Apple Cider Vinegar Treatment for Acid Reflux

Apple cider vinegar and honey has definitely helped my acid reflux problem. I took a 2 liter(2 qt) plastic bottle, which is 8- 8oz servings and added 8oz ACV and 4oz of honey and filled with H2O. I started 6 days ago and drink 2 8oz glasses a day, one before breakfast and one before dinner. It has worked wonders! No more coughing and regurgating at night and the lump in my throat is about gone. On day 4, I decided to skip the one before dinner, just to see if it made a difference and I was coughing and food was coming up in the night. I went to the kitchen and drank a glass and slept the rest of the night without a problem. Before I started this, I would spray my throat several times a night to try and keep from coughing. I haven't sprayed my throat one time since I started doing this. I would recommend trying it to anyone. It may not work for everyone, but, so far it has worked great for me with no side effects!

i just want to know if this burns going down the throat, i havent tried this yet. cause sometimes i have a lot of mucus in my throat and diffulculty swallowing. i havent found out what i have yet. they think its gerd. but it also can be an ulcer. in any case for people who have mucus in the throat eat a bite of ginger and spit it out. it leaves a cool feeling and some of my mucus went away last night. so try this it worked for me by accident.

I have what I call tonsil mucus so I'll be giving the ginger a try. Anyway - to answer your question, acv will burn if you use it neat but not if is watered down. 8 ozs water to a tablespoon or two will ensure no burning sensation.

I'm so glad I've found this website. I have a couple of questions though.

I've recently been diagnosed with it, though my doc said it's going on for about 2 years, but my previous doctor didn't look into it, so it got worse now. I'm not able to eat any solid food, not even bread, cause it doesn't matter how much I chew the food, even tiniest pieces will stay on the right side of my throat and then heartburn will start and anxiosity when I try to flush it down, but it doesn't go down and it stays there for 2-3 days too. it's very annoying, cause I feel like I'm gonna choke and it's not a pleasant feeling. I just wanna be able to normally eat again :(

I'm taking esomeprazol for 13 days now, but it didn't get any better, I still feel like there's a huge lump in my throat all the time. Mostly I feel there's a huge clod of saliva in there and if I'll try to eat bread or crackers or anything like that it will all get stuck there.

I tried this combo of acv honey now for 3 days, but this feeling of lump in my throat is still there, so I still am afraid to eat anything else than puddings and joghurt drinks, cause for those I know nothing can get stuck.
Losing weight like that is not really good specially when you're already thin enough.

also I'd like to know if this disease is fully curable? I asked my doc and she said it's questionable :(

everyone who tried to cure it with pills and apple cider vinegar honey combination, please share how long it took you to normally eat again and how did you start noticing results and also after how many days? also when you started taking acv honey how long should you take it? is it ok if I take it with pills esomeprazol?

I asked my doc about this cure and she said she never heard about it, so I said I'll give it a try. I'm on 3rd day now and noticing just mild results, but there's still this saliva lump or something feeling in my throat that prevents me to even dare to try eat any food like bread, cause last time I tried toast bread it got stuck :(

I hope I get your answers soon and spot good results so I can come back and report and be soon able to eat normally again without fear of getting choked.

Hi, I just thought I'd let you know that I first got the feeling of a lump in my throat when I was pregnant 9 years ago. At that point I wasnt sure what it was and the doctor didnt have a clue what I was talking about. After I had my baby the lump in my throat and a very irritating cough disapeared...until the next pregnancy!

I coughed and had the lump in my throat through the pregnancy all over again. I have been left with a cough and am going back to the acv again now but only get the lump in my troat when I havent eaten well, as in skipped a meal or two.

My 9 year old was poorly the other week and didnt eat very well for a few days and then she started to complain of the lump in her throat.

Anyway what Im trying to say is I that I think the lump or Globas as Anne calls it is through an imbalance of acid caused by not eating properly (either too much or too little) Hope this helps and puts your mind at rest a little.

Hi All: This is Angie again. I wanted to update you all on my experience with ACV. While it did really help me, it seemed to make my hypersalivation much worse. I just read in a book about ACV by Cynthia Holzapfel that it is known for increasing the flow of saliva. I also read someone else on this board had the same experience. So, I've been taking 2 oz's of Aloe Juice two times a day for the past few days instead. It seems to help with the lump in my throat without making me hypersalivate. However, it isn't as effective as the ACV at preventing back flow when I lie down. But I just got a very slight amount of backflow. Maybe I need to increase the amount I'm taking. It also seems to give me more gas than usual, but I can live with this. I will keep it up and see if things improve. If they do I will post on the Aloe section. Good luck and good health to all of you. Sincerely, Angie

Thanks for your insight Jim. That was interesting. It doesn't explain why the test was more acidic right before I drank the acv and alkaline right after every time I did the test though. Sorry I didn't see your post sooner. All the best. Sincerely, Angie

so u dont know whether it was ACV or controlling ur diet which helped u . if u know cud u let us know

Hi Jason, I also experienced constipation when I first took ACV. However, when I switched to the ___ brand, with the 'mother' in it, I found it wasn't an issue any more. The ordinary supermkt ACV will cause constipation. Hope this helps.

I too get constipation from ACV ritual. So I have been switching to Lemon and Baking Soda rather than ACV. Constipation still a problem but not as bad and it Seems to work the same as far as GERD, and does not cause me to be jittery. Weather has been keeping me indoors without much exercise. I take liquid magnesium, along with Vit.c, D, B and Greens. Also use a fish oil liquid mixed in yogurt. Some say molasses helps. Baking Soda is really helpful for the gerd and gripy stomach acid stuff.

When i first tried taking ACV it also caused me bloating, gas and other stomach problems. So I stopped taking it and used lime juice. You could try lime juice or lemon juice instead. Just use it the same way.

Later due to the hard time I was having finding limes that have no pesticides I went back to ACV - but I now drink 1/2 a teaspoon in my bottled water per 32 ounces. This does not make me have the bloating, gas, etc.

I don't know however if this will work for GERD. But I would think that drinking the lime juice or lemon juice the same way you drank the ACV might help.

You should take both. It's dangerous to stop taking a medicine prescribed for ulcers in the esophagus. I really wouldn't want to risk getting cancer in the esophagus.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR CURED MY ACID REFLUX - 3X PER DAY WITH HONEY AND WATER - EXCELLENT!!! DOCTORS PRESCRIBED LIFETIME OF NEXIUM - BUT I NO LONGER NEED NEXIUM BECAUSE OF THE APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

I found your website because after trying all different kinds of thing without substantial results I decided to go back to a more natural approach. So I have a lap band for several years already - lately my trouble with acid reflux got worse and I thought the symptoms like pain behind my sternum, extreme tightness in my throat even down to my esophagus was caused by a too tight lab band, but my surgeon ensured me after reviewing my x-rays that my lap band and the way it is placed and the way my stomach pouch is located is just perfect.
So he agreed that the discomfort, PAIN, and nightly suffocation attacks indicate a acid reflux problem and he gave me a prescription for Apo-Omeprazole.

Even though it cost me $ 155 I didn't feel too comfortable to take it with all the things and side effects - so to make a long story short - having heard about Apple Cider Vinegar I looked for it on the internet and came to this website, yesterday. I took the vinegar water mix (1.5 tablespoon of vinegar/1 glass water) right away and since then 3 times per day. After two glasses of mix last night I had the best night sleep in a long time.

Anybody else out there with a lap band and acid reflux problems?

WORKED TEMPORARILY

I have suffered from severe acid reflux for the last year. Was placed on Nexium and had horrible side effects. My esophogus is throbbing constantly. I have had all the tests, stress tests, chest x_rays,upper endoscopy and Chest CT--all came out ok. I went off the nexium 15 days ago and the rebound was miserable--the side effects are still there----ringing in my ears, tingling in my legs,dizziness, etc. I have been on the apple cider vinegar remedy for the last 15 days. It helped a little at first but the discomfort is back. The throbbing in my esophogus and not sleeping is the worst. I definitely believe that the vinegar does help some people but I'm not so sure about the really tough cases like mine. I would sincerely appreciate some feedback as I have no intention of ever going back on the nexium. Is 15 days on the vinegar remedy long enough to expect at least some improvement? Thanks for the help.

I Guess i'm one of the first one, all the way from Tanzania (East Africa) who has appreciated earthclinic's efforts.
ACV - worked wonders for me an effective relief in no time. i still hope it to be a permanent relief from the annoying pain of Acid reflux. I shall continue for a week or two.

Another temporary but effective relief from acid reflux is half a glass of cold milk mixed with another half of cold water, drink it fast for immediate relief.

I have to disagree with you about ACV because it has been my lifesaver. I started taking ACV over 10 years ago because I was diagnosed with SLE & RA along with a lot of complications. One of the complications was ulcers, acid refluk and a hiatial hernia from all of the prescriptions they had me on for pain. I was having to take daily stool samples to my doctor because i was losing so much blood. I was put on prevacid 7 prilosec and neither worked. I started the ACV and my ulcers are gone and I never have acid reflux anymore.

I think a lot of people buy the cheap ACV and it does taste bad. I buy the pure unfiltered ACV with the mother from my health food store. This does not taste bad and I buy a couple of gallons at a time because I use it for so many other personal uses. I take 3 tbsp. of ACV and 1/4 tsp. of baking soda in a cup of water and drink it daily. This helps not only my acid reflux but my SLE & RA have been in remission for over 10 years and I have no joint deformity from RA. I contribute my health to ACV and I have at least 20 or more friends on it and all have came back to me with praise.

So i suggest you try a little longer even though I saw results the same day from my acid reflux and am not taking any prescriptions.

I had acid reflex really bad. My doctor put me on Prilosec. I was only suppose to take 1 every 24 hours. I was taking 2-3 a day. I was working in Alaska and someone told me to take a teaspoon of ACV in the morning and one at night. I received immediate results. I have not had acid reflex for 1-1/2 years now. I tell every one about the benefits. Drug companies only relieve symptoms and do nothing to cure disease. I also had high bad cholesterol and my Doctor wanted to put me on medication for that. I have changed my diet, began taking supplements and am currently not on medication for any past ailments. I am 55 years young and am getting younger an healthier everyday.

I can still remember that evening when I was in so much pain. I could not lie down at all. On several occasions I have had to brace myself up against the wall to keep straight so I could handle the excruciating pain from my naval up underneath my chin. I would try not to swallow because when I did the pain was hard to bear. Yes, I had been examined and I was told I had a condition called acid reflux. One night when I was in pain I felt a hard knot right between my breast-bone, it scared me, I thought it was a tumor. That enlargement is what took me to the doctor that next morning. At first the pills prescribed to me had worked, not completely, but enough so that I could function in my day to day living. But soon my lower esophageal sphincter, that muscular door that usually closes was not keeping shut and the things I ate and drank moved backward into my esophagus from my stomach. A condition called a Hiatal hernia had allowed food and drink acids to back up into my esophagus and gave me extreme heartburn and chest pain. I am writing again to say that it was on that one blessed night of 11/9/2006 that Earth Clinic had saved me from surgical repair. Thank you again and again. ACV really works for me. I have not had pain for one year, six months and eleven days (18 months, 11 days.) Today's date is April 20, 2008. I have never had to undergo surgery. My hair is full and shining, my skin is moist, my health is great and I am still sleeping the full night long. Yes, it is a YEA, and as I had said in the year of 2006 I must say it again: "God bless this site and its creator (s), amen, and amen.

I just found your site 4 days ago. I have been suffering from acid reflux for more years than I can remember. I tried all of the over-the-counter medications and a couple of prescriptions (Prevacid and Zantac 300). The Prevacid actually did help me a fair amount, but when my health insurance stopped, I could no longer afford it and the acid reflux worsened. I was surprised at first to see Apple Cider Vinegar as a cure for acid reflux. I thought vinegar was acidic and that would seem not to be a good idea for someone with reflux to ingest. But I was desperate and when I noticed the huge number of people whom it worked for, I decided I had to at least try it. I had nothing to lose. It cost almost nothing ($2.00 compared to the $165.00/month for the Prevacid).

Within about 5 minutes of taking it (2 TBSP Apple Cider Vinegar with 8 oz of water and 1 TBSP of honey for taste), I felt shockingly better! And I slept great that night and still felt like a new person in the morning. I don't profess to understand exactly how it works, BUT IT DOES! :-) I have done it twice a day since Saturday and can't believe how amazing I feel! It's like I have a new stomach! And now for the real shocker, apparently there is a form of asthma (the adult-onset kind) which supposedly is related to acid reflux. Again, I don't understand how or why that is. What I do understand is after trying the ACV the first night, my breathing was drastically better! I do not wheeze any more! Not at all! I actually was diagnosed by a doctor with mild asthma in 2000. I can't wait to go back for the breathing tests for my doctor to see that it is gone! This is a benefit which was so unexpected! I have felt great every minute of every day since starting the ACV. And as if these benefits were not enough, I think the drastic breathing improvement has greatly helped my sleep apnea! I don't even need my CPAP machine any more!

I don't imagine that ACV works for everyone, especially not for the ailments that it cured for me. But this information is VITAL! And our medical doctors will NOT give it to us! I'm not sure why. They're not tried in alternative medicine, I suppose. And they're probably having their pockets lined by the drug companies, too. I am going to tell all of my doctors what happened and how much ACV has helped me, and I am going to beg every one of them to let their reflux patients know about ACV. Do I think they'll actually tell their other patients? No. That's why the existence of this website is so essential and life-saving! It was so debilitating for me trying to live with everything I was suffering with. Functioning day-to-day was so difficult. I always felt so tired (like I didn't sleep at all) and short of breath. It was so difficult to try to work full-time. I am so hopeful now that I will be able to live a completely normal life.

Thank you so much to all of you who have posted! It was because of your postings and that I saw myself in them that I decided to go ahead and try ACV. I had no idea a natural remedy could be SO effective for anything, least of all something like acid reflux! I was crying for joy while telling my story to my friends and family. I feel like a person again. For any medical problem I have now or in the future, the first place I will come to is this website! Thank you, Ted! You are doing such a service to mankind! You are an angel! There aren't words for me to fully express my gratitude.

If you have acid reflux and you're reading this, RUN to the store and pick up some Apple Cider Vinegar. There is no need to suffer any longer!

P.S. My throat had been getting slightly irritated by the acid but not enough to stop taking it. So today I used a tiny bit of baking soda (1/4 tsp) to neutralize the acid a bit. So far so good with that! Everyone just needs to try different recipes and see what works best for them. For me, the honey is a must! I don't know if I could get the ACV down without a TBSP of honey! :-) Best wished for good health to everyone!

Apple Cider Vinegar helped my chronic acid reflux and heartburn. I've been suffering from stomach pain and acid reflux for over 4 years, no doubt because of all the asprin and ibuprofen I've taken over the years for headaches, and later, arthritis. I used to have a cast-iron stomach - not anymore! I started taking antacids every night, which helped a lot. But I couldn't go a single night without them. I didn't like the idea of any daily medication, even over-the-counter, but I couldn't get any sleep without it.

About a year ago, I caught a TV show on Natural Cures - on which it was said that a teaspoon of vinegar will cure heartburn. I tried a teaspoon of balsamic vinegar right out of the spoon - it was like someone lit a match and threw it in my stomach. So much for that bright idea. Onward with the antacids.

Over time the stomach pain and reflux got worse, and nothing was working anymore. But I still couldn't get thru a night without the antacids or it got even worse. I was about to go to the doctor and ask for Protonix at my husband's suggestion - they're working for him. But I don't want to be tied to a daily prescription with all its side effects, so I did a search for natural remedies just to see if something healthier could work. I found this site, and learned that what works is apple cider vinegar in water - that makes more sense than balsamic vinegar straight. I picked up some organic ACV and tried 1 teaspoon in half a glass of water. I felt better within minutes. A night or 2 later I had stomach pain, and was about to run for the antacids, but I tried the vinegar first. In minutes I felt much better - I forgot to take the antacids. I've been taking between 1 and 2 teaspoons of ACV in water 2 or 3 times a day for the past 2 weeks, and haven't taken any antacids since. It's the first time in years I've been able to go even one night without then and not get woken up in under an hour by stomach-burn or reflux.

Needless to say I'm not about to ask for Protonix. My stomach's not perfect yet, but it's a lot better. By the way, my arthritis hasn't flared up since I started ACV. It's too soon to tell, but it could be helping that too! So relieved and so grateful.

After reading so much of positive feedback regarding ACV on this website, I decided to give it a try. I mixed one teaspoonful of ACV into half a glass of water. Hardly had I gulped down one mouthful of this liquid, I suddenly developed a Very Severe Acid Reflux and unbearable smarting pain in the throat. I felt as if my mouth, throat, stomach all were on fire. I was literally shrieking with pain and running and hopping all over the place. I had to take tons of allopathic medicines to get over this Acid Reflux episode (which didn't seem to go away that easily). After this incident, I vowed to never again touch ACV all my life! I am surprised how so many people seem to be using ACV for, among other things - Acid Reflux!!

I have only been suffering with acid reflux for a few months now and have no idea how anyone could stand it for longer than that! I've only been on Zegerid about 2 weeks and it's like I'm not taking anything. After reading the stories I've read I don't plan to keep throwing money away on some prescription. I thought, what the heck, went straight to the store on my lunch break today and purchased some acv. I'm not as patient as some people it seems...I want some immediate relief! I mixed it with water and just drank it. (I'm getting the raw honey on my way home). Seriously, it's been about 15-20 minutes and some of the burning is gone already! If this works I will be so happy to have found this information!!! A friend of mine was taken to the emergency room 2 days ago with numbness and tingling and the diagnosis was acid reflux!!! I will be telling her about this. I pray this works because this is a really miserable condition to have.

Hi I have occasional acid refulx and my wife has it severe at times. DO NOT TAKE ACV for Acid Reflux! It just doesn't make any sense. Acid Reflux is an Acid - you neutralize Acids with Bases (Alkaline).

pH less than 7 = Acidic, pH > 7 = Basic (Alkaline). Vinegar pH = 3ish
An antacid is any substance, generally a base, which counteracts stomach acidity. In other words, antacids are stomach acid neutralizers. I truly believe that adding an ACID to your stomach to reduce Stomach Acid is the wrong approach. You should add a BASE like baking soda. Rolaids & Tums are both Calcium Carbonate. Alka-Seltzer is Soduim BiCarbonate. Baking Soda = Sodium BiCarbonate. In the duodenum, gastric acid is neutralized by sodium bicarbonate. So Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda) is used internally by the body to naturally regulate stomach Acid. The equation is HCl NaHCO3 → NaCl H2CO3. HCL = HydroChloric (Stomach) acid
NaHC03 = Baking Soda.

Just add a little bit of baking soda to some water, swirl it around, and drink it. Within a few minutes you will belch. The belch is the gas released when the baking soda neutralizes your stomach acid (or if its crept into your throat it will neutralize it there). You will feel much better immediately. Baking Soda is completely safe.

Why would you ever want to add an acid (vinegar) to another acid (HCL) with the hopes of reducing acid? That doesn't make any sense.

Vinegar is acetic acid (CH3COOH). Some of these recipies recommend you add Baking Soda to ACV. When vinegar is added to sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), it produces a volatile mixture of carbonic acid rapidly decomposing into water and carbon dioxide bubbles, making the reaction "fizz". It is exemplified as the typical acid-base reaction in school science experiments. The salt that is formed is sodium acetate. Basically, this little experiment proves that its better to just take baking soda. The Vinegar is the acid and the Baking Soda is the base. The Baking Soda neutralizes the acid. Its the same way in your stomach, just add the Baking Soda and it will neutralize the acid. All you need is about a teaspoon of baking soda in an ounce or two of water. Problem solved immediately.

Good luck and I hope this helps.

I read a message from James from Houston who took issue with using acid (apple cider vinegar) to fight stomach acid (HCl). It should be noted that vinegar is classified as a "weak" acid whereas HCl is a strong acid. In spite of the fact that both are acids, a weak acid will still react with a strong acid and diminish the acidity. The final result may not rise above the pH of the weak acid, but it is a significant improvement over the pH of the strong acid.

This is regarding mesages from John from Duluth, Minnesota and James from Houston. I, too, was very confused about using vinegar, an obvious acid, to alkalize the body or neutralize acid reflux.

It is what happens to the vinegar once it goes into the body that needs to be understood (as pointed out by Ted earlier). There, in a healthy body, it combines with minerals to produce an alkaline compound. When I test my urine with a pH strip after taking AVC it shows alkaline (around 7.2 or more). So, though I consumed an acid, my body converted it to a base. The same happens after eating citrus fruit. You expect your body to become more acidic but it acutally becomes more alkaline! However, things like coffee will remain acidic in the body: I see my urine pH plunge to below 5.0 after consuming coffee.

Wendy, you have it. You are right on target. Also, there are some studies that suggest, unlike John's description, that acid reflux could possibly be too little acid and the body is trying desperately to break down the food and it can't. That could be one reason acid helps. There could possibly be two different causes- maybe some people have too much and some too little. I think my grandson has too little acid. He is 12 and has suffered his ENTIRE life. Pickle juice, vinegar, and Aloe helps him--- peppermint, ginger, and enzymes also. When he was about three, he actually threw up an entire meal that he had eaten about 8 hours earlier with NO breakdown of the food. Thanks for this site-I have copied parts of it for so many folks that have no internet to try to help them with their problem. I have never had an issue with any of this, but wish I could trade with my grandson. This problem seems to be almost trying to ruin his little life and it is hard to chase a 12 yr. old around to ball practice, school, movies, etc. with a glass of Aloe!! (LOL)

to the person that said putting oil on your skin will cause your oil glands to stop producing oil????? Huh? Really? Your oil glands have a brain? They "know" when you need oil and when you don't. What real evidence do you have to support this?

Your pancreas doesn't have a brain either, but it 'knows' when to release digestive enzymes. Your gallbladder too does not have a brain, but it 'knows' when to release bile. All of the body is greatly alive and in touch with the rest via biochemical signaling, nerve impulses - and the brain that serves the brainless bits just fine. As for the skin and all that comprises it, it's in constant reaction to our environment. Whether it's the temperature outside or a substance applied to it, it does react in assorted ways, seen and unseen, and it needs no brain of its own to do this.

Now I honestly do not know if topical application of oils would eventually stop a gland from producing its own; I can't say that is something I have ever looked into. But I wouldn't dismiss the possibility out of hand just because a sebaceous gland doesn't have a brain. Without definitive knowledge to go by, I'd need a better reason than that to simply "X" it out of the realm of possibility.

I read all of the comments yesterday about ACV and its benefits relating to acid reflux. So, last night I purchased a bottle, and this morning took the recommended dosage. Immediately I became nauseated and have been so for the last 3 hours. I have burped ACV for the last 3 hours. I'm glad this works for others, but it is not for everyone. It only made my acid reflux worse, and I feel as if I'm going to vomit any second. Yes, I have eaten and had plenty of water. The bottle is going in the garbage can. Glad it wasn't expensive. Good luck to the rest of you.

My son visited from AZ in the summer and asked me if I had any antacid tabs. I told him to try a couple of tsp of ACV.I poured it in a shot glass and told him to swig it down! He laughed and said that couldn't work. A few minutes later I asked him if he still had the problem. He didn't. He went back to AZ and a few days later called me and asked me how much of ACV he should take. I told him. His wife bought a bottle and he uses it as needed. No more acid reflux!

I was diagnosed with Acid Reflux August 2006. I was subscribed Nexium, which I used for over a year until one month ago. I found your website through an employee. I can't believe it but ACV healed my reflux and gas problems. I take 1 to 1-1/2 tablespoons of ACV with water every morning before I do or eat anything. I don't have any problems anymore. I can sleep laying flat now. It is wonderful. I will use this for the rest of my life.