Herbs for acid reflux

Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is a condition when the acid from the stomach flows back in the esophagus. It is a common condition which can be triggered by consuming certain food or chronic when people often experience the symptoms. The symptoms of acid reflux include heartburn, burning sensation in the throat, pain in the throat, hoarseness, burping, bad breath, pain in the chest, coughing, feeling that something is stuck in your throat trouble swallowing and nausea. The most common cause of acid reflux is food, such as greasy food, spicy food, citrus fruits and chocolate. Other causes may include gastrointestinal disorders or abnormalities which can impair the proper function of the stomach.

Herbs

Certain herbs can be very helpful for preventing acid reflux. Black pepper is an excellent herb which not only improves the taste of your food but also encourages digestion. Another useful herb is Indian long pepper. This herb will prevent the symptoms of acid reflux, protect you from stomach ulcers and stimulate metabolism as well. A herb which will protect you from acid reflux and other symptoms of upset stomach or indigestion is ginger. Ginger also has antibacterial properties. You can put it in food or you can drink it as tea. Liquorice tea with its anti-inflammatory properties will help you deal with any kind of digestion problems. One more excellent herb is Indian gooseberry. It will reduce the production of the acid and heal the lining of your stomach.

Diet

Since certain food can be the cause of acid reflux, it is extremely important to consume appropriate food and drinks which will help you control your condition. You can eat apples, bananas, carrots, broccoli, baked potato, peas, cabbage, fish, chicken breasts, fat-free milk products and soy products. Avoid food such as oranges, lemons, onion, garlic, fried potato, chili tomato sauces, carbonated drinks, caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, doughnuts, and processed food. It is recommended to eat smaller meals five or six times a day.

Lifestyle

There are many things you can do to relieve the symptoms of acid reflux. You should quit smoking because this is one of the reasons why your stomach becomes irritated. Another trick to prevent the symptoms is to keep your upper part of the body elevated while you sleep. If you are prone to acid reflux, never lie down right after you had a meal, wait at least two hours. Make sure that your clothes are not too tight because it puts pressure on the abdomen. Also avoid stressful situations as much as possible.