Herbal Remedies For Heartburn

Overview

Heartburn is a burning feeling that rises from your stomach up behind your breastbone. Even though it is called 'heartburn', it has nothing to do with your heart. It happens when stomach acid splashes back up into your food pipe (the oesophagus, the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach). Many people look for herbal remedies — plant-based products such as teas, capsules or powders — to ease the discomfort. Some people find them soothing, but the evidence for most herbs is limited, and herbs can still have side effects and can interact with other medicines.

Yes. Occasional heartburn is very common and most adults get it at some point, often after a large or rich meal.

Anyone can get heartburn. It is more common in people who are overweight, in pregnancy, in people who smoke, and in people who eat large meals late at night. Older adults often get it too, sometimes with less obvious burning.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• A burning feeling behind the breastbone, often after eating
• Worse when lying down, bending over or at night
• A sour or bitter taste in the mouth
• Food or liquid coming back up into the throat (regurgitation)
• Feeling full, bloated or burping a lot
• A sore throat, hoarse voice or a dry cough, especially at night
• A feeling of a lump in the throat

Symptoms in children

• Spitting up or vomiting after feeds (very common in babies and usually harmless)
• Crying or fussing during or after feeds
• Arching the back during feeds
• Poor feeding or slow weight gain
• A cough, wheeze or hoarse voice
• Older children may complain of a tummy or chest 'burn' or a bad taste

Symptoms in older adults

• Less burning and more vague symptoms such as cough, hoarseness or a sour taste
• Trouble swallowing or food feeling stuck
• Symptoms that are blamed on 'just age' and ignored
• Higher chance of herb–medicine interactions, because older adults often take several prescriptions

Causes

Main causes

• The ring of muscle at the bottom of the food pipe relaxes when it should stay shut, letting acid escape upwards
• Large or fatty meals, which take longer to empty from the stomach
• Lying down or bending soon after eating
• A hiatus hernia (where part of the stomach pushes up through the diaphragm, the sheet of muscle under the lungs)
• Pressure on the stomach from being overweight or from pregnancy
• Some medicines, including certain painkillers and some heart or asthma medicines

Risk factors

• Being overweight
• Pregnancy
• Smoking
• Alcohol and caffeine
• Spicy, fatty or acidic foods, chocolate, mint and fizzy drinks
• Eating late at night or eating very quickly
• Stress and poor sleep
• Tight clothing around the waist

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• Chest pain — get it checked the same day, because heart problems can feel like heartburn
• Trouble swallowing or food sticking
• Vomiting blood or passing black stools
• Losing weight without trying
• New heartburn in someone over 55, or heartburn that changes and gets worse

Book a routine appointment if:

• Heartburn most days for more than three weeks
• Symptoms that keep coming back after you stop treatment
• You are thinking of trying herbal remedies and you take other medicines
• You are pregnant, breastfeeding or have a long-term condition such as kidney or liver disease
• Heartburn is affecting your sleep, work or mood

Diagnosis

Usually your doctor can tell what is going on from your symptoms and a short conversation about when the burning happens and what makes it better or worse. You may be asked about your diet, your medicines and any herbal products you use — bring them along or take a photo of the labels. If symptoms are typical and settle with treatment, no tests are needed.

Tests that may be done

• A trial of treatment to see if symptoms improve
• An endoscopy — a thin, flexible camera passed down the throat to look at the food pipe and stomach, done with sedation or a numbing spray
• A test for Helicobacter pylori (a common stomach bacterium) using a breath or stool sample
• A 24-hour acid test, where a small sensor measures acid in the food pipe over a day
• Blood tests, if another cause is suspected

What to expect at your appointment

Most appointments are quick and straightforward. If you need an endoscopy, it usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes and you can go home the same day. Your doctor will explain the results and any next steps, and you can ask questions about herbs you are taking at the same time.

Treatment

Treatment aims to reduce acid reflux, protect the food pipe and make you comfortable. It combines everyday changes, and where needed, standard medicines from your doctor or pharmacist. Herbal remedies are best seen as an optional extra that some people find soothing — not a replacement for medical advice. Tell your pharmacist or doctor about every herb you use.

Self-care at home

• Eat smaller meals and stop before you feel very full
• Leave about three hours between your last meal and lying down
• Raise the head end of your bed by 10 to 15 cm (on blocks or with a wedge pillow) — extra pillows alone do not help
• Keep a simple food and symptom diary to spot your triggers
• Loose clothing around the waist, and avoid bending over soon after eating
• If you are overweight, losing even a small amount can help a lot
• Stop smoking, and cut back on alcohol and caffeine
• If you want to try a herb, buy from a reputable supplier, start with one product at a time, and stop if you get any side effects
• Tell your pharmacist about any other medicines before starting a herb — some herbs can make medicines work differently
• Check with your doctor, pharmacist or midwife before using herbs if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver, kidney or heart problems

Medical treatments

Pharmacists and doctors offer a range of options. Some products neutralise acid on contact. Others reduce how much acid the stomach makes, and these come as short courses or longer-term treatment depending on your symptoms. Some people need a test-and-treat course if a stomach bacterium is found. Your clinician will choose what suits you, review it regularly, and check for interactions with any herbs or supplements you take. Always follow the label and the advice you are given, and never take more than recommended.

When is surgery considered?

Surgery is only considered for a small number of people whose symptoms stay severe despite treatment, or who cannot keep taking medicines long term. It is a keyhole operation that tightens the valve at the bottom of the food pipe. Your specialist would discuss the pros and cons in detail first.

Living with this condition

Heartburn is usually managed well day to day by knowing your triggers and planning meals and bedtime a little. Many people find a routine — an earlier, lighter evening meal and a raised bed head — makes a real difference within a couple of weeks.

Lifestyle tips

• Eat at regular times rather than one large late meal
• Keep a note of foods that set off symptoms and see if cutting back helps
• Wear comfortable clothing around your middle
• Stay active — a daily walk aids digestion and helps with weight
• Limit alcohol, and try cutting down on smoking or stopping with support
• Build in time to relax; stress really can make reflux feel worse
• Review your medicines, including herbs, with your pharmacist once a year

Diet and exercise

There is no single 'reflux diet' that suits everyone. Many people find that fatty and fried foods, chocolate, mint, tomatoes, citrus, onion, garlic, fizzy drinks, coffee and alcohol bring on symptoms — but yours may be different. Try cutting back on one thing at a time for a couple of weeks and keep a diary. Eat slowly, chew well, and avoid exercising hard straight after a big meal, as bending and straining can push acid up. Gentle regular activity, such as walking or swimming, is helpful.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Heartburn that keeps you up at night or spoils meals can be tiring and stressful, and stress in turn can make symptoms feel worse. This is a very common loop and it can be broken. If symptoms are affecting your mood, sleep or everyday life, tell your doctor — it is a normal thing to raise. If you ever feel you cannot cope, contact your doctor or your local crisis service straight away.

Prevention

You cannot always prevent heartburn, but you can greatly reduce how often it happens. Staying a healthy weight, eating smaller and earlier meals, limiting alcohol and caffeine, not smoking and raising the head of your bed are the changes with the strongest evidence behind them. Be cautious with herbs sold as 'cures' — no herb prevents reflux.

Vaccines

There is no vaccine for heartburn or acid reflux. Staying up to date with routine vaccinations is still good general health advice, especially if you have other long-term conditions.

Screening programmes

There is no routine screening programme for heartburn. Instead, doctors look out for 'red flag' symptoms — trouble swallowing, weight loss, vomiting blood or a change in long-standing symptoms — which warrant tests such as an endoscopy. If you have had heartburn for years, ask your doctor whether your symptoms need reviewing.

Complications

If left untreated

• Inflammation of the food pipe (oesophagitis), which can cause pain and bleeding
• Narrowing of the food pipe, making swallowing difficult
• A change in the cells lining the food pipe (called Barrett's oesophagus, a condition your doctor can monitor)
• Dental erosion and tooth sensitivity from repeated acid exposure
• A persistent cough, hoarse voice or disturbed sleep
• Worsening asthma or throat symptoms in some people

Long-term outlook

The outlook is good for most people. With simple lifestyle changes and, where needed, treatment from your pharmacist or doctor, symptoms usually settle well. Serious complications are uncommon, and when they do happen they are usually found early and managed. Herbal remedies may ease mild symptoms for some people, but they work best alongside, not instead of, the basics — and medical advice is always worth having if symptoms change or persist.

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