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.
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!
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?
Dietary Changes
Posted by Diana (Texas) on 06/16/2021
★★★★★
I also found that lowering my carbs eliminated the acid flux problem. Was having significant reflux 2-3 times per week. To lose weight I lowered my carbs to 40-50 per day. About 7-11 days after starting the diet, I realized I hadn't had any bouts of reflux since a day or two after lowering my carbs. This was a complete surprise as I had gone into the diet without any thought that it might have this happy result. It also eliminated the armpit rash I'd been having. It has been about 8 months or more since starting the low carb diet and both issues have remained resolved as long as I watch my carbs. The only times the reflux has recurred was after I had been backsliding for a few days. I can get away with higher carb intake for maybe a day or three but then the reflux comes back. It's a great motivator! I'm 5'3 and weigh 165 now after losing about 15 lbs on the diet, if that is pertinent. Hope this helps someone.
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.
Kefir
Posted by Sara (Texas) on 06/24/2018
★★★★★
KEFIR for acid reflux works for me. I use only the plain Kefir and drink about 1/2 to 1 cup, first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. It is full of nutrients, probiotics and has antibacterial properties. I wait and do not eat anything for about 1 hour or longer so as to let the probiotics work effectively. I have not had any problems with acid reflux since. I realize everyone has different body chemistry's, but this has sure worked for me.
Sea Salt
Posted by Kennywally (Midwest) on 01/29/2017 46 posts
★★★★★
I just wrote about my experience with reflux and sea salt, any type, I love himalayan pink. I used to carry around a small 15-ml container so it was ready as I needed it, it worked instantly! I used it for a few years til I just no longer needed it!
Mustard
Posted by Linda (Texas) on 01/13/2014
★★★★★
Been suffering with acid reflux for several months. Doc gave me sample bottles of nexium. After reading about side effects and the consequences of it's long term use I researched natural alternatives. I chose to try mustard. Took spoonful before breakfast and symptoms disappeared fast!
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.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Baking Soda
Posted by Mary (San Francisco, Ca, USA) on 06/17/2012
★★★★★
Some one posted that when she took ACV, it gave her terrible acid reflux. Another lady told her to add a PINCH of baking soda to it. IT WORKS! I gave up taking ACV before because it caused acid reflux, too. So after I read the advice to add a pinch of soda, I gave it another try. Now I can drink 1 teaspoon of ACV, added a generous pinch of baking soda and a little honey; and I'm not experiencing acid reflux. THANK YOU so much!
Apples
Posted by Cool Woman (Bremerton, Washington) on 10/26/2011
★★★★★
Im 18 years old and studying in college, when 3 days ago I justs started feeling this sensation like acid was backing up in my throat. So the first day I ignored it, but it continued to grow worse so on the second day I started popping tums and they didn't help at all. So on the third day I decided not to eat anything at all in hopes that the sensation would go away. Well haha, halfway through the day it still persisted and I couldn't take it anymore so I got online, found this website, and out of desperation tried eating apples. To my surprise, within 30 minutes the sensation cleared right up and I feel much better. The weird feeling in my throat is not completly gone, but I feel like if I keep eating the apples and stay away from trigger foods, I will be fine :) thanks for this great tip
Digestive Enzymes
Posted by Jill (Madison, Wi) on 10/12/2011
★★★★★
Hold the vinegar. I tried it, but couldn't take the taste. Now I take digestive enzymes with each meal. I couldn't live without my Prilosec, but since I started the enzymes, no more Prilosec and no more acid reflux. The one that I use is Natural Brand Super Digestive Enzymes. GNC sells them.
Gum
Posted by beverly (Texas) on 11/03/2022
★★★★★
I will have to agree with you. I have a number of things I try...celery...alkaline water and aloe vera, and gum is one of the more effective ones.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Baking Soda
Posted by Guaira (Seattle, Wa) on 08/23/2011
★★★★★
Works like a charm! Really!! I had an endoscopy scheduled because I was feeling terrible, with an acid reflux that nothing could stop. The Prevacid that I had been taking was useless. Since I had to wait about 1 month for my appointment, I stopped taking Prevacid and started taking the ACV baking soda remedy described here... I felt GREAT about 3 days into it, and PERFECT within 3 weeks. Got the endoscopy done: NOTHING!! Seriously, no inflamation anywhere, including the duodenum. Last time I had an endoscopy done I was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia: GONE! Go figure... I must warn you again though: BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THE BAKING SODA. Too much and you will end up in much worse shape. I used only 1/8 of a teaspoon, with ACV. Never measured the resulting pH, but preferred to err on the safe side. Good luck, and take care!
Dietary Changes
Posted by Donquish (Columbia, Tn) on 08/10/2017
I love salt. However I do take 400mg Potassium Citrate twice a day to attenuate the effect of higher sodium intake. I keep packaged and fast food to a minimum. This keeps the BP fluctuations to a minimum for me. Always use Himalayan Pink salt for the spectrum of minor minerals in it.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Eva (Ballymena, Northern Ireland) on 08/18/2012
★★★★★
My acid reflux started about 1 year ago. I wasn't sure at the beginning why I was so sick, had a nausea, was dizzy sometimes, tired.. Then I found out it is acid reflux. I was trying to heal it with Aloe, Apple cider vinegar and baking soda.. It did help for awhile but definately didn't heal it. Then I said to myself STOP. If I wont heal it, I can develope a cancer of aesophagus. I stopped to drink coffee, stopped to eat chocolate, began a vegan, started to make vegetable and fruit juices everyday and I feel 100% better! When I eat chocolate, I start to feel sick again. So I am better off from all these things.
I definately recomment lifestyle changes, because your body is trying to say: 'Stop to put all this rubbish to me! I need much more nutrition to keep you healthy and happy! ' I am quite glad now, that I started to have a GERD, because that made me think about my lifestyle and now I started to live healthy again with right choices of food as I used to do years ago. I make vegetable and fruit juices for my wee son as well, buy lots of vegetables and fruits everyday, try to make some new healthy vegan food nearly everyday. And I am very happy when my son eat it and like it, because I know, that I am giving him the best nutrition. So people. Don't be afraid to change your diet. It is the best think you can do for yourself in long term. I didnt want to take medicines for this, because I knew, it will only make my problem worst and then I will really get sick. I don't even need any medication anymore. Food is my medication. And avoiding coffee, chocolate and meat was the most important thing for me.
Celery
Posted by Sammi (Flowery Branch, Ga) on 06/02/2009
★★★★★
I have learned a lot after reading all of your comments. This is the first time I have seen this web site and reading it mentioned in passing on Dr. Mercola's web site. My husband used to get acid reflux painfully bad, but after he gave up drinking quarts of tea a day (hey, he's a southern boy!), he very rarely gets it. He avoids bad eating, but sometimes (and it's usually some kind of fast food) he weakens and pays for it. He used to use baking soda, but found it was slow to work and sometimes didn't. Our son-in-law has BAD problems with it and found only eating celery (don't know if he knows about the other recommendations) could fix it. Hubby tried celery and has stuck with it as it works on the rare occasions now when he's affected. I can't get him to try the ACV. He thinks my son and I are crazy using it. Thanks for this site and all the fine input.
Aloe Vera
Posted by Fran (Dallas, Tx ) on 06/10/2010
★★★★★
I would recommend to anyone that has acid reflux to use aloe vera. There are differents forms to take. My daughter takes the gel capsules because she doesnt like the taste. And alot of it has to do with stress. So depending on your life style you need to make a change in your life. I have learned that I can not control eveything, so I have learned to control myself and not let the actions of others affect me. Its the best way to deal with things.
Almonds
Posted by Gina (Morgantown, Wv) on 08/28/2011
Alex, peppermint is a trigger for most people suffering from GERD. You must make sure it's not one of your triggers before you try it!!!
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...
Apples
Posted by Bahbi (Salem, Oregon, USA) on 10/31/2008
★★★★★
My 81 yr old husband has suffered Acid Reflux for probably 50 years. He has used over the counter antacid tablets like candy for years and years, and for the last 3 years his doctor has also had him on Omeprazole 1/2 hour before breakfast & dinner, Famotidine 2/day WITH breakfast and dinner, AND Metoclopramide at bedtime if the reflux is bothering him. But he still has had trouble sleeping due to heartburn and reflux while lying flat in bed, and has had to sleep with he head raised (in his recliner) 2-3 times a week. But a week ago I found the entries on EarthClinic about apples for reflux. He likes apples OK--we usually share an apple at lunch, so I asked him to eat the lunch-time apple as "dessert" instead of "appetizer", and to also eat 1/4 apple after breakfast and after dinner. He had an IMMEDIATE positive lessening of reflux, and after 3 days he eliminated the Omeprazole from his daily regimen. By adding 1/4 apple in the later evening as well, he has not needed Metoclopramide even once in the past week. APPLES FOR REFLUX WORK LIKE A MIRACLE!!
