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.
Chia Seed
Posted by Jose (Worcester, Massachusetts) on 04/20/2011
★★★★★
I knew about the ChÃa seed to help with acid reflux through a friend. Immediatly after a reflux attack, you need to take one spoon of dry Chia seed with a little water (the chia seed expanded and will absorb the acids. ) His wife, after ten years using Proton Pump Inhibitors (prilosec, etc. ) have four months without taking these Rx and feeling good. However, the best way is to you prepare the chia in a cup or a jar with water, let grow up, and drink the jelly that is formed. Only use the dry chia seed for a reflux attack. It could dehidrated you. For all other benefits, prepare the jelly. Please check the internet for more information.
Decaf Coffee
Posted by Edgar (Heber City, Utah) on 04/18/2011
★★★★★
after almost two years trying hundreds of remedies I saw improvement after drinking instant decaf coffee. I tried medicines and natural remedies and nothing could stop the acid reflux at night. I would wake up every 2 hours with sweats and discomfort. I do not know how coffee is stopping my acid reflux but it is working for me.
Manuka Honey
Posted by Brijorg (New Haven, Ct) on 02/02/2011
★★★★★
Kleemarti from Tampa, Florida, Hillsborough, I had some pretty bad reflux not so long ago. The #1 remedy for this I found on manukahoneyusa. There are types of foods and drink to avoid and those you should take but most important smear 1 teaspoon of the active manuka honey on (in my case) a 1"x1" piece of rice bread (no wheat gluten) and chew well and swallow do this about 20 minutes before each meal. Initially you will feel a slight sting (healing sting) but the honey will coat the esophagus and start healing. This actually works for many digestive issues. The honey has to be applied to something (bread apple, banana, etc) or else it is absorbed into the bloodstream too quickly.
Now knock that reflux out, the manuka saved my life.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Elvis (Muskogee, Ok) on 01/21/2011
I have acid reflux. I'm Catholic and every lent I give up all foods that I know contain processed sugar. Its very difficult and I am convinced that sugar is more addictive than any drug. The great thing is that my reflux is almost eliminated. I also believe that regular exercise, and avoiding trigger foods helps, as well and the occasional bi-carb.
Vinegar-Based Hot Sauce
Posted by Derrick (Nashville, Tn) on 12/06/2010
★★★★★
I have had acid reflux for years. I tried OTC stuff for over a year. But I learned there are many long-term side effects with these pills. I started taking Apple Cider Vinegar with water, which helped. But it was so hard to choke down. I wondered if I could get my vinegar elsewhere.
So.... I tried vinegar-based hot sauces like Texas Pete or generic cayenne hot sauce with vinegar, cayenne and salt as the ingredients. There are many hot sauces that are mild too, such as Crystal hot sauce. I don't go a day without hot sauce. Keep in mind that not all of them help. Some of them contain water and other ingredients. Whenever I get an irritation, I get a couple of crackers and a few drops of hot sauce and wash it down with some water and I feel better. Am I the only one that has tried vinegar-based hot sauce? Because it is a fantastic cure.
Antibiotics
Posted by Dragon (Nyc, New York) on 10/21/2010
I hear sangre de drago is known to kill H pylori.
Onion
Posted by Wanda (Newcastle, Nsw Australia) on 10/02/2010
★★★★★
Zantac has been my close friend for a long time. Kept clear of most spicy stuff. Two weeks ago I had the desire for some raw onion on my avocado sandwich so, thinly sliced some (a fair bit) over the avo & cheese. I haven't had reflux since! What's that about? I've had onion (Purple) often since, and I seem to be fixed!
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Paul (Naperville, Il) on 09/29/2010
To: Robert from Martinez, Ca
How did you come to the conclusion that HCL will cancel out Digestive Enzymes when taken together?
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Peter (Chicago, Il) on 09/28/2010
Robert, I notice many enzymes include betaine HCL together. Ie Now Super Enzymes. Are you saying this will cancel out the effectiveness of the digestive enzymes ? Please explain. "If you take digestive enzymes, they will be cancelled out if taken with the betaine HCL"
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Robert (Martinez, Ca) on 09/27/2010
Acid reflux usually is caused by poor diet which is the typical cooked food depleted of enzymes which also means the life is cooked out of the food. Lightly steamed vegies, carbs is better than boiling, overcooking. Meats should be marinated in vinegar to aid digestion & not overcooked which makes it more difficult to digest. Search out macrobiotic food prep & combining for tips & info. We loose our ability to digest the dead foods & also poor food combining such as mixing sugars, carbs with proteins, much like creating a compost pile. The experience of acid reflux & other digestive problems are the result of rotting foodstuffs. Treating the symptoms is a temporary soluton. Eat 1/4 to 1/2 cup of sauerkraut, kimchee, or other naturally fermented unpasteurized vegies with meals. Also sip 1/2 lemon juice & 1/4 tsp air dried nonprocessed sea salt in 6ozs water before, during, & after meals. Betaine hydrochloride will help after meals.
If you take digestive enzymes, they will be cancelled out if taken with the betaine HCL. Avoid sugars after meals as the simple sugars want to be digested more quickly than proteins causing a backup. The body needs to spend more time digesting more complex foods especially proteins & adding sugars 'stalls' the process. Robert
Almonds
Posted by Alex (Brooklyn, NY) on 09/15/2010
Try peppermint tea after meals. It does help reduce acid reflux, I tried and it worked.
Wheat Sensitivity
Posted by Elaine (Edmond, Oklahoma) on 08/26/2010
I was checked for celiac disease about three years ago and my Dr. Said I showed no signs of it. This is when you are sensitive to wheat. About a month ago I decided to cut out wheat products and sugar. I haven't lost any weight, but I have noticed my acid reflux is much better.
Orange Peel Extract
Posted by Lindsey (Oakland, Ca) on 08/17/2010
This is the first time I've written on here and I was trying to repond to Jake from Tampa, but not sure if this will work. Jake mentioned that his new doctor didn't approve of his herbal medicines and now "has to take" their medicines and feels horrible everyday. Jake, I just want you to know that obviously you can do whatever you want. You don't need your doctors approval. If orange peel worked for you, it works, that's it, nevermind the doctor and their western medicine!
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.
OTC
Posted by Rosesgift (Grafton, Wi, Usa) on 06/10/2010
Thank you Mary!! I thought I was losing my mind. I have been taking over the counter ant-acid meds for years with little or no success. My memory loss and dizziness has increased since I have been taking the drugs. Someone told me about ACV to take away my acid reflux. I thought I would do some research and it looks like it works for most people. I will try it and hope that works for me. These past few years have been a nightmare and the doctor just keeps telling me "lets try this....ect"
What was your name again?? Thank you again!
Scott
Milk
Posted by Mary (Regina, Saskchewan, Canada) on 03/04/2010
Art: Are you drinking raw milk? Mary
Milk
Posted by Cpn (Panther Land, Usa) on 03/04/2010
★★★★★
My wife also uses milk to relieve her heartburn. Works everytime for her. So I'll give milk a second YEA for heartburn!
Milk
Posted by Art (Red Deer, Ab Canada) on 03/03/2010
★★★★★
Milk cures reflux for me. If you get more heartburn, drink more milk!
Peppermint
Posted by Priya (Perth, Wa) on 03/01/2010
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
Hi, Just want to let you know that peppermint does give temporary relief BUT is a DEFINITE NO NO in the long run for all people who have reflux...it will surely make things worse after few months. It over-relaxes ur muscles and gives a temp. relief...but make things much worse. So do not consume on regular basis...
Lemons
Posted by Brisa (San Diego, Ca) on 02/28/2010
I wanted to know if limes or mexican limes work as well, or is does it only work with lemons?
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Alan (Anaheim, Ca) on 01/09/2010
I have been suffering with terrible pain in my chest that I didn't associate with the acid at 1st. After my doctor did an EKG and Chest xray and they were fine, he told me it was likely just from stress. Then the reflux starting getting really bad and I realized the pain in my chest and back is from my esophogus.
Now I just started the purple pill today because my doc gave me samples to last 2 weeks. I found this site and I want to try all of the remedies at once.
I just took a tablespoon of mustard and it helped. I am occasionally burping and at least the mustard taste is better than the acid taste :)
I had a shot of ACV two days ago and it also gave me some relief. I was looking in the cupboard for baking soda and wishing I had some green apples.
I am guessing it might not be a good idea to try 4 or 5 of these remedies at the same time. If I feel better, I won't know which one really helped...or does it matter as long as I feel better. But maybe too many remedies will have a negative affect. All I want is to feel better. I think it won't be better until my sore esophogus heals. I am also taking a chug of milanta a few times a day. Thank you for all the suggestions.
Lemons
Posted by Janet (Louisville, Ky) on 12/29/2009
★★★★★
I try to use natural remedies as much as possible. I recommend buying lemons from the grocery. Just keep some in your refrigerater. No need for sweeteners. Just squeeze the juice into a water glass or put in your water bottle. I carry a water bottle with lemon juice with me all day and also keep one by my bedside at night. I found out about drinking lemon water from the book: "Eat Right 4 Your Blood Type". I was having terrible coughing fits several times daily. I even was tested for allergies, but not allergic. Thank goodness this book was recommended to me. I'm blood type A. I have acid reflux and a hiatal hernia. I've been drinking fresh lemon in water everyday now and the problem is cured. However, if I don't drink it daily the problem returns. My gastro doc confirmed he has several patients who swear by it as well. FYI - Dasani water now sells bottled lemon water, although I think it's sweeter than natural lemon, but it works in a pinch when you're traveling.
Licorice
Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 12/22/2009 489 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
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)
OTC
Posted by Sharon (Vineland, Nj) on 12/10/2009
Yes be careful with OTC. I suffer from 2 stomach conditions(one GERD). Purple pill just quit working and within a short time going off I got much much worse. It has turned into severe indigestion, horrible nausea and vomiting off and on. Sometimes it gets so bad I have to dart out of a store because I get so sick to my stomach. Been getting upper stomach pains paid with it sometimes too. Please try natural stuff 1st don't use this garbage. My slippery elm doesn't seem to work anymore so now I am starting apple cider, severe problems start with 2 teasp, or table?
Mastic Gum
Posted by Holyfoods (Saint John, Nb, Canada) on 12/04/2009
★★★★★
I've had gastritis, reflux, pain in stomach (possible ulcerations), indigestion, and hiatal hernia for some time. After 2 weeks of using Mastic Gum I've noticed a dramatic reduction in all of these symptoms. It took exactly two weeks of taking 1000mg morning and night to notice this change though. For awhile, I thought I was getting worse, which was probably the "herxheimer" reaction. Anyways, I'm glad to say it's working. Aloe Vera juice really helps with the inflammation caused by the h. pylori bacteria (or any bacteria) as well.
Red Wine Vinegar
Posted by Jay (Philly, Pa) on 11/19/2009
★★★★★
Apple Cider Vinegar has been my acid reflux/GERD cure of choice recently as it has really seemed to help more than any medicine's I've tried. I ran out of Apple Cider Vinegar and searched to see if Red Wine Vinegar had the same sort of benefits. I saw a few people on here said it worked, so I figured I would give it a try. Sure enough, 2 teaspoons in about 2 cups of water did the trick like magic.
The scientific explanation:
The acid in the vinegar aides the digestive process. Stomachs can sometime produce too much acid. However, more likely someone's stomach with GERD or chronic acid reflux actually produces not enough acid or too much alkaline.
The acid from the vinegar helps digest and process the remnants of food that hasn't been able to be digested naturally.
I like to think of my stomach as a mini-science experiment. Taking extraordinary amounts of TUMS or acid reduction medicine to remedy the solution is usually short term. Although it's sometime painful, in the long run it's better to find something like vinegar or other natural remedy that isn't harmful to your body that you can take on a daily basis.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Orange Peel, Aloe
Posted by Crazydogjack (New Castle, Pa, USA) on 11/13/2009
★★★★★
Okay. Here's my advice to acid reflux. If you take the "medication" traditionally given for reflux, what happens is that it depletes the acid in your stomach and then you don't digest your food properly. I was on medication for 11 years and decided there was a better way. There are a slew of side effects from taking those suggested meds. This is what I came up with on my search for something better to cure this problem. I was very skeptical that it would work but I thought what the heck I'll try it and it worked.
In the begininning I used a combination of orange peel extract every other day, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar and water daily and organic Aloe Vera juice as needed. After two months I became symptom free. I drink the Apple Cider Vinegar and water everyday because of the health benefits. I also keep aloe vera juice on hand and I keep the orange peel extract on hand just in case I have a flare up. I have been symptom free for over a year and I feel great! Best of luck to you! I am sure this will work for you too!
Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips
Posted by Lukki7 (Ajax, Ontario) on 11/12/2009
★★★★★
Yep I have tried salt and vinegar potato chips and they worked quite nicely
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Posted by Liz (Seattle, Wa.) on 11/05/2009
★★★★★
Am 70 and have acid reflux for years. Got herbs from the Chinese doc and things are better. If you think that you might have ulcers, cranberry juice is great. I drink it with soda water to make it more palatable - no sugar. Find that sugar really starts the acid reflux. As long as I avoid it, I'm good. Also Health food stores have some good digestion teas that help.
Magnesium Chloride
Posted by Diane (Boston, Ma) on 10/26/2009
★★★★★
Hi - I had to post about this remedy that I discovered - Magnesium Chloride (in liquid form) 2 teaspoons 3 times a day completely gets rid of all my acid reflux symptoms. It's amazing! I actually started taking magnesium chloride at my naturopath's recommendation for sleep (and it does help me to have a good night's sleep and makes me feel more relaxed as well).
Please try the Magnesium Chloride! It works wonders!!
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.
Banana
Posted by Sean (Seattle, Wa) on 10/15/2009
How much water do/have you been drinking? The one thing that I have noticed about people with acid reflux...Not enough water and not enough fibrous foods. Cut out bleached white flower products and bleached white sugar/corn syrup products. They can easily account for 1/2 of your caloric intake if you don't wage a war on them. I feel that we are in the midst of a nutritional holocaust. Stick to natural foods. I know a lot of people that don't like water! They even go YEARS without getting enough. -Just a thought
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.
Antibiotics
Posted by Skinlady (Ridgefield, Wa) on 09/25/2009
This is in comment to Bill from the Philipines...
My late husband developed stomach cancer as the result of the pylori ulcer. He had indigestion and heartburn for almost a year, being given all kinds of anti-acids products to no avail...no antibiotics were given, however. After he demanded that they put a tube down in his stomach and see what was going on, did he get an answer. And of course it wasnt a good one......cancer. He was gone within 5 months! My advice... if you have heartburn or any kind of continuing indigestion, get on it immediately!@!! (his general practioner apologized to me later for letting him slip through his fingers).
Ginger
Posted by Darijan (Zagreb, Hr, Croatia) on 09/23/2009
★★★★★
I would like to add Yes for GINGER.
I suffered from Acid reflux for nine months, tried almost everything, was on NEXIUM too, I did not have chest pain but throat pain, and ginger tea was the most spectacular discovery! Now I drink several glasses of ginger tea daily and the pain is now much much weaker. Nothing I tried before ever made so much difference.
Therefore, strongly recommend ginger.
I buy a fresh one, peel it off, cut it in small pieces and just spill hot water over it, just like I would do with any other tea.
Anyway, that worked out for me. Pain is not completely gone yet (I drink it for three days only) but life became much more bearable since I started.
Good luck to all of you!
