Introduction

Acidity can hit at the most inconvenient times, leaving you with a burning sensation in your chest and discomfort. While occasional acidity is normal, frequent episodes can disturb your day-to-day life.
You don’t always need to reach for over-the-counter antacids. Here are some simple home remedies that can help relieve acidity and restore comfort.

Friendly Reminder: The information shared here is for educational purposes only, and the reader should consult a registered medical practitioner before implementing any changes to their health routine.

Symptoms of Acidity

Throat, stomach, or chest pain and burning sensation bloating or gas Indigestion
Bad breath
Constipation
Nausea or feeling of vomiting
After eating, heaviness in the stomach Frequent burps
Reflux of undigested food coming back into our mouth

Common Causes of Acidity

Over-eating
Eating at odd times or skipping meals
Unhealthy eating habits include too much tea, coffee, cold drinks, junk, spicy, oily food, etc
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), food intolerance, and other stomach conditions An unhealthy lifestyle, such as taking too
much stress, sleeping less, smoking[7], drinking alcohol, etc
Some medicines can also cause acidity
Acidity is often confused with other conditions.

Here is a quick guide to understanding these terms better:

Acid Reflux/Acidity

The oesophagus carries food from your mouth to the stomach.
When the gastro-oesophagal valve (present at the junction of the oesophagus and stomach) is weak or malfunctioning, acid can go back up the tube.
This causes several symptoms, all of which fall under acid reflux or acidity.

Heartburn

Heartburn is a symptom of acidity[4].
When the acid moves up the oesophagus, it touches the tube’s lining and causes a sharp burning sensation in the chest.
It is sometimes mistaken for a heart attack but can be milder as well.
Heartburn usually occurs after eating and can get worse if you bend over.

GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)

GERD is a long-term acid reflux.
It is usually due to damage, deformation, or other issues with the oesophagal muscle.
It can be more severe than regular acidity.
While GERD is mistaken for a heart attack, sometimes GERD patients may experience a heart attack but misinterpret it as an acidity attack.

Gas

Burping or feeling bloated with gas is common after eating; some people experience more severe gas.
It may be a chronic issue in some people due to dietary habits.
The same foods and lifestyle that cause acid reflux may also lead to gas.

Effective Home Remedies to Soothe Acidity

1. Fennel or Saunf

Fennel water may help ease acidity and related symptoms like heartburn and bloating while improving digestion.

2. Black Cumin Seeds

Chew cumin seeds directly or boil one teaspoon of them in a glass of water and drink it to relieve acidity. Black cumin seeds are gastro-protective. They are effective in reducing and preventing acidity and its symptoms like heartburn, pain, nausea, bloating, constipation, etc[5].

3. Cloves

Chew and suck a piece of clove to get rid of acidity and its symptoms like flatulence, indigestion, nausea, gastric irritability, etc.

4. Lukewarm Water

Drinking a glass of lukewarm water on an empty stomach and before sleeping at night may support digestion and relieve acidity.

5. Watermelon Juice

A glass of watermelon juice is good for digestion and effective at reducing acidity[6]. 6. Cardamom
Chewing one cardamom pod every day helps reduce the chances of acidity and flatulence and also improves digestion.

7. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar contains proteins, enzymes and pectin, making it a highly nutritious addition to your diet. Some people claim that reduced amounts of stomach acid may cause acid reflux, and this vinegar can introduce more acid into the system. However, it is advisable to consult a doctor before consuming it.

8. Almonds

Almonds are rich in nutrients and fibre, which may help reduce the risk of heartburn and absorb acid. Though there is no substantial clinical evidence for the same. Acidity issues are linked to appetite and diet. Almonds can help regulate these factors due to their high nutritional value.

9. Jaggery

Jaggery contains potassium and magnesium. Potassium is essential for maintaining pH balance and stimulating mucous production in the stomach lining. This helps alleviate your symptoms and prevents acid overload. Magnesium is necessary to maintain a healthy digestive system, which lowers the likelihood of acidity and other digestive issues.

10. Mint Leaves

Mint leaves not only aid in digestion but also bring a cooling effect to your body. Mint leaves are a simple yet effective solution against acidity for temporary relief and long-term support against acid reflux.

11. Buttermilk

The lactic acid in buttermilk normalises the acidity in the stomach and gives a soothing effect. A glass of buttermilk topped with coriander and black pepper may alleviate acidity symptoms.

12. Ginger

Ginger tea or raw ginger can help with digestion and prevent acidity. Ginger[11] stimulates digestive juices, helping break down food and preventing excess stomach acid. Its anti-inflammatory properties also soothe the digestive system, reducing discomfort from acidity.

13. Banana

Bananas are effective in neutralising acidity and alleviating heartburn. Combining bananas with milk can further help suppress excessive acid production, relieving digestive issues. This natural remedy provides soothing effects and promotes digestive comfort.

14. Papaya

Papaya is beneficial for reducing gastric acid secretion and easing acidity due to its natural enzyme, papain[12]. By breaking down proteins and supporting a stomach with a more balanced pH, papain aids digestion. This enzyme’s properties contribute to relieving symptoms associated with acidity, making papaya a natural remedy for digestive discomfort.

15. Ajwain

The consumption of ajwain alleviates acidity and flatulence. It is renowned for its digestive benefits and is an effective anti-acidic agent. Ajwain helps soothe the stomach and alleviate discomfort associated with acidity.

16. Milk

Cold Drinking a glass of cold milk provides instant relief from acidity. The milk helps neutralise excess stomach acid, reducing the burning sensation and discomfort associated with acidity quickly and effectively[2] .

17. Baking Paste

Acidity and heartburn can be quickly alleviated by combining 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, neutralises stomach acid, easing the discomfort caused by acid reflux and heartburn[2].

18. Turmeric

Turmeric contains curcumin, anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe the digestive system and reduce irritation caused by excess stomach acid[8]. Integrating turmeric into meals or consuming it as a supplement can be beneficial for managing acidity and related symptoms.

19. Sleeping on Your Left Side

If food-based remedies don’t work, you can try non-food methods like sleeping on your left side. This position helps keep stomach acid below the oesophagus, reducing the risk of acid reflux. However, because stomach acid may reach the sphincter, sleeping on your right side can increase your risk of acid reflux[9].

20. Chew on Some Gum

Chewing gum may help reduce acidity because the bicarbonate in it can help neutralize the acid and prevent reflux, according to some studies[3]. More substantial research is required to support this finding, but chewing gum can also create more saliva, which can help clear the oesophagus.

21. Raise Your Head While Sleeping

Elevating the head of your bed can help reduce symptoms of acidity. Research[10] indicates that people who used a wedge to support and elevate their upper body may experience less acid reflux than those who slept flat. This is another effective home remedy that may provide relief.