20 Best Ayurvedic Home Remedies For Acid Reflux

Dr. Shubham Kharche

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Shubham Kharche

Ayurveda

9 min read

Key Takeaways

  • Following simple ayurvedic home remedies can cure acidity
  • Chewing basil leaves is an effective ayurvedic remedy for acidity
  • Eating fennel seeds is another simple heartburn home remedy

Imagine feeling a volcano rushing down your throat. That’s exactly what happens during acidity. Your stomach secretes an acid that plays an important role in the digestion process. But when it produces excessive amounts of acid, you get stomach acidity. Heartburn is one of the main symptoms of acidity.

In Ayurveda, your digestive system is called the gatekeeper of your health. When your digestion proceeds without problems, your body’s metabolism also functions well. You’ll start to feel rejuvenated and fresh. All you need to do is give your tummy healthy and nutritious food to feel this way.

One of the evils of our lifestyle today is binging on unhealthy and processed foods. This causes toxin buildup in your body resulting in acid reflux or heartburn. Ayurveda links pitta imbalance to heartburn. Pitta is the digestive fire in your stomach. When you consume spicy foods, the number of pitta increases. Following simple ayurvedic home remedies can help you cure stomach acidity and heartburn.

Additional ReadAyurvedic Treatment for Constipation

Read on to know about various ayurvedic heartburn remedies that can help you.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Acid Reflux

The primary cause of heartburn mentioned in ayurveda is the damage to the fire elements of the body. This is due to various reasons, such as:

  • Consumption of extremely spicy food
  • Certain food items are known to cause gastric influx when consumed together, such as fish and milk, salt and milk, etc.
  • Smoking and drinking alcohol
  • Overconsumption of tea and coffee
  • Controlling the urge for bowel movements
  • Excessive exposure to the sun
  • Eating food made with white flour
  • Eating packaged or processed food

Acid reflux can elevate and cause severe discomfort if proper treatment is not received on time. Although there are multiple hyperacidity treatments in ayurveda, it is necessary that you know the quantities you must avoid to reduce the chances of hyperacidity.

By taking note of the ratios of the acidic products, you can keep your stomach and digestive system healthy:  

  • Reduce your intake of foods high in acid, such as tomatoes, vinegar, garlic, onions, and ginger
  • Avoid eating yogurt or curd at night
  • Stay away from carbonated, alcoholic, and coffee-related beverages
  • Limit the consumption of processed and packed food items
  • Practice yoga and breathing techniques such as Bhujangasana, Vajrasana, Shitkari Pranayam, etc.

 Symptoms of Acid Reflux/GERD

Although acid reflux or heartburn are commonly considered to cause a burning sensation in the stomach and food pipe, they can show different symptoms. Therefore, to get effective ayurvedic medicine for GERD, it is necessary to understand all the symptoms related to hyperacidity.

Some of the most common symptoms of acid reflux are:

  • Heartburn
  • Chest pain
  • Pain during swallowing of food
  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • The backwash of eaten food or stomach liquid

heartburn remedies

Ayurvedic Remedies For Acidity

According to Ayurveda, heartburn can be treated with readily available food items at home. Here is a list of the best ayurvedic medicine for acid reflux:

Cumin

It is an essential item in Indian cooking. To treat acidity, you need to grind the cumin seeds into powder form and mix half a teaspoon of this powder into one litre of water. Boil the water and filter it before consumption. You can keep having cumin-infused water till you recover from hyperacidity.

Indian Gooseberry

 This fruit contains antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. You can eat it raw or drink its juice to relieve heartburn. It is also used in some cuisines, such as pickle and murabba, to keep the digestive system on track.

Liquorice or mulethi

It is known to neutralise the acid in our stomach and relieve heartburn. To effectively treat hyperacidity, you need to grind the roots of liquorice and mix a teaspoon of honey to make a thick paste. After having your meal, you can lick this paste to improve digestion, which ultimately reduces any chances of acidity.

Anis

It is popularly known as saunf in Indian households. Apart from adding a distinct taste to various cuisines, aniseed is also helpful in reducing acidity. If you experience heartburn, you only need to chew a teaspoon of aniseed and swallow it with water to mitigate the symptoms.

Pumpkin

Apart from making delicious cuisines, it is also considered thebest ayurvedic medicine for acid reflux. To reduceacidity, you need to peel the white portion of the pumpkin and extract its juice. You can recover quickly from gastritis symptoms by consuming half a cup of this juice twice daily. 

Cardamom

Cardamom, also known as elaichi, has versatile health benefits. It promotes healthy digestion, lessens stomach cramps, relaxes the stomach wall, and curbs the overproduction of acid. For immediate effects, boil two elaichi pods in water before consuming.

Mint leaves

Mint cools down the burning sensation of the stomach and lowers acid production. To treat heartburn, you must chop the leaves and boil them in water. Once the mixture cools, you can drink it.

Cloves

Cloves increase saliva production in the mouth, which aids with digestion and lessens acidity sensations. Bite a clove and hold it in the mouth to reduce acidity. Within minutes, the clove's oils will lessen the acidity.

Ginger

Ginger is an effective ayurvedic remedy for acidity. It enhances digestion and makes it easier to absorb and assimilate nutrients. Increasing mucus secretion lessens the harm that acid causes to the stomach lining. Ginger can also help to prevent stomach ulcers.

Jaggery

Aside from being an excellent substitution for white sugar, jaggery also helps in reducing hyperacidity. You need to boil an ash gourd with the jaggery until it transforms into a thick mixture. Consumption of this daily will significantly lessen the burning sensation.

Tulsi

It is an ayurvedic medicine for hyperacidity that also contains antiulcer and mucus-producing qualities for the stomach. By chewing 5 to 6 tulsi leaves daily, you can ease your stomach discomfort caused by acidity.

Bananas

The potassium in ripe bananas aids in removing abrupt episodes of acidity. Moreover, bananas help to relieve constipation issues and encourage regular bowel movements.

Cold milk

Milk's high calcium content helps to prevent acid reflux by absorbing the acid produced by the stomach. Additionally, the cold temperature brings instant relief from the burning of the stomach.

Buttermilk

To get the maximum benefit of buttermilk in treating acidity, you need to add a pinch of turmeric and asafoetida to it while drinking. You can also add a few fenugreek seeds and consume the mixture at night.

tips for heartburn remedies

Minimize Heartburn by Chewing Basil Leaves

Tulsi or basil leaves are carminative, providing relief from flatulence or gas disorders. No wonder this is one of the best ayurvedic home remedies for acidity! All you need to do chew a leaf or two and you can see instant results for yourself. These leaves help in mucus production that eases your heartburn [1]. Tulsi also has anti-ulcer properties. They help in curbing the secretion of excess gastric juice. Another advantage is that it soothes your inflamed esophagus and stomach lining. So, why wait? Prepare a cup of hot tulsi tea and enjoy its umpteen benefits!

Prevent Stomach Acidity by Eating Fennel Seeds

Say no to heartburn by saying yes to fennel seeds. They contain a component called anethole that soothes the lining of your stomach. These seeds are also essential components of mouth fresheners. That’s the reason why many of us love to eat them especially after a heavy meal!

Some of the advantages of consuming fennel seeds are: 

  • It minimizes acidity 
  • It reduces flatulence and gastric issues

Heartburn, vomiting and other indigestion issues are common during pregnancy. Using this natural ayurvedic treatment for heartburn is a safe and effective method to get relief. Lactating mothers can also have fennel seeds during breastfeeding. They help in increasing milk supply [2].

Consume Cumin Seeds and Reduce Flatulence Issues

Cumin is an easily available ingredient sure to be in your kitchen shelf. Alkaline in nature, cumin seeds reduce hyperacidity by cooling your stomach acids. Consuming them also helps in boosting your digestion. Be it stomach pain, diarrhea or nausea, these seeds are an effective heartburn home remedy. Infuse cumin seeds in water, drink it, and see how quickly you get relief from acidity problems!

Additional readHow to Improve your Diet and Lifestyleheartburn remedies

Drink a Glass of Buttermilk and Say Goodbye to Acidity

This is one of the simplest ayurvedic treatment for acidity. Buttermilk is rich in lactic acid that minimizes your stomach acidity. With it, you can get easy relief from heartburn and acid reflux as it forms a coat on your stomach lining. Being a probiotic, buttermilk also cures stomach bloating. So, add buttermilk to your diet and keep acidity at bay!

Curb Heartburn by Eating a Ripe Banana Daily

Banana is one of the cheapest and easily available fruits in the market. It is also rich in potassium. Due to its antacid properties, eating a ripe banana can curb acid reflux and heartburn. Bananas are also rich in soluble fiber that helps in promoting digestion [3]. Eat a banana daily or have it in a smoothie to minimize your stomach ailments.

Reduce Your Acidity by Munching on a Piece of Jaggery

One of the simplest natural remedies for heartburn is to chew a piece of jaggery. It is rich in magnesium and improves your intestinal strength. By including jaggery in your meals, you can also resolve your reflux and bloating issues. Besides chewing it plain, you can also mix jaggery with cold water and drink it.

Ayurveda Tips To Prevent Acid Reflux

Acid reflux can cause you extreme discomfort. This can even affect your productivity at the workplace. Therefore, it is essential to be conscious of the steps you need to take to reduce the chances of getting hyperacidity. 

These are simple changes you can make by bringing changes to your eating habits to mitigate acidity:

Do’s

Don’ts 

  • Eat your meals on time.
  • Include food items that keep the stomach cool and improve digestion.
  • Have vegetables like a gourd, pumpkin, leafy greens, etc.
  • Include fruits like gooseberry, fig, pomegranate, grapes, etc., in your daily diet, as they have excellent digestive properties.
  • Drink lukewarm water after a 2-3 hour gap.
  • Take necessary rest and sound sleep.
  • Practice meditation and yoga regularly.
  • Avoid eating spicy food.
  • Remaining hungry for a prolonged time can adversely affect your digestion.
  • Avoid stressful situations as much as possible.
  • Avoid overeating after remaining hungry for a long time.
  • Avoid eating sour fruit and curd together.
  • Smoking or drinking alcohol excessively.
  • Disproportionate consumption of coffee or tea.
  • Lying down immediately after having food.

To minimize heartburn, ayurvedic home remedies are safe and effective. With these natural heartburn remedies, you can work towards a healthy digestive system. Another way to do this is by not taking long gaps between meals. This can aggravate acidity and heartburn issues. Avoid foods with excess salt and sour flavors and stop yourself from overeating. Fried and junk foods are definitely a big no! For more advice on beating acidity, connect with top ayurveda specialists and naturopaths on Bajaj Finserv Health. Book an appointment within minutes and bid adieu to your problems. Start living with a healthy stomach and a happy mind!

Published on 26 Oct 2021Last updated on 12 Apr 2023
  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3331186/pdf/ASL-15-53.pdf
  2. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gurmeet-Sarla-2/publication/335840673_Saunf_Do_we_really_need_fennel_seeds_after_a_meal/links/5d7fa2ac299bf10c1ab13019/Saunf-Do-we-really-need-fennel-seeds-after-a-meal.pdf
  3. https://www.phytojournal.com/vol1Issue3/Issue_sept_2012/9.1.pdf

Please note that this article is solely meant for informational purposes and Bajaj Finserv Health Limited (“BFHL”) does not shoulder any responsibility of the views/advice/information expressed/given by the writer/reviewer/originator. This article should not be considered as a substitute for any medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult with your trusted physician/qualified healthcare professional to evaluate your medical condition. The above article has been reviewed by a qualified doctor and BFHL is not responsible for any damages for any information or services provided by any third party.

Dr. Shubham Kharche

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Shubham Kharche

, BAMS 1

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