Natural cures for heartburn can be low cost, effective ways to rid yourself of the discomfort caused by heartburn. Heartburn occurs when acids in the stomach rise into the esophagus causing throat and chest irritation. If you have ever had heartburn, you are probably quite aware of over the counter antacids like Tums or Rolaids and you may even be familiar with prescription medications that help quell heartburn such as Prilosec. While antacids are available in drugstores, supermarkets, convenience stores and other places, you may not always have some handy. Some people, myself included, dislike the dry, chalky taste so natural cures for heartburn have some appeal.

Home heartburn remedies and simple behavior modifications are two ways other than medication and over the counter antacids to prevent and get relief from heartburn. If you are having heartburn more than once or twice a week, you should speak with your doctor, as you may have a more serious condition requiring treatment.

Over the years I have been an occasional sufferer of heartburn.  On average, I would say I get heartburn once a month or so.  While I was pregnant, I had to deal with more severe heartburn more frequently than I had before or since.  I love spicy foods and in the Summer I eat a lot of tomatoes from our garden, both of which sometimes lead to heartburn for me. I know firsthand exactly how awful and uncomfortable it feels.

Melatonin came recommended to me by a health food store manager.  It is sold at health food shops and supplement stores usually in pill form and often as a natural sleep aid.  Studies have shown that melatonin may be effective for gastroesophageal reflux disease and heartburn.

One herbal remedy you might find in your local health food store is Iberogast, which is a German liquid mixture of several herbs including chamomile, licorice, milk thistle, clown's mustard plant and peppermint leaf.  It promises to relieve indigestion and neutralize stomach acid.  Peppermint can actually contribute to or make heartburn worse, so be careful.  Many people swear by it for common stomach ailments such as gastritis, heartburn and irritable bowel syndrome.  If it is not available locally you can buy it online through retailers such as Amazon.com.

What about other natural cures for heartburn you may have heard about such as apple cider vinegar, chewing gum or drinking a glass of milk?  If you have done any research online into heartburn cures, you have probably seen all three mentioned. 

Chewing gum is effective, and something my doctor actually suggested to me for times when antacids are not available.  The act of chewing gum produces more saliva to neutralize acid and gets you to swallow more which forces acids back down to your stomach. 

I asked my doctor about milk specifically for heartburn and was told not to expect it to provide heartburn relief.  Milk contains fat and other nutrients that stimulate stomach acid secretion so it is not a good remedy for heartburn.  It does taste delicious, quench your thirst and provide calcium though.

Apple cider vinegar is touted as a cure for heartburn as well, but my doctor had never heard of such a thing.  My doctor further suggested that it would not work and stated that she would never recommend it when there are so many other effective remedies widely available.  A Google search turns up plenty of suggestions or testimonials from individuals that it works, but no credible scientific proof or studies.

In addition to natural cures for heartburn, there are some steps you can take to prevent heartburn from occurring.  While it is nice to be able to find heartburn relief when you need it, preventing heartburn from striking is even better. 

Avoiding foods that trigger heartburn is one of the most effective ways to prevent heartburn.  For me, that means anything spicy, highly acidic foods like tomatoes and tangy citrus fruits, coffee and carbonated drinks like soda pop.  If you aren't sure which foods may be causing your heartburn, keep a journal.  You might be able to quickly identify your heartburn triggers by writing down everything you eat.  Overeating and eating too close to bedtime can also contribute to heartburn so taking care to watch how as well as what you eat can help. 

If you get heartburn mostly at night or wake up with symptoms, you can also raise the head of your bed about six inches using wooden blocks.  Gravity will then help prevent stomach acid from traveling upward while you lie down. 

Quitting smoking and losing weight are two good ideas to improve your overall health as well as reduce heartburn frequency.  Smoking has been found to decrease saliva production, increase stomach acid production and relax the valve between your stomach and esophagus all of which contribute to heartburn.  Excess fat can push against the stomach and force stomach acid upward into the esophagus.

If you do not want to take antacids or medication or are looking for natural cures for heartburn, try avoiding your trigger foods, chewing gum when heartburn strikes and sleeping with the head of your bed elevated.  That alone may allow you to lessen the frequency of your heartburn and relieve the burning without spending a fortune on over the counter products.  It is never a bad idea to speak with your doctor, however, so if your heartburn is frequent do not hesitate to do so.