Acid Reflux
Natural Remedies

Natural Acid Reflux Remedies: GERD, Silent Reflux & Low Stomach Acid

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.

Chamomile Tea


Posted by JohnnieLou ( Lawton, OK) on 02/20/2007
★★★★★

I had suffered from severe reflux for months. Nothing seemed to help. While surfing the internet, I found some information about chamomile tea helping with reflux. I bought the green tea with chamomile and started drinking it at the first sign of reflux and always about an hour before bedtime. The chamomile tea helped immediately and I no longer have reflux. I guess Peter Rabbit's Mom knew what she was doing when she gave him chamomile tea and put him to bed after he ate too much in Mr. McGregor's garden! Regular chamomile works as well as the green tea/chamomile combination.


Chamomile Tea
Posted by Toma (Chicago, IL) on 01/30/2007
★★★★★

I talked to my practitioner recently, and he told me that Apple Cider Vinegar is good only for those people who have high acidity; for those who have low acidity it can be harmful. He told me the least harmful remedy for Acid Reflux and other stomach problems is CAMOMILE TEA. I tried it, and it works wonders.


Chia Seed


Posted by Jose (Worcester, Massachusetts) on 04/20/2011
★★★★★

I knew about the Chía seed to help with acid reflux through a friend. Immediatly after a reflux attack, you need to take one spoon of dry Chia seed with a little water (the chia seed expanded and will absorb the acids. ) His wife, after ten years using Proton Pump Inhibitors (prilosec, etc. ) have four months without taking these Rx and feeling good. However, the best way is to you prepare the chia in a cup or a jar with water, let grow up, and drink the jelly that is formed. Only use the dry chia seed for a reflux attack. It could dehidrated you. For all other benefits, prepare the jelly. Please check the internet for more information.


Chiropractic Treatments


Posted by Renee (Ottumwa, Iowa) on 02/06/2009
★★★★★

Chiropractic cured my indigestion: I had a hiatal hernia and acid reflux. The chiropractor cured my hiatal hernia with 2 visits and showed me how to treat my acid reflux with a simple technique. In my case, acid reflux was caused by the sphincter between the stomach and esophagus not closing properly. At times poor digestion or sour stomach may also be caused by a spasm in the diaghragm due to misalignment of the rib cage. I recommend that you try a chiropractor skilled in applied kinesiology treatments as not all chiropractors have the same training. I think it is also important to limit alcohol, chocolate and acid forming foods, too.


Chlorella


Posted by Vicki (Ranger, Georgia) on 07/19/2008
★★★★★

Recently I tried Chlorella for my acid reflux. I was amazed when the pain stopped within a short time. This is truly the best remedy I have found for acid reflux. I bought the powder and take about two thirds of a teaspoon to cure acid reflux. Safe and effective.


Cinnamon


Posted by Mercedes (Long Beach, WA) on 09/18/2006
★★★★★

I was reading your cure for acid reflux - ACV - and wanted to add one of my own. Cinnamon sticks simmered in water for about 20 minutes or until they make a 'tea'. I put 6 sticks in a regular size stove top kettle. Drink hot or cold - usually a juice glass full will remove acid reflux instantly, if not repeat. It ALWAYS works!! Also delicious! Many other health benefits too!


Cucumbers


Posted by John (San Francisco East Bay Area, California) on 06/14/2007
★★★★★

Acid reflux & indigestion eliminated immediately with organic cucumber. Got tired of taking 1 to 3 teaspoons of organic apple cider vinegar. Thus, began eating 1/3 organic cucumber at night in bed on back whenever acid reflux or burning sensation in esophagus or stomach. Purchased at Berkeley Bowl Marketplace. Burping & immediate elimination of acid reflux and indigestion. Perhaps the OACV began the healing and all that was needed to continue healing was the organic cucumber. Ergo, the British cucumber sandwich is a great idea from decades or centuries ago.


D-Limonene


Posted by Devorah (NyC) on 03/27/2023
★★★★★

Just discovered d-limonene for acid reflux..seems great..will report back. For some reason no one seems to have Jarrow formula d limonene..anyone know why?


Decaf Coffee


Posted by Edgar (Heber City, Utah) on 04/18/2011
★★★★★

after almost two years trying hundreds of remedies I saw improvement after drinking instant decaf coffee. I tried medicines and natural remedies and nothing could stop the acid reflux at night. I would wake up every 2 hours with sweats and discomfort. I do not know how coffee is stopping my acid reflux but it is working for me.


DGL


Posted by Peter (California) on 02/08/2020
★★★★★

Chewable DGL Locorice extract works great for heart burn and it works immediately. I keep it on hand. The reason I use DGL is because it removes the substances in licorice that raises blood pressure.


Digestive Enzymes, Probiotics


Posted by Gerd Fighter (Atlanta, Ga, Usa) on 03/08/2013
★★★★☆

I've been suffering from severe acid reflux for 13 long years now. Doctors did numerous endoscopy and declared that I've small hiatus hernia and acid reflux. They put me on PPI medication and I used all sort of PPIs like protonix, omeparzole, esomeprazole etc. Nexium (esomeprazole) worked for me best. With this one I almost did not have any problem. But, I've been taking it since 13 long years everyday!! The problem of these medications(chemicals) is it will kill you one day if you keep on taking it for so long. It prevents the body to absorbe the essential nutrients/minerals from the food you take. So, as a result, with prolonged use of these medicines you get other side effects like decreasing bone density and all other form of problems and gradually it will take you towards a silent death. But, no doctors will tell you these facts to you. The pharmacitucal companies warn you to take it not more than 4 months max. You have other options like surgery - but, no guarantee that will work for you and doctors will allow you to do it. In my case the doctors said surgery will not be effective for me. Also, the surgeries need to be repeated after some times if it works.

Then...I started looking for alternative medicines as I was desparate to get rid of Nexium. I searched all the web sites like this one and tried homeopathic medicines, apple cider vinegar, apple etc. But, all these did not work for me. Then in this site I came to know about natural digestive enzymes and probiotics. Medicines like Nexium works by stopping the acid production in stomach - which ultimately harms the body as you need the acid in stomach to digest the food. Digestive enzymes and probiotics works on the root cause of the acid problem of the stomach. They help in digesting the food quickly/properly so the body is not required to produce excess acid thereby reducing the cause of acid reflux. I could not think of a single day without Nexium. But, since I've been started using digestive enzymes and probiotics they helped me - I'm not taking the Nexium currently as I'm taking digestive enzymes and probiotics. My symptoms are not fully gone - but, definitely they are less with these. I believe if I do more research with these natural remedies it will help to keep this monster away. But, anyway you need to take them for ever as long as you live. But, it is better and safe to take it like food, as long as you live - and not like Nexium. So, my suggestion to all the trillions of sufferers worldwide to try your best to work out a natural solution which suites your body most and definitely try to get rid of PPI and other form of chemical medications. Try the digestive enzymes and probiotics - available in health food stores and also in pharmacies - in US.

I've one question though - does anybody know the side effects, problems (if any) of using digestive enzymes and probiotics for prolonged period or has anyone experienced any problem. Though these are natural products - we all know too much of everything is bad. So, I would be really interested to know this - as, if it works, I need to take it forever.

Replied by Timh
(Louisville, Ky, Usa)
03/09/2013
2041 posts

Gerd Fighter: It is generally considered completely safe on the probiotics and enzymes at recommended doses short and long-term, as these are produced naturally in the body. Too much enzyme in a single dose could cause excess bowel movement, so you could always know when to stop upping the dosage by this symptom.

Do consider addressing common underlying problems of the digestive system like dirty colon, gallstones, and sometimes liver disease. There is lots of info on "cleanses" of these three organs. Also, after completing the cleanses, try an herbal pancreas formula (Nature's Sunshine used to have one called P14 but I think it's a different name now). This herbal pancreas formula will give new life to the pancreas (which is what produces all the enzymes you talk of substituting). Chronic parasite infestations as well as chronic pathogens can disrupt digestion (a very common cause of digestive diseases).

Replied by Bill
(San Fernando, La Union, Philippines)
03/10/2013

Hi Gerd Fighter... I have been particularly interested in GERD problems because GERD and reflux problems occur alot as a co-problem with candida. So I have tried to research this problem in some depth.

In the early 1900s, John Beard was researching protease enzymes and he discovered, quite by accident, that low levels protease enzymes in the blood related directly to cancer formation. These protease enzymes found in the blood are exactly what are used in normal digestion -- excess protease enzymes not used during digestion are just absorbed into the blood. William Kelley's successful Metabolic Protocol against cancer came into being because of John Beard's research. Kelly and Gonzalez also found that protease enzymes greatly assisted the immune system in removing pathogens and trash from the blood. So I would therefore say that taking protease enzymes over a long period certainly wouldn't hurt you at all and would probably work to achieve more benefit by helping to protect not only your digestion but also your immune system.

Since the GERD problem can occur due to lack of chlorides -- supplementing betaine hydrochloride and supplementing both Magnesium Chloride and Sea Salt would also help to generate hydrochloric acid in the stomach for proper first stage digestion(and to help kill all incoming pathogens with food). But this problem is different. As the affects of supplementing chlorides in the diet takes effect, there will be less and less need to supplement betaine HCL until, eventually, your stomach is back to normal HCL production. In this instance -- only Magnesium Chloride and/or Sea Salt need be supplemented(no betaine HCL) to maintain normal HCL levels for digestion.

The other problem, which is not recognized by most people, is that normal duodenal digestion, after stomach digestion, MUST be alkline. So if your pancreas lacks bicarbonates in its juices that should neutralize the stomach acid, then the medium for duodenal digestion will be acid instead of properly alkaline -- so the food just sits there, undigested, fast-breeding bacteria -- giving you further problems.

Therefore I always advise using Ted's Sodium Bicarbonate and water remedy in this protocol -- just in case the digestion problems are also caused by lack of bicarbonates in the pancreatic juices. This remedy ensures proper main stage digestion in the duodenum. The dose is 1/4 to 1/2 tspn of sodium bicarbonate(Baking Soda) taken 1/2 hr to 1 hour after all meals.

Replied by Gerd Fighter
(Atlanta, Ga, Usa)
03/11/2013

Thanks for the feedback Timh. But daily intake of baking soda will be harmful for the body as well, as it is again a chemical - right?

Replied by Bill
(San Fernando, Philippines)
03/11/2013

Hi Gerd Fighter... I would not agree with your opinion on alkalizing with sodium bicarbonate. Read the evidence in these links:

Oral Dosages of Sodium Bicarbonate

Ted's Alkalizing Remedies

I took Sodium Bicarbonate with water(to alkalize the blood) as well as the lemon/lime sodium bicarbonate remedy(to alkalize inside the cells) as a major part of my own successful protocol to help defeat my own systemic candida problems. I still take these alkalizing remedies today and my candida problems have never returned as a result.

Sodium bicarbonate is also well recognized by the body as a friendly nutrient. Bicarbonates are used throughout the blood and cells for alkalizing and as long as you have a fully functioning kidney to regulate sodium, there should be no real problems taking sodium bicarbonate with water.

Replied by Timh
(Louisville, Ky, Usa)
03/12/2013
2041 posts

Gerd Fighter: Bill is our expert on the Buffer solutions, so do follow his advise, as many folks are getting well as a result. I personally use about half spoon of 50% Sea Salt mixed with 50% Sodium Bicarbonate 3x daily as I have acidosis problems.

Replied by Gerd Fighter
(Atlanta, Ga, Us)
03/12/2013

Thanks a lot Bill and Timh!! This is a great site.

Bill: I checked the links provided by you - there it is mentioned that "Do not use the maximum dosage for more than 2 weeks. " - so, is the oral intake of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) harmful for prolonged use? Can I take baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) orally with water everyday (in prescribed amount) - throughout my rest of life? It looks like even after using the digestive enzymes - I'm having residual acidity - which is not very severe, but not comfortable at all. If I take baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) orally with water it is going away. So, to me it looks like it is working as a antacid. My only concern here, everyday use of it throughout the rest of life. Also, if it (prolonged use) is not harmful then why do everybody talks about reducing the consumption of sodium? Now-a-days probably in every food products it is mentioned that low level of sodium - why is that? Please clarify.

Thanks again for the help!

Replied by Bill
(San Fernando, La Union\\\\\\\\, Philippine)
03/12/2013

Hi Gerd Fighter... I usually find that I now alkalize, using both the sodium bicarbonate and water(alkalizes the intestines and blood) and the lime/lemon and water(alkalizes inside the cells) remedies. I may not use these every day but I usually use them several times every week because 80% to 90% of all our processed food is acid forming in the body. So, yes, I use these alkalizing remedies constantly every week.

The dosages referred to in the link I provided were 7 half tspns of baking soda for adults and 3 half tspns for anyone over 60. It's rare that you will ever have to take 7 half tspns unless your body is extremely acidic.

Most people link high blood pressure to too much sodium intake in the body. But just like Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium, sodium is easily regulated by the kidneys. The problems really arise if there is a lack of sodium, calcium, potassium or magnesium in the diet. You cannot regulate minerals that are already at low levels in your body can you?

Calcium is usually always found to be in excess in our processed food diets(everything is fortified with calcium these days!! ) whereas potassium and magnesium are always lacking in our diets. Sodium, as salt intake, is tricky. Alot of people avoid salt and other people just use refined salt(acidic). Our bodies need the Sea Salt form of salt which is more alkaline than refined salt and sea salt also contains many other essential and useful minerals.

The fear with salt is because people believe that sodium will raise their blood pressure. But this is simply not true. It is the excess chloride in refined salt that raises the blood pressure. In his book pH Balanced for Life (which is sold on this site) Ted from Bangkok reveals that he did an experiment on himself to prove this. He took sodium bicarbonate, magnesium chloride and potassium chloride at different times and found that the magnesium chloride and potassium chloride always tended to raise his blood pressure whereas sodium bicarbonate did not raise BP. So it isn't because of the sodium but is because of the chloride content in refined salt that causes a rise in BP. For myself, I am constantly taking the Baking Soda alkalizing remedies and my own blood pressure has never varied in 6 years-- it always remains at around 110/70.

Replied by Gerd Fighter
(Atlanta, Ga, Us)
03/13/2013

Bill: for me, I already have high BP - for me it always remains around 140/90...


Don't Eat Before Bed


Posted by Jill (Chicago, IL) on 12/29/2014
★★★★★

I almost always have a lump in my throat from acid reflux. I even bought special wedge pillows but I couldn't get used to them, they were so uncomfortable. All that really helps is eating three hours before bed and not laying down until the three hours are up.


Don't Eat Before Bed
Posted by Lily (Nashville, TN) on 11/09/2014
★★★★★

Yes when I had reflux due to lack of acid Apple Cider Vinegar helped but so does changing the diet to more clean foods and not eating close to when you will sleep (elevate your head if you need to).


Eggs


Posted by Muktar (Minneapolis, MN) on 02/14/2008 5 posts
★★★★★

I am a 22 year old male and I have being struggling with acid reflux with sometime now. I have found that the cure for this disease is very simple. all you need is two eggs, two slices of bread and a long glass of milk. that's right just scramble some eggs with just a touch of salt and stick it between two slices of bread and wash it down with a large glass of cold milk and your cured, you will sleep like a baby.


Fennel Seed Tea


Posted by Idow (Jupiter, Fl) on 04/15/2017
★★★★★

Hema, thank you so much for posting about fennel and raisin tea. It helped! Have you been able to cure your acid reflux? And if so, what other natural remedies have you used? I can't seem to tolerate any type of processed food, especially breads and cereals with additives. Thank you so much for your help!



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