Apple Cider Vinegar Treatment for Acid Reflux

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.

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.

Dear Cwk,

I used Apple Cider Vinegar for years for reflux/heartburn. Then it didn't work and neither did anything else.

My reflux was caused by gallstones. I did several gall bladder flushes over several months and got out the stones.

For the last year I have felt so much better. Heartburn is very rare now. I marvel still that I feel so much better.

So all that to say, you might want to consider a gallbladder issue.

~Mama to Many~

Immediate relief of acid reflux from 2T ACV

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!

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

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.

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.

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 :)

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!!!

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.

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.

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

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 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!!

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

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.

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!!!!!

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?

Wow! I do not believe it! Had a double by-pass in 2004 and have been on blood pressure medication and medication for acid reflux for years. After I had some side effects from both medications decided to try ACV and garlic pills. Although my blood pressure without medication was only 135/85 my doctor wanted it lower than that because of health history.There was no doubt in my mind that ACV and garlic would not work! Well, dummy me! It worked and worked big time! I have waited 2 months to post my story because I wanted to be sure. Had appts with two of my doctors yesterday and my blood pressure wast 110/72 and later that day 106/70. The big bonus for me was my acid reflux disappeared. I take 2 tablespoons of ACV in a glass of water and a 6,000mg pill of garlic every morning.
Try it! You have nothing to lose. It worked for me and hopefully it will work for you.I also should add that I monitored my blood pressure several times daily to make sure it was working. Good luck

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

1 part Apple cider vinegar and 3 parts water at least three times per day especially after meals has lessened acid reflux symptoms by 90% after three weeks steady treatment. I had been taking Nexium for approximately 5 years by doctor's prescription. When I went for a refill and found that I couldn't without going back to the doctor again, I decided to check out your website for help. After 5 years of Nexium and/or Zantac, if I missed taking it even one day, then my reflux came back as strong as the days before treatment. I never went back to the doctor for another prescription. The apple cider vinegar mixture treatment really works for me and is better than the last 5 years with few symptoms. I have also removed coffee and wine completely from my diet. Also, I try not to eat anything within 2-3 hours before bed. That's hard since I am a "grazer" and eat at odd times.

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~

Amanda, as with most things, start low and slow and notice your reactions.

Give yourself a dedicated full 2 months taking apple cider vinegar 2 tbls in 6-8oz water, 3 times a day (before each meal). After the 2nd week, go down to twice a day. After the 4th week, you may be able to go down to once a day. No doctor here, but I followed this plan and my daily acid reflux struggle decreased to only once or twice a month (after eating a trigger food)! If that's not worth a try than I don't know what is!

How do you know it was the ACV that gave you the yeast infection? A lot of women actually use ACV as a treatment for yeast infections.