Heal heartburn without medicine

Better Nutrition, April, 2007 by Emily A. Kane

1. Avoid large amounts of coffee--drink no more than one cup daily. If possible, split into tow half cups and don't drink coffee after noon.

2. Go light on chocolate. If you do indulge, go for dark, organic varieties. Eat two to three times per week.

3. Stay away from strong mints. Peppermint, spearmint and other mints can worsen symptoms. You may also want to avoid mint-based herbal teas for the same reason.

4. Try the "heel thunk" technique every morning and whenever heartburn strikes. Drink a large glass of warm water. Stand on your toes and "thunk" down on your heels 10 or 12 times. The weight of the water in the stomach pulls the lower esophagus sphincter out of the diaphragm and gives it a chance to stay closed. The longer you keep the lower esophageal sphincter out of the diaphragm, the sooner you will heal.--Emily A. Kane, ND, LAc