Digestion
Heartburn & Acid Reflux
Burning behind the breastbone, sour burps, worse after eating or lying down.
⚡ Quick & easy version · 5 min
Plain Oats
Only a few things you probably already have at home.
You need
- ◆Oats
- ◆Water or milk
Steps
- Cook a small bowl of plain oatmeal.
- Eat slowly; don't lie down for 2–3 hours after meals.
Chinese Yam & Barley Congee
You need
- ◆50 g fresh or 20 g dried Chinese yam
- ◆30 g pearl barley
- ◆50 g rice
- ◆1 L water
How to make it
- 1
Soak barley 2 hours.
- 2
Cook everything 1 hour on low heat.
- 3
Eat warm for breakfast.
Settling Tangerine Peel Tea
You need
- ◆3 g aged tangerine peel
- ◆2 slices licorice root
- ◆400 ml water
How to make it
- 1
Simmer 10 min.
- 2
Drink 30 min after meals.
Helpful herbs
The TCM view
Liver Qi attacking the Stomach or Stomach heat making Qi rebel upward. Formula idea: Zuo Jin Wan; food therapy uses cooling, settling foods.
Food tips
Eat / do
- Small meals
- Oats, rice, yam, potato
- Eat 3 h before bed
Avoid
- Coffee, alcohol, chocolate
- Spicy, fatty and fried food
- Citrus and tomato in large amounts
- Tight clothing after meals
Sources
- Bensky et al. – Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica (Eastland Press)
- Scheid, Bensky et al. – Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies (Eastland Press)
- NCCIH – Herbs at a Glance (US National Institutes of Health)
- NCCIH – Traditional Chinese Medicine: What You Need To Know
- Memorial Sloan Kettering – About Herbs database (interactions & safety)
- Thuisarts.nl – Dutch GP advice (when to see a doctor)
⚠ Safety
- Licorice raises blood pressure – max a few weeks.
- Chest pain spreading to the arm or jaw is an emergency – call 112.
- Not a replacement for medical care. Ask a doctor before use if pregnant, breastfeeding or on medication.