by Anitra Lahiri

Created on: December 31, 2008

If you experience mild abdominal discomfort after consuming a meal, you may suffer from indigestion. If you experience a sensation of warmth or burning under your breastbone, you may be suffering from heartburn. Symptoms of indigestion or heartburn include bloating, belching, uncomfortable fullness, and a burning sensation in your chest or abdomen.

Acid indigestion and heartburn are caused by acid irritating the stomach, often due to too much acid in the stomach or not enough protection being supplied by the mucus that lines the stomach. Certain drinks, foods and activities can cause or exacerbate acid indigestion. These include alcohol, caffeine, fatty foods, fried foods, smoking, and eating too quickly.To prevent acid indigestion and heartburn, a balanced diet is essential. It's important to balance Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary foods. Primary foods include whole grains and protein, and they should make up 50-60% of your diet. Grains assist in digestion and elimination, and proteins repair damaged tissues and cells in the body. Proteins also stimulate and maintain metabolism. Secondary foods include fresh vegetables and should make up 30-40% of the diet. Vegetables offer a wide array of vitamins and minerals, which are important in the overall health of your body, including the health of your digestive system. Tertiary foods include dairy, eggs, and fruit, and should make up 5-10% of your diet. Fats and oils should be limited to two percent of the diet. It is important to note, however, that unsaturated fats, when eaten in moderation, are vital because they actually assist in breaking down stored fat. Following a diet balanced in this way can dramatically improve acid indigestion.

You may be surprised to learn that using more of the spices that are already on your spice rack may actually help prevent acid indigestion and heartburn. The following spices are helpful in eliminating and preventing indigestion: Basil, Bay Leaves, Caraway Seeds, Ginger, and Rosemary. Cardamam, a spice found in Chai, is also excellent in preventing acid indigestion.

The following herbal remedies will support the digestive system and help prevent acid indigestion:

* Place two bay leaves in a bowl of soup

* Use crushed Caraway seeds and steep in boiling water for twenty minutes, and drink as a tea

* Make an extract in white wine using 1 part each of the following: Dandelion root, Calamus root, Gentian, Angelica, Valerian, Ginger root (1/2 part). Take one teaspoon before and after meals after the remedy has extracted for two weeks.

* Use a powdered variation of each of the following herbs, mix equal parts, and fill capsules with the powdered mixture. Take two capsules three times a day: Calamus, Wild Cherry bark, Gentian, Oregon grape root, Cascara bark, Goldenseal, Dandelion root, Wild yam root, Lobelia, Ginger root, and Licorice.

By balancing your diet, using more of the spices that are already in your kitchen, and using herbal remedies, acid indigestion and heartburn may become a thing of the past for you!

References

Tierra, Michael (1998). _The way of herbs_. New York: Simon and Schuster.

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