Home Remedies for Acidity or Heartburn: Amla | Holy Basil | Fennel Seeds | Cumin Seeds | Cinnamon | Cold Milk | Buttermilk | Ginger | Clove | Turmeric | Mint | Licorice | Apple Cider Vinegar | Jaggery | Peppermint Tea | Chamomile | Baking Soda | Banana | Papaya | Lemon Water | Coconut Water | Aloe Vera Juice | Ajwain | Raw Almonds | Conclusion
Acidity problems can cause a lot of discomforts, from heartburn and indigestion to nausea and bloating. Increasing acids in the stomach can cause symptoms like weakness, illness, heartburn, chest pain, and inflammation. While medication can be used to relieve the symptoms, some home remedies can help.
In this article, we will explore 24 home remedies that can provide relief from acidity while being safe and effective.
Whether it’s simple lifestyle changes or herbal beverages, these natural treatments can help you get your digestive system back on track.
So, let’s take a look at these remedies and see how they can help you with acidity problems.
Here is the list of 24 Home remedies for acidity or heartburn:
- Amla or Amalaki
- Holy Basil or Tulsi
- Fennel Seeds
- Cumin Seeds
- Cinnamon
- Cold Milk
- Buttermilk
- Ginger
- Clove
- Turmeric
- Mint
- Licorice
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Jaggery
- Peppermint Tea
- Chamomile
- Baking Soda
- Banana
- Papaya
- Lemon Water
- Coconut Water
- Aloe Vera Juice
- Ajwain
- Raw Almonds
1. Amla or Amalaki
The Indian gooseberry, or Amla (Amalaki), is a well-known and important medicinal plant, frequently used in Ayurveda medicine. (1)
Amla has a long history of use as an Ayurveda medicine in India. Because of their many beneficial properties, amla fruits and leaves are widely used as home remedies for acidity.
According to WHO, Amla has antacid, anti-ulcer, anti-emetic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. They are also rich in Vitamin C. Studies have proven that Amla can prevent acidity or heartburn or acid reflux. Amla is also helpful in gastritis. (2)
In addition to their antacid or anti-acidity effect, they are used to treat a variety of conditions including ocular disease, anemia, diabetes, asthma, cough, constipation, and colitis. Moreover, they help digestion and provide a natural immunity boost. (3)
The Bottom Line: The Indian gooseberry or Amla, an ayurvedic medicine can be used as a home remedy for acidity or heartburn. Along with being rich in Vitamin C (antioxidant property), Amla can prevent acidity and vomiting. It can also be beneficial in gastritis.
2. Holy Basil or Tulsi
Holy basil, commonly known as Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) in India, has tremendous health benefits. In ayurveda, Holy basil or Tulsi is called “Mother Medicine of Nature” and “The Queen of Herbs” due to its ample health benefits. (4, 5)
Tulsi leaves are effective in preventing hyperacidity. (6) Tulsi also heals mouth ulcers and reduces gum inflammation. (7, 8)
The Bottom Line: Holy basil or Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) has excellent health benefits. It’s very effective against severe acidity and can heal mouth ulcers and helps against swollen gums.
3. Fennel Seeds
Fennel seeds are traditionally used for medicinal purposes. It is one of the best effective home remedies for acidity.
The entire fennel plant is useful including roots, fruits, oil, and flowers. There are mainly three varieties of fennel seeds: Bitter fennel, Sweet fennel, and Ucria.
They are a good source of antioxidants such as Flavonoids, Kaempferols, and Vitamin C. Fennel seeds are beneficial in getting relief in case of acidity, gas, bloating, and stomach discomfort. (9)
Fennel seeds have antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidative, and antitumor effects and can lower the blood sugar level in diabetic patients. (10)
Fennel seeds are also a great remedy for irregular periods or menstrual cycles and for mothers having problems with breastfeeding. It improves overall women’s health. (11)
The Bottom Line: Fennel seeds are a great source of antioxidants such as flavonoids, kaempferols, and vitamin C. As medicinal seeds, they are used to treat acidity or heartburn, gas problem, bloating, and stomach problems. They can fight against fungi, bacteria, viruses, and tumors. Fennel seeds can regular your periods or menstrual cycle and help mothers with breastfeeding problems.
4. Cumin Seeds
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has certified cumin as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) for use in cooking as a spice and for flavoring. (12)
Black Cumin seeds can help you with acidity or heartburn by reducing gastric acid production. Also, they are beneficial for liver and kidney problems. (13)
Cumin seeds are high in antioxidants and can help in digestion. It increases digestive enzymes in the intestine. They can lower your fasting blood sugar levels and post-prandial blood sugar levels. Cumin seeds are known to lower blood pressure levels. (14)
The black cumin seeds have antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticoagulant properties. (15)
The Bottom Line: Black cumin seeds help you with acidity or heartburn, liver problems, and kidney problems. Cumin seeds benefit digestion, lowering blood sugar levels, and lowering blood pressure levels. Along with antioxidant effects, cumin seeds have antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anticoagulant effects.
5. Cinnamon
Cinnamon bark is one of the most widely used spices in cooking and medicine. (16)
According to a study performed at Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, cinnamon can be used as a remedy for acidity or heartburn. (17)
Cinnamon can also help you lose weight and protect your heart. (18)
Cinnamon has antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antitumor, and antioxidative effects. It can lower the levels of blood sugar and bad cholesterol. (19, 20, 21)
The Bottom Line: Most commonly used cinnamon bark can be used as a home remedy for acidity or heartburn. It can help you cut off some weight and benefits your overall heart health. Cinnamon can reduce your blood sugar and bad cholesterol levels and fight against most viruses and bacteria.
6. Cold Milk
Milk from cows and other dairy products has been consumed by humans of all ages for millennia. However, beyond its nutritional benefits, milk has numerous health benefits. (22)
Milk is extremely rich in calcium and important for making your bones and teeth strong. Along with calcium, it is a good source of some minerals such as magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus. (23)
Cold milk is an easily available and one of the effective home remedies for acidity. It neutralizes the pH of the acids in your stomach significantly, hence helping in acidity. (24)
The Bottom Line: Milk is a powerful home remedy for getting strong bones and teeth. However, drinking cold milk can also help reduce your acidity fast by neutralizing the pH of stomach acid.
7. Buttermilk
Buttermilk is a widely consumed cooling and digesting drink in India.
It is recommended in Ayurveda for both the prevention of disease and the upkeep of overall health. (25)
According to Ayurveda, being rich in potassium, vitamin B12, calcium, phosphorous, and probiotics, buttermilk is very helpful in digestion-related problems including acidity or heartburn and constipation problem. Buttermilk doesn’t allow the acid to come up from the esophagus and hence prevents acidity or heartburn. (26)
Consumption of buttermilk can reduce the levels of bad cholesterol in the body. (27)
The Bottom Line: Buttermilk is rich in potassium, vitamin B12, calcium, phosphorous, and probiotics, helping in reducing acidity or heartburn. It also prevents constipation and can lower the levels of bad cholesterol.
8. Ginger
Ginger is widely used as a spice and as ayurvedic medicine worldwide. It is a good source of carbohydrates (50-70%).
Ginger is effective against most stomach problems including discomfort in the stomach, acidity or heartburn, feeling full before you’re full, burping, and nausea. It reduces all these symptoms by emptying the stomach content. (29, 30)
The Bottom Line: Ginger helps empty the stomach and hence helps in problems such as acidity or heartburn, bloating gas, or stomach discomfort.
9. Clove
Clove is widely used in almost all kinds of cuisines around the world. It is the most powerful antioxidant source.
There are ample health benefits of clove including dental problems such as toothache, digestive problems such as acidity, bloating, loose motion, nausea, indigestion, sexual problems, and bone problems. (31)
The Bottom Line: Clove is a very potent antioxidant and effective in dental problems, stomach problems, sexual problems, and bone problems.
10. Turmeric
Turmeric also known as Curcuma longa, from the ginger family has numerous health benefits. The main yellow color component of turmeric is Curcumin. (32, 33)
Turmeric may help you with acidity or heartburn because it can reduce the gastric acid secretions in the stomach. (34)
In addition to that, it has been widely used for the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) conditions like indigestion, flatulence, diarrhea, and even gastric ulcers. (35, 36, 37)
The Bottom Line: Most commonly used kitchen ingredient “Turmeric” can be used as a home remedy for acidity or heartburn, indigestion, flatulence, diarrhea, and gastric ulcers.
11. Mint
Mint (Mentha) is a very popular medicinal herb and has a strong aroma. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family. (38)
Mint is having many health benefits and many applications. It is used in making bubble gums, lozenges, toothpaste, pain balms, cold balms, etc. Mint can be used to treat some stomach-related problems such as acidity, indigestion, and gas problem. (39)
Mint has higher antioxidant and antibacterial properties that help remove free radicals and bacterial infection from the body. (40)
The Bottom Line: Very popular aromatic medicinal herb, Mint (Mentha) can be used as a great home remedy for acidity and heartburn, indigestion, and gas problem. It has antioxidant properties as well as antibacterial properties.
12. Licorice
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a traditional plant-based medicine as well as a natural sweetener. (41, 42)
It is one of the greatest natural home remedies for stomach acidity and pain. It soothes acids better than alkalies. (43)
Licorice helps in fighting free radicals in the body, some viruses, and some cancers such as cervical, hepatoma, colon, breast, and prostate cancer, losing weight, and lowering blood sugar levels. It also helps in the case of depression due to its anti-depression effect. It detoxifies the liver. (44, 45)
The Bottom Line: Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), a natural sweetener is used as a natural home remedy to treat stomach acidity, stomach pain, some cancers, and depression. It helps in losing weight, lowering blood sugar levels, and detoxifying the liver.
13. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is used as a home remedy since the ancient era. (46)
It is made from renewed pressed apples just like you make apple juice, but it is not filtered. It is made through the fermentation process. (47, 48)
There is no strong evidence available if apple cider vinegar is going to help with your acidity or heartburn. But according to healthline, ACV can help in balancing your stomach pH by balancing stomach acid and hence prevent acidity or heartburn. (49)
Apart from acidity, Apple cider vinegar is used for many other purposes as a home remedy. It helps in losing weight fast, lowering blood sugar levels, and reducing bad cholesterol levels. It improves digestion and is helpful in Alzheimer’s disease. (50, 51)
The Bottom Line: Apple cider vinegar to some extent helps in acidity or heartburn but there is no strong evidence. It helps in losing weight, lowering blood glucose levels, and reducing LDL levels. It benefits indigestion and Alzheimer’s disease.
14. Jaggery
Jaggery (Gur) is made from sugarcane juice. It’s a natural sweetener and a great sugar substitute. (52)
Though no evidence is there some say, jaggery can help with acidity or heartburn. On the other end, the study performed to know the effect of sugar can flour (the same composition as jaggery) showed no improvement in GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) symptoms. Hence, eating jaggery may or may not work for you in case of acidity or heartburn. (53, 54)
The Bottom Line: Jaggery may or may not help in acidity or heartburn.
15. Peppermint Tea
Peppermint is a widely used home remedy for digestion-related problems and nerve-related problems. It is effective in treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). (55)
And if you see there is a connection between IBS and GERD (which causes acidity or heartburn). Hence, treating IBS may help in treating acidity or heartburn. So, if you drink peppermint tea it may eliminate the acidity. (56, 57)
On the other hand, one study done to check the effect of peppermint tea on GERD suggested that drinking peppermint tea every day can cause GERD symptoms and hence acidity or heartburn. (58)
The Bottom Line: Some evidence shows that peppermint tea may treat acidity some don’t. So, you can try peppermint tea if it works for you or not.
16. Chamomile
There is no doubt that chamomile is one of the oldest medicinal plants and is widely used by humans. (59)
An herbal mixture containing numerous herbals including chamomile suggested that this mixture reduced gastric acidity as well as hyperacidity. So, we can say that yes, chamomile can help with acidity. (60)
The Bottom Line: Most ancient and commonly used home remedy, Chamomile benefits in acidity. You must consider chamomile as the best natural home remedy for acidity.
17. Baking Soda
Baking soda (Sodium bicarbonate) is used as medicine for many diseases. It is available as a tablet or injection. (61)
Baking soda helps in neutralizing the pH of the stomach acid and hence benefits in eliminating acidity or heartburn. (24)
But beware of sodium bicarb toxicity as too much consumption of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) can lead to death. (62)
The Bottom Line: In controlled amount baking soda can help you with acidity, but beware of high doses as it can cause death.
18. Banana
You should always include fruits and vegetables in your diet. From that list of fruits, Banana has many health benefits including relieving GI problems. Banana reduces the acidity present in the stomach hence helping in acidity or heartburn. It also aids in stomach ulcers. (63)
One study done on Iranian people stated that eating fruits and vegetables including bananas can aid in eliminating GERD symptoms such as acidity or heartburn. (64)
The Bottom Line: Eating bananas if you have acidity or heartburn, is helpful. It reduces the acidic pH in the stomach. You should always consider bananas as one of the best home remedies for acidity.
19. Papaya
Papaya (Carica papaya) is very tasty and juicy fruit. It can prevent acidity or heartburn when consumed with a little bit of honey before a meal. (65)
Papaya is rich in antioxidants, hence it can remove all free radicals from the body and fight against some cancers. It can lower the blood glucose level and make your skin radiant. (66)
The Bottom Line: Very tasty and juicy papaya can aid in acidity or heartburn when consumed before a meal with a teaspoon of honey.
20. Lemon Water
Lemon is a widely consumed yellow, citrusy fruit, mainly its juice. The US is the majorly producing lemon across the globe. Lemon has ample health benefits including improving digestion and boosting energy and immunity. It helps you lose weight and makes your skin look brighter. It’s a good source of Vitamin C. (67)
Though lemon is acidic in nature, when you mix it with water, lemon water becomes alkaline and reduces the acid pH of the stomach. Hence, it helps with acidity or heartburn. (68)
The Bottom Line: When you mix lemon with water it becomes nonacidic and hence helps you with acidity or heartburn. You can also drink lemon water to lose weight fast and make your skin radiant.
21. Coconut Water
Coconut water is a very tasty and nutritious drink and has many health benefits. (69)
It is an isotonic natural water and rich in potassium, which helps in balancing the pH of the stomach acid. This way coconut water can help you with acidity. (70)
The Bottom Line: pH neutralizing property of coconut water makes it the perfect home remedy for acidity.
22. Aloe Vera Juice
For centuries, Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis miller) is used as medicine for various health problems including skin problems. Aloe vera is rich in vitamins and minerals. (71)
Consuming aloe vera juice is very helpful in irritable bowel, acidity, Crohn’s disease, indigestion, heartburn, and many other problems related to the GI tract. (72, 73, 74)
Aloe vera juice improves kidney and liver functions.
The Bottom Line: Drinking aloe vera juice can help you with any stomach and intestine problems including acidity or heartburn.
23. Ajwain
Ajwain (Carum copticum) is extensively used in Indian food and has many therapeutic uses. (75)
It is widely used to treat stomach and intestine-related problems such as acidity, heartburn, indigestion, heavy belly after eating, gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea, etc. (75, 76)
Ajwain is also very effective in cases of cough, cold, asthma, influenza, and cholera. (77)
The Bottom Line: Consuming Ajwain is one of the very effective home remedies for acidity as well as indigestion. It is also effective against some severe respiratory disorders like asthma and flu.
24. Raw Almonds
The US is the largest producer of almonds in the world. Consuming nuts such as almonds, cashews, walnut, etc. have numerous health benefits for your body. (78)
Chewing 8 to 10 raw almonds can reduce acidity or heartburn. (79)
Eating almonds daily can help you with coronary heart disease (CHD), and type 2 diabetes and also benefits in losing weight and lowering bad cholesterol levels. (80)
The Bottom Line: Eating 8 to 10 raw almonds is an easy home remedy for acidity or heartburn.
Conclusion
Acidity is a common problem that can cause severe discomfort and pain. Fortunately, there are many home remedies available to help you manage your acidity problems.
From drinking peppermint tea or chamomile tea to eating bananas or having a cup of fennel seeds, these simple solutions can provide relief quickly and without the need for medication.
Make sure to follow all safety precautions when trying any home remedy and speak with your doctor if you have any questions about your specific condition.
With proper care and attention, you can easily find relief from acidity issues in no time!