What are effective natural stomach acid drugs?

The problem of stomach acid reflux certainly makes activity disrupted. Stomach acid rises causing stomach pain to a burning sensation in the chest (heartburn). In addition to medical drugs, you can use natural ingredients to treat rising stomach acid.

You don't even have to bother looking for them as many of these natural ingredients can be found in the kitchen. What are these ingredients and how effective are they? Check out the following information.

Traditional stomach acid medicine that is easily available

Acid reflux disease (gastroesophageal reflux disease/ GERD) occurs when stomach acid rises back up into the esophagus. This condition then causes a number of symptoms that often need to be treated with medication.

Taking GERD drugs such as antacids is usually the first step to dealing with this condition. However, if you don't want to take medication yet and the symptoms of GERD are still mild, the following natural ingredients may be an alternative.

1. Ginger

The phenolic substances in ginger are believed to relieve irritation of the gastrointestinal tract and prevent contraction of the stomach muscles. This can reduce the risk of acid reflux back into the esophagus. This means that the possibility of reflux of stomach acid can be avoided by consuming ginger.

In addition, this herbal plant also has anti-inflammatory properties that are good for the body. This benefit has been proven by experts through a study in the journal Cancer Prevention Research in 2011.

Experts found that symptoms of inflammation in the body can be reduced after taking ginger supplements for one month. This is because the warm sensation of ginger can help calm the body as well as reduce stomach acid production.

This herbal plant can also reduce nausea, prevent muscle pain, and reduce swelling in the body. This complaint is usually experienced by people who suffer from GERD or similar digestive disorders.

Although the benefits of ginger as a natural stomach acid medicine have been proven, experts still need further analysis and research. They still don't know for sure how long the effect of ginger is in preventing stomach acid reflux.

2. Peppermint oil

Peppermint oil is the essential oil from the peppermint flowers and leaves. Apart from being a flavor and aroma enhancing agent, this oil also has the potential to be a natural remedy for a number of digestive disorders, including acid reflux disease.

Peppermint oil has been used for a long time to relieve nausea, stomach upset, and indigestion. Currently, peppermint oil is one of the mainstay herbal medicines for dealing with complaints due to stomach acid and irritable bowel syndrome.

However, studies on the benefits of peppermint oil for GERD patients are still limited. Existing studies also use this oil with caraway oil. So, it's unclear whether these benefits really come only from peppermint oil.

You can still use peppermint oil, but in moderation. You also shouldn't take peppermint oil along with antacids, as this can increase your risk heartburn.

3. Basil leaves

Basil leaves have long been used as a traditional medicine to treat constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, and symptoms of acid reflux. In Thai medicine, this plant is believed to help treat coughs, skin diseases and intestinal disorders.

The benefits of basil leaves come from its terpenoid compounds, especially eugenol, thymol, and estragole. These various compounds help prevent acid reflux and promote the restoration of function of an irritated stomach and esophagus.

You can steep a teaspoon of basil leaves in a cup of water for 10 minutes. You can also take 2-5 drops of basil oil three times a day, or take the supplement with a maximum daily dose of 2.5 grams.

4.Licorice (liquorice)

Another plant that can be a natural remedy for acid reflux is licorice, aka liquorice root. This herb is used to treat a variety of ailments, from colds to digestive disorders such as liver disease and acid reflux.

Licorice works by soothing the lining of the stomach and relieving inflammation and mild pain caused by constant exposure to stomach acid. The active substances in this plant also help prevent stomach damage by creating a protective coating.

There are several different kinds of licorice plants. Licorice, which contains the active ingredient glycyrrhiza, is not commonly used because it has serious side effects. Meanwhile, the types of licorice that are common in traditional medicine are deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL).

DGL is claimed to help relieve symptoms of stomach ulcers, mouth ulcers, and GERD without the same side effects as licorice with glycyrrhiza content. You can get this property by taking DGL supplements in the form of capsules or tablets.

5. Turmeric

In traditional medicine, turmeric is used to relieve complaints related to inflammation such as joint pain, menstrual pain, liver dysfunction, and digestive dysfunction. This is because turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Turmeric is now more widely used to treat heartburn as a result heartburn, stomach ulcers, and inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. A study in 2019 showed the properties of turmeric as a natural remedy for stomach acid and inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis).

Most of turmeric's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties come from a substance called curcumin. The main function of curcumin is to help protect the lining of the stomach from damage caused by taking NSAID pain relievers and other chemicals.

NSAID relievers are known to erode the protective lining of the stomach. As a result, nothing protects the stomach from constant exposure to stomach acid. Not only that, curcumin also inhibits the growth of bacteria that cause stomach ulcers.

6. Honey

Honey is believed to have the potential to be a natural remedy for acid reflux disease and help relieve sore throat due to inflammation. This natural ingredient is considered to be rich in benefits because it can work as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial agent.

Many researchers believe that honey works in many ways. According to one study in Indian Journal of Medical Research, honey may relieve the symptoms of acid reflux disease in the following ways.

• Honey prevents damage to cells in the digestive tract by counteracting the effects of free radicals.
• The honey texture is perfect for forming a protective layer on the walls of the esophagus.
• The texture and properties of honey help neutralize stomach acid.
• The anti-inflammatory properties in honey reduce inflammation of the esophagus.
• Honey is a natural ingredient that supports the medical benefits of GERD treatment.

You can use honey as an herbal remedy for acid reflux by consuming it directly or mixing it into drinks. As much as possible, choose natural honey without additives.

7. Chamomile

Chamomile is a natural ingredient that is rich in anti-inflammatory substances. This substance helps relieve pain due to inflammation that occurs in the organs. In fact, a cup of chamomile tea may have a pain-relieving effect similar to that of an NSAID pain reliever.

Thanks to this substance, chamomile is believed to be a natural remedy for digestive disorders such as acid reflux, diarrhea, and colic. This natural ingredient is also used in traditional medicine for irritable bowel syndrome.

Chamomile tea helps relieve symptoms of GERD by reducing stress levels. Stress is a trigger for acid reflux. Consuming a cup of chamomile tea can make you more relaxed, thereby reducing the risk of acid reflux.

Basically, chamomile tea is safe for consumption by everyone. Even so, there are also people who are allergic to this drink, so they need to be careful. People who are allergic to chamomile are usually allergic to certain plants or foods.

8. Cumin

Jintan does not only add aroma and taste to dishes, but also has the potential to be a natural remedy for acid reflux disease. There are not many studies regarding the efficacy of cumin for GERD sufferers, but there are some that are quite promising.

Cumin oil is alleged to relax the small intestine muscles. Coupled with menthol, both are natural anti-inflammatory substances that can help relieve complaints in the digestive system due to increased stomach acid.

According to a 2019 study, the use of cumin and menthol oils could help reduce dyspepsia symptoms in 61% of participants. Dyspepsia is a condition commonly known as an ulcer. Many people with dyspepsia also experience GERD.

There are many ways to obtain the properties of caraway. You can mix it with massage oil and apply it to the sore stomach. Or, you can also process cumin as a spice in your daily menu.

9. Bananas and melons

When stomach acid rises, the pH (acidity level) in your stomach will decrease so that the stomach becomes more acidic. These acidic conditions are usually neutralized with antacid drugs that are alkaline.

It turns out that alkaline properties also exist in food ingredients that are easy to obtain everyday, such as bananas and melons. Like antacids, alkaline foods will help neutralize stomach acid and raise the pH of the stomach as before.

The return of gastric pH will help relieve such symptoms heartburn, stomach pain, and so on. So, if you are prone to acid reflux, don't forget to keep bananas, melons, and other alkaline foods in your kitchen.

10. Nonfat milk

Milk is thought to be coping heartburn and acid reflux disease. Eka Gupta, M.B.B.S., M.D., a gastroenterology specialist at Johns Hopkins Hospital, states that this can be true or false, depending on the type of milk you use.

There are several types of milk. There's milk whole milk, low-fat milk, and nonfat skimmed milk. Fat lasts longer in the stomach. This can trigger the production of stomach acid, which can worsen GERD symptoms.

Meanwhile, nonfat milk can serve as a temporary barrier between the stomach lining and stomach acid. Therefore, if you want to relieve symptoms of GERD, you should choose skim milk or milk without fat at all.

Before choosing a drug, you can relieve the symptoms of acid reflux disease by using natural ingredients. There are food ingredients that can be consumed directly as well as essential oils that are used topically.

The natural ingredients above can be a powerful medicine. Even so, still consult a doctor if complaints persist or get worse. This may indicate that your complaint is related to another illness or a more serious illness.

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