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We have all seen someone making that tell tale action, rubbing their hand from their breast bone to their throat repeatedly and having a pained look on their face. It's heartburn. When it happens more than two or three times a week it is called acid reflux disease or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux). The symptoms may include bad breath, dry cough, chest pains, sour taste in your mouth, excess belching and breathing difficulties among others.

Our stomachs are filled with acid to help digest our food. Stomachs are made to handle this acid, but our esophagus unfortunately isn't. With a healthy esophagus the acid stays in the stomach where it belongs. There is a sphincter in the lower esophagus which keeps the stomach acid out of the esophagus. The problem in acid reflux is that the sphincter stops closing correctly or becomes loose allowing the stomach acid, pepsin and bile to travel farther up into the esophagus. This is what causes that burning sensation. All you want to do is put the fire out.

The first treatment isn't "herbal" it is common sense. Don't sleep lying flat. Gravity is your friend; you wanted to be propped up as high as is comfortable and still allow you to sleep. This won't help all suffers because many have more symptoms during the daytime.

Diet plays an important part in helping to control acid reflux. There are certain foods that are prone to trigger attacks. They include chocolate, peppermint, alcohol, caffeinated drinks, fruit juices, smoking and fatty foods. Chewing gum may also help some people as it helps promote the creation of saliva which has natural bicarbonate in it. Try to eat smaller meals and also try to eat dinner early. Another thing to consider is loosing weight if you are obese, incidents of acid reflux are much more common in people with weight problems.

First I want to discuss the "Herbal remedies" these can included infusions made from chamomile, slippery elm, gingerroot, fennel, angelica root and aloe. They can be used alone but are most often used in combination. Orange peel extract has also been found to help by moving food more quickly through your system. Fresh pineapple has enzymes that help speed up the healing of the irritation caused by acid reflux. An herbal tea made from lavender, aniseed and peppermint has also been found to be soothing. Cinnamon can act as a natural antacid. Home dried grapefruit skins can also help relieve the symptoms, they should be chewed well and then swallowed. How much will depend on how severe

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