Sodium bicarbonate or baking soda is a natural antacid. I normally mix a 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water but I have noticed the the actual volume of baking soda used isn't really important. It only changes the speed that it takes to work. I always stir it in until the water goes clear before I drink it. Sodium Bicarbonate can neutralize stomach acid and temporarily alleviate heartburn caused by acid reflux.
For me it works 100% of the time. I usually stay up until all the gasses stop.
There are some drawbacks to this, however. When you add baking soda to water, it releases carbon dioxide and fizzes a little. This fizz can open the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to enable you to burp and help relieve the pressure from bloating. Unfortunately, though, opening the LES can also allow the contents of your stomach to reflux up into the esophagus which is why I wait until it's stopped fizzing.
While many people have used baking soda to treat their heartburn, it's important to note that there haven't been any clinical trials to support baking soda's effect on heartburn. There is also the suggestion that it may raise your blood pressure. I suspect that it may also increase the amount of plaque on your teeth. My dentist told me that plaque build-up can be reduced by drinking acidic substances, which dissolves it. Things such as cola based drinks, vinegar (Apple Cider Vinegar tastes the best) etc. Baking soda is a base, logic says if acid can reduce it a base could increase it. I have no proof other than I have more plaque than I used to.
Other possible problems are symptoms of sugar diabetes, hypocalcaemia, pancreatitis and many other nasty things. Fortunately all of these are eliminated very quickly once you stop using baking soda to treat heartburn.
If you have chronic acid reflux you should consult your physician because there could be underlying causes of a serious nature. However, if the causes are due to the food or drink you are enjoying, there are numerous safe and effective natural remedies.
Of course you could just not eat or drink the things you like but that doesn't appeal to me. I would rather treat the heartburn with a safe remedy like one of these.
Some people have reported good results with these home remedies:
There may be many more which work but this is a good list to be going on with.
From my research it seems that many of these natural remedies are only safe if you use them only on an occasional basis. If you find that you need to use one or more of these acid reflux cures on a regular basis, more than a couple of times a week for several weeks in a row, go talk with your doctor, physician or other health professional.
You could be suffering GERD, known in some countries as GORD. This is is an acronym for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease. Your doctor may prescribe an over-the-counter product or not but getting checked out is really important.
Is Baking Soda a Safe Natural Heartburn Remedy?What do candy, chewing gum, toothpaste, and ice cream all have in common? One thing is that all can be purchased with peppermint flavor. This perennial plant produces green leaves that are rich in medicinal value.
Peppermint Leaf is a great aid to the digestive system. It increases the quantity and ability of bile to flow from the liver. This in turn helps in the digestion of fats and reduces bad cholesterol. Peppermint also calms the stomach, aids in extracting nutrients from food, reduces harmful bacteria in the stomach, and relaxes the muscles in the intestines thus reducing cramping. Its cleansing properties decrease the filtering work demanded of the liver and kidneys. An after-dinner peppermint reduces both stomach gas and the amount of time food is in the stomach. It is used in anti-nausea medicine, not just for its pleasant flavor, but also because peppermint will sooth the stomach lining. In this way it has been effective in treating motion sickness and morning sickness as well.
Though effective as a tea, peppermint is primarily harvested for its oils, namely, menthol, menthone, and menthyl acetate. The peppermint leaves are rated by the quantity of menthol in them. Peppermint grown in the US is about 70% menthol. Peppermint also contains vitamins A and C, magnesium, potassium, inositol, niacin, copper, iodine, silicon, iron, and sulfur.
For some peppermint leaf is a more effective source of pain relief for headaches than acetaminophen. Massaging the temples with peppermint oil has relieved even migraine headaches by relaxing muscles and cooling the skin. As a balm, it is used to relieve muscle and arthritic pain as well. Peppermint is an effective relaxant and can help in treating stress and restlessness.
Peppermint Leaf is also a natural expectorant and decongestant. Thus it is effective in the treatment of many respiratory ailments including bronchitis, sinusitis, and asthma, and is known to stimulate the immune system. Peppermint is an ingredient in cough medicines because it increases the output of saliva, thus soothing the throat. It is also found in many chest rubs due to its ability to relieve congestion from colds, flues, and respiratory infections. By inducing sweating, peppermint has effectively treated fevers. It has also been used to treat bad breath, tooth decay, gum disease, some forms of cancer, heart disease, earaches, gallstones, muscle tightness, and menstrual cramps.
Peppermint Leaves can be purchased as a tablet, an essential oil capsule, or a tincture. Note that the capsules are often coated and don't start working until they reach the intestine. Thus, the benefits in the stomach are lost. To prepare peppermint leaf tea, pour one cup of boiling water over 1 or 2 tsp. of dried peppermint leaves. Then cover, steep for 10 minutes and strain. Do not ingest peppermint leaves since the menthol could be poisonous. Do not give peppermint to young children without professional counsel.
Peppermint Leaf is an herb with a variety of credits to its name. Anyone facing one of the problems listed above would do well to give peppermint leaf, oil or tea a try.
The Potency of the Peppermint Leaf