Despite its name, heartburn has nothing to do with the heart (although some of the symptoms are similar to a heart attack). Heartburn is an irritation of the esophagus caused by acid that refluxes (comes up) from the stomach.

When swallowing, food passes down the throat and through the esophagus to the stomach. Normally, a muscular valve called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) opens to allow food into the stomach (or to permit belching); then it closes again. Then the stomach releases strong acids to help break down the food. But if the lower esophageal sphincter opens too often or does not close tight enough, stomach acid can reflux or seep back into the esophagus, damaging it and causing the burning sensation we know as heartburn.

Signs & Symptoms
-- Mild nausea.
-- Burning sensation behind breastbone.
-- Upper abdominal fullness or heaviness.
-- Excessive gas or belching.
-- Full feeling in abdomen.
-- Acid taste in mouth.
-- Growling stomach.
-- Pain or pressure behind breastbone.
-- Pain between shoulders or in neck that follows food.

Natural home remedies
When you have heartburn, it's best not to lie down. The backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus increases when you lie on your right side, so if you have to lie down, stay on your left side. If that doesn't work, stay on your feet and try one of the following remedies.

-- Eat six blanched almonds. Chew each one at least 30 times.
-- Eat a slice of raw potato.
-- Mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and 1 tablespoon of honey into a cup of warm water. Stir and drink.
-- Grate a raw potato and put it in cheese-cloth. Squeeze out the juice in a glass. Add twice the amount of warm water as potato juice and drink it down.
-- Drink a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water for immediate relief.
-- Peel and eat a raw carrot. Chew each bite 30 times.
-- Take cayenne, comfrey, pepsin, or thyme.