There are many things that cause problems for those who have GERD (otherwise known as acid reflux). There are some things you can't eat, and some that you should. There are times when this can be very confusing, and many don't want to rely on medications to make all foods tolerable. If you want a home remedy for acid reflux, there are things you can try. One of these things is drinking herbal teas. Some of them will help, and some might make matters worse, so you should know which to have and which to avoid.
When choosing herbal teas, there is one important thing to think about when you are choosing what you want to try. Caffeine is a known trigger for acid reflux, and it should be avoided. That means that any herbal teas that you try must be caffeine-free. Though you can get decaffeinated coffee to drink, even that is known to aggravate GERD and should be avoided. This makes decaffeinated herbal teas the best choice when you seek a hot and soothing drink. Some of them might even help with some of your symptoms of acid reflux.
Many suggest that ginger can help sooth acid reflux symptoms, and if you can find it in a tea, a cup after a meal might help your stomach settle down for the night. You can mix peppermint with aniseed and lavender for a great tasting and soothing blend. You should boil a few cups of water and a teaspoon of your herbal mix, then drain the herbs after sitting for about ten minutes. If you boil this tea and want to have it sweetened, you might try honey instead of sugar or artificial sweetener.
Chicory Root can also be used to make a great herbal tea. You boil a few cups of this and then let sit for a while. You can then drink the tea with honey if you wish. Marshmallow tea might also help. This is not tea made from the marshmallows in your cupboard as the name might suggest, but from a root by the same name. This is known to soothe the digestive system. Another popular type of tea is Chamomile. This is also known to help soothe the symptoms of acid reflux.
You can make many of these on your own, but you can also find them in natural food stores or special sections of your grocery store. Any of these teas might help you feel better, but you won't know until you try them. However, it is important that you talk with your doctor before you try them, as some can have side effects that you need to know about, and they might also mix badly with any prescription drugs that you might be taking for your acid reflux or for any other reason. You usually will not have any problems with this type of home remedy for acid reflux, but you don't want to take a chance with your health.
If you're constantly feeling like acid is traveling from your stomach back into your throat, then you may have acid reflux. Acid reflux is actually a common condition, however, one needs to treat it before it causes more damage. Since this condition has a lot to do with the acid and enzymes in your stomach, people often look into a home remedy for acid reflux, which can be a special diet or activity. Let's take a look at the three most popular options for natural acid reflux treatments.
Diet For Acid Reflux
One quick home remedy is drinking milk. This is especially good for those who are experiencing acid reflux for the first time. However, this is not a permanent solution, as milk can cause a rebound effect after some time.
Small frequent meals should be taken instead of three big meals. For instance, you can have 3 medium-sized meals throughout the day plus 2 snacks in between. When eating 3 large meals in one day, your stomach tends to build up excess acid during the long hours before those meals.
It's not enough to simply schedule small frequent meals. You need to avoid high-fat foods and instead eat more complex carbohydrates like breads, rice, and pasta. These kinds of foods are able to tie up extra acid and are much gentler on your stomach. On the other hand, high-fat foods tend to stay much longer in the stomach, therefore forcing the stomach to secrete more acid. Finally, limit your alcohol intake, as alcohol like beer can double acid production in your stomach in just 1 hour!
Herbs For Acid Reflux
Taking herbs such as chamomile, gentian and ginger can also help relieve acid reflux. You can couple these herbs with your acid reflux diet to sooth stomach muscles and other unwanted symptoms. The benefit of using herbs is that they tend to have no harsh side effects and can be used for the long term.
Activities For Acid Reflux
You'll also need to maintain overall health aside from having to ease the symptoms of the condition. There's no point in treating acid reflux once and then going back to your old habits. If you'd like to get rid of acid reflux for good, exercise regularly and try some de-stressing techniques.
Avoid unnecessary activities that cause stress since stress has already been found to cause not only acid reflux but other major health conditions also. The best thing about physical activity is that it doesn't cause adverse side effects and nor does it cost a thing. When you exercise your body naturally releases endorphins, which aid in digestion and also help you feel mentally and physically better. You may do mild exercises (avoid strenuous exercises) like walking and relaxation techniques such as stretching and yoga.
A natural home remedy for acid reflux should be your primary option in treating the condition. This is because it often has no side effects, is safer for long-term use, and benefits the whole body as a preventive treatment. Before trying out any of the treatments mentioned, consult your doctor first.
Both Kathryn Whittaker & Richal Peyton are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Kathryn Whittaker has sinced written about articles on various topics from Acid Reflux, Pregnancy Problems and Acid Reflux. Grab your free copy of Kathryn Whittaker's brand new Acid Reflux & GERD Newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you discover more about. Kathryn Whittaker's top article generates over 18100 views. to your Favourites.
Richal Peyton has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pregnancy Problems, Acid Reflux and Pregnancy Problems. What's the ideal ? Learn more about the. Richal Peyton's top article generates over 4400 views. to your Favourites.