Heartburn happens when the acid in your stomach travels up your oesophagus. This is called acid reflux. It is most commonly described as a burning feeling. Symptoms can include burping, regurgitation, indigestion, burping, stomach-aches, bloating, and difficulty swallowing. When you get heartburn regularly, you will notice that certain foods will set it off more than others.
Foods that tend to set off heartburn include tomatoes, spicy foods, citrus drinks such as orange juice, peppermint, onions, greasy, fatty foods, chocolate, caffeinated drinks and drinks that are carbonated. It also is dependent on when and how you eat however heartburn can be treated.
One way to treat heartburn naturally is with essential oils. However it is important that the essential oils you buy are completely natural. If they are not you will be putting chemicals inside your body and it can make you very ill. So please buy your oils from a reputable company that is renowned for its quality, is organic and has all the brands of good labelling telling you it is a bona fide product. Alternatively you should be able to get good oil mixes from your natural practitioner.
The best essential oils for heartburn include:
- Ginger essential oil which can be used to treat not only heartburn but also other gastrointestinal issues. This is due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. These properties help it to block the production of acid in your stomach and helps to suppress H. Pylori bacteria, which can cause stomach ulcers. Ginger essential oil can also help to give relief from bloating, cramps, stomach ulcers, and heartburn. Pour 2-4 drops of ginger essential oil into a cup of herbal tea then sip slowly. It’s best to take this drink twenty minutes before eating meals.
- Lavender essential oil has a relaxing effect that can help when you are struggling with reflux, bloating, burning sensations, and other symptoms associated with heartburn. The sedative properties can also help you enjoy a good night’s sleep. To use, rub some of the oil on your chest and belly to relieve reflux and bloating or add it to herbal tea and sip slowly after dinner to help indigestion and acid reflux.
- Lemon essential oil is a natural alkaline, which makes it effective in neutralizing stomach acid. It also has some antibacterial properties that can cleanse your digestive system by killing bacteria. Adding 1 to 2 drops into warm water 30 minutes before eating your next meal helps flush out any leftover stomach acids and toxins from your body.
- Marjoram essential oil provides anti-spasmodic effects making it possible for it to prevent muscle spasms that contribute to acid reflux.
- Eucalyptus essential oil can be easily absorbed by the body making it fast acting. It contains eucalyptol, a compound that helps to increase the size of your blood vessels, resulting in increased blood flow, helping with pain relief caused by acid reflux.
- Peppermint essential oil works also by relieving pain and has a cooling and refreshing effect. Dilute a small amount in herbal tea or mix one drop of the oil with a teaspoon of honey, half a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and warm water.
- Orange essential oil can help prevent muscle spasms which will also relieve acid reflux. It has sedative properties which will calm anxiety. In addition, it has an anti-inflammatory effect, which can lessen the pain often triggered by inflammation. Mix the oil with other liquids to dilute before drinking it.
Essential oils are just one way to relieve acid reflux. There are also many natural supplements such as slippery elm herb. Talk to your local natural therapist to find out what will suit you best.
