Your stomach has acid to help digest your food. Your stomach acid is very strong – the same acidity as battery acid. While the stomach can handle this, the more sensitive esophagus cannot. When the stomach sphincter is too weak, stomach acid regurgitates up into the esophagus, and causes a burning sensation called Heartburn. While occasional Heartburn is common, more frequent, ongoing Heartburn may be Acid Reflux, or GERD.

Symptoms of Heartburn include burning chest pain, sour taste in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, belching, hoarseness, and sometimes breathing difficulties. Heartburn symptoms are worse from lying down or bending over.

Heartburn may be caused by a poor diet with too much citrus, certain spices, and fatty or irritating foods. Check with your doctor as some medications promote acid reflux. Smoking, alcohol, coffee, and other foods will make heartburn symptoms worse.

Doctor’s treatment for heartburn usually entails antacids and proton pump inhibitors that stop or slow down stomach acid, which may cause nutritional deficiencies and contribute to osteoporosis and immune dysfunction.

The goal from a natural perspective to help heartburn is to first relieve symptoms with natural remedies, and then correct the dietary imbalances. Start with a diet of fresh fruits and vegetables and mild meats such as chicken, turkey and fish, then add cell salts, homeopathy, and herbs for heartburn to correct the underlying causes. Additionally, it is important to address stressful conditions in a person’s life.

Herbs for Heartburn

Herbs are plants valued for their specific strengthening/ tonifying properties.

Herb combinations:

Dave’s Digestive Formula – stimulates digestion; best to take 2 before each meal.

Dave’s Lower Bowel Formula – to soothe the mucus membranes of the gastro-intestinal system.

Herb singles:

DGL (De-glycerized licorice) is chewed to provide symptomatic relief.

Slippery Elm – for use with DGL for fast symptom relief.

Calendula – for inflammation, tightening the tissues, repairing tissues, and lymphatic improvement.

Marshmallow – like other demulcents, coats the mucus membranes, is cooling and soothing.

Rhubarb – Butternut (Solaray Brand) – to sooth the stomach, but also promotes bowel movements if constipated.

Cell Salts to Help Heartburn

To make a cell salt solution, put up to 10 tablets of each cell salt in a 16- to 24-ounce bottle; fill with water and swirl to dissolve tablets. Sip throughout the day.

#2 Calc phos 6X – nervous digestion to correct acidic stomach
#8 Mag phos 6X – muscular spasms of the stomach
#10 Nat phos 6X – over acidity
#11 Nat Sulph 6X – pancreas, liver support

Heartburn Homeopathic Remedies

Homeopathic remedies are non-toxic natural medicines safe for everyone including infants and pregnant or nursing women. You may use 6X, 30X, 6C or 30C potencies.

Arsenicum album – burning stomach pains; heartburn worse late night or early mornings. Better from hot drinks. Person is neat and tidy; a perfectionist.

Carbo veg – heartburn, belching, burning pain to abdomen and chest, heaviness, fullness, and sleepiness after eating. Acid can affect breathing. Emotional indifference.

Lycopodium – heartburn or all symptoms worse 4 to 8 pm. Gas, bloating, feels full quickly. Person either with low self-confidence or a braggart.

Nux vomica – feels like food won’t digest; worse from alcohol. Sour taste and nausea in mornings. For irritable, angry people that work too hard and play too hard.

Source: Dave’s Healing Notes