Acupuncture and herbs for heartburn and indigestion

Acupuncture and herbs for heartburn and indigestion

Many people suffer from heartburn and heartburn from time to time. This happens when acid from the stomach is flushed back into the esophagus. If this tendency to heartburn becomes chronic and your doctor notices signs of erosion in the esophagus, this is an indicator of GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can be very useful in treating GERD and chronic cases of heartburn.

Chronic indigestion and heartburn are often a result of poor nutrition, stress and nervous tension. Acupuncture has a very calming and balancing effect on the nervous system. Specific meridian systems treated are liver, stomach and spleen-pancreas. Points associated with these organs and meridians are used to calm acid production and make the digestive system more efficient. Stress relieving points are also included to target and heal the nervous system.

Commonly used acupuncture points to treat heartburn and acid indigestion include Ren 12, Liver 3, Liver 14, and Pericardium 6. These points can relieve the stress and bloating associated with GERD.

In terms of Chinese medicine, chronic heartburn is often a result of an overreaction of the liver to the spleen and stomach, which can produce heat (acidity and inflammation). A commonly used formula for this disharmony is Free and Easy Wanderer Plus (Jia Wei Xiao Yao San). This remedy has the potential to relieve digestive discomfort while combating anxiety, stress and nervous tension. It is a very commonly used remedy and can treat a whole range of ailments at once if the formula is given based on a person's tongue and pulse.

Another good remedy for acid indigestion and heartburn is the homeopathic Nux vomica C200. Homeopathy works well in conjunction with acupuncture and herbs, for those who are open to it.

If you suffer from chronic heartburn, it's also important to take a look at your diet and lifestyle. Very rich, difficult to digest, fatty foods can worsen the condition. In Chinese medicine, we also recommend reducing the consumption of milk and dairy products. While milk can temporarily relieve heartburn symptoms, in the long run we believe dairy clogs the digestive system and causes more problems than it solves. Drinking coffee or excessive alcohol can also make GERD worse. Spicy food can also be a problem for people prone to severe heartburn.

Typically, people with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine see significant and satisfactory improvement in their tendency to heartburn and acid indigestion within four to six weekly sessions.