. But frequent heartburn can severely impact quality of life.

Thankfully, Ayurveda offers natural ways to prevent and treat heartburn without side effects. In this article, we’ll explore Ayurvedic perspectives on acidity and simple home remedies to find relief. Let’s get started! 👇

Table of Contents

Understanding Heartburn in Ayurveda

In Ayurveda, heartburn is usually linked to an imbalance in Pitta dosha. Pitta governs digestion, metabolism, and body heat. Excess pitta leads to overproduction of acids that cause heartburn.

Factors like spicy diet, irregular meals, excessive tea/coffee, alcohol, smoking, and emotional stress aggravate pitta and trigger acidity. Obesity, diabetes, H.pylori infection can also precipitate acid reflux.

Ayurveda aims to pacify aggravated pitta and correct the imbalanced digestion through diet and lifestyle changes. Herbs and home remedies also provide symptom relief. Let’s look at some effective ways to combat heartburn the ayurvedic way.

Cooling Foods and Beverages

Consume more bitter, sweet and astringent foods that balance pitta. Cook with cooling spices like cumin, coriander and fennel. Include cucumber, bitter gourd, drumsticks, rice, wheat, coconut, figs, dates, dairy and aloe vera juice in your diet.

Avoid hot, spicy, greasy, canned and processed foods. Do not drink cold water with meals as it hampers digestion. Favor room temperature or warm beverages like cinnamon tea, mint tea, and cumin water. 🍵

Coconut water, fresh homemade yogurt, and buttermilk help relieve burning sensation. Melons, berries, oranges, plums and peaches are great fruit choices. Have a small banana daily to neutralize acids. Drink warm milk with turmeric and ginger.

Herbs and Remedies

Try these Ayurvedic herbs and remedies when heartburn strikes:

Suck on a piece of jaggery slowly – its cooling effect relieves burning.

Mix 1 tsp coriander powder in water and drink before meals.

Drink chilled aloe vera juice for quick relief.

Take Shatavari or Licorice root powder with cold milk.

Chew a small piece of fennel after meals to improve digestion.

Drink cumin water made by boiling 1 tsp cumin seeds in water.

Take Ginger juice with a pinch of rock salt for relief.

Try antacids containing herbs like Praval Pishti, Mukta Pishti, Kamdudha.

Chew on basil leaves, carom seeds or parsley after meals to ease acidity. Take Z Pep capsules which contain time-tested ayurvedic herbs. Mix 1⁄4 tsp baking soda in water for instant relief from burning sensation.

Lifestyle Tips

Avoid large, late night meals that aggravate acidity. Don’t lie down right after eating.

Manage stress through yoga, meditation and adequate sleep. High stress worsens acidity.

Quit smoking and limit alcohol that increases acid secretion and relax the esophageal sphincter.

Maintain healthy body weight. Obesity increases intra-abdominal pressure, contributing to reflux.

Loosen tight clothing and belts that add pressure on the abdomen and stomach.

Eat smaller, frequent meals instead of large meals to reduce acid load on the stomach.

Avoid vigorous exercise immediately after eating as it pushes acids upward.

Sleep on a wedge-shaped pillow with your upper body slightly elevated to prevent nighttime reflux.

Practice pranayama breathing exercises to calm the mind. Don’t eat 3-4 hours before bedtime. Maintain upright posture while eating and avoid slouching or bending over after meals.

Yoga Poses to Try

Certain yoga poses can alleviate heartburn symptoms:

Vajrasana – Improves digestion

Paschimottanasana – Relieves gastric discomfort

Halasana – Calms the nerves, reduces stress

Bhujangasana – Strengthens abdominal muscles

Sarvangasana – Improves circulation

Janu sirsasana – Massages abdominal organs

Balasana – Relieves stress

Pranayama breathing exercises like Anulom Vilom also calm the body and mind.

Ayurvedic Remedies for Heartburn

Ayurvedic medicines like Avipattikar Churna, Shankha Bhasma, Praval Pishti help manage acidity. Natural remedies include:

Mix 1 tsp lemon juice and 1/2 tsp baking soda in water for instant relief. The alkaline baking soda neutralizes stomach acids.

Chew a basil leaf after meals to stimulate digestion.

Drink aloe vera juice daily. Its anti-inflammatory action soothes the esophagus.

Take 1⁄2 tsp licorice root powder with 1 cup cold milk twice daily.

Mix 1 tsp ghee in a cup of warm milk and drink before bedtime.

Drinking cold milk provides temporary relief from the burning sensation. Include methi seeds and cumin in your diet to improve digestion long term. Avoid trigger foods and stay hydrated.

When to See a Doctor ⚕️

Consult your Ayurvedic doctor or physician if:

You have heartburn more than 3 times a week

Symptoms disrupt sleep or affect daily life

You take OTC medications frequently with no relief

You have difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, vomiting

Heartburn is accompanied by severe chest pain

Chronic heartburn can damage the esophagus lining and cause serious complications if left untreated. Timely medical guidance is important.

Combining Ayurvedic wisdom with expert advice ensures optimal relief from heartburn. Try these home remedies and lifestyle tips to ease your acidity in a natural way. Stay healthy!

Disclaimer : The ancient healing techniques described in these articles are not intended as substitutes for professional medical advice or treatment. Consult a physician before trying any new health treatment. Do not stop or change prescribed medications without consulting your healthcare provider. The information provided is for educational purposes only. Results will vary based on individual factors. Always rely on the guidance of a qualified medical professional for any health concerns.

This video is about ways to prevent and manage hyperacidity (acid reflux) with Ayurveda.

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