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.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lisa (Detroit, Mi) on 05/17/2010
★★★★★
ACV and baking soda- I was taking medication for acid reflux which made me feel lethargic. I stopped the medication and tried the ACV and baking soda for 2 days. On day 3, I feel 100% better than I did before. I also stopped drinking coffee as well. It is hard, but tea will have to do until I get this acid reflux under control. Thanks to everyone who posted their experiences on this site. It was very helpful. I will post again to update my progress.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Brad (LA, CA) on 06/27/2008
Suzanne, if you have been on so many PPI's and it still hasn't worked, please also consult your doctor as you may have more severe problems (like a tumor that keeps making acid). Also, I'm not sure about taking more than 1 PPI pill a day, because from my readings (I am a medical student), if you suppress your acid too much, it can actually cause stomach cancer.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by L Murphy (Liberty, In) on 09/28/2016
★★★★★
Immediate relief of acid reflux from 2T ACV
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mary (Raleigh, NC) on 09/23/2008
★★★★★
I have been suffering with acid reflux for about a year and a half but didn't want to take the PPIs. I have taken Nexium, Aciphex, Prilosec, etc. but nothing worked for me. In fact, some of the meds made my symptoms worse. I started seeing a naturopathic Dr. and it helped to some extent, but didn't alleviate the symptoms entirely. I would wake up several times during the night and finally had to elevate our bed about 8 inches, which my husband had to get used to. This helped too, but still was waking up with symptoms. Yesterday i was searching the internet and found this site and i saw the ACV comments and decided to try it. So i mixed a tablespoon of organic ACV with a cup of water and added some maple syrup for sweetening and drank 1 dose at about 6:00 pm and another before bedtime. Last night was the first night in MONTHS that i have slept thru the night and felt rested. It was awesome! That pain behind my sternum has disappeared and i don't feel that "hairball" in my throat anymore. I took another dose this morning and feel almost "normal" again. I can't believe what a difference this is making for me! I am so thankful that i tried this. I was almost at the end of my rope with these symptoms and just could not take the meds anymore. I've actually heard from some naturopathic folks that acid reflux is actually a LACK of stomach acid. Don't know if that's true, but it makes sense if the ACV is making the symptoms disappear. I plan to continue with this therapy and hope that it will continue to work.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Leena (Montrose, CO) on 09/25/2008
★★★★★
Dan, when I first tried the ACV I had the same reaction. Do try it again it works!!!! I have had acid reflux for about 3 years - ACV does work..hopefully you will try it again...good luck cause it is painful..now I'm cured.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kylie (Ft.lee, NJ) on 07/13/2008
Hi! I was reading about the ACV remedy for reflux and I have tried it now for 4 days. The ACV burns my throat terribly, BUT the 1st 2 nights... I did not have reflux. However the other times I have used it my stomach instantly became bloated and I got really bad pain in my stomach. I really am looking for a natural cure...so any tips or advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks :)
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by David (Va Beach) on 01/30/2007
★★★★★
2 and a half months and counting- it's worked better than prevacid- occasional discomfort, but had more pain with all the different medications-' fingers are crossed for continuing success.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Dorothy (Oroville, CA) on 07/19/2006
★★★★★
I went to your web site to find a way to cure my acid reflux, I had been taking Prevacid for a long time, just wasn't doing anything for me in the last 6 months, so I tried the apple cider vinegar tablets, it's been two weeks and I feel so much better, can't say it's cured yet. What excites me is my out of control appetite is now in control, and right from day one, unbelievable! the weight is comming off so easily. thank you so much.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 09/25/2017
Dear Adam,
Apple cider vinegar worked very well for me for a long time for acid reflux. Eventually it stopped working all together.
It turned out that my gall bladder problems were the cause of reflux for me. Several gall bladder flushes have completely eliminated my reflux (and my gallstones.)
You might read the gallbladder pages here at EC and see if anything there resonates with your situation.
~Mama to Many~
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Gina (Montana, Usa) on 12/11/2013
★★★★★
Just wanted to confirm that apple cider vinegar for acid reflux is amazing! I read about it on Earth Clinic a few weeks ago and have been taking just 1 teaspoon on water before my dinner meal. I have no more acid reflux problems!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Cajun (Opelousas, La) on 05/17/2010
★★★★★
For most of my young adolescent life, I lived virtually every day of my life with acid reflux; baking soda when convenient, antacid tablets during other times. Once computers came into the Engineering profession, I daily combined about 3-4 oz of ACV with ice and water as my [32oz] drink. I've been without acid reflux for so long now (~35 years) that I have forgotten how long it took to relieve/cure my acid reflux. I'll be 70yo in 4 months and I never have any relapses....YES, ACV does 'cure' acid reflux.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by D (Pittsburgh, Pa, Usa) on 03/15/2010
★★★★★
I took the purple pill for years and years until it stopped working. I went to the doc for coughing fits, and hoarseness not realizing it was connected to acid reflux. He doubled my prescription of the purple pill to 2 a day, nothing got better in fact I got worse. I started searching for natural remedy, found this website and tried the apple cider vinegar plus honey and water. It started working immediately to fix the acid reflux. I went off the purple pill immediately and stayed on the ACV plus honey. It took 2-3 months but my hoarseness went away and eventually the cough. While taking the p pill, I had all the tests- barium xrays, endoscope, cat scans for the stomach and hoarseness and the ACV plus honey is what helped me. Now after 5 months, I am fine but I also changed my diet for a couple of months(stopped tomatoes, onions, coffee, menthol, mint)and stopped eating 3-4 hours before bed. I elevated the head of my bed 3-4 inches too. Now I only have problems if I over eat and go to bed too many days in a row. I am eating tomatoes, and onions again with no problem. I still don't eat menthol or mint or cafeine, to protect my esauphagous. The doctor told me it may take months or years to heal if ever. The purple pill does something to cause motility problems I guess, you can read side effects on the p pills websites. I spread the word about your website and the apple cider vinegar with MOTHER (buy in health stores or online) and honey to everyone I meet. You saved me. Thank you so much!!!!!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Karla (Miami, Usa ) on 12/04/2011
I cured my acid reflux with 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda in 4 fingers of cold water. I will do this at the 1st sign of acid reflux and I repeat every 1/2 hour till I have no reflux. Usually once is all I need. The key for me is cold water and for it to be bubbly like a soda if it's not bubbly I add more of each till it looks like carbonated like a soda. Drink it fast but don't chug and repeat as needed in the beginning I could do this 6 times a day, now every other day 1time. I use to take nexium 40 mg 2 times a day went down on the dose little by little know it's been months sense I have had a nexium! Good luck
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Gr82cu (Reno, Nv) on 05/20/2010
★★★★★
I have been suffering from acid reflux for years, especially after my doctor advised me to kill my thyroid (I had Graves disease and surgery didn't ensure they'd get all of it.) with radiation treatment (I took a pill and that was that). Afterward, my acid reflux got worse. I've done Prisolec which worked pretty good, but after awhile, got to be more than I could afford (I'm unemployed), so I began using an over-the-counter acid reducer. The other night, I could not sleep. I finally got up around 5am and took a sleep inducer, and woke up 3 hours later with bile in my throat. Ugh & Yuck. I'd read somewhere that Apple Cider Vinegar was good for acid reflux, but didn't know how to administer it. When I was finished in the bathroom, I went into the kitchen & retrieved my apple cider vinegar, which I'm sure has been filtered. I took 1 tbsp. of it straight from the bottle. It went down a bit raspy (You have to remember that I just burned my esphogous [sp?] from the bile), but today I am feeling much better. I slept all through the night last night without any problems. I will try it again this evening before bed...And now I read that I should be putting it in water. I think I'll just "drink it down" in a teaspoon!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Peggy (Salt Lake, Utah) on 12/02/2007
★★★★★
I tried one of the acv remedies posted for acid reflux, and it did work almost right away. I am still hurting as the pain and rolling in my stomach and chest was horrible and constant for days. I even lost weight because I was afraid of food since' everything hurt me. What I wonder though, does the acv cure the reflux or just treat the painfull symptoms? If it only treats the symptoms then I would be reluctant to go off the omeprazole as it reduces acid therefore it reduces risk of backing up and causing damage to the esophagus. If anyone has asked their doctor this question and knows the answer I would love to know. Please post my question. I can't thank your site and it's readers enough for the valuable information I recieved.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Vina (Calgary, Canada) on 02/27/2007
★★★★★
I've used Apple Cider Vinegar for several years now whenever I get an acid reflux attack. It immediately takes the pain away and I feel 100%. Years ago I used the ACV with baking soda for heartburn and it worked as well. After reading some of the comments on this site. I will try using the ACV on regular basis for my blood pressure. This week I will start visiting the Fire Department on a regular basis to be checked for my blood pressure. I'll keep a record of the numbers and get back to you at a later date. I'm glad I woke this morning at 4:10 am and started looking for natural cures. I don't believe in chemicals at all and try my best to stay away from medication if at all possible. I know my Doctor is planning on starting me on high blood pressure pills. I'll be back in a couple of weeks. Vina
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by H Roberts (Windsor, Canada) on 01/31/2007
★★★★★
Had periodical heartburn and acid reflux for last three years. Zantac worked at the beginning but later became ineffective. My Doc put me on Pantaloc twice a day and as with Zantac it eventually became ineffective. I returned to chomping on Tums for relief but I began going through a container every three days. I found this site while looking for long term effects on heartburn sufferers and found this site about the vinegar. I laughed and was laughed at for even considering such a thing. Like many of you I became desperate and bought a jug of Heinz Apple Cider Vinegar. It worked but boy did I ever get a sore stomach. Now I have two shots of it with two shots of water twice a day and the problem rarely surfaces. In fact at first I twisted my face at the taste but now enjoy it as much as I enjoy a glass of wine with my meal. I have never seen the Brachs variety but once I've drank this 4 litre jug I will try to find it to compare. Many thanks!!!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Andrea (Scio, Or) on 03/17/2018
You said you get asthma symptoms from GERD! I have breathing issues supposedly to GERD also, seems like a strange symptom and it concerns me it is something else, breathing issues common from GERD?? And I just started the vinegar, hoping it works!!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Missfancypants (Western Australia) on 04/26/2016
Ive also had my GB removed, you might want to look into taking ox bile with fatty foods, I found bentonite clay help enormously with the issue with the surgery so you might want to look into that. Hopefully it will settle down once your body adapts
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 05/08/2016
Amanda, as with most things, start low and slow and notice your reactions.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Rohit (New Delhi, India) on 06/20/2015
★★★★★
I have been using ACV, one tablespoon with a full glass of water once a day - I am happy to say that this dose is adequate for the acid reflux that I was having.
Another method to prevent reflux is to have half an apple before going to bed with some honey.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Bryan (Texas, US) on 12/27/2014
★★★★★
hahaha! Thats awesome, no worrys I tried the same thing. The minute it hit my tongue I spit and was having difficulty breathing. Try mixing it with water.. but I just found it funny cause I made the same mistake lol
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Becky (Berryville, Ar/ Usa) on 01/26/2012
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
I have been taking ACV 1 shot twice a day with a tsp of natural honey, for 1 wk. The overall results have been amazing. I had been taking zantac 150 mg 1-2 times a day for yrs and have totally been cured of my acid reflux. My concern is the past 3 days I have been having intense pain in my back, the kidney area. It feels like spasms. I was wondering if anyone else had experienced anything like this. I also started OP with sunflower oil the same day I started ACV.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Susan (Ontario, Canada) on 07/02/2010
★★★★★
Apple Cider Vinegar cured my acid reflux. I had suffered from severe acid reflux for many years, and stumbled on your site while trying to find an alternative to ranitidine and PPSIs. My acid reflux was so severe that the pain was similar to having a heart attack, and I could not sleep unless I was sitting up. I started using apple cider vinegar (1 tbsp in one glass of water) 20 minutes before my evening meal,and within two weeks, had no more symptoms. I have now been taking ACV for about a year, and have had NO recurrences of acid reflux whatsoever, and no side effects - unless you count a 10 lb weight loss as a side affect! Thank you to Earth Clinic for offering an alternative to pharmaceuticals! And BTW,the ACV has also cured my toenail fungus. This stuff is absolutely amazing!!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Joey (Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines) on 08/21/2010
Hi Ted It's me again. I'm on my 4th day of ACV and BS. Last nite I began to experience heartburn chest pains and throat irritation that I had difficulty to eat and couldn't burp. Before that I drank a glass of berry and apple juice. An hour later heartburn began. Not sure if the juice was the cause. After a little dinner at 7pm I drank 2 tbs of ACV to gain relief at 11pm I had difficulty sleeping as I couldn't burp like something is stuck in my throat I can taste the acid in my mouth. Anyway after just 4 hrs of sleep today 4th day I drank 2tbs of ACV and 1/4 teaspoon of BS. It gave relief but still couldn't burp. 1 hr later I ate a light breakfast of chicken rice soup then drank 2tbs of ACV. I'm little bit ok though tired probably for lack of sleep. Please tell me if I'm doing something wrong. I'm really tired. Hope to hear from you. Thanks
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Liz (Atlanta, Ga) on 09/06/2010
In cutting out caffeine, does that include tea? Everybody keeps saying 'coffee' - I'm a tea drinker. Is that okay with acid reflux?
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Randy (Starkville, Ms) on 08/20/2009
I am considering trying Apple Cider Vinegar to treat my ongoing battle with Acid Reflux. The lump in my throat, and the burning in my chest at night is only getting worse, even after my Doctor perscribed Prilosec to treat it. Like so many others, I don't want to take the meds any longer than absolutely necessary. I'm so hopeful, the ACV treatment will work for me. Which ACV product is the correct choice to use, (the distilled ACV, or undistilled)? Also, is it appropriate to start off with a small dosage and then increase to a more moderate dose if necessary?
