Hello, dear readers of the folk medicine blog. Let’s continue our conversation about health. Today, I would like to discuss the topic of heartburn and its treatment with folk remedies.
I know firsthand what heartburn feels like and have encountered this problem more than once. Heartburn can occur, particularly after eating, especially if the food is heavy, fatty, or spicy. It is often characterized by a sour taste in the mouth and stomach pain. This happens when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, irritating it — as explained to me by a gastroenterologist I recently visited. Left untreated, heartburn can lead to gastritis or esophagitis.
The first step in addressing heartburn is to review your diet. Eliminate strong coffee and tea, citrus fruits, fatty, fried, and spicy foods. Stick to a diet of boiled or steamed foods, soups, and porridges. Most importantly, focus on your food while eating rather than using meal times to think about other matters.
So how do we fight heartburn? Today, I will suggest some folk remedies for its treatment.
Heartburn Treatment with Folk Remedies
Almond nuts help me with heartburn. I pour boiling water over six almonds to remove their skins and then chew them thoroughly. Within five minutes, my heartburn subsides.
Green peas are another effective remedy. I eat about 5-6 peas, chewing them thoroughly. If fresh peas are unavailable, dry peas can be used instead; soak them in water overnight to soften them, and chew 20 minutes before meals.
Potato juice also works well against heartburn, as recommended by my gastroenterologist. Peel, wash, and grate the potato, then squeeze the juice through cheesecloth. Drink half a glass of juice about 30 minutes before meals.
I also drink alkaline mineral water, which I buy in glass bottles from a pharmacy. Based on experience, I avoid buying such water from grocery stores.
Another option is an herbal infusion made from mint and linden flowers in equal parts. Mix a tablespoon of the herbs with a glass of boiling water and let it steep for 30 minutes. Strain the infusion and drink half a glass twice a day.
Flaxseed is another remedy I use. I buy it from the pharmacy, add a teaspoon of flaxseed to 100 ml of hot boiled water, shake it, strain the resulting “mucus,” and drink it three times a day before meals.
Chamomile and calendula infusions are excellent for stomach pains. Add a tablespoon of herbs to a cup of boiling water, steep for 20 minutes, strain, and drink a glass twice a day, alternating between chamomile and calendula on different days.
A friend recently suggested sucking on coarse salt after meals. Dissolve a piece of salt in your mouth and swallow the saliva. This allegedly closes a valve in the stomach, preventing acid from entering the esophagus.
Finally, if you’ve experienced heartburn for a long time or have stomach pains, consult a doctor. You may need to undergo tests, such as gastroscopy, to determine the cause. Don’t fear the procedure; it’s quick, and knowing your diagnosis is invaluable.
