Acid Reflux
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Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux Relief

| Modified on Sep 26, 2024
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Apple Cider Vinegar

Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a common condition where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing discomfort and heartburn. While over-the-counter medications can relieve symptoms, many prefer natural remedies. This article explores various natural options that can soothe acid reflux and promote digestive health.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a popular natural remedy for acid reflux. Although using something acidic to treat acid reflux may seem counterintuitive, many find that diluted ACV can help balance stomach pH levels and improve digestion.

  • How to Use: Mix 1-2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and drink it before meals. Start with a small amount to gauge your body's response.

2. Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe vera is known for its soothing properties and can help reduce inflammation in the esophagus caused by acid reflux. Aloe vera juice can coat the esophageal lining and may help alleviate symptoms.

  • How to Use: Drink half a cup of aloe vera juice 20 minutes before meals. Choose a brand free from added sugar and preservatives.

3. Ginger Tea

Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory and can help relieve gastrointestinal irritation. It may also reduce the likelihood of acid traveling up into the esophagus.

  • How to Use: Steep fresh ginger slices in hot water for 10-15 minutes to make ginger tea. Drink it 30 minutes before or after meals to soothe acid reflux symptoms.

4. Baking Soda

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is a common household remedy that can neutralize stomach acid and temporarily relieve heartburn.

  • How to Use: Mix a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water and drink it slowly. This remedy should only be used occasionally, as excessive use can lead to side effects like bloating or increased sodium levels.

5. Slippery Elm

Slippery elm is an herb that creates a gel-like substance when mixed with water. This coating effect can protect the esophagus and reduce irritation caused by acid reflux.

  • How to Use: Mix 1-2 tablespoons of slippery elm powder in water and drink it after meals to help ease discomfort.

6. Licorice Root

Licorice root has been used for centuries to treat digestive issues, including acid reflux. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) is the preferred form, as it is safer for long-term use.

  • How to Use: Chew DGL tablets before meals or opt for a tea made from licorice root to soothe acid reflux symptoms.

7. Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Acid Reflux

In addition to natural remedies, making lifestyle changes can significantly reduce acid reflux episodes:

  • Eat Smaller Meals: Large meals can increase pressure on the stomach, leading to acid reflux. Opt for smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day.
  • Avoid Trigger Foods: Common triggers include spicy foods, citrus, chocolate, caffeine, and fatty meals. Identifying and avoiding your personal triggers can reduce reflux.
  • Elevate the Head of Your Bed: Keeping your upper body elevated while sleeping can prevent stomach acid from flowing back into the esophagus.
  • Maintain a Healthy Weight: Excess weight can increase abdominal pressure, worsening acid reflux. Losing weight can reduce symptoms.

8. Probiotics

Probiotics help balance the good and bad bacteria in your gut, improving digestion and reducing acid reflux symptoms. You can find probiotics in fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, and kefir, or take a daily probiotic supplement.

9. Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea has calming properties that can soothe the digestive tract and may help prevent acid reflux. It's particularly helpful if stress is contributing to your symptoms.

  • How to Use: Drink a cup of chamomile tea 30 minutes before bedtime to relax and reduce the likelihood of acid reflux during sleep.

Conclusion

Natural remedies for acid reflux offer a gentler, holistic approach to managing symptoms. By incorporating herbal treatments, dietary adjustments, and lifestyle changes, you can find relief from heartburn and support better digestion.

Continue reading below for feedback from Earth Clinic readers who have successfully used natural remedies for acid reflux!

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.
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Acidophilus

9 User Reviews
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Posted by Rachael (Chicago, Il) on 12/23/2016
 ★☆☆☆☆

I tried an acidophilus supplement for the first time in my life, trying to get rid of really bad acid reflux. I am a supplement freak -- but I didn't want to spend lots of money on good bacteria for my insides, when I could just eat yogurt. I fully expected, based on these reviews and my internet searching, that acidophilus would heal the acid reflux. Here I am a month later, still looking for a cure, because the acidophilus did absolutely nothing for me.

Replied by Hema
(Florida)
12/24/2016

Hi Rachel,

This is what I am doing for my acid reflux. I am drinking fennel seed water and black raisin three times a day. I boil fenned seed powder or seed and black raisin at night for 15min and drinking that jucie in the empty stomach. Make again after one hour of lunch and before bed time. It really works for acidity. If you don't like raisin, you can make only fennel seed water and take with honey. It really works. Hopefully it works for you and everyone who is looking for natural way to reduce or cure acid reflux

Mary Anne Haskins
(Northern IL)
04/24/2024

Looking to get the amounts of fennel, raisins, and water for this recipe please. Thank you.

Replied by Travelwedge
(New York)
01/06/2017

Hi Rachel

Acidophilus alone will not cure acid reflux. First it will help your stomach have a better healthy balance but for most people its not a cure by itself. Second standard yogurt only has a small amount of acidophilus and only 2 or 3 kinds. To make a difference you want a capsule with 15 billion or more from as many different strains.

For many people its not just about the acid in their stomach but also about the lower esophageal sphincter. This is what keeps the acid in your stomach. If that is not working correctly you will never solve your problem completely.

Have you tried sleeping with your head raised?

Replied by Prosperous1
(Va)
01/30/2017

Apple Cider Vinegar is good for acid reflux also, get the one with the 'mother' in it.

Replied by Idow
(Jupiter, Fl)
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!

Replied by Cecily
(Nc)
08/14/2017

I noticed at 37 years old that if I ate bread products I got tremendous heartburn. It was so bad I had precancerous cells growing in my throat. I went gluten free and in the three years since being GF I have only had two GERD attacks and I believe it was because something I ate was contaminated with gluten. GERD is an inflammatory reaction, something you are eating is having a negative impact on your body and your body is attempting to attack it to reduce its impact on your body. Try eliminating foods in your diet to find what the culprit is. I am keeping activated charcoal on hand for an accidental contamination.

beverly
(Texas)
04/05/2022

Activated charcoal is good but remember it can cause constipation, so compensate for that.

Replied by Carmel
(Essex, England)
05/26/2022

Most yoghurts are heat treated and then the "live" bacteria is added after. Any that was there before was killed in the process.. Same as vitamin d is added to fish oil capsules etc. You need a few biotics to work, and one month is nowhere near enough anyway. It also depends on when you take them and if you use prebiotics before and during taking them.

Replied by Christina
(TN)
04/07/2023

Have you been checked for H. Pylori? It may be that.

Acidophilus
Posted by Pam5083 (Buchanan, Va) on 05/16/2014
 ★★★★★

I've been suffering with GERD since my gallbladder surgery. It has been pretty painful at times. I was never able to take the meds for it (too many side affects). The Apple cider vinegar tore my stomach up. My routine is papaya enzyme after each meal and acidophilus at bedtime with chamomile tea. You have to make lifestyle changes too. No caffeine, smoking. I eat to live not live to eat. My meals are simple grilled meats and lots of fruits and vegetables. Processed bread seemed to make it worse so I went to gluten free. I've given up all spices and seasonings and no longer miss them. Switched from whole milk to coconut milk. Exercise is just 30 minutes of walking. Losing weight will help.

Acidophilus
Posted by Sugarpuff (Christchurch, Canterbury) on 05/15/2013
 ★★★★★

Hi had been suffering from terrible acid reflux. So took the advice on here and brought a Probotic from the chemist. After 3 days no reflux so I just take one everyday and its gone away. So thanks for the great advice.

Acidophilus
Posted by Anonymouscat (La, Ca) on 04/14/2013
 ★★★★★

I took some parasite medication for a few days on an empty stomach soon I had a burning stomach and esphogas and acid reflux... Feeling I was also having shortness of breath and pressure type of feeling on my chest, My ND gave me probiotics and told me to open the capsules dump the content into a 1/2 glass of water and swish the probiotics powder in my mouth then drink it down. And the ND suggested pt drinking lactose free PLAIN KEFIR no sugar in and within 24 hours I felt a dramatic change, within three days I had zero pain and my symptoms all feel away.

Acidophilus
Posted by James (Hartford, Ct) on 04/03/2013
 ★★★★★

I take acidophilus every night for its beneficial bacteria. I noticed about a week after I started taking it that I no longer get acid reflux. I take 2 refrigerated pills with a glass of water just before going to bed. Highly recommend this.

Replied by Mckenzie
(Charlotte, NC)
04/06/2013

James, How much acidophilus are you taking per day? How many million or billion CFUs in total?

Is it a single strain or a multi strain probiotic??

Thanks!

Replied by Joy
(La)
11/26/2013

My doctor gave me therelac, and I bought a probiotic that has was in the freezer section that a grocery store it is a organic raw probiotics powder it has 500 billion CfU with 34 strains it has the USDA approval I swear one day they will have gadzillion cfu's My Chinese medicine doctor suggested slippery elm to calm the stomach and fresh ginger in water, body biotics first I had ever heard of it wnt on Amazon and bought the highly rated Broad Spectrum Probioic Prebiotic Powder He told me that our produce is washed and sterilized so many times before it gets to the plate that it is not allowing the body to build the flora it needs. He told me just eat things right out our garden without washing it and allowing the good flora to build up in the system . The oral surgeon, told me he is telling his grandchildren not to use those antibacterial pumps they have in public place, because it disrupts the bodies ability to build up the natural resistance it needs to protect itself. Something to think about it.

Acidophilus
Posted by Ren (New Orleans , La) on 12/25/2008
 ★★★★★

Probiotics has helped me with my acid reflux tremendously. I take them daily before or after a meal and am very satisfied.

Acidophilus
Posted by Toomba (Kuching, Malaysia) on 05/27/2007
 ★★★★★

66 percent of cases, a treatment consisting primarily of acidophilus and digestive enzymes will usually do the trick. In Dr. Spreen's words: "Acidophilus supplements (powder form, the liquid tastes awful) protect the oesophagus without killing acid (while killing the pain almost immediately). The hassle is, you have to keep it handy and take it often if you don't solve the whole problem, which involves tightening the gastro oesophageal sphincter. Dr. Spreen describes his treatment as "ridiculously simple and cheap." And while he feels confident that he can stop more than 2/3 of all heartburn and reflux cases.

Acidophilus
Posted by Max (Greene, NY) on 05/20/2007
 ★★★★★

I have been suffering from acid reflux for many years; I came across your website and tried the pure cherry juice as well as the acidophilus pills. I ran out of the cherry juice and can't comment on how well it worked but I can tell you that the acidophilus has been working; I was taking it at night after my meal and was sleeping without a problem. I'd recently taken a few generic pain relievers and coincidentally or not my acid reflux returned; I'm going to carefully monitor when I take it and how I feel from now on.

Acidophilus
Posted by David (Fort lauderdale, FL) on 05/09/2007
 ★★★★★

I have only one word.. Probiotics'... After 15 years of taking toxic medications, I found a nutritionist who introduce me to Probiotics... Trust me just find a website that sells this product. I personally take _____. Stop taking those life threntening medication for gastrointestinal problems and try probiotic, you will thank me...I take a few before or after every meal.... You will not be disappointed I promise... Good luck...

Activated Charcoal

1 User Review
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Posted by Susanrose (Orange County, Ca) on 06/14/2012
 ★★★★★

I have tried nearly all of the remedies listed here for Acid Reflux. The only thing that has greatly helped me is a recommendation from a lady at the local vitamin store. I now take Activated Charcoal capsules, 260 mg. I take two at a time, up to 3 times daily. Sometimes 2 capsules per day is enough. It helps tremendously. I was in bad pain nearly all the time, but thank God, now this seems a minor pain.

Acupressure

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Posted by Ila (Kitchener, Ontario, Canada) on 03/14/2009
 ★★★★★

Hi All, Would like to share a trick I use when I get acid reflux at night and have no ACV or other remedy at hand. Fluff up your pillow, get into bed and roll over onto your LEFT SIDE, make a fist and press into the hollow area at centre of chest just under your rib cage, and above the stomach. If you use enough pressure, you should feel relief within a minute or two, it works almost immediately for me. I hope it may work for others also. Never sleep on your right side, as it tends to make the reflux worse. It is very difficult for me to get ACV down my throat ,as I dislike it so much, it gives me shivers just thinking about it. I managed to get it down mixed with some water a few times so I know it works for acid reflux. Now I just sip a little pickle juice but I don't recommend this for others because of the salt content,Thanks for the great site,cheers to all,Ila

Alkaline Acid Diet

3 User Reviews
5 star (3) 
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Posted by Carolyn (Hobbs, Nm) on 04/25/2010
 ★★★★★

I have read so very much on this site about those of us with Acid Reflux. I have tried everything and nothing seemed to work until I discovered that acid problems are caused by eating too many or too much food that produces acid. Then I discovered the alkaline diet which has wonderful foods on it and it has changed my life. There are still wonderful foods on this diet. I make a green smoothie for breakfast with spinach, a banana, an apple, and a handful of greens such as spring mix or any of the other dark lettuces or kale,collards, etc. I also add a scoop of Whey Protein and 1 T. Chia seeds. Then I add 8 oz. water and a small glass of ice. I blend all of this in my Vitamix and drink this power house of nutrition. I'm not even hungry at noon many times. Then for lunch and dinner I eat from the alkaline side of the alkaline acid chart that you can download after you google acid alkaline food list. When I eat like this I never burn or have acid problems and don't need acid drugs of any kind. It has been wonderful for me. I love snacking on dates, figs, other dried fruits, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds, etc. And isn't this the way God intended for us to eat? I also take Michael James minerals and potassium capsules because they also help to keep you alkaline. Chlorella is also alkaline. It helps too. This protocol works for everyone.

God Bless and good luck,
Carolyn

Alkaline Acid Diet
Posted by Vanya (Frankfort, Indiana) on 11/08/2008
 ★★★★★

I have had Acid Reflux for 6 and 1/2 years. Tried every prescription and non prescription medicine on the market, they all stopped working after while. I am ACID FREE since September 22-08(for good) I stopped my Protonix (despite my doctor opinion)

I read about the alkalizing diet and started on it right away. I start my day with 2oz of Aloe Vera Gel, then I take enzyme pill and eat breakfast. I am taking enzymes right before every meal. Then I drink a cup of chamomile tea with honey or molasses instead of sugar. I eat an apple around 10 am. Sometimes a pear. After lunch I take B complex vitamin, don't forget the enzyme pill too (it helps to digest the food better) Sometimes I feel a little bit discomfort in my stomach and I become afraid of getting the acid back, at those moments I chew raw almonds ( I always have some in my purse) and I feel fine! And , at last but most important I take PROBIOTICS, 5 or 6 per day, just anytime during the day. The more cultures they contain the better you feel, because we all need to replenish the good bacteria in our intestines (we live in a very stressful and poisoned environment)

Thank you all for the valuable information on this website! God Bless You all...

Alkaline Acid Diet
Posted by Cynthia (Bergen County, New Jersey) on 11/23/2007
 ★★★★★

All these remedies do not address what people are putting initially in their bodies! Everyone is consuming acid causing foods. The basic theory is that acidic foods (ex. orange) cause an alkaline tummy. Alkaline foods cause an acid stomache. If you eat a lot of bread, rice, grains, etc. you will have reflux or an acid stomache. If you balance your diet with fruits and vegetables you will greatly reduce your chance of an acidic stomache. Find an acid alkaline food chart on google. There are quite a few. This explains why some people found relief from apples. It is an alkalizing fruit! So are beets, broccoli, carrots, etc. But be careful! Some fruits and vegees are acidifying like corn, lentils, blueberries, cranberries, canned fruits, plums, prunes, etc. That is why the chart is so important. I was a candidate for nexium and anti-acid pills. However, I changed my life by maintaining the acid alkaline diet. Please consider this. I've changed a lot of people's lives by sharing this information. However, a couple of my friends and family who have NOT taken this advice are now on anti-acid pills. Oh, by the way, fennel seed tea is a miracle worker for after dinner tummy calming. It helps to maintain an alkaline tummy. I need 2 cups to be helpful (I'm 144 lbs). Find the right dose for you. Best of luck!! Here's to your health!

Almonds

4 User Reviews
5 star (3) 
  75%
1 star (1) 
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Posted by Tariq (Abu Dhabi, Uae) on 08/14/2011
 ★★★★★

Try 4 to 5 Almonds. It is a very good tested treatment for ACID REFLUX.


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