Dr. U K Bhakat, Kothari Medical Centre

Gastric acids are chemicals provided by your stomach to aid digestion. But the corrosive effects they induce are counteracted by the secretion of other chemicals. It is when the secretion of these chemicals is impaired that it leads to damaged stomach lining, causing acidity, also known as acid reflux.

Ayurveda promises some easy home treatments for acidity which are quite efficient in ensuring fast recovery for you.

You can use any of these listed Ayurvedic treatments if you suffer from acidity.

1. Amla powder (Indian Gooseberry) and honey
 
Soak one teaspoonful of amla powder in half a cup of water. Add honey and stir and drink empty stomach in the morning. Repeat similarly for the evening.
 
2. Cumin seeds

You can reduce cumin seeds to their powder form, then you have to add half a spoon of it to water; presumably, one liter. Then, keep the solution boiling then filter it. You will have to make sure that you drink this solution instead of normal water. Take this water based solution everyday till recovery. This is quite an effective remedy for acidity.
 
3. Mulethi (liquorice) and honey
 
You can reduce liquorice root to powder, then to half a spoon of this powder add little honey to form paste. Lick to consume this paste twice daily after meals. Liquorice neutralizes the acids quickly to give relief.

4. White pumpkin juice
 
Take white pumpkin peel and slice it and make a pulpy juice out of it. Half a cup twice daily gives fast recovery from gastritis and acidity. Alternatively you may eat sweet made of pumpkin (peetha ki methai) after meals.
 
5. Buttermilk

You can take half a glass of buttermilk and add a pinch of each asafetida and turmeric to it. With it, also take care to add a tiny amount of fenugreek and drink it at night, to make the most of its benefits.

6. Jaggery

You can try taking boiled ash gourd with jaggery. This relieves the burning sensation in the stomach to a considerable extent.

ABOUT HYPERACIDITY

Acidity is a term used for a set of symptoms caused by excess production of acid by the gastric glands of the stomach. The stomach normally secretes hydrochloric acid which is required for the breakdown and digestion of food we eat. Acidity causes symptoms like dyspepsia, heartburn, gastric inflammation and ulcers in the stomach. Acidity is generally a consequence of several external factors like eating habits, fad diets, stress, smoking and alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, irregularity in eating pattern.

The incidence of acidity is higher in countries where individuals eat more of non-vegetarian, oily and spicy foods. Certain medications like non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's)also predisposes individuals to gastric acidity. People suffering from acidity feel a burning sensation after eating a meal. Sour belching is also commonly seen. Sometimes, constipation and indigestion is also seen in people having acidity. Acidity can be treated by making changes in eating and lifestyle habits. This section offers some really good home remedies for acidity which you can try.

ACIDITY CONTENT

CAUSES

Our stomach produces gastric acids to aid digestion. But, their corrosive effects are neutralised by the production of natural bicarbonate and prostaglandins secreted in the mucous lining. When the production of these chemicals is interrupted then it leads to damaged stomach lining which causes acidity.

1. Stress

2. Consumption of spicy and non-vegetarian foods

3. Smoking and alcohol

4. Stomach ailments like peptic ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease, stomach tumors, etc.

5. Medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Read more about why acidity is rising among youngsters.

SYMPTOMS

The common signs and symptoms that you might experience are -

1. Burning in the stomach

2. Burning in the throat

3. Restlessness

4. Belching

5. Nausea

6. Sour taste

7. Indigestion

8. Constipation

HOME REMEDIES

Here are 10 home remedies for acidity that actually work -

• Bananas:  one daily (or 2 elaichi kela)

• Tulsi: bring a sapling and nurture it nicely. Pluck 8-10 leavesand chew or add it in tea.

• Cold milk: one glass a day especially in the morning

• Saunf or aniseed, flax seeds: one tsp each 2-3 times a day

• Jeera powder, asaefotida, ajwain: half teaspoon in a glass of buttermilk

• Clove: one-two in a day. Hold it between teeth and just press it.

• Elaichi: a pinch at least 2-3 times a week. It truly helps.

• Mint leaves or pudina: you can chew 6-7 pudina leaves or add them in a fresh juice

• Ginger: one inch in whole day in summers and 2 inces consumption in a day in winters.

• Amla: one pint Patanjali amala juice

PREVENTION

Acidity can be prevented by the following methods:

1. Don’t consume spicy food

2. Eat more fruits and vegetables

3. Eat small, regular meals

4. Consume your last meal at least a few hours before sleeping

5. Chew tulsi leaves, cloves, saunf, etc.

6. Avoid medications like NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and steroids

7. Reduce stress

HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR ACIDITY,GASES AND DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS

Nux Vomica: Best Homeopathic remedy for stomach problems Homeopathic medicine Nux Vomica is of great help in the treatment of various stomach problems. It is the best Homeopathic remedy for heartburn that occurs after taking coffee, spicy food or alcoholic drinks. Nux Vomica is also the ideal Homeopathic treatment for constipation. For using this medicine for constipation, the prominent indicating symptom is the constant urge to pass stool or poop but the stool is insufficient and unsatisfactory. Homeopathic medicine Nux Vomicais also used to relieve the heaviness and sensation of weight in the stomach after eating.

Pulsatilla: Top Homeopathic remedy for gastric problems after eating fatty food Pulsatilla is the best Homeopathic medicine to deal with the gastric problems that arise as a result of consuming fatty food like pastries, ice creams, ghee and butter. Most of the patients requiring this medicine have a complete absence of thirst. Homeopathic medicine Pulsatilla can also be used for treatment of loose stools. The prominent symptom to use this medicine in case of loose stools is the changing nature of stool every time it is passed. Chilliness also accompanies loose stool.

China: Homeopathic medicine for letting out gas from bloated abdomen China is the most efficient Homeopathic medicine to relieve the bloated abdomen where the whole abdomen is full of gas. The gas may also cause severe pain in the abdomen. China is also the ideal Homeopathic remedy for diarrhoea with extreme weakness. Diarrhoea consequent to eating fruits can be very efficiently treated with this Homeopathic medicine.

Arsenic Album: Top Homeopathic medicine for gastric trouble after food poisoning Arsenic Album is the best Homeopathic medicine for gastric troubles that occur as a result of food poisoning. The patients requiring the Homeopathic treatment of Arsenic Album have the symptoms of nausea, vomiting, loose stool and stomach pain. These complaints get worse after eating or drinking anything. The patient also feels an extreme burning sensation in stomach.

Lycopodium: Homeopathic medicine for stomach feeling full after eating very little Homeopathic medicine Lycopodium is an ideal remedy when the stomach feels full and there is a distention of abdomen even after eating very little. There is rolling of gas in stomach with burps that cause burning in the throat. Lycopodium is even the Homeopathic cure for acidity due to intake of farinaceous (starchy) and flatulent food.

The patients requiring this Homeopathic medicine at times also show a craving for hot drinks.