Authored by Dr Harsh Sharma, Edited and Peer Reviewed by Dr. Pooja Sharma

Published March 5, 2024, Last updated March 5, 2024

Heartburn means burning pain in the chest or the heart region. In common parlance, it is often referred to as Acidity. Most of the time, this pain occurs just behind the sternum or the chest bone.  The following 5 homeopathic medicines for heartburn are very effective –

1. Nux Vomica

2. Pulsatilla

3. Ipecac

4. Carbo Veg

5. Lycopodium

Before we talk in detail about the indications suggesting the use of these homeopathic medicines, let us understand heartburn a little better.

What is Heartburn?

Heartburn is the result of the reflux of the acidic contents of the stomach passing up into the food pipe. Normally, the oesophageal sphincter does not allow the stomach contents to pass into the oesophagus. It only opens to allow the food from the oesophagus to go down into the stomach.

In certain conditions, this muscle may lose its ability to close properly. It may become loose, so to say. This allows the reverse movement of stomach contents into the food pipe. Lying is the most vulnerable position for such people who suffer from this problem. This is also aggravated when one tends to bend over. Some patients have nausea or feeling of vomiting along with the burning pain. At times, there may be a loss of appetite also. This may even cause weight loss.

Management of Heartburn or Acidity

When it comes to treating acidity, one needs to take some precautions regarding diet and exercise. These precautions take into account the causes of the problem. It is important to understand the things that aggravate this problem. Such things that aggravate the problem need to be avoided. There are also certain things that can help in reducing the incidence of heartburn. All such do’s and dont’s can be found in my article on heartburn.

Treating Heartburn or acidity with Homeopathy- Homeopathic remedies for Acidity or Heartburn

Homeopathy can cure the regular occurrence of acidity. When I say cure, I mean cure and not just manage it day to day. In the allopathic system of medicine, you just take an antacid everyday and feel fine. But you needs to carry this on for the rest of your life. You cannot avoid the antacid even for one day. If you forget to take it for a day, it becomes impossible to tide over the burning feeling that keeps occurring all through the day.

In the Homeopathic system of medicine, the treatment is a little different. You need to take the medicines for some length of time. These homeopathic medicines for acidity do not have an immediate effect, which means that you will not feel better within 10 minutes of taking the medicine. On the contrary, the Homeopathic remedies are more deep acting. They go right to the root of the problem and cure it completely. That is why they take some time to act.

5 best Homeopathic medicines for Heartburn

As far as the Homeopathic medicines for acidity are concerned, one needs to understand that there are more than 2 scores of Homeopathic medicines that can cure this problem. All medicines have their own indications and cannot be substituted one for the other. Therefore, one needs to take into account all details of the patient to find the right medicine for the patient. Giving a complete list of all the medicines and their indications for usage is not possible here as it will require too much space and time.

I am giving a small list of medicines that are more frequently indicated. This list contains just 5 homeopathic remedies and their indications for usage are also being given here. I am referring these medicines as the 5 best homeopathic medicines for acidity or heartburn because they have proven to be very effective. It has been my personal experience that these medicines are able to cure the problem of heartburn completely.

1. Nux Vomica- One of the best homeopathic medicines for heartburn in drinkers

2. Pulsatilla – One of the best homeopathic medicines for acidity from rich food

3. Ipecac – One of the best homeopathic medicines for acidity with nausea

4. Carbo Veg- One of the best homeopathic medicines for heartburn with flatulence

5. Lycopodium – One of the best homeopathic medicines for acidity with increased appetite

I am giving a few indications which point towards the usage of these homeopathic medicines in the treatment of acidity or heartburn. This is by no means an exhaustive list of indications but pointers to their further study.

1.Nux Vomica- One of the best Homeopathic medicines for acidity or heartburn in regular drinkers

For those who relish their daily drink, Nux Vomica is one of the best homeopathic medicines for hearburn. The patient is usually an aggressive go-getter. He is used to taking his regular drink. Such regular use of alcohol or other beverages like coffee can cause heartburn regularly. Constipation is usually present along with other symptoms. The symptoms are worse in the morning.

2. Pulsatilla-One of the best Homeopathic medicines for acidity or heartburn from rich food

For those who are in the habit of taking too much rich food like ice cream, pastries, cakes or pork, Pulsatilla is one of the best homeopathic medicines for heartburn. The patient is usually thirstless. There is burning in the stomach. Eructations are present and taste of food remains a long time afterwards. There is sensation of great tightness after a meal. One is often obliged to loosen clothes. There is pain in the stomach almost an hour after eating.

3. Ipecac-One of the best Homeopathic medicines for heartburn with nausea

When nausea is a persistent symptom, Ipecac is one of the best homeopathic medicines for heartburn. This nausea is so persistent that it does not get better even after vomiting. The patient usually has a clean tongue. The mouth is moist and there is much salivation. There is little thirst.

4. Carbo Veg-One of the best homeopathic remedies for acidity or heartburn with distention of abdomen

When there is lot of flatulence and distention in the abdomen, Carbo Veg is one of the best homeopathic medicines for heartburn. There is burning in the stomach that extends to the back. The stomach seems bloated and full. Eructations are common. One tends to feel a little better after eructations. There may be nausea in the morning. The patient is usually fat and lazy.

5. Lycopodium-One of the best homeopathic remedies for acidity or heartburn with increased appetite

When one  has an increased appetite inspite of the persistent problem, Homeopathic remedy Lycopodium works wonders in curing acidity. There is increased flatulence and bloating. The burning and flatulence is more in the afternoon or the evening. One is fond of sweets. Lots of sour eructations may be present. One tends to like hot drinks and hot food.