Treat Acid Indigestion With Herbal Remedies

Antacids are very popular nowadays as a treatment for acid indigestion. You can find antacids virtually anywhere. Just look at the different brands available at supermarket and drugstore shelves. Television or radio commercials promote antacids as a solution for heartburn. All these serve as testimony to the fact that indigestion is a pervasive problem in modern society.

In the first place, how does indigestion arise? Indigestion happens when you overeat or eat too quickly. If you tend to overeat or eat too quickly, you are likely to suffer from indigestion. Consuming too much food at one sitting burdens the stomach; its digestive juices get diluted making them function less efficiently. Thus, you may taste the stomach acid and feel pain.To achieve proper digestion, your stomach needs to be relaxed.

An acid indigestion that persists or worsens, despite various solutions you try or adjustments you make in your diet, should be investigated into. You should have it checked by a health professional.

Otherwise, if the condition responds to your efforts, you can try to treat your acid indigestion with herbal remedies. Herbal remedies are effective and have virtually no toxicity unlike manufactured over-the-counter medicines. Here are some herbal remedies for acid indigestion that can be helpful.

Licorice. A form of licorice called deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL), a chewable form of the herb, is a natural antacid. Unlike a regular licorice, DGL does not have hormonal side effects. This makes DGL more effective and will not contribute to elevated blood pressures, which can be a side effect of other forms. Licorice helps fight ulcerations caused by hyperacidity.

Slippery Elm. This herb was used by early folk healers as a digestive tonic and for treatment of acid indigestion and dysentery. The relief it brings to acid indigestion derives from its healing action on the mucous membranes. Herbalists believe it soothes inflamed tissues and draws toxins and other irritants from body tissues.

Gentian. Gentian contains a chemical (gentianine) that stimulates the secretion of stomach acid, lending some credence to its 3,000-year old history as a digestive aid. Try it before meals. Gentian tastes very bitter, so you might want to add honey to your decoction.

Mint. An ancient medicinal herb, mint is a cooling diaphoretic that relieves indigestion, gas or colic, and heartburn. It can also calm nausea and vomiting. The menthol in mint appears to soothe the smooth muscle lining of the digestive tract. Some studies show peppermint also may help to prevent stomach ulcers and stimulate bile secretions.

Papaya (Fruit and Leaves). Papaya is one of those ordinary plants with surprising potency in combating digestive disorders and calming down a disturbed gastrointestinal tract. Its powerful enzyme, papain, helps to breakdown complex proteins, reducing the digestive load on the stomach.

In addition to herbal remedies for acid indigestion, you can also try steamed cabbage. The glutamine in cabbage soothes an irritated stomach. You can also choose to consume fresh cabbage juice immediately after preparation. Always, remember to chew your food properly and eat in a relaxed setting to avoid acid indigestion.