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.
Licorice
Posted by K (Phoenix, Az) on 06/16/2011
★★★★★
I had terrible acid reflux a couple years ago. Went to the doctor and she prescribed some medication. When I asked how long I had to be on it, she said she didn't know. Apparently some people are on for life. I never filled the prescription. Instead I did some research and in addition to dramatically reducing my soda intake I started taking chewable (saliva enhances the effectiveness) DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice). Research and you will find several articles saying DGL cures ulcers! Take it 20 minutes prior to eating each meal (up to 3 times/day). I went from having acid reflux every day-all day to seldom if ever. I no longer vomit stomach acid in the morning and I am able to eat spicy foods again. I also don't have to take it before every meal anymore. I only take it before I eat spicy foods.
Two last things, if you don't like licorice, they do have German Chocolate flavored DGL which helps to disguise the flavor. Secondly, if you have high blood pressure, make sure you buy the kind that has the glycyrrhizin compound (associated with high blood pressure) removed.
Parasites
Posted by Janice (Spartanburg, Sc Usa) on 05/30/2011
One cause of acid reflux is parasites. A liquid combination of black walnut, woodworm and cloves is the remedy and can be bought at a health food store. It taste very bad but is good for you.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Baking Soda
Posted by Debbie (Melbourne, Australia) on 05/13/2011
Ingrid, people get acid reflux because they don't have enough acid in the stomach not because there is too much. Nexium and others like it decrease stomach acid. The stomach acid needs to be within a certain pH range.
Without stomach acid, you can't absorb nutrients properly, and you can't prevent bacteria growth in your stomach! You also can't digest food properly.
I was taking ACV with bicarb soda and it made me ill so I now take it just with water. You could also drink lemon juice with water.
Google why stomach acid is good for you.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Baking Soda
Posted by Kathie (Houston, United States) on 05/13/2011
Nexium prevents us from properly digesting our food, thus we become deficiant in many vital nutriants. Nutriants will help us heal.... ACV, does not interfere with our body the way pharmacuticles do.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Baking Soda
Posted by Jeff (Nashville, Tn) on 05/13/2011
★★★★★
I no longer take Nexium since drinking ACV and BS everyday. I stopped taking the drug every other day and then every 3-4 days and so on till I was free. As with ANY drug you should never just stop taking it. Your body will revolt!
Apple Cider Vinegar, Baking Soda
Posted by Ingrid (Sydney, N.s.w, Australia ) on 05/13/2011
★★★★★
I have been taking nexium for about 7 years, I am 55 years old, I have started ACV With BS about one week ago, and I can tell you that I can feel the difference already, all of this is for my acid reflux. But my question is, should I be worried if I stop taking nexium?
Is it possible to have ACV and BS with the nexium for long, until I feel secure to go off of the nexium?. It is very important for me to know this as soon as possible.
I am also taking BP(blood presure) medicine.
Thank you very much.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Baking Soda
Posted by James (Plainview, Texas) on 05/09/2011
★★★★★
For most of my life I would take baking soda for my severe acid reflux and after only minutes it would do its wonders of nuetralizing the acid, after a couple of burps I was good to go. But lately its been so bad that even putting 5 or more tablespoons in 8 oz of water didn't help.... So today, after finding this site I tried apple cider vinegar and although I had to take a few doses over a couple of hours, it seens to make the pain tolerable. Now keep in mind that my acid reflux is an extreme case that cases vomitting and on average 12 to 15 hours of level 9 pain ( 1 to 10 scale). For more mild heartburn and reflux I will swear by baking soda, and now , because of the wonderful site I am becoming convienced about the positive uses of ACV.
Low Carb Diet, Hcl
Posted by Ck (Cincinnati, Oh Usa) on 05/06/2011
I have been getting some relief by combing a controlled carbs diet with HCL and other digestive enzymes. I have learned a lot from the following site and would urge all to visit and read the extensive information presented. He does not sell digestive products or aides.
http://thehealthyskeptic.org/heartburn
I appreciate all who have posted their ideas here and I wanted to share this information as it is helping me.
Digestive Enzymes
Posted by Jeff (Los Angeles, Ca) on 04/30/2011
I want to get a digestive enzyme for my silent reflux... Two questions... 1-I read in a natural healing book it is good for reflux but to get one without Hydrocloric acid... The viatamin store said I should get one within particual a Twin Lab product... 2- Any particual brands that any have used or reccommend?
Garlic
Posted by Seanb (Port Mcnicoll, Ontario, Canada) on 04/26/2011
★★★★★
I have suffered from Acid Reflux for about 5 years. I have enjoyed many of the typical symptoms, Lump in throat sensation, burning behind breast bone, throat palpatations, excessive mucous etc. I have tried every remedy I could find including Ted's alkalizing forumla's primarily Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking soda. As with most remedies I have found nothing seems to work for long. I had the best success with ACV and Baking soda but it too stopped being as effective after about a year.
With all the remedies I have tried I think at best I could only describe the results as controlling my symptoms. This no longer seems to be the case, my acid reflux seems to be gone entirely. This is a direct result of taking Garlic supplements daily.
In researching this condition I found a few articles claiming that the active healing ingredient in garlic called Allicin is one of the only natural ways to kill the H pylori bacteria in the stomache. its widely believed that a high percentage of people with reflux have this bacteria.
Over Christmas I was having an exceptionally bad episode and out of desperation ate a couple raw cloves. After my mouth stopped burning I was amazed to note my symptoms had subsided. I have since been taking garlic and over the course of a couple months all of my symtopms have ceased. I quickly switched to galic supplements from Wall Mart as taking raw garlic was too poweful and was causing some social implications.
Garlic is one of the trigger foods we are supposed to avoid, I believed this to be true and would not have tried this if not out of desperation. It may well be responsible for the occaional heart burn I have had since but this has been minor and typically reiieved with a few almonds or some candied ginger. All of my other more concerning symptoms are gone.
reading up on Garlic you will find it has a lot of benefits including fighting some types of cancers. One of the other benefits is bowel regulation. I did not think I had a problem in this area but its now apparent that I did. I think its this issue that led to my acid reflux in the first place.
I hope others will try this and hopefully get the same benefit. Its my hope that if this works for others that we can spread the word and help others. I know this condition can really get you down over time and can seem hopeless but like the X-Files the truth is out there. Good luck to all of you
Chia Seed
Posted by Jose (Worcester, Massachusetts) on 04/20/2011
★★★★★
I knew about the ChÃa 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.
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.
Mustard
Posted by Alice (West Mifflin, Pa) on 03/15/2011
Mustard contains vinegar and turmeric, both help with digestion.
Aloe Vera
Posted by Diane (Scottsdale, Az) on 03/04/2011
Try the aloe vera capsules - available on line or at your health food store - work well and cheaper too.
Digestive Enzymes
Posted by Larry (Latrobe, Pa / Usa) on 02/22/2011
★★★★★
Great Site with very helpful information. I have referred to it often. I need to ad my experience as far as Acid Reflux.
I was in such discomfort for years, until I found out two things.
First, I do not digest meat without taking digestive enzymes. Two tablets with water when meal is 3/4 finished.
Second, If someone, like myself and others I see from the postings, has continuous discomfort after eating regardless of what they eat and may have trouble taking a deep breath, you probably have a Hiatal Hernia. No surgery is needed. A chiropractor can remedy this in a matter of minutes! You will have immediate relief. Once you learn the procedure your spouce can do the maneuver if it needs done in the future. It has brought relief to both my wife and myself.
I hope this information will help others.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Connie (Slc, Ut) on 01/25/2011
★★★★☆
Hi Sheila; Yes, it is an "acid thing" to me too because I'm still trying to give it a figure. Whatever this thing is, It's been "Born Slippy" to my gripe. (possibility of a joke here). I'm still rummaging through my diet and supplements to find which acids trouble me at this time.
In Truth, these acids have nothing that's wrong about them, but I am not metabolizing them correctly for now. I cannot take aspirin or even White Willow Bark For now. (high in salicylic acid) Foods high in salicylates don't seem to be a problem.
Foods high in citric acid are troublesome now. I may have moderate amounts of naturally fermented foods. (lactic acid) Acetic acids are also troublesome now. Even Rose Hips tea caused a disturbance. (ascorbic acid and citric acid) I have trouble metabolizing sulfur. It is acidic, but moreover, the body conducts a very complex process with it in order to use it. (when I try to understand what all the liver does in this, I have to "roll out the fainting couch"). If sulfur isn't properly methylated, oxidized, etc., its unfinished business will be expressed to and from an unhappy colon.
What brought me to realize that my case was some "gross acidosis", was (I must admit this), 5 years of Hcl supplementation. I began it after a lifetime of digestive ills that peaked with a 3 month period of upper stomach pain, projectile vomiting, and dry heaves. (liver problems too) Scope showed no ulcer, no H. Pylori, but there was inflammation. After research, I began Hcl with Betaine (sounds like beet uh een). My results were great, and I could eat well. After a couple of years, I began to have negative symptoms that seemed unrelated to the Hcl. (no stomach pain). After 5 yrs., there was pain nearly everywhere but the stomach. I increased Hcl. Pain increased. Kidney pain increased exponentially. Ted's words, "acid kidney", came to mind.
I went for a scan. The results were; No stones, no obstructions in kidney, but a small liver lesion and a small hiatal hernia. I stopped Hcl. The pain began to subside. I now have somewhat low stomach acid, but I choose B-complex with an extra pinch of niacin to treat it. These are the acids that I may have.
The rewards for the practice of finding my troublesome acids are: no more kidney pain, minimized liver and stomach pain, much reduced bleeding, (purpura, gums), very few canker sores, (autoimmune), and very few shingles outbreaks, (herpes). I am now able to slowly reduce my meds. I have learned this practice from reading the brilliant posts here, and I am again grateful. Connie
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Elvis (Muskogee, Ok) on 01/21/2011
I have acid reflux. I'm Catholic and every lent I give up all foods that I know contain processed sugar. Its very difficult and I am convinced that sugar is more addictive than any drug. The great thing is that my reflux is almost eliminated. I also believe that regular exercise, and avoiding trigger foods helps, as well and the occasional bi-carb.
Aloe Vera
Posted by Kayla (Highland, Ny) on 01/09/2011
★★★★★
My daughter Natalie suffered from reflux from day one. She was born slightly premature, and was in the NICU for breathing difficulties, where she was given antibiotics. Along with helping what the doctor thought could be a slight infection, the antibiotics wiped out the good digestive enzymes we need to absorb the nutrition from food. After many nights of screaming and hearing her pained gasps, and refusing to put her on prescription drugs with varying side affects, we were recommended to an aloe juice product. Not only does Natalie love it, but here we are almost 4 months later and all signs of her reflux are gone.
Also, aloe juice helps to strengthen the immune system. She's had 1 cold, pretty remarkable. (She has 3 young, very curious cousins! ) If you'd like more information on the aloe juice, feel free to get a hold of me. Beware of aloe juices that contain things called "aloins, " as they are not safe for infants. I'd love to tell you more, because I know what a heartbreak reflux can create for a mother. Good Luck -Kayla
Aloe Vera
Posted by Doug (Irving, Texas) on 01/07/2011
I have tried many types of aloe vera juice and never liked the taste of any until I tried GNC's Wild Berry Flavored Aloe Vera Juice. It tastes great chilled and feels as good as it tastes.
Vinegar-Based Hot Sauce
Posted by Derrick (Nashville, Tn) on 12/06/2010
★★★★★
I have had acid reflux for years. I tried OTC stuff for over a year. But I learned there are many long-term side effects with these pills. I started taking Apple Cider Vinegar with water, which helped. But it was so hard to choke down. I wondered if I could get my vinegar elsewhere.
So.... I tried vinegar-based hot sauces like Texas Pete or generic cayenne hot sauce with vinegar, cayenne and salt as the ingredients. There are many hot sauces that are mild too, such as Crystal hot sauce. I don't go a day without hot sauce. Keep in mind that not all of them help. Some of them contain water and other ingredients. Whenever I get an irritation, I get a couple of crackers and a few drops of hot sauce and wash it down with some water and I feel better. Am I the only one that has tried vinegar-based hot sauce? Because it is a fantastic cure.
Reader Feedback
Posted by Frances (Holmfirth, Uk) on 11/21/2010
Just thought I ought to add that my acid reflux is most probably due to the drug I am taking for Atrial Fibrillation (irregular heartbeat)and low dosage aspirin. I stopped the aspirin 3 days ago as it isnt really necessary for me as my condition is mild and controlled. I have had acid on and off since being on the medication (4 years) but it went big time almost 24/7 a couple of weeks ago.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Kymom (Bowling Green, Kentucky, Usa) on 11/21/2010
★★★★★
Lisa,
I am 50 years old and have had difficulty with acid reflux for over a year. I, too, have noticed that beer is a big aggravator for me. There have been numerous things that help temporarily, but I have finally figured out that the acid/alkaline foods and beverages I drink seem to determine my level of reflux.
I am using 1/2 tsp baking soda with lime in the morning and at bedtime. I use more during the day if I am having heartburn or know I am going to eat acidic food. I also try to eat more alkaline foods than acidic. You can google and find a list of foods and where they fall on the list. Beer is very acidic, as is sugar, which may be why so many people find relief by eating low carb. Baking soda is very alkaline. I am also eating a grapefruit for breakfast and an apple for snack on a daily basis. Hope this helps. It is a miserable feeling to have reflux, but even worse is not knowing how to help yourself. Using the acid/alkaline food chart has helped me manage myself very well.
Reader Feedback
Posted by Frances (Holmfirth, Uk) on 11/21/2010
Good morning to you all,
I am so pleased to have found this site (out of desperation and ages on the internet)It is self diagnosis that I have acid reflux but have every symptom listed, burning pain, regurgertation, stomach discomfort etc. I have a doctors appointment this week. One of my symptoms has been the tight chest and dry cough and know this is due to acid irritation and possible imflamation.
I started using Ted's 2 remedy on Friday and already feel better. Can anyone tell me though how long should it take for the tight chest and cough to heal. It is better and only seem to have it morning and evenings rather than all day now. I would just like a rough idea so I can keep an eye on it. Many thanks for any help, Frances
Dietary Changes
Posted by Lisa (Bend, Oregon) on 11/20/2010
At 40 I developed acid reflux and tried traditional medicines off and on, but found 10 years relief from not drinking beer. Oddly, wine and coffee didn't bother me. After reading from others, I see it's the grain connection. Unfortunity, at 52 my acid reflux has resurfaced and is miserable. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to reduce eating all grains and see what happens.
Aloe Vera
Posted by Teresa (Rockford, Iowa) on 11/16/2010
★★★★★
Just read your thread and had to reply. Have been taking the ACV for months and it's great and my husband is also a big fan but recently my acid reflux has returned with a vengence. I snipped a leaf off my aloe plant out of desparation and chewed it. Lo and behold, I am writing this to say that immediatley my ar is gone and I am going to need to find another plant as mine is a bit small and may not survive me!! LOL
