Wondering how to balance acid reflux and indigestion? According to Ayurveda, indigestion and acid reflux are a result of excess Pitta accumulating in the body. It is, thus, vital that you know how to balance your Pitta Dosha with these natural home remedies for indigestion. If you want to know how to control Pitta naturally, here’s an answer – start consuming foods that are cooling in nature.
8 Natural Home Remedies for Indigestion Everyone Should Know
Further, make sure that the food you eat is light and easy on the stomach. You should avoid eating greasy, heavy food. Also, it’s advisable to limit your intake of caffeine and other carbonated drinks. Spicy foods and chocolate should also be avoided as much as possible. There are also many natural herbs and ingredients, like ginger, fennel seeds, chamomile flower, peppermint, licorice, and apple cider vinegar, among others, that you can consume to bring Pitta to its optimum levels. Now that you know how to control Pitta with dietary changes, you should, ideally, support these changes by exercising, practicing yoga, performing Abhyanga (self-massages), and meditating.
You decide to visit a friend at their home for a quick chat. You figure you’ll only be there 15 minutes tops. Before you know it, they invite you to the dinner table for a meal. On arrival, your host serves you a 7-course meal. Not to look rude, you down it all. Inevitably, indigestion happens.
If you have a 'weak' stomach and suffer from a bout of indigestion or heartburn, you may use a commercial medication. Alternatively, you can decide to treat indigestion naturally. In that case, there are plenty of natural remedies for GERD, acid reflux, and indigestion.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Ginger or Adrak as it's known in India, has been used as one of the home remedies for indigestion and stomach acidity for centuries. As an effective acid reflux remedy, ginger is a rich source of antioxidants such as phenolic compounds that effectively reduce gastric contractions and gastrointestinal irritation. Additionally, Adrak can help reduce inflammation, muscle pain, nausea, and swelling. It is a traditional warming agent used to enkindle the digestive fire. Because ginger is easily digested, there won’t be discomfort that can occur with sluggish weak digestion.
Ways to harness the power of ginger include:
- Drinking a cup of freshly grated Adrak tea
- Drinking ginger ale
- Sucking ginger candy
- Drinking ginger water
- Taking one or two ginger capsules
Here’s a fun recipe to try:
- 1 or 2 pieces of Ginger Root
- 4 cups of Water
- Lemon or Honey for taste
Boil the ginger root in the water. Add your preferred amount of honey or lemon to enhance the taste.
Fennel Seeds
Fennel seeds another one of the a useful home remedies for indigestion. Saunf, as it's better known in India, relaxes the gastrointestinal system muscles. Overactive GI muscles can be a symptom of disorders like ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and Crohn’s disease. Using fennel seeds is one of the natural ways to settle an upset stomach as it can reduce bloating, gas, and cramps. Saunf contains antibacterial properties which help maintain the digestive system.
It’s best to use saunf as a tea because it is less processed and is likely to be fresh. It also helps to chew and swallow some fennel seed to deal with indigestion directly.
Chamomile flower (Matricaria recutita)
Chamomile is one of the most unconventional herbs for naturally treating indigestion. Most people use Chamomile before bedtime, so people assume that it’s only beneficial for sleep. However, it is also an herb that soothes the stomach. Babuna has strong anti-inflammatory properties, which can help deal with issues such as colic, IBS, and diarrhea.
Caution: Chamomile may cause drowsiness, so don’t use it when you operate machinery. Preferably use it at night when you’re about to go to sleep.
Avoid Chamomile if you’re taking a blood thinner as it has a coagulant ingredient.
Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)
Pudina, or peppermint is an herbal indigestion remedy that has been used for centuries for its antispasmodic properties that help in the management of indigestion, gas, and nausea. The peppermint compounds open an anti-pain channel in the colon that can reduce the pain from eating spicy food and help thwart IBS.
You can consume Pudina as a tea, peppermint gum, or coated peppermint oil capsules.
Caution: Peppermint is not one of the natural remedies for GERD. If used, it can make the symptoms worse.
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Ayurveda has been championing the use of Mulethi as one of the herbs for indigestion. Ayurveda promotes a holistic approach to wellness, and licorice is mentioned often in ancient Ayurvedic texts. It is one of the best herbs for stomach acid since it manages heartburn and acid reflux.
For effective use of Mulethi as one of the natural remedies for GERD acid reflux, use it as:
- A capsule
- Eat the root
- Drink licorice root juice
- Take the deglycyrrhizinated licorice where the glycyrrhizin has been removed.
Hot Water
Many people have found hot water effective at treating indigestion naturally. It works by breaking down the food faster, expanding the colon and blood vessels, and aiding bowel movements. Doing so helps remedy indigestion, gas, upset stomach, and bloating.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Sometimes you may have too little acid in your stomach. It is an imbalance that can cause indigestion. Acid reflux may cause hypochlorhydria, which is low stomach acid levels. Apple cider will increase acid levels and manage heartburn or reflux.
You can use this recipe when you have low stomach acid. Take one teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of the apple cider vinegar and mix it with a glass of water. Take it before or after meals.
Caution: avoid apple cider vinegar if you have a medium or severe case of acid reflux.
Baking Soda
As one of the oldest home remedies for indigestion, baking soda is effective at dealing with acid reflux because of its active ingredient, sodium bicarbonate. The sodium bicarbonate in baking soda contains an absorbable antacid that neutralizes excess stomach acid.
For an effective remedy for excess stomach acid, use the following recipe:
- ½ teaspoon Baking soda
- 1 cup of water
Warm the water and add the baking soda until fully dissolved.
Caution: the relief from acid reflux is only temporary since the sudden dip in acidity will cause the acid to rebound, which may be worse than it was initially.
Avoid Foods that Trigger Symptoms
Alternatively, you may decide prevention is a better method of controlling stomach acidity, in which case you may want to cut down on foods that cause indigestion and heartburn. It means avoiding foods that increase or drastically reduce stomach acidity. They include:
- Oily and fatty food
- Spicy foods
- Tomato and its juice
- Alcohol
- Chocolate
- Mint
- Citrus
- Onions and garlic
- Coffee and tea
- Carbonated drinks
Indigestion and acid reflux may cause you discomfort. Instead of popping the usual pills, why not try some of these home remedies for indigestion? Additionally, it's helpful if you also made lifestyle changes by avoiding foods and drinks that may increase your chances of contracting indigestion and acid reflux.
