Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux (GERD & LPR)

Apple Cider Vinegar, Lemon

Posted by Lilli (Kenmore, Wa, Usa) on 02/13/2013 15 posts
★★★★★

I've found that ACV works the best for my acid reflux. However, I had to tweak the formula a bit.

I cannot stand the taste of straight ACV so I added fresh lemon juice in equal amounts to the ACV. I used to drink a tall glass of water but found that too much water triggered the AR, especially before bedtime.

Now I use apx. 6 ounces of filtered water and add 1 tbs. ACV, and 1 tbs. Lemon juice. If this mixture is too sour, just add a squirt of good quality honey. Some have mentioned adding baking soda. I never have, but if the acidity bothers you, it is worth a try.

I drink the mixture throughout the day and never before bedtime. I've even tried drinking it with my meals in place of other drinks.

Another thing that has helped tremendously is not eating or drinking after the evening meal and at least 4 hours before bedtime. I also limit my intake of liquids while I am eating to aid digestion. I've added more raw fruits and vegetables. Apples work really well.

I find that these things work best whenever I feel the first twinge or feel the acid coming up in my throat.

Psyllium

Posted by Tony (Melbourne, Vic., Australia) on 08/12/2012
★★★★★

Forget Apple Cider Vinegar for Acid Reflux. Go on to Metamucil. Metamucil is basically Psyllium Fibre with a nice taste to it. I had the worst stomach problems ever, but Metamucil has solved the problem. It is not a cure, but it is a management solution. I take it morning and evening every day. I suffered for several years, but not for the last three years. Give it a go. Best wishes, Tony, Australia.

Celery

Posted by Javina (London) on 05/14/2015
★★★★★

I use a couple of sticks of raw celery for indigestion. I find it far more effective than commercial antacids. Sodium Bicarbonate works well too.

Cabbage

Posted by Richard (Pago Pago, American Samoa) on 01/07/2012
★★★★★

RED CABBAGE!!!

Greatest cure for acid and indigestion I have found that really chewing a chunk of raw red(purple) cabbage, quickly balances my system quicker than anything.

It seems to work instantly!! Been a life saver for me.

Papaya

Posted by Aileen (Makati, Philippines) on 09/15/2011
★★★★★

I had a very bad time last night bcoz of my acid reflux. I was sitting the whole night and couldn't sleep. And then I remember reading here about digestive enzymes and it just so happened that I have papaya fruit. After eating it, my pain was gone in less than 30 mins. I was able to sleep. Just sharing it so that it might help others too. Thanks to this wonderful site, you're really helping a lot of people. Keep up the good work guys!

Almonds

Posted by Tariq (Abu Dhabi, Uae) on 08/14/2011
★★★★★

Try 4 to 5 Almonds. It is a very good tested treatment for ACID REFLUX.

Licorice

Posted by K (Phoenix, Az) on 06/16/2011
★★★★★

I had terrible acid reflux a couple years ago. Went to the doctor and she prescribed some medication. When I asked how long I had to be on it, she said she didn't know. Apparently some people are on for life. I never filled the prescription. Instead I did some research and in addition to dramatically reducing my soda intake I started taking chewable (saliva enhances the effectiveness) DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice). Research and you will find several articles saying DGL cures ulcers! Take it 20 minutes prior to eating each meal (up to 3 times/day). I went from having acid reflux every day-all day to seldom if ever. I no longer vomit stomach acid in the morning and I am able to eat spicy foods again. I also don't have to take it before every meal anymore. I only take it before I eat spicy foods.

Two last things, if you don't like licorice, they do have German Chocolate flavored DGL which helps to disguise the flavor. Secondly, if you have high blood pressure, make sure you buy the kind that has the glycyrrhizin compound (associated with high blood pressure) removed.

Calcium

Posted by Karen (Alpharetta, Ga.) on 06/12/2010
★★★★★

I take 500mg of Coral Calcium (magnesium and D are in the capsules) every night at bed time. I no longer have acid reflux. My husband always had acid reflux, nearly every day. Now he doesn't. He takes Calcium every night.

Reader Theories

Posted by Dave (Harrison, OH) on 06/30/2009

There is alot of mis-information regarding reflux. Most non-thinking MDs believe that it's because we are producing too much acid. That's ridiculous. Nothing starts to make MORE of what it's supposed to make the older we get. Instead, as we age, along with poor diet, alcohol, prescription drug use, etc., we begin to produce LESS acid and enzymes. As a result, the food that we used to process in a timely fashion now takes longer. The process slows, and as the food sits, it begins to ferment, giving off gas, which will bubble-up the acid that is still present. This gives the symptoms of reflux. The LAST thing one should do is take nexium/prilosec, or any other acid blocker. The answer is to add acid/enzymes to the mix, thereby bring the processing back up to speed. That's why you see suck great success with the vinegars, enzymes, pickle juice, et.al. If you continue down the wrong path (that which is prescribed by the idiots), you completely disrupt the lower bowel, leading to malabsorption syndromes, decreased immune function, dysbiosis, gas/bloat/irritable bowel, etc. Make sense to anyone else???

Yogurt, Apples

Posted by Anne (Hanford, CA) on 02/10/2009
★★★★★

Acid reflux is not something that is common to me. However, lately, if I eat a lot of chocolate, I get terrible reflux. Tonight, I was desperate and ate some low cal. blueberry Yoplait yogurt. Withing 5 minutes, I felt better. Then I read your web site cures but I didn't have any apple cider vinegar, but I do have apples. So I ate a small Fugi apple and felt even better. Thanks for all your suggestions in an emergency situation!!! Guess I'd better take it easy on the chocolate!!

Chiropractic Treatments

Posted by Renee (Ottumwa, Iowa) on 02/06/2009
★★★★★

Chiropractic cured my indigestion: I had a hiatal hernia and acid reflux. The chiropractor cured my hiatal hernia with 2 visits and showed me how to treat my acid reflux with a simple technique. In my case, acid reflux was caused by the sphincter between the stomach and esophagus not closing properly. At times poor digestion or sour stomach may also be caused by a spasm in the diaghragm due to misalignment of the rib cage. I recommend that you try a chiropractor skilled in applied kinesiology treatments as not all chiropractors have the same training. I think it is also important to limit alcohol, chocolate and acid forming foods, too.

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.

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.

Betaine Hydrochloride

Posted by Dee (Middlesbrough, England) on 07/04/2008
★★★★★

Hi again everyone, I have had gastric reflux for six years for two of those years I lived on salmon and cous cous, that was all I could eat. Recently though my life has turned around, I realised through this website that I had low acid. The ACV worked but not enough to make a huge difference. I have also had accupuncture which I think has helped.
But one day I had indigestion as usual and I tried a clementine, within a few minutes I started to feel better. I started to eat them after main meals which prevented any symptoms from coming on. I would also take them to work and have one if any symptoms came on. Then I tried Betaine Hydrochloride which has made such a difference to what I can eat. You can only use Betaine Hydrochloride if you know for definate that its low acid and you shouldn't try if you think you may have an ulcer. If fruits like oranges or lemon alleviate your symptoms then it might help you.
I hope so. Dee

Sleep on Your Left Side

Posted by Gene (Fort Worth, TX) on 05/27/2008
★★★★★

I have always slept on my right side and the other night I read on the internet that acid reflux sufferers should sleep on their left side. I was looking for relief as I hadn't slept through the night in a long time so I gave it a try. It helped!. I've slept on my left side for two nights now and actually slept through the entire night both times. Second day, I also had less trouble during the day with the acid reflux.

Almonds

Posted by Karen (Birmingham, Michigan) on 09/12/2007
★★★★★

ALMONDS: I had been taking aciphex for my acid reflux for over a year. After trying to lose weight with no success, I discovered over the internet that some people have a weight problem with aciphex. I stopped using it and decided to try a natural remedy that I used when I was pregnant and it works! It's real simple: plain almonds. I eat about 5 with breakfast and then eat a few each time I eat and I haven't felt my reflux. This was a remedy that a nurse told me about many years ago when I was pregnant with my first child, 1981. I'm so glad I remembered it. Just to let you know, I am a drinker of chlorinated tap water; (read below) but somehow that remedy makes sense, too. Oh, and by the way, I began to lose weight after stopping the aciphex!