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.
B12
Posted by Christine (Virginia Beach, USA) on 04/04/2008
★★★★★
Acid reflux is often caused by a Vitamin B12 deficiency. Since you need B12 to make enough intrisic factor and enzymes to absorb it, perhaps just taking ACV will help you absorb Vitamin B12 better.
Nevertheless, I have found that as long as I take 4 B12 dots (500 mcg) under the tongue once a day, I am fine. When I don't, the reflux comes right back.
Olive Oil
Posted by Terry (Mount Vernon, Illinois) on 05/26/2007
★★★★★
HI, I lived in the south of France for many years. I am a massage therapist and use aroma therapy and plants. What works the best FOR ME to decrease the effects of acid reflux is 1 tablespoon of OLIVE OIL every morning and evening. There might be a little discomfort the first few times, but the results, for me, were well worth it. My old 30 day supply of pills lasts me all year now. I haven't tried the ACV remedy, but yes, the apples help me a lot too. But we are all different. I find that the Olive oil works best in my case.
Acidophilus
Posted by David (Fort lauderdale, FL) on 05/09/2007
★★★★★
I have only one word.. Probiotics'... After 15 years of taking toxic medications, I found a nutritionist who introduce me to Probiotics... Trust me just find a website that sells this product. I personally take _____. Stop taking those life threntening medication for gastrointestinal problems and try probiotic, you will thank me...I take a few before or after every meal.... You will not be disappointed I promise... Good luck...
Slippery Elm
Posted by Diane (Minster nr Ramsgate, UK) on 02/06/2007
★★★★★
I would like to recommend pure slippery elm powder (not slippery elm food which has flour in it) to help with acid reflux. Slippery elm when made up into a milkshake type drink (see tip at end of this for making it up without lumps!) has soothing properties, lines as it goes down, and is also nutritional. My children used to have slippery elm mixed with fruit such as stewed apple or apricots or banana as a cereal when they were bubbies. They loved it. Anyway, re: acid reflux - it will not instantly make it go away but will help soothe some of the symptoms and calm the volcanic eruptions a bit if drunk fairly frequently, especially when one has the symptoms of heartburn or sore throat etc. I think used in conjunction with yoghurt (or even better pre and pro biotic capsules) and the apple cider remedy, as well as of course changes to ways of living, it would be very good. I cannot say it will be as I have not tried the ACV remedy yet - but I intend to! My husband has ulcerative colitis and drinking slippery elm has really helped him as well as natural anti-inflammatories such as turmeric, taking pre and pro biotics, and taking flaxseed oil. Has anyone tried ACV for ulcerative colitis btw? Oh before I forget...I said I would give a tip for making up slippery elm without the lumps. This is how my hubby and I do it: Put two heaped teaspoonfuls of slippery elm in a mug. Bring kettle to boil but before pouring into mug, put a covering of cold water over the powder in the mug. DO NOT STIR yet though but stir as you are pouring in the hot water. Leave some room at the top for adding milk (we use soya milk btw as this suits my husband's UC more, but other types of milk are ok if you can drink them). Diane :-)
Ginger Ale
Posted by Douglas (Toronto, Ontario)
★★★★★
This is my dad's remedy. One day I had heartburn and my dad suggested drinking ginger ale. With the equivalent of only two tablespoons worth, the heartburn was gone instantly. I hope he isn't too upset with my sharing of his remedy. Also, it is a theory of mine that heartburn can be cured with any kind of pop or carbonated beverage.
Celery
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 07/29/2023
★★★★★
A friend and I were eating at a Mexican restaurant. We had several dishes that were acidic, plus a few glasses of coke. After the meal my friend took out a 4 inch stalk of celery from her purse, and began eating it. She told me that she had been living on Tums since she was young, but had just recently tried celery. By the time she had finished the stalk of celery, the severe burning sensation in her throat and chest were gone.
Since that time, I have learned to use this protocol for anyone experiencing acid reflux or heart burn.
After eating, always eat a 4 inch piece of celery behind it. I've seen people's reflux disappear completely in as little as 24 hours and as long as they stay eating the celery, they do not have a relaps.
Why does it work?
During ancient times, celery was considered to be a medicinal herb before it became a food and used to treat a variety of ailments. Celery is an old folk remedy for heartburn.
Celery is highly anti-inflammatory. It may help in reducing the severity of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bronchitis, asthma, lupus, gout, Crohn's disease, leaky gut, etc. (1). This activity is attributed to the active ingredients like apigenin, apiin, and luteolin in celery juice (7).
Celery heals and activates the gut by restoring hydrochloric acid which helps us digest things faster and more efficiently. Celery juice helps raise stomach acid, which is necessary to help break down food, especially protein. Especially good for those on a high protein diet. If our stomach acid is low, the body has to use more resources to digest that food, often leaving us feeling tired and lethargic. Celery juice has the ability to significantly replenish depleted levels of gastric mucus that is needed in the stomach lining to heal and prevent ulcers and acid reflux.
Try it and let me know.
Kefir
Posted by Christopher (New York) on 12/21/2020
★★★★★
Since I started drinking a cup of kefir in the morning my stomach acid discomfort has gone away. I just bought grains and within a week I will be drinking my own homemade kefir. Good luck, everyone!
Ginger
Posted by Erin Olsen (United States) on 05/23/2020
★★★★★
I tried just about everything, chewing on a piece of fresh Ginger from the root, calmed me reflux instantly. I am off PPI's now for about a week. Ginger worked better than they ever did.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Olddude (Tn) on 10/16/2018 21 posts
★★★★★
I used ACV and baking soda for years, then I got into a Plant Based eating program and all my acid reflux went away,,, watch the documentary Forks over Knives on netflix when u can.
Sugar Tea
Posted by Brook (Birmingham, Alabama) on 03/28/2013
★★★★★
This is going to sound weird, but I tried all of the remedies above and nothing helped me long term except sugar. My grandmother, an 80 year old woman told me to put a table spoon of sugar in a cup of hot hot water and drink it like a tea. The first time I took it I heard a gulp in my stomach. I did it for a few days and no acid reflux. Now, I don't wake up with acid burning in my throat anymore. If I eat something acidic, I just make sure to drink my sugar tea. I also lost a couple of pounds. But, I try not to do that often. Trust me it works!
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, Baking Soda
Posted by Mike (London, Uk) on 02/13/2013
★★★★★
The Apple Cyder Vineger thing REALLY does work its astonishing, its a wonder why it isnt more widely known as a remedy. I've had GERD/bad heartburn for months (with Laryngitis)and it was making me miserable, after stumbling across this website by accident I'd thought what have I got to lose.
So after going to Tescos I took 1 tablespoon ACV, 1/8 spoon bicarb of soda, 1 spoon honey with a splash of water, downed in one (it tastes disgusting), and bobs yer uncle 2 hours later it was gone, 1 week later I've had slight symptoms but one dose of the elixer and it was gone again.
I only take it now as a cure and not prevention and fingers crossed I'll be OK.
I've never ever posted a message before on a forum, but was compelled to do so and will spread the word!
Avoid Non-Fat Dairy
Posted by Tracy (Charlotte, Nc) on 12/31/2012
★★★★★
I stopped having acid reflux episodes when I stopped consuming non-fat dairy products. Try going to 1%. If that doesn't work, go to 2%. 2% works fine for me.
I used to think the episodes were a result of eating acidic foods (e. g., tomato sauce, etc. ), but found that consumption of non-fat dairy actually was the underlying cause that made my system intolerant of those foods. I can eat the other foods now with no problem.
Be sure to read labels, because skim milk and skim milk powder can be found where you least expect. I rarely get reflux now, but can trace it back to accidental ingestion of non-fat dairy every time it happens.
Hope this helps someone.
Baking Soda in Orange Juice
Posted by Charity (Faithville, Usa) on 06/28/2017
I watch a lot of informational videos . If I am remembering correct, Eric Berg was teaching on how stress produces cortisol and cortisol alkalized the body and when the body is alkaline the flap at the top of the gut, the esophagus I presume does not close and stomach acid comes up into the throat, like heartburn.
Dhea helps with cortisol balancing, depending on your age, b vitamins in nutritional yeast, minerals in balance and hydration with water, extra magnesium for stress or epson salt baths, walks, fresh air and loving self talk.
Cabbage
Posted by Connie (Youngstown, Oh) on 07/16/2012
★★★★★
I was having stomach pain for 3 months now. At times it would feel like I had a knot under my breast bone. The pain would go from mild to severe and there was one time I almost went to ER. I was treated with previcid for the attacks. After reading on this site, I began to eat raw cabbage leaves on July 5. Just tried to eat 4-5 leaves throughout the day. the first day or 2 I noticed some relief. I did notice more heartburn for the first few days - but I felt that something was improving pain wise. by day 5 I noticed a significant difference. Here I am 10 days later and I have not had pain for over a week. I am amazed. I started adding cabbage to all my sandwiches and salads. In addition my constipation has drastically improved. Cheap and works!! I am sold!! Thanks and good luck
Artichoke Extract, Aloe Vera
Posted by Maryb (Virginia Beach, Virginia / USA) on 06/20/2012
★★★★★
I cured my acid reflux in 5 weeks. I had gone the route of apple cider vinegar (hated the taste and burning in my throat), then Prilosec, and Nexium. Then I met an Herbalist. She had me go to GNC and get the Artichoke Extract. I took two capsules right when I finished breakfast and two capsules right after dinner every day. She also had me get Aloe Vera juice extract (wildberry is my favorite). I would take two shots right when I woke up an two shots right before I went to bed. Sometimes I would take a shot mid afternoon ( not very often).
I quit the Nexium after being on the artichoke and aloe for 24 hours and had no burning I still followed the bland acid reflux diet. But at five weeks I forgot to take the artichoke one morning and had no burning, so I decided to back off the artichoke and aloe Vera in the next couple of days. Then quit it. I slowly started eating spicy foods again and had no issues. It has been a year now. I told one of my husbands customer about it. (she had been on Nexium for around a year). She called me the next morning an said she slept all night for the first time in ages, she stopped the nexium that day and was cured in 5 weeks with no more issues. My daughter told a coworker about it and hers is cured too. The artichoke help control the bile. Please try it. IT WORKS!!
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.
Celery
Posted by beverly (Texas) on 05/02/2022
This is because celery contains hydrochloric acid, which restores function and helps heal the gut.
Avocado
Posted by Sergio Rossi (Mansfield, Texas) on 11/26/2011
★★★★★
Have had acid reflux since I am 12 years old. Tried all kinds of things thoughout the years, I learned that my stomach changes with time. ACV is good and I add it to most meals when possible. Pickle juice is also very good. The one thing that provides me with almost instant relief is avocado. The curious thing is that I didn't see it in the list and makes me wonder why? Hope it can provide some sort of help to some. Best luck!
