That fire inside is an uncomfortable sensation that may come on after eating certain foods or when stressed. The dietary triggers are many and include such foods as spices, carbs, alcohol, and caffeine. Follow an elimination diet to find your specific heartburn-inducing foods. Reducing stress and worry may also bring relief. Essential oils can offer some help.
Essential Oils That May Help
Alone or combined, some suggested essential oils for heartburn are:
• Cedarwood
• Fennel
• Ginger
• Grapefruit
• Peppermint
Safety First
Persistent heartburn is a sign that you need to make changes to your diet and lifestyle. Essential oils won’t treat the underlying causes of heartburn. For persistent heartburn, seek professional help from a specialist who can diagnose properly and one who can offer updated dietary advice.
How to Use Them
As you try to resolve heartburn through dietary and lifestyle changes, you can get support with these simple aromatherapy methods.
• Abdominal massage. Add 1 or 2 drops of digestive-supporting oils to a carrier and massage the mixture onto your upper abdomen.
• Soothing soak. A warm bath may bring relief, especially when it’s infused with digestive oils, such as fennel and peppermint.
• In the air. Diffusing or inhaling calming oils may reduce feelings of stress and help prevent or relieve heartburn.
Natural Partners for Aromatherapy
For maximum results, combine your essential oils with these other natural remedies:
• Eat well. Notice which foods tend to give you heartburn and eliminate them.
• Grab another pillow. Elevating your head at night may help lessen reflux.
• Drink water. Hydration is important always. There is some information that drinking during a meal dilutes gastric juices. This information is debatable, and it may be best for you to decide whether or not to heed it based on how you feel about having water during a meal. Just follow your gut on this one.
Remedies for Heartburn
When you feel that familiar burning sensation, use these recipes for helpful relief.
ACID-TAMING STOMACH RUB
Peppermint is one of the more common suggestions for heartburn, adding its support in this formula.
1 teaspoon carrier oil
2 drops grapefruit oil
2 drops fennel oil
1 drop peppermint oil
Combine the oils in a small glass bowl. Massage the mixture onto your upper abdomen up to three times a day, as needed.
STOMACH-SOOTHING DIFFUSER BLEND
All three of the oils in this recipe have potent properties that support healthy digestion.
2 drops fennel oil
2 drops peppermint oil
2 drops ginger oil
Every diffuser is different. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for diffusing this blend.
