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Heartburn, also termed as pyrosis, indigestion, or dyspepsia is defined as the painful burning sensation being felt in the chest due to the gastroesophageal reflux arising from stomach. Even though the leading cause of heartburn is the hyper secretion of hydrochloric acid and gastric acid reflux, there are a number of other factors including stress, smoking, boozing, pregnancy, hiatal hernia, intake of antibiotics and aspirin, etc. which contribute towards inducing the heartburn pain.

Research estimates suggest that around 30% of adults and 25% of pregnant women are usually diagnosed with occasional heartburn which can be treated with home medication (1). However, there are incidences of chronic chest pain and persistent heartburn symptoms which needs to be examined by a general practitioner.

Burning sensation and soreness in the stomach are the primary symptoms of heartburn. An individual suffering from pyrosis may also experience loss of appetency, eructation, nausea, purging and reverberating noises in stomach (2).

In order to prevent burning sensation produced in the body by indigestion, a specific diet should be taken which should contain vegetables and fibrous foods. There are several treatments and home remedies which enable the sufferer to achieve relief from the chest pain.

Apple Cider Vinegar is the perfect home remedy for heartburn. It treats the pain by impersonating the pH level of gastric acid, thus facilitating the digestion of food. Natural vinegar is the best form of Apple Cider Vinegar which should be consumed with a glass of water or honey so as to cure the problem.

A small quantity of fresh ginger added to the food serves as a natural cure for heartburn. Ginger is believed to reduce inflammation and possess anti-nausea properties. Recommended dosage for a patient is 500 mg which should be gulped down with a glass of water.

One of the most accepted home remedies is the fennel tea which is prepared by boiling one or two seeds of fennel in water. Peppermint as an ingredient of Peppermint oil can also be utilized to relieve heartburn. Moreover, chewing fresh peppermint leaves and imbibing fennel tea containing the peppermint also aids in relieving the pain.

Drinking skimmed milk also serves as a heartburn cure. Green tea accelerates the digestive system, thus alleviating the heartburn pain. Another most commonly employed home remedy is the use of baking soda for heartburn. Millions of people use baking soda for treating the pyrosis. Baking soda consumed along with a glass of water works as a therapy by absorbing the stomachic acids generating heartburn.

Eating a banana or lemon helps in preventing heartburn while papaya pills can also be chewed for the same purpose. Dry fruits, for instance, almonds functions as a heartburn natural treatment.

Use of Rhubarb as a cure can be placed under herbal home remedies as well. Rhubarbs are sour leafstalks that can be consumed in raw form. It not only renders a calming effect to the stomach, but also neutralizes the stomach acids causing reflux.

In addition to these, chamomile is an ingredient which serves to mitigate the pyrosis problem. Being rich in calcium, chamomile works effectively by lowering the stomachic acids causing esophageal inflammation.

Although the above-cited home remedies are able to heal the heartburn pain to a considerable extent, there might be certain occasions where the requirement for medicines or heartburn drugs may arise. The only factors that need to be concerned about while employing home remedies are the side-effects or allergies which may arise. On the whole, home remedies are the safest means of treatment for heartburn.