Heartburn is associated with a burning sensation in the mid to upper chest, nausea, anxiety, sore throat, a bitter or sour taste in the mouth, coughing, respiratory issues, and even possibly ulceration of the esophagus if the condition is chronic and ineffectively treated. Obesity, pregnancy, smoking, eating too fast, eating spicy or fatty foods, hernia in the upper stomach where it meets the diaphragm or having a predisposition to acid reflux can contribute to heartburn. Chinese medical practitioners consider the person's environment as well as their symptoms when determining the best line of treatment for this condition.
Chinese Herbs
Take Chinese herbs to ease the pressure in the stomach, lower the level of gastric acid, and return overall balance and harmony to the digestive organs. Use huang lian and zhi mu for a cooling effect on the stomach. Use lu gen, zhu ru and shi gao for heat clearing. Take bai shao to calm the stomach, chai hu to stimulate movement, mu xiang to strengthen the organs, and xiang fu to regulate and circulate the chi. Consult a Chinese medicine practitioner for advice on the dosages and frequency of these herbs for your specific condition.
Other Remedies
Eat slowly and chew your food well. Stop smoking and exercise regularly. Don't bend at the waist after eating and avoid tight clothing and belts. Avoid acidic foods and coffee. Eat smaller meals and eat earlier in the day. Wait a half hour to lie down after eating, and sleep with the upper body elevated 6 inches or sleep on the left side. Consider trying acupuncture, massage, stress management, Tai Chi, Qigong, relaxation techniques or meditation practices to add overall harmony and balance to your body and energy level.
Tags: after eating