Effective Natural Remedies for GERD Relief

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Josh (Sheffield, England) on 01/04/2016
★★★★★

I'm a 26 year old male and have been suffering from GERD about 6 months now. I have tried all the prescribed medication and none of it worked.

I then came across this website and saw that apple cider vinegar is a good way of helping with the constant heartburn and tightness in my throat.

I have also seen that using DGL licorice can also help.

I am just wondering if you can use both at the same time to try and combat acid reflux? I have been taking 2 tbl of ACV with abit of honey watered down with water and it has eased my symptoms. I am hoping to start using both apple cider vinegar morning and night and HGL with meals, was just seeing if this can be dangerous or have adverse effects? Thanks.

Cabbage Juice

Posted by Quesno (Maple Ridge, Bc) on 12/16/2014
★★★★★

I had suffered with Gerd for about 8 years after our mother passed away from Lung cancer. I tried everything, nothing worked not even the medications worked until this past week I had decided to cure it up forever using fermented green cabbage juice with the pulp.

It worked, I found a recipe online and used it. Here's the funny thing is that I have no juicer but a blender, I just poured the hot boiling water into the blender after I had added the raw cabbage. I was going through a really bad attack that night when I was making it. I ate it right off of the spoon but didn't look back when I was trying to collect the cabbage, and place it's contents into a jar or a glass.

It's a success now because I have no new problems or acid in my throat, mouth or any other irritations. I do now take the cabbage juice in between meals. I do recommend this one for all of the Gerd suffers out there.

Grape Seed Extract

Posted by Glen (Colorado, US) on 12/10/2014
★★★★★

Mix Lemon Juice, Grape Seed Extract for Gerd/Acid Reflux

I was on the purple pills for years. Had GERD type problems on and off 2004-2012, only got worse as time went on. Tried many of the remedies here, and some did help, some didn't. Learned not to eat Tomatoes.

Long story short, I have no problems anymore, eventually developed a strange combination thus:

I take 1/4 cut lemon juice and mix in two capsules worth of powdered "grape seed extract", after it's mixed I add a packet of the vitamin c powder.

I drink this slowly on empty stomach, at first twice a day, now occasionally. I would like to say why it works, bla bla bla biofilms etc., but I do not really know myself. General theory:

The plenol compounds in the grape seed won't mix with water but will with the lemon juice. Lemon juice by itself did seem to help but also kinda burns!!! But if acidity is tamed with the vit C powder it does not burn.

Hope it helps others as it did for me!!

Dietary Changes

Posted by Payitforward (Tx, US) on 10/26/2014
★★★★★

I personally would not use Apple Cider Vinegar or HCL at all for treating acid reflux. Those who have used it for years may have compromised their intestine lining. Treating AR is best by consuming low acid and low fat foods. The first several days of the diet you will find great relief. As you detox your system from being overly acidic. Also, calcium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate will help relieve symptoms at night.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Cornelia (New York, New York) on 10/26/2014
★★★☆☆

WORKED TEMPORARILY

Has anyone had problems with ACV not working anymore? I have been taking it 3 times a day for over 2 months and was reflux free and a few days ago just started to feel some symptoms again. Am I taking too much? Or can it stop working?? Please help. I am so devastated as it seemed a miracle that I was cured.

Milk Thistle

Posted by Bumble Bee (United Kingdom) on 02/05/2014
★★★★★

Heart burn, Gerd, reflux cure. I took one Milk Thistle tablet for three days on each episode. I found I would get a longer cure each time. It was so effective that I haven't needed anything for three years. Other prescribed medicines would ease symptoms but it returned within days if medication stopped after prescribed times. Good luck.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Happy2tell (Adelaide, Australia) on 04/07/2013
★★★★★

Hi there, three years ago I suffered from whooping cough which made my asthma worse as well. I needed to take prednisolone (steroids), as well as other asthma medication by the bucketload to be able to breathe. I ended up with systemic thrush and GERD (reflux for short) and was put on nilstat and nexium. If I ran out of nexium or ate something fatty, the reflux would almost choke me, to the point where I went to hospital to see if I had cancer of the throat. I had also gone back to study and was really stressed, which made the reflux worse as well. No cancer, but no reason for the the reflux to be so bad.

After a bit of research, I started to take apple cider vinegar with honey as I was desperate. The reflux disappeared almost immediately. Goodbye nexium. It has been over 4 months now and I have had no problems with reflux whatsoever. If I have had a spicy or fatty meal, I chase it with Apple Cider Vinegar and honey and I have no problems. I now have a cold and am sipping on Apple Cider Vinegar and honey.

D-Limonene

Posted by Maggie (Overland Park, Ks) on 03/23/2013 5 posts
★★★★★

Orange Peel Oil aka D-Limonene has saved my life. The instructions say to take 10 softgels; one 1000 mg capsule every other day for twenty days. It says to take it with or after a meal. I have read that some people are bothered by the orange flavor in their system. I like it, but I have taken the pill first, and then ate my meal after the pill. Food on top of the softgel still seems to work quite well, but the orange doesn't seem as strong. I do feel a warming sense in my stomach when taking the first couple of softgels, but I feel it's only from the orange peel oil doing it's healing and coating.

The label says the results of taking an orange oil pill every other day for twenty days lasts about 6 months and they are right. It can last a few weeks more or less depending on my diet or stress level. I now have it on my calendar so that I don't have to have a GERD attack before I remember that 6 months are up. I have also tried taking 8 or 9 pills so that I have 1 or 2 left over for the next time I have problems, but taking all 10 pills works the best to keep all symptoms, all the way gone for the next 6 months.

I've read that they aren't really sure why Limonene works. They think the immediate results are possibly from the oil's surfactant properties. I think the oil floats on top of stomach juices or something so that acid bubbles can't form. You can read more on why it works for the long term on the net. Discussions on user reviews of the different brands of 'orange peel oil' and 'limonene' were helpful to me. If you think about it, I have orange oil to clean gummy price tags off newly purchased items. I have orange oil to clean grime and make my kitchen cabinets shine. I have orange oil spray to clean my counter tops. It is said to be anti-bacterial and such. Of course, I won't ingest these, but maybe the orange peel oil softgel tabs are similar in that it cuts the grease and grime, etc. Inside me too! Maybe the oil creates a nice coating on the esophagus and stomach lining so any irritations can heal.

Whatever. I just know that the first softgel almost immediately takes down the bloat and pressure in my stomach and calms the acid bubbles. As long as I have remembered this regimen every six months, I have never had a GERD attack. No more esophagus on fire. No more coughing attacks to the point of not being able to even take in a breath from acid bubbles tickling and burning my lungs. No more red and burning sore throat. No more unbearable killer headaches from acid burning my sinuses. Heck, my ears were even very painful on the inside from acid reflux. No more! OMG. Not even a little burning. Nothing. Regular life. Ahhh!

For immediate needs, ask for 'orange peel oil for reflux' at the organic foods store. The box of 10 softgels is worth it. Trust me! It is a little expensive, but I know I need it every 6 months now or will DIE from the next GERD attack. Since my first box, I have found that any 1000 mg limonene softgel will work. The best word to search on any buy/sell/trade website is 'limonene' to get the cheapest cost per pill. (Better than searching 'orange peel' or 'reflux remedy' and the like). I now have a bottle of 60 softgels of d-Limonene with an expiration date that will take care of me for the next couple years. Much cheaper, and with extras on hand if I have break-through reflux from overeating or trying an offending food. (I have tons! Of food allergies).

I haven't found anyone mentioning side-effects, except the orange flavor being intense or it not working for them. I'm not allergic to it and that's saying a lot since I am allergic to so many things. I am also happy knowing that I am not taking an acid reducer pill that is known to leach calcium out of the body. I don't want a broken hip later in life!

If the 6 months are up and I forget limonene, I still use the standby of apples, ACV with the mother/honey mixture, and aloe liquid along with the limonene softgels. I drink and sip ACV/honey all day. I get at the aloe liquid, formulated for digestion, at the organic foods store and use as directed. I keep apples and ACV drink by my bed at night for when I wake up in a coughing fit. I sleep on my left side, which absolutely works to pinch the valve at the top of the stomach closed, keeping bubbles trapped. I look up to cough when my back hurts. Limonene helps me avoid all this now. It's wonderful!

Gentle Remedies for GERD

Posted by Ed2010 (Oakville, Canada) on 02/17/2013
★★★★★

Hello Krishna, Looks like your daughter is having low stomach acid. When there is low stomach acid, the Esophagus Sphincter will not close properly. This results in vomiting, burping, indigestion, infection.

IMO, high stomach acid is better than low stomach acid.

Clintodac what your daughter is taking now is a protob pump inhibitor. Which worsens the problems more. Now to increase the stomach acid. First stop cintodac.

After every meal drink lemon juice. Lemon juice made with half lemon squeezed and mixed with jaggery not white sugar in a glass of water, if you don't get jaggery then you can use sugar or honey. If your daughter sees any improvement make this to 1 lemon. If she feels good when taking this, she has to continue this for 1 - 2 months. During this time the stomach may heal and start producing its normal acid. This is like giving rest to your stomach so it can recuperate. If lemon juice works you can notice improvement in the 2nd day.

Alternatively, there is a supplement called Betaine Hcl which provides acid to your stomach. I am not sure whether you can buy in dubai. you can buy it online.

Take 1 betaine hcl capsule with meals. If you are feeling comfortable, then take 2 betaine hcl capsules in the next meal. If you are feeling good then take 3 betaine hcl in the next meal. Now if you are feeling acid reflux or stomach burning sensation then drink a glass of water mixed with half teaspoon of baking soda to neutralize stomach acid.

Now, the result is you have low stomach acid and you have to take 2 capsules with your meal for some time.

Some people are very low in stomach acid for which they have to take 4 - 6 capsules. Try Betain Hcl with pepsin. Betaine Hcl does not cure GERD, it just supplements Hcl, But the idea is lessen the burden of the stomach and give it time to rest and heal. If you don't find Betaine HCL, lemon juice is the simple and best remedy.

Let us know how your daughter is proceeding, it can help many here.

Good Health.

Thanks

Apples

Posted by John (London, On Canada) on 01/27/2012
★★★★★

I suffered with a severe case of GERD and tried all the pharaceutical remedies without any relief for over 2 years. I then read an email from some alternative health company and the cure for it was to start eating apples. I did just that and I have not had a single attack for over 3 years now. So start eating apples and your acid reflux problem will go away instantly. I recommend that you clean up your diet as well, eat more fruit and vegetables and don't eat anything deep fried and try to eat only unprocessed food. Too much fat in the diet makes the whole body sluggish and causes candida as well.

Candida acts as a buffer to clean up the blood sugar when the adrenals are exhausted because a coating of fat on the cells blocks the absorption of sugar into the cells causing the body to put out more and more insulin to the point of exhaustion. Candida in this case is there to protect the body. SO before you go on an anti candida regimen you need to eliminate fats from the diet and start eating more fruit and vegetables without added oils. Once the levels of fat are brought down the candida will disappear on its own. No one will ever get rid of excess candida in their body unless fat levels are at a healthy level. You will NEVER get rid of candida completely because everyone on earth has some of it in their body. It is supposed to be there.

See Understanding Candida by Dr Doug Graham Youtube video for a greater understanding.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Lana (Burnaby, Bc) on 12/09/2011
★★★★★

I tried and can't believe that all these years I had been suffering with such horrible heartburn. I was seeing a therapist for depression from being in constant pain from gerd. Nothing helped. I mean I tried everything.

This is my first week on Apple Cider Vinegar today was the first day I haven't had pain from heartburn in 10 years!!!! So grateful that I tried this. just a couple teaspoons in the morning and a couple in the afternoon first time in so long I have NOO pain.

Pickle Juice

Posted by Steve (Charlotte, North Carolina) on 10/27/2011
★★★★★

I am a healthy and fit 56 year old. As I've aged, I have learned to avoid eating later at night and to choose my foods wisely, selectively avoiding foods that cause heartburn. Both efforts have helped control GERD, which I ocassionally experience at night while horizontally resting or sleeping. When I do eat the wrong foods or eat late at night, I'll take OTC medication to prevent GERD. Late last night I ate several slices of pizza, a notoriously avoidable food for me, but I followed that with three garlic kosher dill pickle spears. Not an inkling of indigestion! Truly remarkable!

Pickle Juice

Posted by Sarah (Thomasville, Nc) on 11/22/2011
★★★★★

It's 2:30 am and I cannot sleep due to the burning in my throat. I do not suffer from GERD and this is one of the few times in my life that I have had an episode of acid reflux and therefore I do not have a medicine cabinet full of pills to prevent it.

I stumbled across this page and found that pickle juice might provide some relief since I don't have apple vinegar so I guzzled down some pickle juice and I feel much better. The searing, burning sensation in my throat has almost subsided and it's only been a couple of minutes since I drank the juice! Yay! Maybe I can go to sleep now! Thanks for the information!

Digestive Enzymes, Baking Soda

Posted by S. Jones (Litchfield, Mn) on 08/18/2011
★★★★★

I have tried it ALL. Prilosec, Zantec, Nexium, Apple Cider Vinegar just to name a few.

I have found IT! Digestive Enzymes with Betaine HCl. It works. I doubled the dose for the first week per my natural doctor I see, and then brought it down the next week to normal dosing. Take with every meal. Give this at least a week to do its thing! Oh and along with that take NO GERD, that contains Licorice Root Extract... double that dose for a week as well.

In the meantime to relieve the pain, try 1tsp Baking Soda in a 1/2 glass of water.

Pickle Juice

Posted by Kayla (Murfreesboro, Tennessee) on 08/09/2011
★★★★★

My girlfriend was having horrible stomach pains and was feeling really sick. She had eaten a lot of foods that were bad for her GERD all day long. I finally, after reading the site, talked her into drinking some pickle juice... It really helped... It started instantly and was kind of a slow process but is feeling better now... Thank You..!!!!!!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Laurie (Edgewater, Fl) on 04/30/2016

I tried everything I could think of to get the ACV down but all it made me want to do was vomit. Then I discovered apple cinnamon tea. I put a couple teaspoons of ACV in a cup of apple cinnamon tea and it's like drinking apple pie. You can barely taste or smell the ACV in it.

Soft Cheese

Posted by Shana (Philadelphia, Pa) on 09/09/2010
★★★★★

I just wanted to comment on what helped get rid of my acid reflux in case it can help someone. I see so many cures on your site and this one may help someone too. I had severe acid reflux starting last May from eating too many grapefruits, lemons, pizza and spaghetti all in a span of two weeks. My body shut down and I developed severe acid reflux with mild inflammation of the esophagus. I had pains in my throat sometimes and I was up every night almost all night because the Pepcid didn't work well enough and I was allergic to Previcid and afraid to try other medicine. Plus, I didn't want to be on meds.

I discovered 2 months later by accident that soft cheese helped get rid of my gerd. I was famished one night after a workout and had to rush myself to the nearby restaurant which happened to be Cosi. I ordered their signature salad which has cheese on it. I had been told to not eat cheese because it could make my gerd worse, plus I never ate cheese much due to it causing my nose to always run. Long story short I had very little Gerd that night and could sleep better. I decided to experiment and ate a little soft cheese at each dinner and each night I was better. I've been off medicine three weeks and my esophagus feels normal. I have very little Gerd and can sleep now a full night. In case this helps someone else, I wanted to be sure to put this on your site. I also have read that zinc salts healed 100% of the people in the study so perhaps zinc supplements will help people as well.

Gerd is horrible, but don't give up. You'll find a cure so you won't have to stay on meds. Don't overeat, don't eat spices or tomato sauce, don't eat fat or fried foods, and you'll get better.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Chieko (Albuquerque, Nm) on 01/16/2010
★★★★★

The following work most of the time for me. Sometimes I have to do all of them to finally get relief. I take an OTC acid reducer that just doesn't cut it so I frequently end up with painful GERD, even though I tend to healthy and organic.

*vinegar (distilled or ACV)
*pickle juice (not the sweet ones)
*juice from pickled hot peppers (capsaicin is an anti-inflammatory)
*juice from pickled ginger (another anti-inflammatory)
*1/4 tsp sodium bicarbonate, 1/2 tsp citric acid in 4 oz cold water (like Alka-Seltzer without the aspirin)
*12 oz club soda with lemon or lime and a dash of bitters, no ice, quickly consumed with a straw (helps to prevent the ingestion of too much air)