What Home Remedies Help With Heartburn?

In short: One too many glasses of wine, a stressful day or too rich a meal — there are many causes of heartburn. Alongside medicines, simple home remedies can help relieve the burning sensation: soothing teas, chewing gum, oatmeal, healing clay, the right sleeping position and a few preventive habits. Here's what can help against acute heartburn.

Home remedies for drinking: from milk to potato juice

From the tried-and-tested classic to the unusual-looking home remedy — anyone suffering from heartburn is spoilt for choice. Sufferers can resort to the following home remedies for drinking, among others:

• baking soda
• water and herbal teas
• milk
• healing clay
• sauerkraut and potato juice

Baking soda: does the classic home remedy help against heartburn?

Good old sodium bicarbonate is the first thing many people reach for — dissolve a teaspoon in a large glass of still water and drink it slowly in small sips. It does neutralise stomach acid, but shouldn't be used too often: excess sodium bicarbonate can upset the body's pH balance, and the carbon dioxide it produces can cause belching that puts extra pressure on the sphincter between the stomach and oesophagus. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, ask your doctor before using it.

For the full breakdown of how it works — and why it can backfire — see heartburn myths: milk, baking soda and more.

Dilute stomach acid with water and herbal teas

A proven home remedy for heartburn is drinking herbal teas. Heartburn occurs when acidic stomach contents enter the oesophagus and attack the sensitive mucous membrane.

In some cases, drinking something brings relief by moving the acid back into the stomach. It also dilutes the excess stomach acid.

A glass of lukewarm, still water or low-acid tea such as chamomile or fennel tea is considered suitable. Black tea is only suitable to a limited extent, as its caffeine can weaken the muscle between the stomach and the oesophagus.

Which tea helps with oesophagitis?

Inflammation of the oesophageal mucosa (oesophagitis) is often triggered by persistent reflux. Treatment is usually conservative — one possible support is drinking certain teas, for example with calamus root, yarrow and chamomile. Alkaline powders or healing clay are also said to help.

Drinking milk against heartburn — (not) a suitable home remedy?

Besides bicarbonate of soda, milk is often cited as a home remedy for heartburn, but its effect is controversial. Science currently tends to conclude that a glass of cold milk does not help with heartburn.

So why do so many people swear by it? Possibly a placebo effect: the cooling sensation in the oesophagus and the belief that milk has proven its worth can provide relaxation and calm the stomach. (More on this in heartburn myths.)

Help from the ice age: healing clay for heartburn

Healing clay is a fine rock powder extracted from glacial loess deposits and used for various applications — including mild heartburn and acid-related stomach pain. Like a sponge, it absorbs excess stomach acid.

You can get healing clay at the pharmacy. It is dissolved in a glass of water or tea according to the package instructions and drunk in sips. There are no known side effects. However, it should not be taken at the same time as other medicines, as active substances can be partly neutralised — an interval of one hour is recommended.

Healing clay — also for pregnant women?

So far there are no restrictions on use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, expectant and breastfeeding mothers should avoid healing clay with a high aluminium content: at increased concentrations, aluminium can pass to the (unborn) child, and developmental disorders of the brain or damage to the kidneys, liver or bones are possible.

Sauerkraut and potato juice help with mild heartburn

These home remedies may seem a little unusual: sauerkraut and potato juice are also said to help against the burning sensation behind the breastbone. Sauerkraut regulates the pH value in the stomach and can ease mild discomfort; eating sauerkraut can also help, though too much can lead to flatulence.

Potato juice acts as an alkaline buffer, preventing over-acidification of the body. The juice from raw potatoes also neutralises excess acid. There are no known side effects, which is why this remedy is also suitable for pregnant women.

Home remedies for eating: chewing gum, oatmeal and co.

Remedies for heartburn and reflux are not only available for drinking, but also for eating. The tips below are generally safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

• chewing gum
• almonds and nuts
• oatmeal
• linseed
• mustard

Chewing gum as a remedy for heartburn

A rather unusual home remedy for heartburn is chewing gum, because it stimulates the production of saliva. Saliva is slightly alkaline and can neutralise small amounts of stomach acid in the oesophagus. It also dilutes the existing acid and carries it back towards the stomach when swallowing.

Good to know

If you don't like chewing gum, you can use sweets or pastilles — they also stimulate saliva production. Use them only in moderation, though, as they often contain a lot of sugar, which can promote tooth decay.

Neutralise stomach acid with almonds and nuts

To relieve mild heartburn, chew about 4 to 6 almonds, a few hazelnuts, cashews or sunflower seeds very finely. This creates a liquid paste that can bind excess stomach acid. Be cautious with peanuts, though, as they can even stimulate the formation of acid.

Skip this remedy entirely if you have a tree nut or peanut allergy — choose one of the other options instead, such as oatmeal or herbal tea.

Soothe heartburn with oatmeal

Chewing oatmeal creates a porridge that can bind excess stomach acid. Alternatively, you can cook oatmeal or porridge and eat it.

For the basic recipe (1 serving) you need:

• about 40–50 g of oatmeal
• 200 ml of liquid, preferably water

Mix the two in a saucepan and cook for about 3 minutes. You can then refine the dish with cinnamon, honey or almonds.

Linseed (flax) — effective home remedy and superfood

If you eat flaxseed regularly, you do something good for both your stomach and your intestines. Linseed contains a large amount of mucilage, which acts like a protective layer on the mucous membranes of the oesophagus, stomach and intestines, protecting them from aggressive stomach acid. Psyllium has a similar effect.

Note for pregnant women

As linseed has a birth-supporting effect, it is often recommended from the 34th week of pregnancy — taken regularly, it is said to promote labour and shorten the birth process. If used before then, it is advisable to consult your gynaecologist.

Flax seeds are best taken ground: as a topping in muesli or yoghurt, in a smoothie or on breakfast bread. It is important to drink plenty of fluids, as both linseed and psyllium bind liquids.

A hot helper for heartburn: mustard

Mustard for heartburn? Yes and no. On the one hand, the essential mustard oils are supposed to bind stomach acid and have an anti-inflammatory effect on the stomach lining. On the other hand, some sufferers find their heartburn increases with mustard, because the spiciness can stimulate the formation of stomach acid.

The same applies here as with all home remedies: try it out. If you want to, take a teaspoon of not-too-spicy mustard after a meal.

Tips for the night: relieve heartburn at night

Heartburn is often particularly annoying at night because it prevents sufferers from falling asleep, and many find the burning sensation more painful at night than during the day. Tried-and-tested remedies such as chewing gum are not very practical here, as they keep you from a restful night's sleep.

A few extra pillows

A good tip against heartburn at night: lie so that the stomach is lower than the oesophagus. This makes it harder for the acidic contents of your stomach to rise. Often a few extra pillows — or raising the head of the bed — are enough to elevate the upper body.

Sleep on the left side

You should also try sleeping on your left side. This way the stomach, which sits on the left side of the body, is lower than the oesophagus, so the stomach acid has a harder time rising.

Preventive measures: prevention is the best home remedy

As with so many things, prevention is better than cure. A few tips can reduce the risk of the painful burning sensation in the oesophagus.

1. Eat several small meals: better several times a day than large amounts at once, which puts less strain on the stomach.
2. Don't wear tight clothes: they put pressure on the stomach and can cause acid to rise.
3. Avoid triggers: coffee, alcohol and cigarettes can cause heartburn or worsen symptoms, so avoid them where possible.
4. A change in diet can also reduce heartburn. Sweet or fatty foods are typical triggers, while wholemeal products, potatoes and low-acid fruit are particularly gentle on the stomach.

Babies & children: relieve heartburn

Even the youngest children can suffer from heartburn — and need help. Proven measures include:

1. putting babies in an upright position after a meal
2. avoiding tight clothing or tight nappies
3. reducing stress in everyday life
4. making sure they get enough exercise
5. avoiding greasy, fried and spicy foods

FAQ: home remedies for heartburn