Herbal Remedies for Acidity and Gas

The perfect pH range for the human body is between 6.0 and 6.8 -the human body is naturally mildly acidic. The normal body values below pH 6.3 are considered on the acidic side. Acidity is connected with heartburn and formation of gas in the stomach. In acidity, acid reflux disease, there is a movement of gastric juices from the stomach into the lower esophagus food pipe. This is a situation which is caused when acidic contents in the stomach, hydrochloric acid move upward into the esophagus and rendering it dysfunctional. Knowing the right treatment at right time and causes of any disease, such as acidity or acid reflux, is very vital for accurate treatments. In Ayurveda, it is considered to be caused by the aggravation of pitta dosha that is responsible for burning sensation caused in the chest region.

Acidosis is a state in which body chemistry becomes imbalanced and overly acidic. Signs connected with acidosis include recurrent sighing, unusually low blood pressure, acid or strong perspiration, insomnia, water retention, recessed eyes, arthritis, migraine headaches, dry solid stools, foul-smelling stools followed by a smoldering sensation in the anus, irregular constipation and diarrhea, difficulty in swallowing, halitosis, a burning sensation in the mouth and/or under the tongue, sensitivity of the teeth to vinegar and acidic fruits, and bumps on the tongue or the roof of the mouth.

Common Signs of Acid Reflux are:

Heartburn: A burning pain or discomfort that may move from your stomach to your abdomen or chest, or even up into your throat

Regurgitation: A sour or bitter-tasting acid backing up into your throat or mouth

Other signs of acid reflux disease as follows:

Bloating

Hiccups that won’t stop

Nausea

Weight loss without known reason

Wheezing, dry cough, hoarseness, or a chronic sore throat

Bloody or black stools or bloody vomiting

Burping

Dysphagia: A contraction of your esophagus that creates the sensation of food being stuck in your throat

Acidosis can be classified into two: respiratory and metabolic.

Respiratory acidosis is brought about by an interruption of the acid control of the body, leading to an overabundance of acidic fluids or the depletion of the base (alkali). Basically, it occurs if the lungs are not able to eliminate carbon dioxide. Respiratory acidosis can be a consequence of asthma, bronchitis, or obstruction of the airway. Respiratory acidosis can be either mild or severe.

Metabolic acidosis occurs when chemical changes in the body upset the body's acid-base balance, thereby causing an excessive amount of acid in the body fluids. The use of abnormally large amounts of aspirin, diabetes mellitus, kidney failure, and metabolic diseases are some of the conditions that can weaken the body's alkaline base.

Other causative factors can include malnutrition, obesity, ketosis, anger, stress, fear, anorexia, liver, adrenal disorders, stomach ulcers, improper diet, toxemia, fever, and the consumption of excessive amounts of niacin and vitamin C.

Acid and Alkaline Self-Test

This test will determine whether your body fluids are either excessively acidic or too alkaline. Buy litmus paper and then apply saliva and/or urine to the litmus paper. The litmus paper will change color to show if your system is very acidic or alkaline.  Blue litmus paper turns red in an acid medium while red litmus paper turns blue in an alkaline medium. Always carry out the test either before eating or at least one hour after eating. If your test shows that your body is excessively acidic, follow the recommendations below.

Preventive Tips for Acidity and Gas

1. Eat a diet of 50 percent raw foods. Raw foods maintain the correct acid/alkaline balance within the body and equally, they are richer in nutrients that are effortlessly assimilated into the body. Suggested foods are apples, avocados, bananas, bilberries, blackberries, grapefruit, grapes, lemons, pears, pineapples, strawberries, and all vegetables. Fresh fruits, particularly citrus fruits and vegetables reduce acidosis. Begin with small amounts of citrus fruits and progressively add larger amounts.

2. Chew your food properly, and do not eat too much. Ensure the food is mixed well with saliva to form a liquid evenness before swallowing. During meals do not drink fluids.

3. Handle cooked foods with utmost care.  Do have clean working surfaces and wash vegetables and fruits thoroughly. Separate meat and vegetables from each other — in order to prevent contaminating vegetables with bacteria from raw meat. Avoid overcooking your vegetables; otherwise, they lose not only their flavor but also their nutritional value. Processed foods should be eaten in moderation only. They have low nutrients and overburden the digestive system. Both cooked and processed foods have a tendency to make the body more acidic. Also steer clear of eating late at night, because it makes your body work extra on digestion and less on restoration.

6. Drink potato broth daily.

7. Shun animal protein (most especially beef and pork), as they lead to acidity.

8. Stay away from beans, cereals, crackers, macaroni, and eggs, flour products, grains, oily foods, sugar. Plums, prunes, and cranberries do not oxidize and thus remain acid to the body. Let alone these until the situation gets better.

9.  Excess vitamin C may lead to acidosis; it is good for you to reduce your intake of vitamin C for a few weeks. When using vitamin C, take a non-acid-forming variety.

10. Heartburn and indigestion can be the result of food not digesting properly. If you experience heartburn, drinking small swallows of a teaspoon or two of natural cider vinegar in a glass of water will be of some help. It may give a burning sensation as you swallow it, but then, in about twenty minutes, you should experience relief. Provided the cider vinegar method works, this may show that you lack enough acid in your stomach and the cider vinegar compensated for this deficiency. In this wise, consider applying digestive enzyme supplements containing hydrochloric acid (HCL). Stomach acid is essential for breaking down food and also hinders germs from irritating the intestines.

11. Examine your urine pH every day using pH paper.

12. Take as much buttermilk as you can for two days, your acidity cures without a doubt. This is a very beneficial natural remedy for acidity.

13. Each day consume curd rice at least once in a day prevents acidity.

14. Drink one glass of finger millet (ragi) java before going to work every day will eliminate acidity forever.

15. For immediate acidity, relief drinks one glass of Lassi.

16. Whenever you experienced more acidity, drink 1-2 liters of lukewarm water with a pinch of salt at a time in the morning on an empty stomach and endeavor to vomit as much as possible. At the end, you sense sourness in the mouth which indicates you are throwing away the acid. Or you can just drink a glass of water just before brushing and try to take it out just after brushing.

Herbal Remedies Formula 1

One envelope of Anti-gas tea

One teaspoon of dried angelica root

Two teaspoons of peppermint leaves

One teaspoon of bee balm leaves

One cup of boiling water

Mix the herbs together in a container. Take one tablespoon of the herb mixture

and cover with the boiling water. Infuse for 20- 30 minutes.

Take as required.

Herbal Remedies Formula 2

Two envelopes of Anti-gas tea

Two teaspoons of bee balm leaves

Two teaspoons of peppermint leaves

2 teaspoons of chamomile flowers

One cup of boiling water

Combine all of the herbs in a container. Take one tablespoon of the mixture and cover with the boiling water.  Soak for 30 minutes and strain. Drink as needed.

Excerpt From: Spencer Garret. Alchemy of Herbal Medicine. iBooks. 2017