Other names for Acid Indigestion

Acid reflux
Dyspepsia
Gastroesophageal discomfort
Heartburn
Upset stomach

Synopsis of Acid Indigestion

Acid indigestion, commonly known as heartburn or dyspepsia, refers to a burning sensation in the chest or discomfort in the upper abdomen caused by stomach acid backing up into the esophagus. This condition is often linked to the relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), allowing acid to escape from the stomach into the esophagus. While mild acid indigestion is common after eating certain foods or overeating, chronic or severe episodes can indicate gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Symptoms include a burning chest sensation, bloating, nausea, and regurgitation of food or sour liquid.

Types:

• Occasional indigestion: Mild episodes triggered by food, stress, or overeating.

• Chronic indigestion (Functional dyspepsia): Persistent or recurring upper abdominal discomfort without an obvious cause.

• Acid reflux (GERD): Frequent acid backing up into the esophagus, leading to ongoing symptoms and possible esophageal damage.

Common Causes:

• Overeating: Stretching the stomach can increase acid production and pressure on the LES.

• Trigger foods and beverages: Spicy foods, fatty meals, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, and acidic foods can weaken the LES or increase acid.

• Smoking: Weakens the LES and stimulates acid production.

• Obesity: Increased abdominal pressure can push stomach contents upward.

• Stress and anxiety: Can influence stomach acid production and digestive motility.

• Hiatal hernia: A structural issue where part of the stomach pushes into the chest cavity, weakening the LES.

• Medications: NSAIDs, aspirin, certain antibiotics, and blood pressure medications can irritate the stomach lining or LES function.

More Severe Causes (Complications):

• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Chronic acid reflux damaging the esophageal lining.

• Esophagitis: Inflammation of the esophagus due to prolonged acid exposure.

• Barrett’s esophagus: A precancerous condition where the esophageal lining changes from chronic acid exposure.

• Ulcers: Stomach acid eroding the stomach or esophageal lining.

• Strictures: Narrowing of the esophagus from repeated damage.

When to See a Doctor:

• Symptoms occur more than twice per week

• Pain interferes with daily activities or sleep

• Difficulty swallowing or a feeling of food stuck in the throat

• Unintended weight loss

• Vomiting blood or passing black stools

• Persistent nausea or vomiting

• Chest pain (especially if it radiates to the arm, neck, or jaw—rule out heart conditions)

Natural remedies for Acid Indigestion

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Tonic: Although acidic, ACV can support proper stomach acid levels and improve digestion. Dilute 1 tablespoon in a glass of water and drink before meals to ease indigestion symptoms.

Ginger Tea: Ginger aids in digestion and has anti-inflammatory effects that soothe the stomach lining. Sip fresh ginger tea before or after meals to reduce nausea and acid discomfort.

Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate): Acts as a natural antacid, neutralizing excess stomach acid. Mix ½ teaspoon in a glass of water and drink occasionally for relief.

Chewing Gum: Stimulates saliva production, which helps neutralize stomach acid and wash it back into the stomach. Choose sugar-free gum after meals.

Aloe Vera Juice: Aloe soothes the esophageal lining and reduces inflammation. Drink a small amount (1–2 ounces) of decolorized aloe vera juice before meals.

Slippery Elm Bark Tea: Forms a soothing coating along the esophagus and stomach lining, protecting from acid. Drink as a tea before meals or bedtime.

Chamomile Tea: Reduces stomach inflammation and calms stress-related acid production. Drink 1–2 cups daily, particularly after meals.

Licorice Root (DGL Form): Promotes mucus production, protecting the stomach lining from acid. Take DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) tablets before meals.

Elevate the Head While Sleeping: Prevents acid from flowing back into the esophagus during sleep. Raise the head of the bed by 6–8 inches or use a wedge pillow.

Ingredients

These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to treat Acid Indigestion

Acacia
Acid protease
Actinidin
Activated charcoal
Agarwood
Agastache
Agrimonia pilosa
Agrimony
Algin
Alginic acid
Allspice
Aloe vera
alpinia galangal
American Liverleaf
Amomum
Amor seco
anemarrhena asphodeloides
Angelica
Angostura
anise
Anserina
apple
apple cider vinegar
Arani
Ardisia
arrowroot
artichoke
asafoetida
Asam gelugor
aster root
Asteraceae
atractylodes
atractylone
bacillus coagulans
bacteria
bael
balloon flower
balsam
banana
barberry
barley
basil
Bassia scoparia
bayleaf
bee products
Belamcanda
belleric myrobalan
bentonite
berberine
Berberis (unspecified)
Bergenia
bicarbonate
Bidens pilosa
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium longum
bile salt
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
bitter principals
black cumin
black galingale
black nightshade
black root
black salt
blackberry
blackboard tree
blackthorn
Boerhavia diffusa
boldo
Bombax
borassus palm
borneol
bottle gourd
Broussonetia
buckthorn
Buddha\'s hand
bupleurum falcatum
buttermilk
butternut
bасора
cabbage
cactus
calamus
calcium
Camellia sinensis
cape aloe
capers
caraway
cardamom
carqueja
carvone
cassia bark
cayenne pepper
celery
Centaurium erythraea
centaury
Chaenomeles lagenaria
chamomile
chen pi
chirata
chloride
Cinnamomum
cinnamon
citron
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
Clostridium butyricum
clove
coconut
coconut milk
colocynth
colombo
Coptis chinensis
coriander
costus
cubeb
cucumber
cumin
Curcuma
curcumen
Curcuminoid
curry leaf
dandelion
dill
dragonhead
Echinodorus
emodin
empresstree
English horsemint
enzyme blend
enzymes blend (proprietary)
European five-finger grass
Evodia
false calumba
fennel
fernbush
ferula assafoetida
fiber
fiber blend (proprietary)
flavonones
fleabane
flowering quince
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
Fumaria parviflora
fumitory
fungal enzymes blend (proprietary)
Galangal
gallotannin
Gardenia jasminoides
gentian
gentian root
Gentianella alborosea
Gentianella amarella
ghatti
giant blazingstar
ginger
Glycyrrhetinic acid
goldthread
gooseberry
Greek mountain tea
green banana
green chiretta
Guava
gum
heal-all
Hedychium spicatum
Helicteres isora
Hemidesmus
herbal blend (proprietary)
Himalayan salt
honey
honey loquat syrup
horehound
Horsemint
horseradish
Houttuynia
Huang hua
Indian bael
Indian fagonia
Indian gum arabic tree
Indian kinotree
indigo leaves
iridoids
Javanese Long Pepper
Jurubeba
Kefir
kuding tea
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus paracasei
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus salivarius
Large-leaf gentian
lemon
lemongrass
Lesser speargrass
licorice root
limonene
lipase
long pepper
loquat
lotus
lovage
luffa
Lycopodium
mace
magnesium
mallow
manzanita
Marjoram
Marshmallow
Mastic gum
Matapalo Tree
Maytenus ilicifolia
Meadowsweet
Mentha haplocalyx
Menthol oil
Methylmethionine sulfonium chloride (vitamin U)
Microbial enzymes (proprietary)
Milk
Mint
Momordica
Monoterpenes
Mucilage
Mung bean
Mustard
Myrobalan
Natsudaidai
Nigella seed
Nutmeg
olive
oregano
Oroxylum indicum
Orris
Oryza sativa
Osmanthus
ox bile
papain
papaya
Papayotin
paw paw
peach
pear
Pepper
Pepper Bark Tree
pepsin
Persimmon
Peucedanum
Phellodendron
phellodendron amurense
Physalis angulata
Pimpinella
pineapple
Pinellia ternata
Piper nigrum
Piper retrofractum
Plantago
plantain
Plectranthus amboinicus
Pluchea
plum fruit
Polygonum
Portulaca
potash
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
prickly ash
probiotics
Propolis
Psacalium peltatum
pumpkin
quassia
Quillaja
quince
radish
raspberry
rhizome
rhubarb
Rhus coriaria
rice
Rooibos
root tuber
rose
rosemary
Rubus
Sassafras
Savory
Scabrous Gentian
sea salt
Self-Heal
Servicetree
Sete sangrias
Shen Qu
shen-chu
Shogaol
Sichuan pepper
Sicklepod
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
Smartweed
Solanum indicum
spearmint leaf
Spilanthes
squawvine
Stellaria dichotoma
Stone Root
Sumac
Sweet Bay
sweet flag
Sweet Orange alcohol
Swertia
Szechuan lovage
Tagetes
Tamarind
Tannins
Taraxacum
Tarragon
Tea
Terminalia
Tinospora cordifolia
Triphala
Tulbaghia
turmeric
Ulmus
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
Vidanga
Violet
Wasabi
Wax Gourd
White oak