Cure for Heartburn! Natural Remedies for Heartburn

| Modified on May 26, 2023
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What is Heartburn?

Heartburn is normal (and has nothing to do with the heart, except proximity). Everybody gets that burning sensation in their chest from time to time, right behind the breastbone and usually after a meal. It's when heartburn becomes a regular thing that you should become more concerned about your digestive health. Heartburn is simply a burning sensation in the esophagus and throat that comes as a result of stomach acid creeping upwards above the valve that usually closes the passage above the stomach, keeping those acids where they belong.

On the other hand, heartburn that recurs regularly may indicate gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or other health conditions, in which case you should see a doctor for a diagnosis. However, occasional heartburn can be easily treated with over-the-counter or better yet home remedies.

Natural Remedies for Heartburn and Indigestion

At present, mustard and apple cider vinegar are easily the most popular home remedies for heartburn here on Earth Clinic, and you can find directions for using them to treat heartburn below. Each seems to reset the gastroesophageal junction or the stomach itself, to put an end to your symptoms. Lying on your back or bending over tends to worsen heartburn symptoms, so sitting and standing or better yet going for a walk are your best bets.




ACV and Baking Soda

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%


Posted by Sandy (Kent, Ohio) on 10/15/2007
5 out of 5 stars

I was having burning and have long suffered with heartburn. I tried the ACV, baking soda and honey last night and it did feel much better. This morning I had a second dose - this time with the organic cider vinegar - but I immediately had the "runs" -. I am wondering' if I should cut back to one tablespoon of ACV since constipation has never been one of my problems - just the opposite. The burning feels a bit better and I am belching a lot but I wonder if I should limit dosage?

Replied by Alena
(Salt Lake City, Ut)
08/22/2011

It's the baking soda that is giving you the runs. Lol. Baking soda and Cream of Tartar will do that to a human :) FYI Cream of Tartar is AMAZING at clearing up yeast infections.

Replied by Jr
(Coloma, Mi)
08/22/2011

How do you use the cream of tarter for yeast infections?


Almonds

8 User Reviews
5 star (5) 
  63%
4 star (1) 
  13%
3 star (1) 
  13%
1 star (1) 
  13%


Posted by Monica (Nj) on 09/15/2017
1 out of 5 stars

Almonds made my heartburn worse. I guess one's personal cure for heartburn depends on the particular cause. After eating about 10 almonds I feel like I have a rock stuck in my upper stomach. Lots of pressure. Like I need to belch but none is coming.


Almonds
Posted by Inspirewear (South Florida) on 01/28/2016
5 out of 5 stars

Hi everyone:

I have acid reflux. I eat raw foods and one thing I like to eat is raw or blanched almonds. One day after lunch I realized after eating a handful of almonds that there was no heartburn for me. That's when I realized that almonds can be good for heartburn.


Almonds
Posted by Cindy (Paradise, Ca) on 09/27/2011
5 out of 5 stars

Eating about 10 almonds, I use raw, always stops heartburn immediately for me.


Almonds
Posted by Sharon (Lockport, IL) on 03/19/2008
5 out of 5 stars

Eating a handful of raw almonds stops GERD dead in its tracks. My daughter ate almonds throughout her pregnancy whenever heartburn hit. It worked for her also.

Replied by Chundra
(Cleveland, MS)
09/25/2008
3 out of 5 stars

Worked Temporarily

I tried the almonds and they partially worked. I am going to try the apple cider vinegar when I get home.

Replied by Braveheartlion
(Rome, Ny)
11/25/2011
5 out of 5 stars

These worked for my heartburn as I am in my 7th month of pregnancy, but I sure did get sick of them. I have also have read that too many nuts can cause constipation which is also a problem of late pregnancy, so be careful. ACV and baking soda work not so well and the taste is awful with a burn of their own.

Replied by Jen
(New Haven, Ct)
04/18/2012
5 out of 5 stars

I just ate a few almonds and felt more pain as they went down and then - poof - total relief about 5 minutes later.

Replied by Carolinabe
(Winston-salem, Nc, Usa)
06/22/2012
4 out of 5 stars

Couldn't sleep tonight with bad heartburn. After trying OTC acid reducers to no avail, I started looking online for remedies I had in the house. No apple cider vinegar to be found at 1 am, but I had plenty of almonds! 5 seems to have made a huge improvement.


Aloe Vera

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%


Posted by Chris (Stony Brook) on 10/10/2019
5 out of 5 stars

I just started drinking 1/2 cup of aloe vera juice in the morning and before bed and my heartburn feels a lot better.


Apple Cider Vinegar

27 User Reviews
5 star (25) 
  93%
3 star (1) 
  4%
1 star (1) 
  4%


Posted by Carrie (Livonia, Mi) on 12/31/2014
5 out of 5 stars

So glad to have found this site. I have been taking 2 Tbs of ACV for my heart burn and completely gone. I also gave up wheat and that helped significantly.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mavis (Ireland) on 04/27/2014
5 out of 5 stars

Have been suffering servere heartburn for the past 2 weeks. This wasn't just the usual burning and pain associated with this complaint but a feeling like somebody was squeezing my throat. I tried all the usual remedies to no avail. Visited EarthClinic and tried the ACV and honey remedy and after the first dose I got immediate relief. I will keep using it until I have no further pain but I look forward to being able to get some sleep at last. Many thanks for this wonderful site. I have used it many times over the years but have only just registered so I can thank you properly.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Bill (Boston, Ma) on 09/30/2013
5 out of 5 stars

Heartburn: I have tried ACV and it seems to work. I take it with some water and honey. I had a fruit citrus drink and the heatburn flared up almost right away. Lots of good filtered water helps too. You have to watch what you eat. Citrus is not good for heartburn. Bill


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Valerie (Chicago, Illinois) on 12/31/2012
5 out of 5 stars

I just wanted to express my gratitude for this site. I am what you'd call a return patient to Earth clinic, after curing another 'ailment' permanently, I came straight to this site at 2 am last night after a severe attack of heartburn. The second one in 2 weeks. Since no one in my household ever has heartburn I was unsure what would work fast. I tried in desperation the 2 tbs of ACV and 1 tbs of honey with a little warm water and yes within minutes I felt a great deal of relief, and within half an hour I was comfortable enough to go back to sleep. Thank goodness I can go to a site that is sincere in it's attempt to keep remedies as natural as possible. Thank you friends out there!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Laura (Houston, Mo) on 11/01/2012
5 out of 5 stars

I have been using Apple Cider Vinegar(2tsp), honey(1 tsp) and cinnamon(just a few dashes)for the last week as a way to control the worst heartburn I have ever had. I could not believe how well it works!! Amazing!! I thought I'd have to take an acid reliever for the rest if my life. So happy to know there is something out there that is holistic and helps with so many other things too, like my allergies, while bringing the heartburn under control... Even better than the strongest dose of Zantac! I recommend it to anyone battling this beast!!

Replied by Joan
(Ellensburg, Wa)
11/09/2012
5 out of 5 stars

I really didn't think it would work, but it did. I put just a tiny splash of ACV in a coffee cup added a little bit of honey and filled it up with water. Microwaved 1 minute because I don't like hot liquids. I haven't had heartburn since. Usually I eat at least ten Tums everyday.

Replied by Sunny
(Los Angeles, Ca)
11/21/2012
5 out of 5 stars

Many thanks for this website. I had heartburn like 4-5 times a day before I started using ACV. After two months of taking it, I may only have very very minor heartburn once a week. I took a tbsp of ACV with honey and warm water. Once I took 4-5 tbsp for my flu a few days. But now my teeth can't stand for it. I felt like they were going to crack even though I was not eating. So I switched to less than 1 tbsp and added molasses for my grey hair this morning. I also made the homemade toothpaste to remineralize my teeth. I just tried last night and I don't feel like they are going crack now. I also did the coconut oil pulling. Lets see the result later.

Replied by Caroline
(San Francisco, Ca)
01/20/2013

I find that it helps to drink the ACV water through a straw--that way it bypasses the teeth.

Replied by Purplebutterfly
(Usa)
05/15/2015

I use DGL everytime and it works. :-)


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Michelle (Yorkshire, England) on 08/07/2012
5 out of 5 stars

THANK YOU for your advice. I have suffered with persistent heartburn problems for the last 2-3 months. My GP has prescribed increasingly higher doses of PPI's which did not appear to bring any significant benefit. A gastroscopy indicated upper tract inflammation but no other problems and I tested negative for H Pylori. 9 days ago I decided to ditch the drugs and try ACV ( 2 tblsp with honey in warm water) twice a day before meals - I also began taking Aloe vera juice. I felt much better within 2 days and have not looked back. I have been able to resume my yoga practice including inverted postures and have not had any disruption to my sleep. I am still taking care with my diet and am not fully back to normal, but it has only been just over a week. I am due to go travelling in china in @ 5 weeks - do you think I will need to take the ACV with me?


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Cinapia (New Bedford, Massachusetts, United States) on 03/11/2010
5 out of 5 stars

I was wondering if you could just take 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar straight without mixing in water. I actually did this for 3 days because I started with really bad heartburn. I have to say, it worked! I don't mind the taste taking it straight and all at once, but mixing it with water and drinking it prolongs the process in my opinion. Unless there are adverse affects if taking it undiluted. Can you advise?

Replied by Marlene
(Chatt., Tn.)
03/16/2012

My sister takes it straight says it works better for her than any of that over the counter stuff.

Replied by Darlingrosepinkhu
(Blackfalds, Ab Canada)
09/22/2012

Be sure that you rinse your mouth out after you take the ACV though. PProlonged contact with teeth enamel can cause sensitivity.

Replied by Cathryn
(Pennsylvania)
05/05/2017

I take it straight as well with no problems.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lanette (Sacramento, Ca) on 10/09/2009

I would like to know if there is any problem with taking ACV with orange juice for heartburn. Thanks!

Replied by Crazydogjack
(New Castle, Pa, USA)
10/09/2009

Hi Lanette,

For me, orange juice triggers heartburn and acid reflux. Try it just with water. You get used to it. I actually enjoy drinking it now.

Replied by Courtney
(Lake Mary, Fl)
02/12/2010

Can you tell me what ACV stands for and how to make this mixture? I suffer from heartburn nearly daily and eat Tums every night... Thanks!

EC: ACV = Apple Cider Vinegar. See other posts in this section for recipes!

Replied by John
(Huntington Beach, Ca)
01/19/2012

Try Pepperoncini juice if you don't like the vinegar. Watering it down does not work as good because too much water is what caused the heartburn in the first place.

Replied by Gerald
(Columbus, Oh)
01/08/2014
5 out of 5 stars

Try Mixing you Apple Cider Vinegar with Apple Juice. It tastes much better that way......close to the taste of Apple Cider. Apple juice, unlike orange or grapefruit juice is not acidic, so does not make heartburn worse.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Brian (Lexington, Kentucky) on 08/25/2009
3 out of 5 stars

Worked Temporarily

Initial results good then I hit a wall... I started out last Sunday with 2tsp ACV, 2tsp honey, dash of cinnamon and 10 ounces of water 3 times a day. I saw immediate results and was mostly heartburn free. One night I had to get up in the middle of the night and took an extra dose due to heartburn and it knocked it out. Last night, which was Wednesday I got heartburn after dinner, nothing unusual about the dinner and it would not go away. I took my normal dose at bedtime and it did nothing. I tried again about 4 hours later and nothing. I am discouraged because it was working well. Should I take more ACV or less. I am confused, help.

Replied by Leelannee
(Sussex, Nj)
08/26/2009

I read somewhere here on earthclinic that if you take too much ACV, your stomach makes less of it's own acid. I've used the water cure with good success (using unrefined sea salt or celtic salt). A lot of people seem to have success with the mustard method, too. I'm going to try that, as I've been slacking off on the salt lately & the burn is returning!



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