Acid reflux or indigestion. We all get it. Maybe we've eaten too much or too late in the evening. Maybe we've drunk too much alcohol at that party the night before. We could have bent down to do a bit of weeding too soon after a meal and oops, that pain in the middle of the chest can be quite severe.

All the holiday picnics with their barbecues, sauces, potato chips and homemade ice cream can take their toll on the digestive system. A simple remedy is to put one drop of peppermint oil on the tip of the tongue. The flavor will explode in the mouth. This is the only internal Aromatherapy treatment I recommend. Essential oils are highly concentrated and dangerous for internal use. Please respect the use of these oils. A blend of peppermint, lavender and marjoram oils massaged into the stomach area will alleviate some of the discomforts of over-indulgence.

Indigestion is any condition affecting the digestive system and, thereby, the digestive process. Some of the effects of indigestion may be belching, flatulence, bloating, upset stomach, abdominal pain, nausea and occasional vomiting. There is a condition called lactose intolerance, wherein the stomach is not able to digest milk and its products. In certain cases the stomach has a condition called low acidity, which again affects the digestive process. Low motility of the digestive muscles makes the movement of food material in the digestive tract slow, and so the digestive process is affected.

Some people who experience chronic symptoms of burn heart indigestion have other more serious diseases which may not be relieved by changes in eating habits or lifestyle. These include acid reflux disease, hiatal hernia and diseases of the esophagus. In addition, any non-burning chest pain, pressure, heaviness or nausea associated with chest pain could be related to the heart, rather than the throat and stomach.

A natural heartburn cure may be as simple as taking an antacid. Most over the counter remedies have few side effects, but they do not work for everyone. Some people are allergic to acid reducing medications and some people simply prefer herbal remedies. Identifying the specific causes of acid indigestion heartburn in your case may require a little effort, but it is important. Chronic heartburn can lead to more serious conditions such as erosion of the esophagus and even cancer.

Typical heartburn indigestion symptoms include a burning sensation at the top of the stomach or in the back of the throat. Some people feel that something is stuck in their throats or that it is hard to swallow. Heartburn indigestion symptoms may be accompanied by gas or bloating. Some people have no heartburn symptoms, but still have a type of acid reflux. Only an ear, nose and throat specialist can make this diagnosis.

The basic cause of indigestion, besides weak digestive powers, is over eating or eating foods, which must be avoided. Stools of such persons contain large amounts of undigested matter. They suffer from flatulence arising from putrefying matter in the stomach or the intestines. Breaking wind or belching may provide temporary relief, but there is generally a feeling of fullness amounting to heaviness, loss of appetite and general discomfort.

Eating a banana every day works like an antacid to ease or erase heartburn and indigestion. If you're already stricken with indigestion, eating pineapple or papaya (or drinking the juice) can help relieve your stomach naturally. There are some people that assert that eating a teaspoon of mustard (yuck!) can work immediately. Forget the hot dog.