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.
White Vinegar
Posted by Rd (Nebraska) on 06/27/2016
★★★★★
I had acid reflux most of my adult life. One day after hearing about what I could do from an elder, I tried it and to this day I no longer suffer from it. It was an old family cure that worked for me and others I passed it on too. Well here it is.
Take 2 tablespoons of pure white Vinegar, heat it up and shoot it down.
Within 3 days the acid reflux was gone forever. All I can say is try it. And by the way don't swallow any water for a few hours. But you can rinse out your mouth.
Ginger
Posted by Lady Constance (Beaver Falls) on 04/27/2015
★★★★★
Also, re: Ginger, I use pickled ginger like they have at sushi restaurants. Works in seconds on the acid! And yummy too. Also candied ginger is yummy and works well. I always have baking soda in the house, 1 tsp to a cup or less of water, bobs your uncle, pain gone! God bless you.
Water
Posted by Michael (Alton, Il) on 05/27/2014
★★★★★
After suffering 2 years with acid reflux I was cured in 3 days drinking water.
Directions:
1) upon waking, drink 44oz glass of water.
2) Required... drink (Only) water with meal.
3) Drink large glass of water before bed.
Zinc
Posted by Mike (NYC) on 09/12/2025
★★★★☆
I have found it actually surprising that ZINC is considered a reasonable solution both by research and reviews
I am trying the one by solgar (zinc-picolinate) now for a week and while its not gone, its much better
Olive Leaf
Posted by Bigpete2 (Eugene Oregon) on 12/05/2013
Hello: acid reflux or GERD is caused by the bacteria 'heliobacter pylorii"
This is the exact cause of stomach ulcers also. The symptoms of gerd are worsened by eating rich foods, and especially late at night.some thgeories blame the condition on a weak pyloric sphincter valve at the base of the esophagus but the condition is always food intake related.. ie no food eaten no symptoms noted. Taking drugs such as prevacid which reduce syomach acid production are counterproductive in the long haul as they can cause constipation and reduced energy due to lessened base sugar intake into the digestive system ie glucose the primary energy causing sugar.thus the type and time of ingestion of most foods is of great importance. Don't eat late at night!! And only eat unprocessed foods. but why worry about what you eat or when you eat it, when there is a BASIC CURE fore the condition. If you consulted a physician to have a stomache acid culture performed y the results nearly always would point to HELIOBACTER PYLORII as a bacteria that is present in the stomache walls. curing this conditionis VERY EASILY!
The condition can be CURED for literally months by ingesting the following "Food"!! Olive leaf powder (capsules) the prefered method of treatment is to open the capsules into the mouth and swirling them around until they dissolve! Then the user is to SWALLOW tyhe mixture of the olive leaf powder and saliva. the taste is clerly awful but lo and behold the GERD will quickly disappear and not return for weeks or perhaps months! With no side effects. the capsules MUST contain at least
16 % euloropein acid!! And the user should also try to avoid a product that contains fillers such as clover etc as the addons basically waste your $$$ olive leaf powder also treats ALL CLASSES of microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, fungis, and even prions. unfor tunately it does not seem to be a systemic "food" and thus has little use unless it cah physically contact the offending organism . it is also effective against
Gum disease and any other symptom where itr can physiaclly contact the microorganism good luck bigpete2
Vinegar Based Foods
Posted by Bella (Wheaton, Il) on 06/29/2013
★★★★★
My husband had acid reflux every day for many years. He insisted on taking over the counter antacids for relief. Then he tried a dill pickle. Within a minute, relief!
Over the past several years he's used only vinegar based foods. One time we were out, so of course didn't have a pickle. He got a packet of mustard. It worked! He doesn't hardly ever get acid anymore!
Acidophilus
Posted by William (MI) on 05/10/2026
My friend told me went to a holistic doctor. She explained that it is a bacteria in the stomach and the bacteria is eating your food and then it defecates inside of your stomach and then you have acid reflux she said we will kill all of this bacteria in your stomach by taking this Rife machine and putting it to your skin on your arm and one on your foot. She said he won't feel anything but in two and a quarter hours it will destroy all the bacteria in your stomach that is eating your food and defecating in your stomach. This was 7 years ago and he has never had any acid reflux again he had had it for 15 years he said before that and it was causing him to be very sick in the more medicine he took the worse he got he could no longer sleep because he was backing up all the time out of his nose into his eyes he was very bad he said still no more acid reflux one Rife machine session with a holistic doctor with the Rife machine dialed in To Kill the setting that was for the bacteria in his stomach. What a great story. So a year later we ran into his friend who had acid reflux he let him use the machine he dialed it to the setting that's for the bacteria that was the cause he sat for two and a quarter hours and now he's been free for a year and a half of all acid reflux. Amazing I've never had acid reflux I'm just reporting what my friend said the machines a thousand dollars his treatment was $40 at the holistic doctor. He bought the machine immediately once he was cured thinking he might need it again and he never had to use it ever. Buddy let his friend use it and he's okay.
Digestive Enzymes, Probiotics
Posted by Bill (San Fernando, La Union\\\\\\\\, Philippine) on 03/12/2013
Hi Gerd Fighter... I usually find that I now alkalize, using both the sodium bicarbonate and water(alkalizes the intestines and blood) and the lime/lemon and water(alkalizes inside the cells) remedies. I may not use these every day but I usually use them several times every week because 80% to 90% of all our processed food is acid forming in the body. So, yes, I use these alkalizing remedies constantly every week.
The dosages referred to in the link I provided were 7 half tspns of baking soda for adults and 3 half tspns for anyone over 60. It's rare that you will ever have to take 7 half tspns unless your body is extremely acidic.
Most people link high blood pressure to too much sodium intake in the body. But just like Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium, sodium is easily regulated by the kidneys. The problems really arise if there is a lack of sodium, calcium, potassium or magnesium in the diet. You cannot regulate minerals that are already at low levels in your body can you?
Calcium is usually always found to be in excess in our processed food diets(everything is fortified with calcium these days!! ) whereas potassium and magnesium are always lacking in our diets. Sodium, as salt intake, is tricky. Alot of people avoid salt and other people just use refined salt(acidic). Our bodies need the Sea Salt form of salt which is more alkaline than refined salt and sea salt also contains many other essential and useful minerals.
The fear with salt is because people believe that sodium will raise their blood pressure. But this is simply not true. It is the excess chloride in refined salt that raises the blood pressure. In his book pH Balanced for Life (which is sold on this site) Ted from Bangkok reveals that he did an experiment on himself to prove this. He took sodium bicarbonate, magnesium chloride and potassium chloride at different times and found that the magnesium chloride and potassium chloride always tended to raise his blood pressure whereas sodium bicarbonate did not raise BP. So it isn't because of the sodium but is because of the chloride content in refined salt that causes a rise in BP. For myself, I am constantly taking the Baking Soda alkalizing remedies and my own blood pressure has never varied in 6 years-- it always remains at around 110/70.
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.
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!
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.
Water and Sea Salt
Posted by Leelannee (Vernon, NJ) on 07/12/2009
★★★★★
WATER AND SEA SALT (WATER CURE)
has worked wonders for my acid reflux.
I had been coughing for weeks, then the burning started...No matter what I ate, even just water and raw fruit all day, the reflux would start about 1/2 hour after I ate. I've also been taking probiotics every day for years. Within 3 days of starting the water cure, my coughing was gone and my reflux started getting better.
I take 1/4 teaspoon of UNREFINED SEA SALT with 1 quart of water at least 4 times per day (I just keep a bowl of salt in the kitchen with a measuring spoon in it, and whenever I think about it, I just chuck the salt in my mouth then wash it down with a bottle of water, rather than drinking salty water). Although for my weight, I should be taking 8 doses, I usually only manage 4. If I skip it due to running around & not being home, I might be all right that day but will suffer the next, and it takes about a day to re-normalize.
Other benefits that I have noticed: I don't have to urinate as often--I can hold it like a "normal" person! This may also be due to not coughing as much, which was causing some incontinence.
It has also helped with insomnia. I was taking several natural remedies to help me fall asleep, and would have vivid, disturbing nightmares if I skipped these (especially a powdered magnesium drink). Within a week on the watercure, I started falling asleep more easily and while I still have weird dreams, they aren't as vivid & I barely remember them in the morning.
I have difficulty taking ACV because of the flavor, and while taking baking soda helps I am reluctant to do so because you NEED acid to digest certain foods. It's also easier & cheaper than many of the other supplements I was taking! I've read some success stories about weight loss... haven't had any luck in that department yet (started June 11th, today is July 12th), but am still hoping it will help!
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???
Almonds
Posted by michelle (Cambridge, UK) on 06/03/2009
★★★★★
Dear Sammi, I have been eating almonds with every meal, before, after, or during the meal, for the last six months, and they have completely taken my acid reflux away. I think they work because they are alkaline.( I found this advice on this site )
I took 5 per meal to start with, then dropped to 2 after the meal, but at night I tend to eat a bit more, so sometimes need none if my meal is very alkaline, ( ie. lettuce , avocado and lemon juice ) or 15-20 if I eat late and heavily ! They ALWAYS WORK !
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.
