Some women will try natural therapies, check with your caregiver or practitioner.
Herbal
Diet
Acupuncture and acupressure
Aromatherapy
Homoeopathy
Herbal. Some herbalists will recommend preparations or dietary additives. Check with your herbalist. These can include:
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Slippery Elm powder (to neutralise the stomach acid). This may be mixed with warm milk cinnamon and honey (or marshmallow root). Meadowsweet, Fennel, Aniseed and Peppermint teas. A combination of fennel, anise, cumin and dill seeds chewed before and after meals. |
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A mixture of yoghurt, kefir, warm milk and cinnamon or fresh papaya, papaya tablets or leaves. |
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There are some herbal antacids available. Some women find they give short-term relief, use as directed. |
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Peppermint water, available at chemists. |
Diet. A glass of milk before going to bed may help (you can add honey if you wish). Eating yoghurt or chewing slowly on raw almonds may also help relieve heartburn.
Acupuncture and Acupressure. You can stimulate an acupressure point, located in the centre of the sternum. It is located in between the breasts and in line with the base of your cleavage (or nipple line for men). Apply firm pressure to this point for approximately 30-45 seconds.
Image 2-30 shows pressure being applied to the acupressure point for heartburn.
Aromatherapy. Some aromatherapists will suggest burning spearmint oil or putting a couple of drops on a tissue to inhale intermittently (avoid essential oils if you are less then 12 weeks pregnant). Peppermint used to be recommended, but is now considered toxic during pregnancy. Check with your aromatherapist.
Homoeopathy. Homoeopathic remedies may include Mercurius Solubilis or Natrum Muriaticum. See your homoeopath for treatment.
Medical treatments