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.
Water
Posted by Hollyhock (Wellington, New Zealand) on 08/15/2011
★★★★★
Somewhere on this site I discovered drinking a glass of water a half hour before dinner prevented acid reflux. I would like to post that this is true for me and an older friend who also experienced acid reflux. Thank you.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Marie (Ny) on 08/08/2017
Some older people who have high blood pressure can't take salt. I test it alot and if I eat more than 600mg sodium a day my blood pressure sky rockets. The other day it was 121/77 and that nite I ate two bowls of chinese egg drop soup and today it was 153/95. The other days it's in the 120's/80 except when I eat salt the nite before. So be careful with the salt. One hot dog can contain about 500 mg of sodium. I boil them to get the salt out into the water and I boil smoked sausage the same way and I believe that 90 percent of the salt comes out. I do it with ham too. You can tell cuz there will be no taste., but you can sprinkle a TINY amount of Celtic salt to make up for it and yet it will be way less than before.
Licorice
Posted by Ali (Wales) on 05/05/2021
★★★★★
Elevated blood pressure can often be due to a sodium & potassium imbalance. The modern diet tends to be high in sodium & low in potassium, especially if little or no fresh fruit & vegetables are consumed. Whilst sodium can raise BP, potassium can lower it.
Licorice is often blamed for raising BP, however because potassium is likely required by components in the licorice in order for it to work properly in the body, it can potentially make an already existing potassium deficiency worse. The real issue may therefore not be the Licorice as such, but the lack of enough potassium.
In order to mitigate this possibility it is important to get enough potassium-rich foods in the diet generally, & especially if consuming Licorice root. Rather than removing the highly beneficial Glycyrrhizin, would it not make more sense to advise a higher consumption of potassium-rich foods?
Licorice has been used medicinally & highly beneficially for thousands of years. But it's only in the last century that dietary focus has veered from a more natural diet featuring abundant plant foods, to high sodium, low potassium highly processed, & high animal product consumption.
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?
Apple Cider Vinegar, Baking Soda
Posted by Kelly (Gaithersburg, Md) on 08/19/2010
★★★★★
I'm a 39 year old female with horrible acid reflux. I had my gallbladder removed about 10 years ago. I still would get horrible bouts of acid reflux after eating anything tomato based, spicy, creamy, or acidy (like fruit) I tried the ACV (2 tbl spoons) with 1/4 tsp of baking soda and 8 oz of water last night. I was attempting to enjoy some red wine and knew I would have a horrible night of reflux. I made the mix and drank it right before bed. It WORKS! No sour burps or acid burning it went away completely! I have slept with antacids, Pepto and pepcid by my bedside and none of it ever worked but this did! Thank you so much! I'm finally not afraid to eat and drink the things I love!
Dietary Changes
Posted by Paul (Lansing, Mi) on 12/10/2009
★★★★★
About 10 years ago, I went to my doctor with complaints of heartburn. Refered to specialist. Scoped and diagnosed acid reflux. Presciption. I asked the doctor if I would be taking this the rest of my life, he said yes. I determined that I would not. After 3 months and 3 different precriptions that made me feel worse I quit taking them. Felt better right away, but still had heartburn sometimes. I now know in my case it is chocolate. Just a small amount can make me feel like i'm having a heart attack hours later. Experiment, don't let them put you on a lifetime of prescriptions that will make you sicker.
Aloe Vera
Posted by Camillems (Las Cruces, Nm, Usa) on 10/07/2009
★★★★★
Hey Kimberly from Mineral VA, try aloe vera juice for your acid reflux. I have had chronic heart burn and acid reflux and the past week it has gotten out of control and keeping me up at night. The gal at the pharmacy told me to buy a gallon of aloe vera juice.. and guess what my acid reflux is gone!! I was taking antacids, and baking soda, even ACV nothing was working but the cooling and gentle effect of aloe vera juice has done the trick... i hear its good for weight loss too...hmmmm looking forward to what I'll find. Good luck.
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.
Raw Potato
Posted by Marcela (Mexico, Mexico) on 01/26/2009
★★★★★
My husband and his family have used raw potato juice for acid reflux and gastritis for years. And it has worked for everyone we've recommended it to. It is not an everyday kind of treatment, they only use it when they finally abuse their tummies too much with spicy or greasy diets on a long term. Then they use it for a week or so and they go back to normal. It consists of throwing a small raw potato in the juicer along with some carrots, for taste. Drink it right away or it will darken and not taste as good (I guess it also loses some properties with oxidation). One of these juices every morning for a week seems to do the trick.
BTW, My 83 yr old mother-in-law can eat ANYTHING (and I'm talking greasy, spicy mexican food here) and be fine. Thank you for this site, I plan to contribute feedback for many of your wonderful remedies.
Mustard
Posted by Beanie (Burlington, NJ) on 12/10/2008
★★★★★
i cant believe that it actually works!!! but it freakin did 1 tablespoon, and its gone -- i cant believe it works.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Annette (Sacramento, Ca) on 12/02/2008
★★★★★
I am writing to tell you of a discovery I made when I stopped eating carbs for weight loss. As long as I kept off carbs, I had no, zero, nada acid reflux! So, I have come to the conclusion that for myself, carbs are the cause of my acid reflux. It is hard to avoid carbs without planning and it takes a week to clear the sugars from your muscles and liver...but soon you will not have cravings for carbs and I hope, no more acid reflux. Good luck!
Calcium and Magnesium
Posted by Alfonzo (Cape Coral, Florida) on 11/22/2008
★★★★★
I had severe acid reflux after taking a very popular blood pressure and cholesterol medication combination. I had to stop taking those medications but the acid reflux remained. I would wake in the middle of the night from a dead sleep about to vomit, this was a very bad and a very scary occurrance. But, to get to the point, I discovered that a combination of Calcium and Magnesium (1200mg) each would not only provide me with immediate relief but I believe that it is curing me of the problem altogether. To verify my theory I introduced it to one of my employees who suffered from severe reflux as well and she is over joyed at being able to enjoy the foods that she thought she would never be able to enjoy again.
Thanks Earth Clinic I hope that it helps everyone who tries it!! Stay healthy and stay free to enjoy life.
Aloe Vera
Posted by Harley (South Windsor, Connecticut) on 06/18/2008
★★★★★
A week after a flu shot, I developed a virus, including a fever of 100 degrees(F) and extreme fatigue. Then, I started to experience a funny feeling in my chest when swallowing. This developed into intense pain to the point that I could only get down room temperature water.
Went to a walk-in clinic on the weekend (own MD not available) and told to take Prilosec OTC. Didn't do any good. Saw my MD who put me on Prevacid and sent me for a Barium swallow test and, later, an upper endoscopy. Acid Reflux was the diagnosis....first time ever. Two months of Prevacid (which did work but was costing $156/month) and my esophogus healed. I tried to wean myself off but started feeling the familiar pain so I kept on the Prevacid.
While researching natural cures I came across this web site and decided to try Aloe Vera Juice. The local Vitamin Shoppe carries several brands. I tried ____ brand of its digestive formula of Aloe Vera (bunch of other herbs etc). It's been two months and I have been pain free although I have to watch what and when I eat as well as chew my food completely instead of swallowing in a hurry..I eat way too fast. A quart of the Aloe Vera juice lasts one week and costs $10.95. I also tried the apple cider vinegar but it did not work for me.
Aloe Vera
Posted by Laurie (Springfield, Va) on 05/14/2008
★★★★★
Just a note about Aloe juice. The best brand, in my experience, is George's as it has no taste. The only warning I would have about aloe for acid reflux, is that it can, as it did in my case, act as a pretty potent laxative so just be aware of that if you are planning to try it. Thanks for all the helpful ideas.
Aloe Vera
Posted by Mostrefulxcannotbecured (Houston, Texas) on 07/08/2012
My reflux cannot be cured and most cannot be cured because most reflux is from hiatal hernias. Mine is a sliding hernia which causes acid to come up my esophagus, so how can that be cured? The acid can be nuetralized so it does not come up but not cured!!
Mustard
Posted by V. Gillespie (Saint Louis, USA) on 09/16/2007
★★★★★
Mustard, regular prepared mustard that goes on a hotdog or sandwich quickly and completely cured intolerable acid reflux and heartburn. My husband told me to try it, so I swallowed a good tablespoon each time the reflux and heartburn came for a few days. It has been well over 6 years since and I have never had acid reflux or hearburn again. Mustard works amazingly.
Almonds
Posted by Karen (Birmingham, Michigan) on 09/12/2007
★★★★★
ALMONDS: I had been taking aciphex for my acid reflux for over a year. After trying to lose weight with no success, I discovered over the internet that some people have a weight problem with aciphex. I stopped using it and decided to try a natural remedy that I used when I was pregnant and it works! It's real simple: plain almonds. I eat about 5 with breakfast and then eat a few each time I eat and I haven't felt my reflux. This was a remedy that a nurse told me about many years ago when I was pregnant with my first child, 1981. I'm so glad I remembered it. Just to let you know, I am a drinker of chlorinated tap water; (read below) but somehow that remedy makes sense, too. Oh, and by the way, I began to lose weight after stopping the aciphex!
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Kita (Detroit, Michigan) on 08/19/2007
★★★★★
I had acid reflux bad for the past two years. Oneday my aunt went to a health food store. Her and a lady got to talking about blackstrap. The lady had tried everything for her acid reflux so the doctor finally told her about blackstrap molasses. My aunt brought some for me and within days the acid reflux started to go down. Now I have been taking it for4 months now. It is just about cured! It is the best thing for acid reflux. I took two teapsoons of it everyday in april and now I take less because it doesnt bother me. One or two teaspoons will help get you through the whole day.
Aloe Vera
Posted by Bill (San Fernando, Philippines) on 04/26/2012
Hi Lisa... I am afraid the that medical thinking, concerning GERD and reflux problems, is simply not correct. The doctors will insist and simply assume that GERD and reflux problems are always caused by EXCESS acid. When, in actual fact, 90% of all reflux problems are usually caused by
TOO LITTLE acid in your stomach.
See this link:
http://metabolichealing.com/key-integrated-functions-of-your-body/gut/lack-of-adequate-stomach-acid-what-you-don-t-know-could-be-causing-major-distress/
This link goes right through to describe the reasons and also tells you exactly how you can check properly if you have TOO LITTLE STOMACH ACID. You can confirm whether you have too little or too much stomach acid by The Heidelberg pH Test. But this is quite an invasive check. They can also assess your problems and tell using another less invasive method using urine analysis, hair analysis and blood chemistry. I think naturopaths can also do this latter test.
Generally, if you take PPI's or proton pump inhibitors -- this massively and dangerously inhibits your stomach acid production and usually makes the problem much worse. And so when the undigested food passes into the duodenum, the CCK hormone (cholecystokinin) will not be released (stomach pH not low enough because of no stomach acid) to trigger the enzymes for main stage digestion and so very little duodenal digestion occurs. The food then just sits there and stagnates and rots giving rise to a whole host of other digestive problems in the body that usually involves dysbiosis, candida and other pathogenic bacteria rapidly taking hold in the stomach and upper intestines.
I helped a woman from Africa who had very similar symptoms to you. She had GERD, esophigitis, gastritis, systemic candida, colitis, LES and a whole host of other serious problems besides. She was also on PPI's and in quite a bad way. See this link for her complete symptoms, daily protocol and cure story. Her protocol is identical to The Anti-Candida Protocol that I normally recommend for Candida problems but I also included and added pancreatin enzymes and betaine hydrochloride tablets daily with every meal to help with the lack of stomach acid.
First thing you should do is get a complete doctor's check-up including blood and liver work up. Also I would ask your doctor for a proper and more accurate stomach acid check by one of the above methods that I have already mentioned.
I suspect that you will be severely lacking in stomach acid, severely lacking in energy and you will also be severely mineral deficient -- especially magnesium and iodine deficient -- all caused by the PPI's. This means that your calcium levels will be way too high --> excess blood calcium causes tissue pain, blood problems and also inhibits the absorbtion of iodine in the body, so you may well have low thyroid or hypothyroid symptoms as well (low energy, intolerance to hot/cold, low basal body temperature etc.).
