Have you recently suffered from acid reflux stomach ache? If so, you are far from alone. In fact, around a third of American adults suffer from this condition on a weekly basis!
Would you like to know more about why this happens, and what you can do to control it? Historically, people used liquid peppermint to help stomach aches – can it help acid reflux sufferers today?
Let’s take a closer look at how to use liquid peppermint for an acid reflux stomach ache.
What Causes Acid Reflux Stomach Ache?
In our stomachs, there is a strong acid. This forms the second part of the digestive process. Unfortunately, for acid reflux sufferers, when they eat, some of this acid comes back up their food pipe.
This stomach acid reflux is caused by an issue with the lower esophageal (food pipe) sphincter. This sphincter should only open briefly to allow food to pass from the food pipe into the stomach. If it opens too often, or for too long, stomach reflux occurs.
Stomach acid reflux symptoms include a painful, burning sensation in the food pipe. This is known as heartburn. The acid is usually about 1 to 3 pH, so it’s no surprise that it causes pain, and can cause long-term damage.
The pain is usually centered around the food pipe and behind the breastbone. Lying down or bending over can make the pain worse. It can go on for several hours.
If the acid enters the back of the throat and mouth, you may also experience a nasty, bitter taste.
If you experience regular heartburn, you may develop gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD for short.
Acid Reflux and Stomach Pain
As well as causing painful heartburn after eating, there is a link between acid reflux and stomach pain.
It can cause secondary symptoms, including nausea, bloating, and stomach cramps. Some people experience vomiting as part of these episodes.
How Does Liquid Peppermint Help?
Liquid peppermint has been used traditionally to help to soothe stomach aches. It can help to reduce symptoms of nausea associated with acid reflux and stomach pain.
Some people find that the aroma of liquid peppermint can help them when they are feeling nauseous. We are all familiar with the cool, fresh, menthol aroma associated with peppermint. When inhaled, this can help people to get some relief when waves of nausea hit.
Carminative Properties
Liquid peppermint is also known for its carminative properties. This means its ability to reduce flatulence.
It does this by reducing the buildup of uncomfortable gas in the stomach. This in turn can help to reduce symptoms of bloating and related stomach aches.
Antispasmodic Properties
Liquid peppermint is also famous for its antispasmodic properties. These can help the stomach to relax and reduce painful cramps that acid reflux stomach ache can cause.
Always use liquid peppermint under the advice of a doctor. The antispasmodic qualities that help the stomach can also affect the esophageal sphincter.
How Can I Take Liquid Peppermint for Acid Reflux Stomach Ache?
Liquid peppermint is available in many forms. You need to take care, as in its pure form it is a powerful oil.
Liquid Peppermint Oil
Liquid peppermint oil should be used with great care by people suffering from acid reflux stomach ache.
There is a fine line between harnessing its benefits and it making the problem worse. If you take too much on its own, it can actually aggravate the problem. That’s because it’s good at relaxing muscles.
This can cause the esophageal sphincter to relax, which is the problem that causes acid reflux. But that does not mean that it doesn’t have a place in treating acid reflux and associated nausea.
When mixed with a suitable carrier oil, it can be safe to massage onto the chest, stomach, and back. This can help to relax the digestive system, and reduce the symptoms of acid reflux stomach ache.
You can also inhale the liquid peppermint oil safely. This provides similar relief.
Preparations that contain both an antacid and liquid peppermint can help to harness its best features. It does this while keeping you safe from overuse.
Preparations Using Liquid Peppermint
A common way to treat stomach acid reflux symptoms is taking a stomach acid reflux medicine, like an antacid. Antacids are usually available in liquid, capsule, or chewable tablet forms. Liquids usually work more quickly than tablets or capsules.
These work by providing a protective layer on top of the contents of your stomach. This prevents the stomach acid from being regurgitated and coming up the food pipe. The antacid also helps to neutralize the acid in the stomach.
Some advanced liquid antacid preparations now harness the power of liquid peppermint. These include Gaviscon Advance.
The ingredients combine to bring fast relief to the sufferer. The peppermint sets to work, soothing the stomach and reducing gas that would otherwise lead to flatulence.
Peppermint Tea
Another way to take liquid peppermint is in the form of peppermint tea.
This refreshing drink can help to reduce digestive discomfort. It can bring relief from the symptoms of indigestion, but use it with care if you have acid reflux. As with other neat forms of peppermint, it could end up making symptoms worse.
Liquid Peppermint – Relief for Acid Reflux Stomach Ache!
Liquid peppermint can be a powerful tool in helping you get relief from a range of unpleasant symptoms. If you want to use it to treat acid reflux stomach ache though, stick to preparation such as Gaviscon Advance. You can also make use of it externally to give you relief.
Have you enjoyed this article? Our Health section has heaps of helpful advice for people at all stages of life. Head on over there today to check out our fresh new articles!
