– You have been fasting since morning and suddenly you feel pain in the chest and stomach. What could be the reason?
– It has been more than six hours that you had anything apart from a glass of water. And then when you have food in front of you, you do not feel like eating. Why so?
– You had a ball of a time at dinner last night only to realize later that the spicy and oily food is causing stomach discomfort. What’s the reason for it?
Well, the answer to all these questions is ACIDITY!. It is one of the most common problems experienced by people. Although there are various causes for acidity, most of us tend to either pop a pill or reach out for that bottle of antacid to get rid of acidity and resume our daily chores. However, every time you suffer from it, taking medications might not be the good option. Instead, you can try simple home remedies to cure acidity at home naturally.
What is acidity?
Acidity is nothing but a feeling of burning sensation in the chest. Also known as heartburn, acidity is caused due to excessive acid in the stomach leading to an imbalance. This further irritates the intestinal lining and in some cases, can also affect the esophageal tissue leading to burning sensation. Some of the common causes of acidity include eating spicy food frequently, irregular eating habits including skipping meals and late-night meals, excessive stress, drinking alcohol regularly and lack of exercise. However, with simple home remedies, you can get relief from acidity.
Home remedies for acidity and gas problem
Unlike other common health problems, acidity can be treated at home with natural remedies. You do not have to invest in expensive medication and products but head to your kitchen for acidity remedy. Here are few quick fixes on how to control and get relief from acid reflux and gas trouble.
1. Holy basil (Tulsi) leaves
It acts as one of the best natural remedies for acidity. Tulsi leaves which are known for its medicinal properties can also provide quick relief from the heartburn and gas. It is the anti-ulcer property of these leaves that help in lowering the acid level in the stomach. It also stimulates the stomach to produce more mucus thus, neutralizing the excess gastric acid in the stomach.
Tip: The simple and best way to take tulsi leaves for acidity is to chew 4 – 5 leaves when experiencing a burning sensation. However, make sure you chew slowly and swallow its juice to get the most of it. Alternatively, you can even enjoy a cup of warm tulsi decoction. For this, all you need to do is add around 8-10 tulsi leaves in a cup of water and allow it to boil for 5 minutes on a slow flame. Once the solution becomes half its initial volume, strain it and drink when warm. You can add honey to it but do not add milk as it might worsen your stomach woes.
2. Cinnamon (Dalchini)
Not many people are aware of the fact that cinnamon (dalchini in Hindi) can act as a natural antacid. An Indian spice which is used commonly in biryanis and curries to add taste and flavor to food can help to beat acidity at home. This is because, it contains an active ingredient which helps to dispel stomach gas, thus relieving acidity and gas trouble instantly. It is also known to aid in the digestion and hence regarded good for the digestive health.
Tip: One simple trick to beat acidity is to add a pinch of cinnamon powder on a teaspoonful of honey and consume it before meals. This can help you to get rid of acidity and also aids in digestion, especially after heavy meals. The other home remedy with cinnamon that can work for acidity is to drink a cup of cinnamon tea every day. To make this, add around ½ teaspoon of cinnamon powder to a cup of water. Boil it and let it steep for few minutes. Strain and drink this tea twice or thrice a day when suffering from acidity.
3. Cumin seeds (Jeera)
This spice is used in foods to enhance flavor however, its role to treat acidity is not well known. A natural acid neutralizer, jeera seeds helps neutralize the excess acid in the stomach, which is responsible for acidity and gas trouble. Moreover, it also helps in digestion and relieves symptoms of acidity such as stomach pain and discomfort.
Tip: Cumin seeds can help with acidity when used in combination with other spices. Hence, mix a teaspoon of cumin seed powder, coriander powder and fennel seed powder in half a liter of water. Add a teaspoon of sugar and mix all the ingredients properly. Drink this solution on an empty stomach (early in the morning) to get rid of acidity and kick start your day on a healthy note. You can even enjoy cumin tea to control acidity. For this, add 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds to a cup of water. Let it boil till the water becomes slightly dark in color. Strain it and let it cool at room temperature. Fill it is a bottle and sip this tea at regular intervals throughout the day. Do this regularly if you experience frequent bouts of acidity.
4. Cold Milk (doodh)
Cold milk acts as an effective remedy providing instant relief from acidity. As milk contains high amounts of calcium, a mineral which plays a key role in preventing acid build up in the body and hence, causes immediate relief. It also absorbs the excess acid produced in the stomach, thus nullifying its effect on the intestinal lining. Drinking cold milk also eases the burning sensation and pain you might experience during an acid reflux.
Tip: It is advised to drink cold (and not warm) milk to get rid of acidity. Remember to not add anything to it including sugar, honey and turmeric but drink it plain. However, if you do not like the taste of plain milk, you can add a strand or two of saffron (known as kesar milk) as it improves the taste and flavor of milk. Some people, also drink rose milk (add a spoonful of rose syrup to cold milk) for added taste which is also recommended.
5. Buttermilk (Chaas)
It is a known fact buttermilk is a cooling drink which not only neutralize the excess acid in the stomach but also calms the stomach. This drink if taken after meals can also help in digestion because of the presence of probiotic bacteria, which are good for gut health. Lactic acid in buttermilk is responsible for normalizing the acidity in the stomach and thus, helps you to fight acid reflux and gas trouble at home. Drink a glass of buttermilk every day if you are prone to frequent acid attacks.
Tip: You can drink plain buttermilk with a pinch of salt for quick relief from acidity. However, by adding few Indian spices to plain buttermilk you can make the remedy more effective. Add fenugreek paste (grind ½ tsp. of fenugreek or methi seeds with a little water) and mix it in a glass of buttermilk. Drink it all through the day to get relief. If you think methi will be slightly bitter in taste, then you can add black pepper powder (roasted and ground in mortar and pestle) or coriander leaves to buttermilk and drink it along with meals to prevent and get rid of acidity.
In addition to following these quick-fixes to get rid of acidity at home, make sure you drink sufficient amount of water. The best way is to drink a glass of lukewarm water every day before hitting the sack and the first thing in the morning (on an empty stomach) as it helps relieve acidity and prevent it. However, avoid drinking water during or immediately after a meal, as it can contribute to improper digestion leading to acidity. Follow these home remedies for acidity and stay healthy!
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