Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux Relief

Olives

Posted by David (Annapolis, Maryland) on 02/06/2007
★★★★★

Great page. Thank you all. Along with ACV recipe #2, I would like to add that I have found Olives to be excellent against reflux and easier than pickle juice to swallow. They are PH neutral and some brands contain Sodium Alginate in the brine. Can anyone out there elaborate more on Sodium Alginate? From what I've read it sounds like studies are finding conclusive advantages. Along with apples and olives, other diet changes include a switch to snacking on almonds, raisins and Green tea with maple syrup.

Papaya

Posted by Ted (Los Angeles, CA) on 01/17/2007
★★★★★

I achieved instant relief from acid reflux and all indigestion in the Philippines. The small papayas, even a small slice, would do it. Some of the small Papayas from Hawaii are good but the Mexican variety we get in L. A. will not work.

Yogurt

Posted by Michael (Buford, GA) on 01/11/2007
★★★★★

What helps acid reflux: 3 Yogurts a day, 5 small meals, plenty of water, and fiber. Also get up.... Sitting around or laying around will not help reflux what so ever. Walk around the block. Walk at the mall, stay somewhat active and upright. Don't know about curing, but seems to happen alot less, unless I do something stupid like eat spicy foods for a month and think I'm cured. It will always bites back if you bite first.

I agree with the woman about the yogurt. Although I am trying the AVC as of today. I also have had back surgery back in the mid 90's and could drink hot sauce out of the bottle at the time, but after tylenol, Ibuprofen, and pain killers I have joined the masses with reflux and stomach problems, and don't forget constipation. I do feel that at least three yogurts ad ay and as much fiber and water as you can get your hands on through the day helps, along with the staying somewhat active as possible and upright at least until the symptoms go away. Then just pay attention to your diet. America may be great but we eat like dogs, and I don't have the same stomach as a dog. Please just know this is my body and not yours, so your may need different attention.

Reader Theories

Posted by Mike (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) on 12/15/2006

I am no expert or have an university degree but I've had acid reflux over 8 years. I had ulcers for about 7 years. Unfortunately doctors in Canada doesn't want to treat the sick.

Acid reflux is due to fungi in your intestines. Over the years you were eating bread, sugars etc which had a lot of fungi. Bread is very bad for you much worse than pasta alone because yeast culture which is a type of fungi is used. Also if you have problem at work at home you will have acid reflux so be sure to get your home tested.

A lot fat diet should be used. Absolutely no pork of beef only chicken without skin. Fiber may make things worse so I suggest you juice cabbage and or broccoli. Start off with a cup of fresh juice then gradually increase it. Deep breathing OUTSIDE with help, make sure to get some sunlight if possible between 10 am to 2 pm in most places. Buy a natural skin brush. This is help your body detoxify toxins in your body. Never eat after 6 preferably after 3 or 4 pm. Jumping rope is good for the lymphatic system which helps a lot. Be sure to get check for ear wax. If there's too much ear wax you can use oliver oil in each ear everyday for about 20 to 30 days. Ear wax is another way of getting rid of toxins in your body. Use Mudra, you can google it. Simply hands out flat both of them just move the thumb and index finger. Hold up to 30 minutes. I suggest an after a year, if doing it indoors be sure to open the windows for fresh air. This alone will be what no medicine can do very fast. From what i read it works on electrical fields. By touching your two fingers you create electrical charge through your body.
You can do what is called sleeping meditation this will be very relaxing and help with acid reflux be sure not to eat or drink for 2 hours before sleeping. This is very hard to do but it is well worth it, you don't have to have acid reflux to do this. Simple lie in bed, close your eyes. Now concentrated between your eye brows, this is called the third eye. Just keep on focusing on it til you fall asleep. If done right your body will be cleansed even better than just normal sleeping.

Wheat, soy, milk, corn, coffee, tea, honey, fats especially fried foods (always boil your chicken or get a slow cooker), sugars, potatoes, pop, salt and fruits are bad for acid reflux. Some suggestions maybe help temporarily. But light skipping rope, fresh air, mudra hand gesture and plenty of fresh air and sunlight will help a lot. Juicing cabbage or broccoli should work. Skin brushing should help accelerate the curing process. Avoid stress it can make things worse of course. I am also taking licorice root for my ulcers. my acid reflux and ulcer was very bad but i refused to take meds. If you have any questions give me an email i'll be glad to help. Love peace and light!

Reader Theories

Posted by SJ (TENNESSEE) on 09/27/2021

I would love to get your advice on my issue. I have acid in my arms legs and back as well as my stomach. I'm very acidic and I've tried everything. Thank you!

Reader Theories

Posted by Kate (Stafford, UK) on 03/22/2009

Hi Mark from Lichfield..

I think your post was fantastic- it's what i suspected myself and i've been looking for some reassurance that my GERD will be cured when i've rid myself of candida.

I've been a victim of daily heartburn for over a year follwing a very long course of antibiotics, and i strongly agree with what you say- i;ve been trying to find this link between candida and GERD for such a long time to put my mind at rest!

I've been on theh candida diet for about two months, and have started to feel better, but not enough yet- i still get heartburn in the evening, and all the info i find tells me this is incurable and i need conventional medicine which i don't want! I'm only 20 years old, and i feel that PPIs could cause me some serious problems - I want to restore my body to the way it was without lifelong drug prescriptions or surgery!

So i'd just like to know, how long did it take you to get better? are you completely free of heartburn? was it a gradual process? can you get away with eating some carbs these days? Is it all back to normal??!!

I'd be most grateful if you could put my mind at rest and tell me this will eventually sort itself out if i maintain my willpower for long enough!

Thank you for your great post :)
Kate

Reader Theories

Posted by Johnny (London, Ontario, Canada) on 04/14/2009

read your comments re: hiatal hernia on another website . .. you were dead on regarding stressed diaphram & psoas & quadratus laborum being stressed . . found a chiro to massage these aeas & all acid indigestiong diappeared . . he was conviced all of this was primarily a back injury causing weakness in diaphram .. . he aleady knew all this but your website put me on the right track! you need a seasoned chiro: mine is 30 years of experience trained in applied kinesology so he found the site of weakness very quickly! thank you so much for this invaluable info.

Reader Theories

Posted by Rosemary (Trenton, NJ) on 11/18/2006

I had acid reflux (see my posted message from March, 2006). I am finally getting back to you with what did finally cure me. The apple cider vinegar I tried did not work. What did work was eating a good quality yogurt several times a day along with two acidophilus/bifodophilus capsules with a high bacterial count. I took the capsules 3 times a day with each meal. I did this for 3 weeks straight. That is how long it took for the symptoms of acid reflux to totally subside. The yogurt was very cooling and it contains a lot of good bacteria. I ate a cup in the morning, then I had a half a cup after lunch and after dinner. During the day, I would take a tablespoon full periodically to help cool the throat. I had good results after one week, but it did not totally subside until the end of the 3 weeks.

I came to the conclusion by putting together these two known facts.

(1) Stomach ulcers are caused by a bacteria and many people with stomach ulcers are aspirin users.
(2) Antibiotics cause diarrhea because it destroys the good bacteria in the intestines. All one needs to do is to take acidophilus during and after taking taking antibiotics to avoid diarrhea and loose bowel problems.

Armed with this information....the more I thought about the sudden problem I had developed with acid reflux, the more I thought it must be related to a bacteria problem (either not enough good or too much bad). Since I try to eat a healthy diet, I could not see why I would suddenly develop this "disease". Therefore, I banked on the idea that ibuprofen was probably destroying the good bacteria which allowed the bad bacteria to attack the esophagus. I have to say, I have stopped taking pain pills except on rare occasions. I started exercising (biking) and my knee is now 80% better than it was before. One other new fact that has just come out about ibuprofen is that it also inhibits muscles from strengthening. I heard about this through a friend - I believe one of the universities did a study with athletes and they discovered this about the athletes who took ibuprofen either before, during or after training.

Mint

Posted by Abigail (Ypsilanti, MI) on 11/15/2006
★★★★★

I spent 2 years fighting acid reflux. I ate antacids like candy til the doctor put me on Zantac, then I started taking those like candy. Finally, my pastor gave me some dried mint leaves and told me to steep 1 teaspoon in a cup of water and drink. One cup a day for a week. By the second day I hadn't had an attack. By the end of the week I threw away my Zantac. The tea was only used for a week as it was. After about 1 month the erosion was healed and it would be 4 years before I would have heartburn again. I drink the tea and have no more problems. I use vinegar once or twice a year if I get heartburn again but the tea did a total turn around. None of my doctors believe I used to have acid reflux. Note: the mint used can even be the kind you find on the spice rack at the local grocery store.

Blended Raw Potato

Posted by Tracy (Denver, CO) on 07/11/2023

Apparently, all the “natural” yam creams in the US have some sort of synthetic progesterone in them. (This isn't my area of expertise so please be kind if I am not explaining that quite correctly.) It seems that Anna's Wild Cream (from Australia) is the only one you're currently (2023) going to find that's legit pure and natural. Also, I guess the word has gotten out about this product because they've recently seen their orders skyrocket to the point that they won't have new inventory until the end of August. This is frustrating, but presumably they'll get it all figured out soon. Good luck to you all!

Dietary Changes

Posted by Manj (Canada) on 11/01/2006
★★★★★

Abstain from white flour to cure acid reflux.

Cinnamon

Posted by Mercedes (Long Beach, WA) on 09/18/2006
★★★★★

I was reading your cure for acid reflux - ACV - and wanted to add one of my own. Cinnamon sticks simmered in water for about 20 minutes or until they make a 'tea'. I put 6 sticks in a regular size stove top kettle. Drink hot or cold - usually a juice glass full will remove acid reflux instantly, if not repeat. It ALWAYS works!! Also delicious! Many other health benefits too!

Celery

Posted by Nancy (Agoura Hills, CA) on 09/14/2006
★★★★★

I have used H2 and PP blockers. I find that celery makes me feel better quickly. It probably increases the rate at which the stomach empties. It helps move things along, I think. I plan to try your home remedies. I'll let you know how it works.

Milk and Honey

Posted by Sarah (Maplewood, NJ) on 05/11/2006
★★★★★

My mom uses an egg yolk, honey and milk for me since I was little when it attacks. Egg yolk -- try to use twice a week but every day use warm milk [whole milk works better] and one teaspoon of honey for three to four days. Once I use this, I don't get the acid reflux for more than six months or so. Trust me I have tried so many things but nothing works like milk and honey. I have never try the AVC. I will try it.

Gum

Posted by Christopher (North Kingston, RI) on 05/08/2006
★★★★★

Both me and my brother have acid reflux. I have had it for about 7 yrs. now. We joke about it and our families have come to know it as "the ninja" -- it sneaks up on us and is deadly!!! So far the best remedy for me has been winter fresh gum. Everyone thinks we're crazy but it gives instant relief. i'm so surprised to read about everyone's version of "acid reflux". i wish my doctor could experience the same symptoms.

Licorice

Posted by Deirdre (Los Angeles, CA) on 04/10/2006
★★★★★

I haven't had an issue with acid reflux until this past weekend when I over-ate (mostly thick chunks of bread) at a dinner party on Friday night. 3 hours later I had intense burning and pain in my upper right intestinal tract, just under my liver/gallbladder. When the pain and burning spread to my entire upper intestinal tract and didn't ease up after 48 hours, I decided to research some home remedies for gastritis. I ended up buying chewable DGL (licorice root extract) at Whole Foods last night... I knew it was great for healing ulcers, why not gastritis?! I chewed two tablets and within 30 minutes, the burning and pain had stopped. Today I am almost back to 100% (just a slight sensation of burning). I hope other people will give this supplement a shot for acid reflux. DGL supports the lining of the stomach and intestinal tract. One more thing -- Licorice Root Extract raises blood pressure, but DGL is licorice root extract without the compound that raises blood pressure -- glycyrrhizin -- so you can take it every day supposedly, 20 minutes before a meal.

Licorice

Posted by Sherry (Longview, Washington ) on 08/12/2008
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

Licorice (the herb not the candy) cannot be taken safely for very long. It causes high blood pressure. I have found licorice root in diet teas and women's remedy teas used as a dieretic. Taken any longer than 6 days or so can cause health issues. I made the mistake years ago of drinking a dieter's tea after my evening meal for over a year. I had never had a problem with high blood pressure before but after a year on that tea my blood pressure sky rocketed and I felt horrible. As soon as I stopped the tea my blood pressure went back down to normal.

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.

Licorice

Posted by Deb (Cb, Ia) on 12/19/2009

Deirdre, I can't believe reading someone else has the same problem I've experienced since the Dr put me on thyroid medicine in 2002 after radiation for Graves Disease. Never had all the problems I now have before the thyroid medicine. Jumped from Dr to Dr trying to figure out why the severe burning pain in the liver/gallbladder area (most Dr's didn't have an answer after running test after test & people acted like I was crazy to complain of such a severe pain there), had my gallbladder removed in '98. One Dr finally told my I had acid reflux and allergies but I didn't think it could be since I had never had heart burn! I recently had an Endoscopy & Colonoscopy confirming I have GERD, diverticulosis and gastritis. I've been on ALL the meds for reflux only to have too many side effects and then quit taking them due to little to no relief and most of them causing my blood pressure to rise and feeling worse(never had hypertension before these meds and only having it while taking them). I've tried the ACV, teas, papaya, etc. I'm going to try the DGL with caution, we are only given one body and I don't want to cause more problems trying to cure it! BTW cutting down on salt intake has helped ease the burning pain! Thanks! Deb

EC: Hi Deb,

Yes, DGL is fantastic. I still have the same issue when I eat too much bread and it's been very helpful from time to time. Also drinking more water during the meal and after. I started recently to take potassium iodide after someone mentioned it on the site and it's turning out to be an amazing tool for digestion and weight loss. That tells me there is a thyroid link too!

Deirdre (now in Atlanta)

Licorice

Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 12/22/2009 490 posts

Question for Deb & Deirdre:

Hello Ladies,

Did your blood pressure rise before or after you started the licorice root extract for the acid regurg? The reason I ask is we were told in a physiology class that eating licorice would cause your blood pressure to rise.

Also, as stated many times before, getting rid of bleached flour got rid of my gastrointestinal problems including the acid regurg or GERD. Why take something to relieve the problem if you can avoid what causes the problem?

EC: Hi Joyce, no. DGL licorice extract did not cause a rise in my blood pressure because it does not contain glycyrrhizin (the compound that causes a rise in bp). That's why it's a great supplement!

Deirdre

Reader Theories

Posted by Rosemary (Trenton, NJ) on 03/30/2006

I just started getting acid reflux and have been awakened in my sleep from it (twice so far) and I've never had a digestive problem before. So it was quite baffling. I just started taking ibuprofen regularly to combat the pain in an arthritic knee. Funny that this is the only change in my diet and all of a sudden I have acid reflux. Well, it turns out that ibuprofen will do havoc on your digestive system. So, I will try the apple cider vinegar cure. But, wanted to make sure everyone with this problem is warned that there is a likelihood that their acid reflux problem may be related to taking medications such as ibuprofen. I am hopeful that stopping the pain medication and drinking the ACV will fix the problem.

Apples

Posted by Tristan (Houston, TX) on 02/27/2006
★★★★★

ACV helped for a few days and then the acid was back worse than ever. Apple juice on the other hand seems to be helping. Within 20 minutes of drinking a bottle of Minute Maid Apple Juice with Vitamin C, the burping and pain are gone.

Dietary Changes

Posted by Bill (Anchorage, Alaska) on 02/14/2006
★★★★★

when i stop eating foods with gluten my acid reflux went away. I cured my acid reflux, excess gas,bad memory, nighttime urination by eliminating gluten.