Antacids and other acid reflux drugs can produce alarming side effects that may eventually have you wishing that chronic acid reflux was your only problem. Natural treatments are gaining popularity, and herbal teas have been used for thousands of years as safe and inexpensive herbal alternatives for a variety of health problems, including acid reflux.

Store-Bought Tea

If you are shopping for herbal tea , you will want to be sure you are purchasing the right one for your acid reflux. Remember that not all teas that are marketed to help acid reflux actually do what they claim. It is also a good idea to look for organic ingredients. Some useful shopping tips:

• Steer clear of any caffeinated teas. Caffeine will only aggravate your acid reflux (decaf coffee is still just as bad). Your safest option is herbal, decaf tea.
• Look for a tea with ginger in it, which has qualities known to soothe acid reflux. If you can’t find one, you could always just buy the ginger and infuse it in the tea yourself.
• Green tea is an excellent choice to help your body digest oily and spicy foods. It can also help calm an upset stomach. Green tea is widely known for its antioxidant properties. Again, be sure to choose a green tea that is non caffeinated.

Anise, Peppermint, and Lavender Tea

If you are interested in making herbal tea at home, these herbs can make a potent combination that may be very effective against your acid reflux. Here’s why:

• Anise or aniseed is a powerful herb that aids in digestion and provides many other health benefits to your body. Be sure to use only green anise, European anise or sweet anise for this tea.
• Peppermint aids in digestion and relief from stomach distension, cramps, ulcers, and gas.
• Lavender has widely reputed healing properties. It will also reduce stomach acid.

To make this tea:

1. Boil 2 ½ cups distilled water
2. Pour this water over a teaspoon of equal parts anise, peppermint, and lavender
3. Let tea steep 3-5 minutes
4. Strain tea. Honey is an appropriate sweetener if necessary

Recommended intake is eight ounces in the morning and another eight again at night.

Other Homemade Herbal Teas

You can also make a chicory root tea by boiling chicory roots in water, letting it cool, and adding honey to sweeten. Chamomile and fennel are two additional options for herbal teas that will calm acid reflux.

Relieve episodic heartburn safely and naturally.

Sources:
http://blog.worldvillage.com/health/herbal_teas_for_acid_reflux_relief.html
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/viewArticle.asp?articleID=32745
http://ezinearticles.com/?Acid-Reflux-and-Heartburn-Natural-Remedies-Part-I&id=39679