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.
Peppermint
Posted by Gregory (Royal Oak, MI) on 11/30/2008
★★★☆☆WORKED TEMPORARILY
Peppermint! I have had Acid Reflux now for 6 years and tried medicine, which doesnt work, apple cider vinegar, which made me vomit, and all sorts of remedies. I tried a lifesaver peppermint and it temporarilly helps me stomach settle! Not a cure, and not sure if it will help you, but why not give it a try?
Directions: Simply eat one or two peppermints
Peppermint cured my burning throat pain for the night, however it doesn't end acid reflux either. I carry a bag of peppermints in my room when I get attacks.
Bran
Posted by Dave (Hyattsville, MD) on 11/30/2008
★★★★★
I found that adding 3 heaping tablespoons of Quaker Unprocessed Bran to yogurt in the morning or at night produces great regularity. The regularity relieved my acid reflux. I also an prescribed and take Prilosec 40mg daily at night. However, If I don't stick with the daily unprocessed bran, the reflux returns as well as anxiety. I try to remember to take an enema once a month just for extra cleansing but believe me if you make a habit of taking the unprocessed bran you will feel it literally scraping your insides as you eliminate and it improves your cholesterol profile while helping with reflux as well.
Antibiotics
Posted by Bill (Baguio City, Philippines) on 11/23/2008
★★★★★
I spent most of my 70 years suffering with an acid stomach. Tried everything. I couldn't even drink a glass of water without my stomach burning. One day I read an article in Reader's Digest about an Australian Doctor who discovered the Helicobacter Pylori Bacteria in the stomach. After reading his story I went to my doctor. They did an Endoscopy on my stomach and the biopsy proved I had the H. Pylori Bacteria. Took antibiotics for two weeks and since that time I have had NO stomach burning sensation except for when I eat flaming chili!!
They now have a test for this bacteria using your breath in a balloon an analyzing the breath. My stomach is GREAT and I'm so glad I read that article!! I hope your stomachs get cured so you can truly enjoy life.
Olives
Posted by Sandy (Covington, Georgia) on 11/23/2008
★★★★★
I was on Nexium for over 3 yrs and after loosing my insurance I cant afford that little purple pill anymore. I had heartburn so bad I felt like Puff The Magic Dragon. I came to this website looking for any relief considering that I have been trying to go to sleep for the past 5 hours, and couldnt due to the severe heartburn. I read about OLIVES....So I ate 10 of them, WOW, in less than a minute I can breath without melting my tounge off...Thank You, Thank You, I will be eating OLIVES everyday, and I am gonna consider the mustard. Great Website. GOOD NIGHT.
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.
Sauerkraut
Posted by Linda (Dayton, Ohio) on 11/17/2008
★★★★★
I noticed that saurkraut had not been mentioned for relief of acid reflux. I know that lots of german delis serve this with their meals....The fermentation of the kraut is really good for the digestive system...really helpful to decrease acid reflux.
Reader Theories
Posted by JD (Makawao (Maui), Hawaii, USA) on 11/11/2008
I have always loved hot, spicy foods, especially when I feel "under the weather". I have instinctively eaten foods containing capsaicin (often raw or pickled chili peppers) when I have a sore throat and it always seems to help. Now that I am middle aged, though, I am plagued with acid reflux and spicy foods make it MUCH worse. If I've eaten hot peppers, antacids don't even help much because the "chili reflux" is painful even without stomach acid.
I can't help but think that the REAL problem is not so much the acid, but my weakened or dysfunctional esophageal sphincter allowing stomach contents to come up into the throat, where their acid or spicy nature causes irritation and pain. I will try the ACV cure, but I think what would really help is an excercise to tone that particular muscle. Any suggestions?
Red Wine
Posted by Max (Tuxedo Park, NY) on 11/04/2008
★★★★★
a good red wine for acid reflux cure
Ok.....i just spent the last 6 hrs battling a severe case of acid reflux....i might deal with this 2 to 3 times a year, but this was the absolute worst....i actually thought it could be a heart attack so obviously that didn't help matters....i was popping pepsid and tums and downing bottled water to no avail....checked your website but had no applecider vinegar or baking soda. No way did i think red wine would do me any good, but i wanted to calm my mind so i poured two big glasses, drank them rather quickly about an hour ago....and its all gone...back to feeling myself again. Maybe someone could tell me scientifically how this could be?
Reduce Stress
Posted by Ali (Portland, OR USA) on 11/01/2008
Ref: Posting of 05/19/2008: Gislain from Phoenix, AZ
You are absolutely correct. Stress can certainly cause acid reflux. Then the person is told to take PPI's or H2 Blockers. The next thing they know they're on med's for life. Avoid worry and stress. Don't get over weight (if you are lose weight), eat right (smaller portions and healthy). Avoid all medications that can cause reflux (and there is a lot of them out there, prescription and OTC). Lastly, practice relaxful breathing, close your eyes and envision a calm place.
Warnings
Posted by Ali (Portland, OR USA) on 11/01/2008
Re: Posting of 11/09/2006 by Jeisea from Byron Bay, Australia: Please tell us the age of your son, and if he had any problems after having fundoplication surgery. Thanks
Reader Theories
Posted by Ali (Portland, OR USA) on 11/01/2008
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Su (Nairobi, Kenya) on 10/31/2008
★★★★★
I had serious acid reflux and went the whole whack endoscopy, colonoscopy, etc also had gastrointestinal bleeding. Hpylori was the culprit so I was put on the antibiotic treatment and nexium for a month after wards. I got a little better then lapsed again into same condition. I discovered apple cider vinegar and was pleasantly suprised to see it worked for others for the acid reflux. I also discovered soda water, simple and effective for the reflux as well as green apples, eaten as needed when acid build up began.............use soda water or green apples.
I'm intolerant to berries, any berries fresh and even in jams, chocolate, coffee, tea etc
Now tryin hydrogen peroxide, 20 drops in half a glass of water on an empty stomach in the morning and before I slepp. It seems to work. No acid reflux. Excersise helps alot too. I run and swim. 5 minutes into running and no more acid reflux.
I'm still experimenting. Deep breathing and relaxing also help..........I feel when I am stressed I crunch my torso and disrupt the normal space of my stomach as well as tense my jaw and neck. I;m not fat, slimmish . I used to be on my feet most of the day, my problems started when my job entailed I spent alot of time sitting behind a desk and driving..............I blame the change in posture and pressure on my stomach when sitting alot. I also tend to forget to eat and only notice when the acid builds up...........am trying now to listen to my do body more and eat drink and excersise before the acid reflux symptoms.........Sometimes I win and have no problems for days , then I forget and slip back into the vicious cycle again. Anyone know if the hydrogen peoxide is dangerous long term?
Yogurt
Posted by Ali (Portland, Oregon) on 10/29/2008
I suffer from severe acid reflux. I've tried yogurt - to no avail. You mentioned taking Advil, Naproxen, and Bextra for pain. Please be aware these types of OTC meds can, over time, weaken your lower esophageal sphincter (LES) valve which will then allow acid to enter your unprotected esophagus. The list of these OTC drugs is long. Aleve and Naproxen are just 2 of very common OTC drugs that can and do cause permanent weakening of the LES. Most doctors will not tell you this unless you look them straight in the eye and ask them. Here's the scoop: The lower esophagus has a mucus coating which contains a natural acid neutralizer that protects the lower esophagus from small amounts of acid that may from time to time leak through the LES valve. Aleve, Naproxen and a number of other OTC drugs prevent that protective mucus from forming, thereby allowing acid to burn the esophagus. Repeated burning can lead to Barrett's Esophagus which can lead to cancer. Esophagus cancer is now the #2 cancer in the United States. Which brings me back to Acid Reflux: It is vary dangerous and not to be taken lightly. Thanks goodness for this website and for those who use it in an effort to cure themselves and help others.
Vitamin B-6
Posted by Pete (Eastbourne, UK) on 10/02/2008
★★★★★
I cured myself after suffering nightly with acid reflux i took vitamin B6 from 10-100mg until symptoms went and it works very rapidly, after spending countless pounds on over the counter medicates& Also good for hangovers, alcohol consumption, depression. If you're an alcoholic, it will seriously reduce your imbibing as B6 is present in alcoholic drinks.
Papaya
Posted by Rocky Raccoon (Humboldt, AZ) on 09/30/2008
★★★☆☆WORKED TEMPORARILY
Comment is regarding acid reflux. I have horrible daily heartburn at least two times per day. It has become progressively worse since 2000. During that year I was consuming almost 10 TUMS per day if not more. An old Civil Engineer (Russell Taylor) told me that TUMS cause Alheimers Disease because it contains Aluminum. So immediately, I decided to try papaya pills that he hightly reccomended. They work but only last a few minutes to a couple of hours. Reading about ACV has inspired me to give ACV a try. Hopefully it will make a difference. I'll keep you informed of my progress.
Betaine Hydrochloride
Posted by Woody (Frankston, Australia) on 09/08/2008
★★★★★
I have suffered Gastric Reflux for about 6 years, tried eveything including Tagamet, Zoton and all the beta blockers and Proton pump inhibitors but nothing worked. One day I tried Betaine, one tablet at breakfast and 6 years of grief have been replaced with zero reflux. This has been good for 3 months now with no problems at all. What causes Acid reflux is slow digestion, the added Acid from Betaine speeds up digestion. And the food goes down.
Sprouted Moong Lentils
Posted by Shak Kumar (San Jose, CA) on 09/06/2008
★★★★★
I have suffered from acid reflux for over 12 years, and over this period I tried several remedies (Prevacid, Zantac, Prilosec, Nexium, etc.) As long as I continued to take the medication, the acid reflux was contained, but would come back if I stopped taking the medication. I have also tried slippery elm, aloe vera juice, and apple cider vinegar. None proved to be effective. So about a 10days ago,on a friend's advise, I started eating two cups of RAW sprouted Moong lentil with every meal - lo and behold!! - the acid reflux has almost disappeared!!!!! Moong lentil is one of the very popular lentils in India and cna be found very easily in Indian grocery stores and health food stores. Moong sprouts have high concentration of enzymes, which greatly help in digestion of the food. Hence the stoamch does not have to produce as much acid as it did earlier. In addition, sprouts are classified as 'live' food with a bunch of other benefits like very high levels of vitamins and easy to digest proteins. I hope other people try this this natural remedy for acid reflux and I sure hope it works for them!!
Please make sure that you eat them RAW (enzymes get easily destroyed during the cooking process)
Olives
Posted by Shirl (Peoria, IL) on 09/05/2008
★★★★☆
What I have is like acid reflux but ten times worse... Didn't have apple cider vinegar available so I tried green olives. Ate 6-10. Also took 2 baby Aspirin. Hope it isn't the start of something worse. Thanks for your ideas, they are so helpful tonight. I couldn't swallow, and it burned like fire in my throat. Think I will try the ice now. Am feeling nausea but so much better. Thank You, this site is so very helpful. Shirl
Licorice
Posted by Katie (Chicago, IL) on 09/02/2008
★★★★★
I have had moderate success with DGL wafers. It is the glycyrrhizic acid that is the cause of most of the side effects of licorice, including high blood pressure. Therefore, DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) which has had the glycyrrhizic acid removed is thought to be much safer. As with any herbal, exercise caution and seek the advice of a medical professional who has experience with herbs.
Water
Posted by AKR (Jersey City, New Jersey) on 08/17/2008
Cindy, you said "I have a whole big story about the watercure, ovarian tumor, cancer etc"
Would love to hear about your story. I have started drinking about two glasses of water in the morning recently, and am interested to learn how true all those stories about "watercure" are.
Many thx,
AKR
