Heartburn, the burning sensation in your chest caused by acid reflux, affects millions worldwide. While over-the-counter medications and prescription drugs may offer relief, many people look for natural home remedies, which leads them to wonder, “Do essential oils help with heartburn?”



In this article, I'll review what causes heartburn, how essential oils may help alleviate some symptoms, and how to prevent it.



Prevalence



In the United States alone, it is estimated that approximately 60 million adults experience heartburn at least once a month, with 15 million suffering daily.El-Serag, H. B., Sweet, S., Winchester, C. C., & Dent, J. (2014). Update on the epidemiology of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review. Gut, 63(6), 871-880. Men are more likely to experience heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) than women, likely because of men's hormones, lifestyles, diets, and alcohol consumption.Nilsson, M., Johnsen, R., Ye, W., Hveem, K., & Lagergren, J. (2003). Obesity and estrogen as risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. JAMA, 290(1), 66-72.



The prevalence of heartburn and GERD increases with age. One study found that GERD symptoms increased from 10.8% in individuals aged 18-24 to 21.8% in those aged 65-74.Locke, G. R., Talley, N. J., Fett, S. L., Zinsmeister, A. R., & Melton, L. J. (1997). Prevalence and clinical spectrum of gastroesophageal reflux: a population-based study in Olmsted County, Minnesota. Gastroenterology, 112(5), 1448-1456. This increase may be attributed to age-related changes in esophageal function and increased gastric acid secretion.



Causes



Heartburn occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing irritation and a burning sensation in the chest area. This condition, also known as acid reflux, can be triggered by obesity, smoking, certain medications, and consuming acidic, fatty, or spicy foods.Mayo Clinic. (2018). Heartburn. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heartburn/symptoms-causes/syc-20373223 Lifestyle habits like stress and lack of sleep can also contribute to heartburn episodes.



I want to highlight obesity and medications, as they're often overlooked or ignored as causal factors.



Obesity



Obesity is a significant risk factor for the development of heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Obesity leads to heartburn and GERD through:




Increased intra-abdominal pressure: Obesity, particularly central or abdominal obesity, increases intra-abdominal pressure. This increased pressure puts pressure on the stomach, which can cause the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to weaken or open, allowing stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus, resulting in heartburn.Pandolfino, J. E., El-Serag, H. B., Zhang, Q., Shah, N., Ghosh, S. K., & Kahrilas, P. J. (2006). Obesity: a challenge to esophagogastric junction integrity. Gastroenterology, 130(3), 639-649.



Hormonal changes: Adipose tissue in obese individuals can cause hormonal changes, including the release of adipokines and cytokines, which have been linked to inflammation and impaired LES function.Hampel, H., Abraham, N. S., & El-Serag, H. B. (2005). Meta-analysis: obesity and the risk for gastroesophageal reflux disease and its complications. Annals of Internal Medicine, 143(3), 199-211.



Esophageal motility disorders: Obesity may also be associated with esophageal motility disorders, which can contribute to developing heartburn and GERD.El-Serag, H. B. (2008). Role of obesity in GORD-related disorders. Gut, 57(3), 281-284.




Medications



Several medications can contribute to heartburn by weakening the LES, irritating the esophageal lining, or slowing gastric emptying. Some common medications associated with heartburn include:



Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): NSAIDs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, can irritate the esophageal lining and increase the risk of heartburn.Wolfe, M. M., Lichtenstein, D.