Heartburn and Hyperacidity.
Heartburn occurs when the sphincter at the top of the stomach does not close completely, allowing some of the hydrochloric acid to reflux into the lower portion of the esophagus. Hyperacidity occurs when hydrochloric acid is produced by the stomach but not utilized. Instead, it just pools there. This may occur if you skip a meal.
Symptoms
Symptoms of hyperacidity may include decreased appetite, belching, a bitter taste in the mouth, malaise, nausea and vomiting and flatulence. After a large meal, you may have pain in the upper abdomen. Heartburn is characterized by a burning sensation felt just above the abdomen in the chest. In severe cases, the sensations and pain felt can be confused with a heart problem.
Causes
Hyperacidity and heartburn may be aggravated by anxiety, worry or tension. They may also be caused by constipation, flatulence and by not eating regularly. Hyperacidity may be aggravated by oily, salty or spicy foods, excessive acidic and sour foods, inadequate exercise, smoking, drugs or drinking, and too much coffee consumption. Some medical conditions and illnesses like hyperthyroidism, stomach ulcers, acid reflux disease and stomach cancer may contribute to these problems. Other serious causes may include spinal lesions, peptic ulcers and other diseases of the digestive system. Lying down right after a meal, wearing uncomfortably tight clothing or drinking orange juice on an empty stomach may also cause problems with reflux acid.
Cautions
If either of these related problems causes you a lot of discomfort, see a doctor. An untreated condition can turn into acid reflux, and hyperacidity can also lead to other digestive problems.
Herbal Treatments
Internal Applications
- Pineapple – drink fresh juice after a meal to help hyperacidity and excess acid. The bromelain in the pineapple juice will help the digestion.
- Lemon – drink lemon juice that has been sweetened before eating a meal to aid the digestion. Alternatively, the lemon juice can be added to salted water before drinking. Lemon cools the stomach.
- Mint – sip fresh mint juice to help relieve the discomfort of hyperacidity and heartburn.
- Cumin – boil 1 teaspoon of cumin in 2 liters of water and drink it daily.
- Ginger – take a spoonful of honey laced with ginger juice after meals to relieve hyperacidity.
- Chamomile – this herb is a calming digestive remedy and can be taken in a variety of ways. Choose from drinking a tea, taking a tincture or taking capsules. Chamomile is an anti-inflammatory and is useful for excessive acidity caused by stress or rich foods.
- Marshmallow – this soothing herb helps digestive upset and can be taken as a tea, capsules or in a tincture.
- Passionflower – this herb is a nervine and helps with discomfort. It is available as a tincture, a tea or in capsules.
- Lemon balm – this herb is useful if stress is the root of your digestive problems.
- Slippery elm – this soothing herb helps an inflamed stomach by coating the mucus membranes. Add a teaspoon of herb to a glass of water and drink it or take tablets.
External Applications
- Lavender – apply hot compresses made with 10 drops of lavender essential oil added to a bowl of water. This remedy helps spasms and inflammation caused by hyperacidity and heartburn.