Baking Soda is an old folk home remedy for heartburn and as it is a
usual kitchen cupboard item to be found in your home consequently you shouldn’t have any
problem with finding this ingredient in order to try out this natural cure for acid reflux pain. So when and how do you use it?
When and How to use Baking Soda
Once your heartburn has started, find your way to your kitchen do the following:
- Measure out about 1 tablespoon of baking soda.
- Mix this well with about 1 cup of water. If you use slightly warmer water than room temperature, it’s better as it melts the baking soda faster. Don’t make the water too hot though, as you need to drink this remedy immediately for it to work.
- Drink the mixture.
Okay, so it doesn’t sound too wonderful and I wouldn’t blame you
if may be due to the less adventurous you choose not to try using this baking
soda as one of your heartburn cure. On a serious note, if you can venture trying
it, you will not suffer from heartburn pain for a period of at least a couple
of days. For those skeptics amongst you who want to understand how this
cure could work before trying it, the principle is actually quite simple.
Baking soda contains bicarbonate which is also something that is present in
saliva. We know already that saliva helps to neutralize your stomach acids due to its alkaline nature.
Therefore, since baking soda also contains the same ingredients as saliva, it
does the same job. Only, as you’re consuming more bicarbonate over a shorter
period of time than your body can naturally produce in your own saliva, this
cure works faster at neutralizing your stomach acids.
There is however, a downside to this recipe that you should know
about before trying it, which although not serious, can be very embarrassing.
The downside is that it causes burping in most people who try it. As long as
you’re prepared for this, and you’ve informed your partner first so he’s also
prepared and you haven’t arranged a night out with colleagues or friends, then
you should be fine.
Caution while Using Baking Soda.
You should also be aware that some people advise against this
cure since it can lead to increased gases in the stomach which can lead to more
discomfort.Secondly, baking soda can increase
blood pressure in some people. So if you suffer from hypertension or have a tendency to
high blood pressure, it’s probably better for you to skip this cure and try other home remedies for heartburn. If nothing else, you’ve found
a very good excuse not to try it!
