In primitive times, medical doctors weren’t just a phone call away or down the street. During these times, humans had to rely on knowledge of natural remedies for their ailments. And though we’ve made leaps and bounds through medical science, natural remedies are still effective today.
For example, archaeological excavations have unearthed evidence of medicinal plants and their use as long ago as 60,000 years. And some research suggests that these plants were used thousands of years before, possibly as long as the human race has been walking the earth. The great part is, many of these plants are still used as medicinal ingredients today. In fact, many are great for preventing heartburn and acid reflux.
Unfortunately, widespread knowledge of plants and their medicinal properties has largely fallen to the wayside. But you can still educate yourself on these natural remedies and begin enjoying the benefits of using them.
Here, we’ll explore a few natural remedies for relieving and preventing heartburn and acid reflux.
A Note About Heartburn Medication
Heartburn and acid reflux often begin with a poor diet or subpar lifestyle habits. But many sufferers of chronic heartburn also have to take medications that help to relieve their symptoms.
Unfortunately, some heartburn medications such as Zantac and other ranitidine medications have been known to cause cancer.
Though you may get relief from these types of medicines, relying on them and taking them frequently can not only pose serious health risks, they can also ruin your overall gut health. And this is why it’s better to look for natural remedies in place of heartburn medications.
1. Wheatgrass
Not many people are aware, but wheatgrass juice is actually considered a “superfood” that basically contains everything that your body needs to stay healthy. And regularly drinking wheatgrass juice on a daily basis can actually improve your overall health.
The best part about wheatgrass juice is that it is a highly alkaline food that can help to balance the acidic contents within your stomach. By helping to neutralize stomach acid, regularly consuming wheatgrass juice can greatly reduce the occurrence of heartburn or acid reflux.
In addition, wheatgrass is also a natural appetite suppressant. And this can actually help you to reduce any food cravings that you might have which can lead to developing heartburn or acid reflux as well.
2. High-Fiber Foods
Eating foods that are high in fiber are known to make you feel full. And though that “full” sensation often comes just before the onset of heartburn, healthy fibers are actually much better for your gut health and will reduce your capacity to overeat, which is how heartburn usually begins.
A few high-fiber foods that you might consider for mitigating heartburn are as follows:
• Whole grains such as oatmeal and brown rice
• Green veggies such as asparagus, green beans, and broccoli
• Root vegetables such as sweet potatoes or beets
Foods that are high in fiber are also recommended as part of a balanced diet. And the more you incorporate these types of foods into your diet, the better your gut health will be and the lower your risk of heartburn will become.
3. Homemade Concoctions
Throughout human history, people have come up with a variety of remedies for heartburn and other illnesses. And believe it or not, many of these are still relied on today.
One of the most popular remedies for heartburn includes the use of ginger. And while eating raw ginger may actually exacerbate heartburn, having a ginger ale or ginger tea can help alleviate your symptoms.
Ginger is anti-inflammatory and is also alkaline. And this makes it a perfect supplement for heartburn relief. Additionally, making a simple concoction of ginger ale, bitters, and regular soda has been known to neutralize stomach acid. And this was actually a popular remedy back in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Other homemade concoctions include drinking milk for heartburn. But this doesn’t always prove to be as effective as alkaline-based herbal drinks. However, adding a small amount of apple cider vinegar into water or tea and drinking it with meals is a heartburn remedy that many people swear by still to this day.
Natural remedies have been around since man lived alongside prehistoric animals. And there’s no reason why we should leave this primitive knowledge behind. In fact, by educating yourself on the benefits of natural remedies, and incorporating them into your diet, you may actually begin to see many health benefits start to unfold.
