As part of healthy digestion, a band of muscle around the bottom of the oesophagus (lower oesophageal sphincter) relaxes to allow food and liquid to flow down into the stomach easily and tightens again after it is done. But sometimes, the process goes awry, and the sphincter relaxes atypically or weakens, in which case, stomach acid can rise back up to the oesophagus causing acid reflux, this is known as heartburn.
Heartburnsare very uncomfortable, and the discomfort is usually worse if you are bent over or lying down. To deal with the discomfort efficiently and not let it disrupt our normal day-to-day activities; it becomes important to know about essential oils for heartburn.
Heartburn is discomfort which arises in the chest area and may reach up to the neck. Heartburn usually happens due to gastric juice in oesophagus. Heartburn is also known as acid indigestion and this leads to a lot of discomfort from within.
Hence, to differentiate heartburn from GERD and a heart attack, the following symptoms need to be noticed: –
Heartburn may be caused due to the following reasons: –
[Also Read: Natural Remedies for Heartburn]
Following are the top ten essential oils for heartburn that are widely known to provide relief, and are useful even for heartburn during pregnancy:
Peppermint oil(1) is a valuable natural remedy for heartburn as peppermint at its core has soothing, cooling and relaxing properties. Additionally, it is mildly antibacterial and antifungal.
Peppermint contains analgesic compounds which soothe the gut walls and bring relief from the burning sensation of heartburn. It is an effective antispasmodic natural cure as it increases the rates of gastric emptying, which is essential for reducing the occurrence of gastrointestinal distress, including heartburn.
[Read: Home Remedies for Gastritis]
Lemon has always been known to be a great detoxifying agent, and the same applies for lemon oil as far as getting rid of heartburn is concerned.
Lemon oil is alkaline in nature. Therefore, it acts as a neutralising agent against the acid. It also has antibacterial properties. Consequently, it can cleanse the digestive system of harmful bacteria. Since the stomach is purified, it can produce fresh acid for optimal digestion of the next meal.
[Read: Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water]
Oranges and citrus fruits, in general, contain properties that offer health benefits.
In particular, orange essential oil helps with heartburn because it prevents muscle spasms.
As it aids in preventing muscle spasms it reduces acid refluxes or heartburns. It works better when combined with other liquids to dilute its acidic potency.
Ginger is a time-proven tried and tested cure for a variety of gastrointestinal problems, so it comes as no surprise that it is an efficacious remedy for severe heartburn as well.
[Read: Home Remedies for Heartburn]
Ginger oil(2) does wonder to calm the stomach and bring relief from heartburn.
Lavender has been used for a long time due to its relaxing effects. It works wonders for heartburn due to the same properties.
Lavender oil promotes relaxation. It also contains sedative properties which ensure that a person gets a good night’s sleep, as people who are prone to suffer from heartburn are also likely to suffer from night-time (or mid-sleep) acid refluxes.
Eucalyptus oil is known to have anti-inflammatory properties. It will heal the oesophageal muscles while fixing any internal burns that may have been caused by the acid reflux of heartburn.
As the body absorbs eucalyptus oil, the powerful compound Eucalyptol is released whose function is to work as a vasodilator (something that dilates – opens – blood vessels). These anti-inflammatory properties help get rid of the pain caused by heartburn.
Valerian root essential oil quickly eases upset stomachs and induces healthy bowel movements and urination. It detoxifies the body and improves the nutrient absorption of the gastrointestinal tract, thereby reducing the incidence of heartburns.
Valerian root oil relaxes the muscles. Thus it prevents spasms and acid refluxes. It paces the supply of a neurotransmitter called GABA, whose function is to relax the muscles. Akin to lavender oil, valerian root oil is also mildly sedative. Thus it is also useful in helping a person sleep well.
For all the benefits that essential oils boast of as far as being effective natural cures for heartburn are concerned, the wrong usage may end up being counterproductive and lead to some complications, side effects, and risks as well. Following are some pointers or precautions to keep in mind while using essential oils for heartburn: –
Coconut oil has many versatile uses and being an effective home remedy for heartburn is one of them.
The presence of lauric acid in coconut oil kills the fungus and bacteria that are responsible for heartburn. Also, since coconut oil is alkaline, it works as a neutralising agent and repairs the tissues that have been damaged by heartburn.
[Read: Acid Reflux in Babies By Knowing Its Symptoms]
Fish oil is a powerful dietary supplement with multiple benefits, including for heartburn.
Fish oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids(3) which help lubricate the intestines and thus help in solving intestinal and digestion problems such as heartburn.
Olive oil is a dicey choice as far as being a natural remedy for constant indigestion is concerned due to its acidic nature, but with some careful tweaks and planning, it can prove to be useful too.
Olive oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acid which is beneficial for the process of digestion. It functions as a healthy fat.
Here are some natural remedies of dealing with constant heartburn:
[Read: Home Remedies for Acid Reflux]
Heartburn is an intensely discomfiting experience as it ruins the feeling of having had delicious food by causing a burning sensation in the chest and creates a bland, sour taste the back of the throat.
If it is persistent, that is, as stated earlier, if it occurs more than twice a week then it is classified as GERD and requires more specialised attention, but occasional heartburn here and there can easily be remedied by making some lifestyle changes and inculcating various essential oils in a healthy dosage.
Make sure that you make use of medications as well as natural remedies to cure your heartburn problems and as a step to answer your question of “how to get rid of heartburns?”
Both are the same as they are both the results of stomach acid reflux. However, lying horizontally to sleep at night heightens the probability of experiencing heartburn as compared to sitting up or standing.
While heartburn sufferers experience a burning sensation which is a part of heartburn and associate the discomfort with intense heat; the trouble is not caused by temperature in any way, but by the irritation resulting from the upward movement of the acid present in the oesophagus.