Why does mustard ease heartburn symptoms?
Q: A few weeks ago, you discussed mustard for digestion. Long ago, I bought a used paperback book titled “Folk Medicine: A Vermont Doctor’s Guide to Good Health” by Dr. Jarvis.
I must have read the whole thing, but my main takeaway was his remedy for digestive issues and nausea. That was sipping 1 teaspoon vinegar in 8 ounces of water. That usually settles everything down within minutes.
The idea of swallowing mustard for heartburn isn’t appealing. I began to wonder if the vinegar in mustard is what really makes it work. When I checked the mustard jar, lo and behold, vinegar is the first ingredient! Maybe that’s the simple reason why it works.
A: Like you, other readers have extolled the virtues of dilute vinegar to calm heartburn. Some people report that swallowing a teaspoon of yellow mustard, as improbable as it seems, can ease symptoms of indigestion.
The exact mechanism is unknown. A recent study, however, found that curcumin capsules work as well as the heartburn medicine omeprazole for easing symptoms (BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, Sept. 11, 2023). Curcumin is an active ingredient in the spice turmeric that gives yellow mustard its vibrant color.
The authors of the study note that curcumin has an important impact on transient receptor potential (TRP) channels. By stimulating intestinal nerves through TRP channel activation, curcumin reduces the sensation of pain.
Vinegar also appears to affect TRP channels. Perhaps vinegar and curcumin in mustard reinforce each other to relieve heartburn. One caution, though: Some people may not be able to tolerate either vinegar or mustard.
Q: I have COPD. During the winter months, I am very susceptible to cold or flu virus infections that affect my lungs.
I had recently read about Sambucus syrup being very popular in Germany and decided I should give it a chance. A standardized elderberry syrup I found in the drugstore is supposed to be similar to the Sambucus syrup sold in Germany. I purchased a couple of bottles and started taking the recommended “maintenance” dose. Time will tell if it is effective for me.
A: People like you with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) need to be extra careful about upper respiratory infections. They can make breathing even more difficult.
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra or Sambucus canadensis) has a reputation as a remedy for viral respiratory infections. A metaanalysis of randomized controlled trials found that elderberry supplementation reduced symptoms significantly (Complementary Therapies in Medicine, February 2019). The authors suggest that elderberry would be preferable to antibiotics and certain other prescription drugs in treating viral infections like colds.
Another review compared elderberry supplements to oseltamivir (Tamiflu). Elderberry resulted in a lower chance of flu complications and adverse events (BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, April 7, 2021).
The scientists found no evidence that elderberry overstimulates the immune system. However, the usual recommendation is to take it only during cold and flu season, not year-round.
You can learn more about elderberry and other natural approaches to respiratory infections in our “eGuide to Colds, Coughs & the Flu.” This online resource can be found under the Health eGuides tab at Peoples Pharmacy.com.