Before you reach for an antacid tablet, try these three natural remedies:
- Press the point
Acupressure is a quick way to stop acid rising into your oesophagus. To find the right point, place two fingertips about four inches above your navel. Gently press on this spot until you feel relief.
- Line your stomach
Certain herbs produce mucilage, a thick, sticky substance that, like saliva, coats your digestive tract and forms a protective barrier that neutralises the acid. One is licorice tea (Glycyrrhiza glabra), which has also been shown to inhibit the growth of bacteria; another is slippery elm powder (Ulmus fulva). Drink the tea or add the powder to water and sip.
- Try homoeopathy
Take Pulsatilla if you suffer from acid reflux after eating fatty foods, or Nux vomica if you are easily irritated and your back and neck muscles feel tight.
