It's probably safe to say that heartburn remedies have been around as long as heartburn, which is probably as long as over eating has been around.
It is after all one of the causes of heartburn.
First of all let's clear up the difference between indigestion and heartburn.
Although people often interchange the terms, indigestion (medical term Dyspepsia) is a general feeling in the chest or upper abdomen of fullness, bloating and discomfort.
It may also be accompanied by belching.
Heartburn is usually meant to be the burning sensation in the upper chest caused by acid reflux, that is when acid from the stomach leaks up into the esophagus.
Probably one of the most common remedies is good old fashioned baking soda stirred into a glass of water.
Makes me shudder just to think of it! Ginger is often used either as tea made from dried or fresh ginger root, or crystallised ginger which is nibbled.
Sounds more pleasant anyway.
various other herbs flowers or barks are used as teas or infusions such as camomile, calendula (marigold), slippery elm, which contains a substance called mucilage which when mixed with water forms a glutinous substance which seems to form a soothing protective coating for your throat esophagus and stomach.
Peppermint is sometimes recommended though it's also recognized as one of the foods which can relax the sphincter or valve which closes the esophagus or gullet from the stomach along with alcohol.
Other culprits are chocolate, and perhaps more obviously, fatty foods, spices and possibly citrus fruits, acidic carbonated drinks.
These are best avoided which may help in stopping your heartburn.
Aloe Vera is another plant based remedy that seems to be widely recommended.
However it should be said that you have to take it about 20 minutes before your meal and it should be a properly prepared extract of the plant juice as Aloe Vera also contains powerful laxatives.
If your heartburn or acid reflux regularly wakes you in the night then try not to eat for at least a couple of hours before bedtime, and sleep with the head end of your mattress raised or on a pile of pillows so that you don't lie flat.