Heal heartburn with cider vinegar
Sip 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with 8 ounces of water before every meal, and experts say you could shut down painful bouts of heartburn in as little as 24 hours. “Cider vinegar is rich in malic and tartaric
acids, powerful digestive aids that speed the breakdown of fats and proteins so your stomach can empty quickly, before food washes up into the esophagus, triggering heartburn pain,” explains Joseph Brasco, M.D., a gastroenterologist at the Center for Colon and Digestive Diseases in Huntsville, AL.
There are some great herbs that can help the symptoms of heartburn, however, the are precautions to consider when using any herb.
In my book I listed the most useful hers with efect, side effect and possible interactions with prescription medications such as:
Chamomile (matricaria recutita)
This gentle herb is excellent to relieve inflammation in the digestive tract. Used for constipation and diarrhea, colic and abdominal pains, it relieves gas and calms intestinal spasms. Used in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, gastritis, peptic ulcers. It is great for poor appetite as well as reducing anxiety, lifting the spirits, soothing irritability or combating nightmares and insomnia. It is also used externally as an antiseptic wash for wounds and mouth ulcers.
Caution:
Do not use if you're allergic to ragweed. It may increase the sedative effect of anti-seizure medications. One of the active ingredients of chamomile is coumarin, might cause bleeding if used with blood thinners such as Coumadin, Lovenox and Heparin. Do not use it with Valerian, as the combined sedative effect can cause central nervous system depression.
Dose:
To make chamomile tea, pour 5 ounces (about one-half cup) of boiling water over 3 grams (about 3 teaspoon) of dried chamomile flowers, steep 10 minutes, strain. Drink 3-4 times a day as needed. Chamomile is often taken three to four times daily between meals as a tea. As bath additive, mix about 16 tablespoon of chamomile with 1 quart of water and add to the bath. Apply cream with 3% to 10% chamomile content for psoriasis, eczema, or dry and flaky skin. Topical creams or ointments can be applied to the affected area three to four times daily. When using chamomile to treat burns, choose creams or tea-soaked dressings instead of greasy ointments. For muscle relaxation and antispasmodic effects, drink two or three cups of chamomile tea a day. For mouth ulcer, an oral rinse made with 10-15 drops of German chamomile liquid extract in 100 ml warm water has been used three times daily.
Peppermint (mentha)
Relaxes the muscles of the digestive system as well as stimulates bile flow. It is useful for indigestion, flatulence, nausea, and irritable bowel syndrome and colic. Also relieves congestion and migraine headache. It is often combined with laxatives to prevent cramping abdominal pain.
Caution:
Prolonged use can irritate the mucus membranes; use it only until the symptoms cease. Not recommended for children, the menthol in the herb may make them choke making the throat numb. When used it externally, dilute the peppermint oil with almond or vegetable oil. It might cause allergic reaction in sensitive individuals. Used internally it might interact with blood pressure medication, calcium channel blockers and antacids.
Dose:
Peppermint is available as tea, tinctures, capsules, creams, ointments, or essential oil. Enteric-coated capsules of peppermint oil are used to treat irritable bowel syndrome, take 1 to 2 coated capsules three times per day between meals. To prepare tea, pour 8 ounces of boiling water over 1-2 teaspoons of dried peppermint leaves, cover and steep for 10-15 minutes, and then strain. For digestive disorders, drink one cup of tea with meals (I like to combine peppermint with chamomile). For relief of migraine, drink 1-2 cups of cool tea daily. For congestion, you can drink up to four cups of peppermint tea a day. For itching and skin irritations, apply menthol in a cream or ointment form no more than three to four times per day.
Sip 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with 8 ounces of water before every meal, and experts say you could shut down painful bouts of heartburn in as little as 24 hours. “Cider vinegar is rich in malic and tartaric
acids, powerful digestive aids that speed the breakdown of fats and proteins so your stomach can empty quickly, before food washes up into the esophagus, triggering heartburn pain,” explains Joseph Brasco, M.D., a gastroenterologist at the Center for Colon and Digestive Diseases in Huntsville, AL.
There are some great herbs that can help the symptoms of heartburn, however, the are precautions to consider when using any herb.
In my book I listed the most useful hers with efect, side effect and possible interactions with prescription medications such as:
Chamomile (matricaria recutita)
This gentle herb is excellent to relieve inflammation in the digestive tract. Used for constipation and diarrhea, colic and abdominal pains, it relieves gas and calms intestinal spasms. Used in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, gastritis, peptic ulcers. It is great for poor appetite as well as reducing anxiety, lifting the spirits, soothing irritability or combating nightmares and insomnia. It is also used externally as an antiseptic wash for wounds and mouth ulcers.
Caution:
Do not use if you're allergic to ragweed. It may increase the sedative effect of anti-seizure medications. One of the active ingredients of chamomile is coumarin, might cause bleeding if used with blood thinners such as Coumadin, Lovenox and Heparin. Do not use it with Valerian, as the combined sedative effect can cause central nervous system depression.
Dose:
To make chamomile tea, pour 5 ounces (about one-half cup) of boiling water over 3 grams (about 3 teaspoon) of dried chamomile flowers, steep 10 minutes, strain. Drink 3-4 times a day as needed. Chamomile is often taken three to four times daily between meals as a tea. As bath additive, mix about 16 tablespoon of chamomile with 1 quart of water and add to the bath. Apply cream with 3% to 10% chamomile content for psoriasis, eczema, or dry and flaky skin. Topical creams or ointments can be applied to the affected area three to four times daily. When using chamomile to treat burns, choose creams or tea-soaked dressings instead of greasy ointments. For muscle relaxation and antispasmodic effects, drink two or three cups of chamomile tea a day. For mouth ulcer, an oral rinse made with 10-15 drops of German chamomile liquid extract in 100 ml warm water has been used three times daily.
Peppermint (mentha)
Relaxes the muscles of the digestive system as well as stimulates bile flow. It is useful for indigestion, flatulence, nausea, and irritable bowel syndrome and colic. Also relieves congestion and migraine headache. It is often combined with laxatives to prevent cramping abdominal pain.
Caution:
Prolonged use can irritate the mucus membranes; use it only until the symptoms cease. Not recommended for children, the menthol in the herb may make them choke making the throat numb. When used it externally, dilute the peppermint oil with almond or vegetable oil. It might cause allergic reaction in sensitive individuals. Used internally it might interact with blood pressure medication, calcium channel blockers and antacids.
Dose:
Peppermint is available as tea, tinctures, capsules, creams, ointments, or essential oil. Enteric-coated capsules of peppermint oil are used to treat irritable bowel syndrome, take 1 to 2 coated capsules three times per day between meals. To prepare tea, pour 8 ounces of boiling water over 1-2 teaspoons of dried peppermint leaves, cover and steep for 10-15 minutes, and then strain. For digestive disorders, drink one cup of tea with meals (I like to combine peppermint with chamomile). For relief of migraine, drink 1-2 cups of cool tea daily. For congestion, you can drink up to four cups of peppermint tea a day. For itching and skin irritations, apply menthol in a cream or ointment form no more than three to four times per day.
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