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Page 76
| To alleviate heartburn, drink an 8-ounce glass of water every 20 to 30 minutes until pain subsides, drink a cup of licorice root tea or take 100 grams de-glycyrrhinized licorice, take any angelica product according to label directions or take 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of lemon balm (melissa) tincture. Prevent this condition by eating small meals often rather than large meals infrequently, avoid eating late at night, avoid foods that are overspiced, greasy, sugary or acidic, take Swedish bitters before eating, take digestive supplements as needed, experiment with the basic rules of food combining (don't eat fruit after a dinner of protein and carbohydrates, for example) and take an acidophilus supplement daily. |
| Drugs that relax smooth muscles, such as the asthma drug theophylline, contribute to the problem because heartburn occurs when the esophageal sphincter muscle relaxes and allows stomach acid and pepsin to enter the esophagus. Like theophylline, the essential oil of peppermint causes the esophageal sphincter to relax, allowing digestive juices to leak into the esophagus, which makes heartburn worse. Although peppermint is highly regarded for other types of indigestion, its essential oil is not recommended for heartburn. Peppermint leaf tea is less concentrated and less likely to cause this reaction. |
| Aside from peppermint oil, all of the carminative herbs are effective treatments, especially lemon balm, dill, chamomile and aniseed. For best results, take up to a teaspoon of tincture or a cup of medicinal strength tea (1 tablespoon herb per cup of water) and repeat every hour until symptoms subside. Swedish bitters can be taken before and after eating and again when heartburn symptoms appear to prevent and treat this condition. |
| Hemorrhoids |
| Hemorrhoids, or piles, are painful varicose veins in the rectum or anus. Their most common cause is chronic constipation, often associated with a lack of exercise. They are also common during pregnancy. To help relieve hemorrhoid symptoms, drink more water and fluids, increase soluble fibers in the diet, such |
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