Heart burn or stomach acidity is a common problem. Our stomach produces acids to digest the food that we eat. Every time we eat, the cells within the lining of the stomach pump acid to liquefy food.

Acidity results when these cells produces acids that are more than what the body requires to digest the food. People suffering from stomach acidity feel a burning sensation in the area just above the stomach and right below the breastbone.

Some people experience acid regurgitation during which one could feel a sour taste rise in the mouth. Acid regurgitation oftentimes results to heartburn, or that pain near the heart area.

Most of the times, acidity is not caused by any serious medical condition. Normally, a person experiences acidity attacks a few times a year or even just once in a year. Sudden onset of acidity is triggered by foods that you eat. Fatty and spicy foods are harder to digest. This prompts the cells that pump acid to produce more of it than is necessary.

Stress and underlying medical conditions are usually the cause of chronic stomach acidity. On several occasions, acidity or heart burn can be effectively managed by simple home remedies:

1) Drink a glass of cold milk for fast relief of heartburn and acidity

2) Pumpkin in doses of 60 to 120 gm taken with sugar relieves acidity

3) Eat a few almonds when you feel heartburn symptoms
4) About 1.5 to 2.5 gm of the fruit of soap nut taken with water is effective in relieving acidity

5) Take one piece of clove and suck on it slowly

6) Drink fresh mint juice slowly after meals

7) Have two bits of raw garlic. It is very beneficial for problems related to acidity

8) Take a mixture of 2 spoons of natural apple cider vinegar and 2 spoons of raw honey in a glass of water before meals to prevent acidity or heartburn

9) Chew few basil leaves to get relief from burning, nausea and gas

10) Keep a small piece of jaggery in your mouth and suck slowly. Repeat it every hour till the acidity subsides