Best 10 Home Remedies For Acidity Issue

Majority of the Indians encounter the problem of acidity at some point in their life. To break down and digest food the stomach naturally produces hydrochloric acid. The problem of acidity arises when there is excess production of acid in the stomach. The condition of acidity is triggered by stress, dehydration, alcohol and mostly by acidic foods.

In the condition of acidity, the excess acid which has been produced by the stomach moves up from the stomach to the oesophagus and causes burning sensations in the chest.

The stomach of every individual is naturally designed to withstand a highly acidic environment as it has pH of 1 to 3 while the food pipe or oesophagus is not designed for any such environment as it has pH close to 7. Most people suffer from the problem of acidity due to poor eating habits and poor choice of lifestyle.

When an individual consumes any food it passes from the oesophagus to the stomach. To digest the food, the gastric glands of the stomach produce acid. Acidity occurs in an individual when more acid is produced in the stomach in comparison to the amount of acid required to digest the food. This production of excessive acid leads to the burning sensation just above the stomach.

Top 10 Home Remedies for Acidity: The Indian kitchen comprises various ingredients which can be used for getting relief from the problem of acidity. Some of the best home remedies for alleviating the problem of acidity are given below.

1. Cinnamon:

   Cinnamon has natural antacid properties that provide relief not only in acidity but also from gastritis. Making cinnamon tea by adding a half teaspoon of cinnamon in water and boiling it and drinking it at least two times a day alleviates the symptoms of acidity.

2. Basil leaves:

   Instant relief in the problem of acidity can be provided by either drinking basil leaves tea or chewing basil leaves due to its soothing and carminative properties.

3. Apple cider vinegar:

   it helps in treating acidity as it has an alkalizing effect on the stomach. Missing one or two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in water and drinking it twice a day help in alleviating the symptom of acidity.

4. Buttermilk:

   It is one of the simplest and best home remedies for the treatment of acidity. Consuming buttermilk is advantageous in acidity as it is rich in lactic acid which inhibits stomach acidity.

5. Cumin seeds:

   The cumin seeds are a great source of acid neutralizer thus providing necessary relief from the problem of acidity. Adding roasted and slightly crushed cumin seeds to water and drinking it after every meal proves to help alleviate acidity.

6. Baking soda:

   it is very helpful in neutralizing the acid present in every individual's stomach. Mixing a spoon of baking soda in the water and drinking it before the fizzing stops prove very advantageous in healing acidity problems.

7. Ginger:

   The neutralizing and anti-inflammatory properties of ginger help in alleviating the problem of acidity. Drinking ginger tea or simply chewing a slice of ginger can provide the desired effect on the acidity problem.

8. Fennel seeds:

   the carminative properties of fennel help in providing relief from the symptoms of acidity. Simply chewing fennel seeds or drinking hot water boiled with fennel seeds can help in attaining the desired positive effect.

9. Cold milk:

   drinking cold milk is an age-old tried and test method of alleviating the problem of acidity. The gastric acids within the stomach get neutralized by the cold milk.

10. Jaggery:

    Sucking a piece of jaggery after every meal can eliminate the symptoms of acidity as it has an alkalizing effect on the digestive system.

11. Aloe vera juice:

    As per the studies conducted by researchers it has been found that aloe vera inhibits the growth of yeast. It also helps in reducing the acidity problem.

12. Banana:

    Banana along with milk help in reducing acidity in the stomach by neutralizing the excess acid produced.

13. Clove:

    Cloves have medicinal properties that can effectively reduce your acidity problems. It increases gastrointestinal secretion and cures you of indigestion and other acidity problems.

    Consume 1 or 2 pieces of clove directly and you will see the positive results.

14. Chewing gum:

    Eating chewing gum results in excess secretions of saliva which help in reducing the acidity in the stomach.

15. Raw almonds:

    Raw almond is a rich source of essential oil and reduces the acidity in the stomach. It also facilitates the digestion process.

16. Watermelon or lime juice:

    Watermelon and lime juice help in hydration and keep the stomach neural by diluting the acid in the stomach.

Summary: Acidity can be reduced by taking watermelon, raw almonds, chewing gum, clove, banana, aloe vera juice, cold milk, ginger, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, buttermilk, basil leaves, and cinnamon.

The possible side effects of these home remedies could be:

• Consuming excessive lemon water can erode the enamel of your tooth due to its acidic content. Apart from that, it can also make your teeth sensitive and you may feel discomfort when consuming hot or cold foods. excess of lemon water can also trigger heartburn.
• Garlic when consumed in large amounts can lead to a burning sensation in your mouth and throat, cause nausea, diarrhoea or vomiting.
• In case you are allergic to fennel, consuming it can cause an allergic reaction that may include swelling of the lips, rashes, hives, or difficulty in breathing.
• Coconut water may lower your blood pressure.
• Over-consumption of cloves may trigger allergic reactions, causing rashes and hives. It also contains a blood-thinning agent that can increase your risk of bleeding.
• Although rare, few people are allergic to basil leaves. In that case, having them can cause itchy eyes, vomiting, runny nose, hives, or welts on your face.

Summary: Despite being effective, certain home remedies have some side effects which vary from person to person, so choose your home remedy only if you are not allergic or sensitive to the particular substance. Do not use any home remedies in excess as it may be harmful to health.

The post remedy guidelines include:

• Avoid spicy, acidic, fatty foods that can cause gastric problems. Reduce the consumption of soda and other carbonated drinks.
• Avoid consuming alcohol, or drink in moderation.
• Maintain a proper mealtime and do not skip meals. Also, do not rush while you are eating. Chew your food properly and drink slowly.
• Quit smoking.
• Do not overstress yourself.
• Opt for relaxation activities that can relieve you from stress.
• Make sure you drink plenty of water.

Summary: Follow the guidelines. Avoid spicy foods, smoking and drinking. Drink plenty of water, Avoid stress, chew your food properly while eating.

Once you make changes in your lifestyle and start practicing these home remedies, you will slowly get rid of your gastric problems and also helps to get rid of acidity. It may take around a week to observe improvements in your condition.

If there is no improvement, you need to consult a doctor as the symptoms could be a result of some other medical condition like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, or some other problem.

Summary: The time for recovery from acidity problem is usually one week. But if don't see any improvement then it's recommended to visit your doctor.

The results of the home remedies are more immediate rather than being permanent as there are chances that acidity might reoccur in the future. However, if a person makes some changes in the eating habits and lifestyle these home remedies are sufficient enough to prevent acidity from occurring in the future.

You do not require any special training for practicing these home remedies. To avoid any confusion, you may consult your doctor once before having anything regularly if you have a medical condition.

Nearly a few people from every household in India suffer from the problem of acidity. The home remedies described above are good enough to provide necessary assistance in alleviating the problem acidity. But in order to get a permanent relief from acidity, these home remedies need to be supported with a healthy lifestyle and eating habit.