Curing Heartburn: Home Remedies For Heartburn: 5 Herbal Teas That Give Heartburn Relief

When carrying out my research on the topic of heartburn and how to cure it naturally, it became very clear to me that there wasn't one magic formula or treatment. Certainly some of the treatments I found appeared to be more popular than others but there were always those who advised that a particular treatment had not worked for them and they had needed to try several different treatments before finding one that worked for them.

In this hub I shall be highlighting five different herbal teas that are considered by herbalists to have properties that might aid the treatment of heartburn.

Ginger is a centuries old herbal remedy credited with many healing qualities. The properties which make Ginger such a suitable candidate to help treat the symptoms of heartburn come from the active gingerols, shogaols and phenols. These help stimulate digestive enzyme action whilst also soothing the digestive system. They decrease stomach acidity whilst reducing gastric secretions and increasing bile flow. Given these benefits it is no wonder that so many sufferers of heartburn turn to Ginger tea for relief.

Ginger is not recommended for use by gallstone sufferers, those on blood thinning medication or children under the age of two and the maximum recommended dose is between 2 to 4 grams per day. It is usually acceptable to take Ginger at a reduced level during pregnancy but your medical practitioner should be consulted before starting any treatment. Due to the inconsistency of active ingredients in dried Ginger, the use of fresh Ginger is advised when using the herb for medicinal purposes. It is also important to be aware that the levels of gingerol are reduced by the application of heat.

Ginger tea is very simple and easy to make and it should be drunk after eating to help treat the symptoms of heartburn.

Ingredients

• 1" peeled fresh Ginger grated or very finely sliced
  
• 2 cups water
• Honey/Sugar/Sweetener to taste
  

Method

1. Put the Ginger and water in a saucepan and bring to the boil.
2. Simmer for 3-4 minutes with the lid on to help retain the essential oils.
3. Leave to stand for 5 minutes.
4. Sweeten to taste.
5. Strain and drink.

Tip #1

To adjust the strength of the tea you can decrease or increase:

• the simmer or standing time.
• the amount of water or ginger used.

Tip #2

To ring the changes you can add other ingredients such as lemon or lime juice or herbal or green tea bags.

Tip #3

You can also drink Ginger tea cold. or add it to juice or smoothies.

Whilst the occasional bout of heartburn is nothing to be concerned about if you experience heartburn on a regular basis you should consult your doctor as you might be suffering with an ulcer or other condition. Heartburn due to acid reflux normally increases after meals but if your heartburn is at its worse before meals, it may be a sign that you have an ulcer.

Heartburn can also mimic the signs of heart disease and if you have heartburn with any of the following symptoms you should consult a doctor immediately as it might mean that you're having a heart attack.

- Pain radiating into your neck and shoulder

- Pain or difficulty whilst swallowing

- Vomiting with blood

- Bloody or black stools

- A shortness of breath

- Feeling light-headed or dizzy

It is the essential oil anethole in the aromatic herb Fennel which gives Fennel tea its anti-cramping and antispasmodic properties. It also stimulates your appetite, aids good digestion and is a great remedy for gas. It is the antispasmodic action on the stomach which is particularly helpful in the treatment of heartburn.

As Fennel tea is so safe and gentle it can be used in low concentrations to treat colic in babies but this does not mean it has no side effects. Fennel may interfer with estrogen which is often found in birth control drugs, the antibiotic Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) or the cancer treatment drug Tamoxifen (Nolvadex). It is not recommended for use by anyone with a hormone-sensitive condition such as breast, uterine or ovarian cancer or endometriosis, or uterine fibroids.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon Fennel seeds and 1 full cup of water for each cup of tea to be made.

Method

1. Crush the seeds using a pestle and mortar.
2. Place crushed seeds in a saucepan and add boiling water.
3. Allow mixture to simmer gently for 5 to 10 minutes.
4. Allow mixture to cool slightly.
5. Strain and serve.

Dosage

Adults: 3 cups of tea daily drunk between meals.

Children over 5: Half the adult dose.

Infants: One-eighth of the adult dose.

Anise and Lavender combine well together to make a pleasant tasting and aromatic tea to treat the symptoms of heartburn as they work to reduce the amount of acid in the stomach. They also contain compounds which encourage the stomach muscles to relax, making it easier for food to be digested and preventing the buildup of unwelcome gas.

Ingredients

• 1/2 teaspoon of Lavender per serving
  
• 1/2 teaspoon of Anise per serving
• 1 full cup of water per serving
• Honey to sweeten if desired

Method

1. Wrap the Lavender and Anise in a piece of cheesecloth and secure or place in a metal tea infuser and place in a teapot.
2. Add boiling water.
3. Allow the tea to steep for 3 to 5 minutes.
4. Serve the tea adding a little honey if needed.

Dosage

Drink one cup in the morning and another before bedtime.

The marshmallow plant has been used for hundreds of years to treat a wide range of common health problems. It beneficial properties come from the high mucilage content of the plant and the soft, slippery and soothing nature of the plant compound which reduces inflammation and irritation. It is able to coat and protect damaged tissue which makes it ideal for the treatment of heartburn which can cause damage to the esophagus

Marshmallow may interfere with the absorption of oral medications and it may also lower blood sugar levels. So if you are on any medication or are diabetic or taking insulin you should not take marshmallow without first seeking medical advice

Ingredients

• 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoon of dried Marshmallow root per serving
• 1 full cup of water per serving
  
• Honey or molasses to sweeten

Method

1. Add dried herb to the teapot.
2. Add boiling water.
3. Steep for 5 to 10 minutes.
4. Strain and serve adding the desired amount of sweetener of your choice.

Dosage

Up to three cups each day.

^{All content within this article is provided for your general information only, and it should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or health care professional who should always be consulted if you are in any way concerned about your health.}

Slippery Elm is a folk remedy that has been used to treat many ailments The medicinal and health properties of the slippery elm tree are mostly contained in its bark. Like Marshmallow it contains a high level of mucilage in its inner bark and it is this mucilage which is considered to be of benefit in treating heartburn as it is thought to coat the esophagus and reduce irritation.

The safety of slippery elm in pregnant or nursing women has not been established and like Marshmallow it may interfere with absorption of oral medication.  In lower doses it is normally considered safe for children and babies to use.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon of powdered Slippery Elm Bark per serving
• 1 cup of boiling water per serving

Method

1. Add water to powder.
2. Stir and leave for 3 to 5 minutes

Dosage

Adults: Three cups per day

Children: Adjust strength based on weight of child.  Adult dosage is based on 150lb weight.

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