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.
Aloe Vera
Posted by Zinnia (Wappingers Falls, New York) on 06/04/2007
★★★★★
My daughter Stefanie developed an acid reflux. She was given an anti acid Rx. It temporarity stopped. I researched the wonders of Aloe Vera and found that it treated her. Since then whenever it occurs, I give her juice mixed with Aloe Vera juice. It works wonder.
Aloe Vera
Posted by Joyce (Lansdowne, Pa) on 04/26/2012
I had the same problem with acide reflux. The dr prescribed nexium which I was taking. I do not like medication and the many side effects they caused so I decided to find a natural alternative and started with apple cider vinegar. This helped tremendously and I am happy to say I do not suffer from acid reflux anymore. I remember years ago in college I was having the same problem and my doctor told me to drink milk. I am lactose intolerant and drinking milk only made the condition worsen. The only thing that could help was to drink orange juice. The dr was baffled as she beleived that the orange juice would aggravate the condition. That just goes to prove that it is not an excess of acid but too little acid in the stomach. Try the ACV and I hope it helps. Start out with a teaspoon in 8 ozs water and instead of juice with your meal have a glass of water with ACV.
Olive Oil
Posted by Episolve Gi (California, Usa) on 05/28/2015
★★★★★
Olive oil definitely works!
Banana
Posted by Laura (Monroeville , PA) on 06/16/2008
★☆☆☆☆
Acid Reflux Remedies: No on the bananas -- it actually makes it worse for me or creates it. Anything sugar based turns on the reflux for me. Baking soda 1/2 teaspoon with a cup of water when I eat badly. Nothing when I eliminate coffee and sugar.
Banana
Posted by Patient (Union, Nj) on 10/14/2009
i've been taking nexium for 7 years. First signs of burning 12 years ago, first reflux 8-9 yrs ago. 7 years ago diagnosed with hiatal hernia. Nexium helped from day one. First several times a week, then every other day, then every day 40mg. A few years ago started reading about danger of proton pump inhibitors and antacids. Switched to 40-20mg alternating every other day. Now stopped nexium completely a few days ago and i'm on fire non-stop. Headaches, nausea, constant feeling of hunger, chest and throat pain. Eating any kind of food helps relieve burning for a while. Tried organic 1 table spoon ACV 1 tbl spoon honey mixed in warm water 6-8oz cup. It helps for about 30 minutes. Tried 1/2 tea spoon of baking soda mixed with 6oz cup water and could not drink it because of bad taste. Added 1 tea spoon of ACV (for tolerable taste) and it helped for 1 hour.
Apples help just like any non-acidic food for about 10-20 minutes. Bananas - for me 100x worse, almost immediate burning. 1 spoon of honey may be "soothing" the esophagus but it doesn't do anything for me.
Still searching for alternatives to dangerous pills and irreversible surgery.
Banana
Posted by Selena (Chula, Ga) on 10/16/2009
My husband had the same problem before we married. I put him on a yeast free diet and within a month he was 90% better (the remaining 10% is diet and bad habit related that could be fixed by eliminating things from his diet but so much better he can put up with it not to have to give up those things.) Google yeast free diet. I had a book but can't remember the name or author. Basically you have to eliminate all refined sugars, white flour products, refined vinegar products (mustard, mayo. ketchup.) all fungus foods (mushrooms, alcohol), and dairy. He stuck to this diet Mon-Fri and splurged on the weekends and still had great results. He now treats his heartburn with baking soda and water when it occurs. It works wonders for him and does the job. Good luck and congratulations on deciding to take your health into your own hands and fix the problem instead of cover it up.
Aloe Vera
Posted by Michele (Los Angeles, California, Usa) on 09/09/2009
Response to Linda. I have LPR as well, and yours was the first post I have seen linking aloe vera as a cure for LPR. Thank you so much! I am going to get some on my way home tonight and give it a try.
Papaya
Posted by Jorge (New York , US) on 04/03/2007
★★★★★
There was time when acid reflux took over my life and literally I end up sitting in the back of an ambulance rushed to a nearest hospital for breathing problems due to acid reflux. One time a friend of mine suggested aloe vera and papaya and thanks to that I in a matter of days all my symptoms entirely disappeared. If you are suffering from acid reflux on a very severe case like I did, you might want to consider this other option. So here is the magic recipe:
1 leaf aloe Vera
1 papaya (ripe)
2 cups Orange Juice
and ice.
So the whole thing is basically prepared as a really healthy smoothie. cut two inches of the aloe vera lea and scoop the gel from inside into the blender (DO NOT USE THE GREEN LEAF ONLY THE GEL) Then cut a slide or two of the beautiful ripe papaya into the blender add orange juice and enough ice so the whole mixture will take the smoothie consistency. Drink two or three times a week and the results can be seen almost immediately. If aloe Vera cures severe second degree burns imagine how great will do inside your stomach. I was reading about the properties of these two amazing "titana" yes that's how I call aloe Vera and Papaya. Papaya has a an enzyme that also helps digestion but combined with aloe vera is like having Superman and Batman at your call. Good luck
Baking Soda and Water, Lose Weight
Posted by Catherine (Toronto, Ontario) on 06/22/2008
The reason you may suffer less acid reflux when you lose weight is because you are probably eating less acidic foods such as pop or sugary snacks. These foods are a very common cause of acid reflux.
Aloe Vera
Posted by Shalese (Syracuse, Utah) on 03/11/2007
★★★★★
I started taking aloe vera juice 1 week ago I had come to the end of my rope after being on aciphex for heartburn for 5 years. then being told to double up on my dose. that did not even work anymore I had such bad heartburn I thought I would never make it through the day. I called my doctor and he told me to come pick up samples for other meds. I decided I was sick of the meds. so I went to my local Health foods store looking for answers. They told me to take aloe vera juice about 2oz- 8oz a day. I didn't think it would work,but i was desperate. I took it that day and it did nothing! I still slept like crap that night. but the next day i took it. after the second time i took it my heartburn just went away. It hasent returned for 1 week. I have not taken any meds whatsoever. but yet I feel gassy. But I still would rather have gas instead of heartburn anyday. if anyone knows anything how to get rid of severe gas contact me please.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Marc (Huntington Beach, CA) on 02/26/2007
★★★★★
Everyone needs to be still and listen. All these Acid Reflux complaints, but so few people wanting to make the necessary diet changes. I made drastic changes because I wanted to move on with life. I have reflux and Barrets. although I only started feeling reflux in Jan of this year. Must have had the silent type. One thing I heard is crucial to get rid of it, is to stop eating any processed wheat of any kind. Also no dairy. Just try it please. Additionally, all people with any digestive problems are very acidic PH wise. Low PH just keeps breeding disease. You need to get alkaline. ACV is one way. It is alkaline. Also, go to a decent juice bar, and get one fresh juiced green drink in you once a day. It will change your pH back to normal in a very short time. If you are alkaline, you will repair much quicker. We don't need all this long term medicine.
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.
Reader Theories
Posted by Eileen (Rockville Centre, NY) on 01/30/2007
I tried norm robillard's low carb diet for my acid reflux. By day 3 my pain was lessened and by the end of the week, I felt normal. I cannot eat extra carbs for more then 2 days for by day 3 I'm sick with another irritation. I just can't eat any sugary or starchy foods, too many carbs I guess. Not eating bread at all reduces my symptoms just enough that I know I feel a little better. It's just so hard to stay away from. I also get less stomach problems and my bowels don't work much different now then they did when I ate all that fiber and high carb foods. Maybe it will take awhile before everything changes. I wonder if starving out the bacteria in my colon will eventually change my bathroom habits.
Water
Posted by Lawrence (Green River, Wyoming) on 01/17/2007
★★★★★
I first got GER...D 5 years ago at age 75. The Dr. wrote GER on the paper, the clerk added a D to make it match the TV commercials. Was prescribed Nexium, took it for two weeks while researching acid reflux on the web. I concluded that acid is necessary for proper digestion. A Dr, Spreen wrote that the problem is low acid, especially for older people, he recommended juicing some ginger and taking a teaspoon a day. I found the ACV info and tried it with some success. I tried raspberry vinegar, it helps also. I tried Betain HCL pills and Twin Labs super enzyme caps with food, if it is fatty two pills work well. putting any vinegar on food helps me. Some people dip bread in fancy vinegars. Dr. Batmanj??? cured everything with water while he was in jail. If I have an acid attack during the day I start drinking water and keep on drinking it until the pain stops; it has always worked, sometimes it takes three half liter bottles. The LEF site claims Limonine cures some people.
Water
Posted by Cindy (Wichita, KS) on 07/03/2008
Dr. Batman's "watercure" ended 30 years of indigestion and acid reflux in the time it took me to drink 2 glasses of water. I never drank plain water. I have since done a great deal of research on dehydration and have a theory that all water consumed in other things belongs to the colon. Even juice is processed like food, by the body. Nothing is processed in the same manner as plain water on an empty stomach and if one doesn't drink it, the body must steal the water it needs from the colon. And it needs water for every single process.
Everything the body does requires plain water. Even the emergency dehydration mode that steals water from the colon requires water to operate properly so that your body must steal water to use in the process of the theft AND to keep you alive.
The body processes plain water, on an empty stomach, differently than it process anything else. You need plain water. That's all there is to it. The body doesn't "make" water except in a dehydration emergency at which point it steals water from the colon. The whole body operates differently - in emergency mode - when it is dehydrated. So differently that most medical testing is useless because it doesn't take into account the widespread epidemic of chronic dehydration in the pool of test subjects.
Anyway, there are books and things that explain the science but the formula is free and the only expense is sea salt.
I'm glad to be able to share this here. The only reason I can is because I discovered the dangers of dehydration after being sent home from the hospital to "get my affairs in order". Well, I got them in order all right! AND cured my chronic indigestion! I'm currently the healthiest person I know despite smoking for over 30 years and drinking coffee even longer!! Both are extremely bad, but coffee is the worst as the body requires 1 and 1/2 cups of plain water to filter out the toxic caffeine in one cup of coffee. The Dr. even said that compared to drinking caffeine drinks, cigarettes are health food. Fortunately, thanks to EarthClinic, I've just discovered the wonders of hydrogen peroxide which has significantly reduced my craving for cigarettes! Thanks EarthClinic!!
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.
Non-Alcoholic Beer
Posted by Robert (Orlando, FL) on 01/13/2007
★★★★★
The intestinal problems I'm referring to are caused by too much acid reaching the intestines. I've found that some packaged juices such as grape juice, tomato juice and apple juice, contain a lot of acid and can eventually cause intestinal pain when overdone. I attribute that to the acid eating away at the lining of the GI tract and causing irritation and ulcers. The obvious thing that's called for in those cases is to cut out these beverages. However, even though I used to suffer from such GI tract irritation to where I had to cut out my favorite beverages, I found a way to get around that problem and drink all the fruit juices I wanted without any problems at all and have been doing so for many years now. What I found is that if non-alcoholic "beer" or brew (I prefer Miller or Coors) is drunk at the same time as these juices (I mix them together for a good fizzy drink) I can, and do, drink as much juice as I want without any of the normal problems I used to get. Plus I find it to be a healthy and tasty alternative to soda drinks. I don't know what it is about beer that neutralizes the effects of acid in the GI tract, but it works every time.
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 Mae (Suffolk, Va) on 03/13/2012
Hi, I have reflux very bad had to stretch and still food seem like it is stuck but it is going down. Doctor don't know what that feeling coming from can anybody reach out to me and give me some pointer that I might want to look at. Thanks- have been to ear and throat doctor and they just say they see reflux. I am so sad I can't eat anything but soft food.
Reader Theories
Posted by Sandra (Humboldt, Tn) on 07/31/2012
same here, I am going to gastro doc tomorrow for a consult. Regular doc thinks I might have narrowing of the espohgas which can be caused by reflux. I hope not because I have heard that if you have these sidtures then you will have to keep having your throat stretched to open it back up. It is bad when even water won't go down like it is supposed to.
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.
Warnings
Posted by Jeisea (Byron Bay, Australia) on 11/09/2006
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
Someone on here asked about cough and reflux. My son had a chronic cough and was treated for asthma. He was in the worst category for asthma. He never had a wheeze. He just had a chronic cough. When he was finally diagnosed with reflux, he had developed Barrett's Oesophagous, a pre cancerous condition. Reflux causes asthma. The meds for asthma cause reflux. You see his problem. He had a laproscopic fundoplication operation which completely stopped reflux. He hasn't had asthma at all since. If you are coughing it could mean your reflux isn't under control. Chronic reflux isn't safe.
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
Dietary Changes
Posted by Manj (Canada) on 11/01/2006
★★★★★
Abstain from white flour to cure acid reflux.
Mangosteen Juice
Posted by Ray (East Nortport) on 05/05/2006
★★★★★
After an great dinner and two apple pie and vanilla ice cream I went to bed. I woke up at 1 AM with some moderate heartburn. I drank 1 oz. of Mangosteen Juice and by 1:15 I was able to lay down without any pain. It worked better than Alkaseltzer.
Mangosteen Juice
Posted by Carla (Ohio) on 04/25/2006
★★★★★
i'am currently trying the mangosteen remedy (very expensive Xango). The xango is helping me with everything. i had bad headaches, no energy dry skin back aches, toe nail discoloration, smoke too many cigarettes and the list goes on. I feel 500 percent better. although i think i am going to try the apple cider remedy. i was reading the part (nays, i believe) where the people where getting sick or not working or whatever and i wanted to let people know that everyone's bodies are different and every person may need a different dosage. if a person gets sick from a remedy they need to start off with a lower dosage and work their way up. the body cannot deal with a new strange thing entering and taking over. healthy for you or not. introduce yourself and work your way up. some people need to start off twice a week for a couple of weeks then add more and more to your diet until you met your needs. some people every other day and so on and so forth. don't give up and good luck!
