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.
Licorice
Posted by Denise (HUDDERSFIELD, UK) on 04/09/2009
★★★★★
Why drink an acid to cure a stomach acid problem? I have severe Grastric Reflux and have suffered for the last three years. I have tried everything, believe me. I am currently taking medication, which helps, but I still can't walk a hundred yards without thinking I am about to have a heart attack. I have been known to throw up becuase the acid gets so bad. Laying down is a nightmare. My Doctor even sent me for an Angiogram just to makesure I didn't have angina, guess what, my hearts fine, but my stomach isn't. I try to avoid any foods that I know cause my acid to flare-up, I eat healthy, I even gave up smoking, which help a great deal. I have shares in a well known ant-acid company from the amount I have to buy, not that they really do any good when it is this severe. But nothing has been able to stop the pain I feel every single day. However, that changed. What I have found that helps is liquorice root which you can buy from any herbalist. I have been using it for the last few days and I feel so much better. Last night I went to bed and got to sleep straight away and didn't wake up with a sore throat. I have been able to eat without the desire to be sick afterwards. My walking has improved too. I can't wait to tell my doctor next week. Next I am going to add natural silicon to my diet, which I have been told will help repair the damage that is being caused by the acid.
Juicing
Posted by Brad (Los Angeles, CA) on 01/26/2009
★★★★★
I used to get regular heartburn. I was young, only 23 years old, and healthy. I got to the point where i was eating TUMS regularly, and using over he counter meds. I went to my doctor, and he prescribed Prevacid. I think i may have had the beginning of an ulcer. Anyways, i had mixed results with the Prevacid, and was uncomfortable taking a pill every day (forever?). I started to change my diet, more healthy, more fruits and vegetabless, and accidentally found that carrot juice will knock out the burn immediately. And plus when you do that you are drinking vegetables too with vitamins, fiber, etc. Nowadays, I have no heartburn meds in my house, and when my stomach burns, which is very rare, a cup of carrot juice just kills it. Forget the pills, work on changing your diet, and keep some carrot juice around. You cant overdose on it, the more you drink, the better for your body.
Lugol's Iodine
Posted by David (Huntington Beach, California, USA) on 01/04/2009
★★★★★
Hi, I'm a Chiropractor of over 22 years. I want to add a cure that I got from reading Dr. Donsbach, D.C.
My wife and I found as we got older that we were both starting to have digestive problems and really bad acid reflux at nite. The wholist concept is acid reflux is due to NOT ENOUGH acid! You can confirm if this is the case by taking a tablespoon of ACV when you are getting it, if it stops it, then you are LOW in acid.
The next step in the wholistic approach is to take digestive enzymes and HCl to substitute for the low acid. I always thought this isn't getting to the root problem of WHY isn't the body producing enough acid anymore. This is where Dr Donsbach came in.
He discussed that the body needs IODINE to produce the stomach acid. That made sense in that since becoming a Vegetarian, I don't get much seafood and I keep my salt intake down.
So I ordered Lugol's Solution;
http://www.amazon.com/Breath-Life-Lugols-Iodine-Solution/dp/B001AEFM9Y/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1231093911&sr=8-1
and began taking 2 drops a day in a glass of warm water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, monday through friday with the weekend off. My wife did the same. Sure enough within a few weeks my digestion is back to where it was as a teenager, and acid reflux is gone! My wife had the same results as well as a friend that tried it.
If you go to take the iodine, first make sure you aren't allergic. I think a drop on the inside of the wrist or arm and see if it gets swollen or itchy, is a good test. After that, if no reaction, then you can start with one drop in water and see how that effects you. If you have no problems then you can proceed to the 2 drops.
I've been trying to get this information out there, because when people take antacids and medicines that decrease acid production in the stomach, it greatly limits the bodies ability to digest the food,and starts a process that ends up greatly harming your health.
If the word can get out about this cure, it will help millions to improve their health for less than a penny a day and prevent them from ruining their health as they are trying to help it.
Good luck and please write your feedback here so others can see.
Best wishes for health and happiness,
David from H.B.
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).
Antibiotics
Posted by Dragon (Nyc, New York) on 10/21/2010
I hear sangre de drago is known to kill H pylori.
Reader Theories
Posted by JD (Makawao (Maui), Hawaii, USA) on 11/11/2008
I have always loved hot, spicy foods, especially when I feel "under the weather". I have instinctively eaten foods containing capsaicin (often raw or pickled chili peppers) when I have a sore throat and it always seems to help. Now that I am middle aged, though, I am plagued with acid reflux and spicy foods make it MUCH worse. If I've eaten hot peppers, antacids don't even help much because the "chili reflux" is painful even without stomach acid.
I can't help but think that the REAL problem is not so much the acid, but my weakened or dysfunctional esophageal sphincter allowing stomach contents to come up into the throat, where their acid or spicy nature causes irritation and pain. I will try the ACV cure, but I think what would really help is an excercise to tone that particular muscle. Any suggestions?
Reader Theories
Posted by Rita (South Africa) on 08/31/2018
Hi there .....look at Dr John Bergman on Youtube .....on reflux and hiatal hernia cures. Also Google Breath of Fire which is a yoga breathing technique for same.
Helps me a lot.
Banana
Posted by Mike (Raleigh, NC) on 05/12/2008
★★★★★
For Acid Reflux: Bananas, folks. Eat them for breakfast and before bedtime. Works better than anything else I've tried and they're good for you, too.
Reader Theories
Posted by Patricia (Ottawa, Canada) on 04/09/2008
Wow! Have been on Pantoloc for over a year for acid reflux that was caused by SSRI anitdepressants - even on the Pantoloc I have pain. Didn't realize the sore throat was related until I checked in on your site - thought I had throat cancer!! So thanks for that! Am going to try the ACV. And yes, as many of you have said there are two causes of this disease too much vs not enough stomach acid. Have done a lot of research on the acid/alkaline aspect once I discovered that prolonged use of antacids can actually cause stomach or pancreatic cancer - the reason being that for those with too little acid, taking antacids to neutralize the stomach causes your body to keep producing more acid to try to make up the difference. Cancer thrives in acidic conditions. Thanks for the info - will report back with results!
Raise the Bed
Posted by Todd (San Jose, CA) on 02/12/2008
★★★★★
I have acid reflux only at night. I wake up with a sore throat in the morning. I put bricks under my bed making the head of the bed higher than the foot. (Actually I used one brick and one piece of plywood cut the shape of the brick. However the floor sloped from the foot of the bed down to the head. Thus the net effect was one brick. It was the sloped floor that gave me this idea.) My acid reflux went away. I no longer woke up with a sore throat. This worked for over five years. Then I slept without the bricks for a week. My acid reflux came back. I replaced the bricks. However, my acid reflux had grown worse. I now need two bricks, instead of one.
This might work only for mild cases. I tried it right away as soon as I got acid reflux.
Sleeping position might matter as to whether this cure works. I sleep on my back. I did not adopt sleeping on my back because of the acid reflux. I had slept that way most of my life.
Does anyone know whether some sleeping positions are better than others for acid reflux, i.e. back, left side, or right side? Which way does the connection between the stomach and the esophagus point? Is it the same for all people, or does it vary?
Raise the Bed
Posted by Laurie (Springfield, Va.) on 05/14/2008
Acid Reflux Remedies: Hi, In answer to Frank's question about sleeping positions, it is thought, though doctors aren't sure why, that sleeping on the left side is best for acid reflux. Re the bricks under the bed. As someone else on the site pointed out, it is imperative to raise the head of the bed, either by using bricks, or by purchasing a foam pillow that is raised at the head. The recommended height is from 6" to 8", depending on tolerance. My husband just put the bricks under the front legs of my bed, as I found the foam pillow to be uncomfortable, and I finally did not wake up with acid in my mouth, and a sore throat. I have not tried the natural remedies listed on your site, but I plan to! I HAVE used a drug called Zegrid, which is Omeprozole and baking soda in a long-acting capsule, but I think I might prefer to just try the baking soda and see how that does. Thanks for all the ideas.
OTC
Posted by Mary (British Columbia, Canada) on 01/07/2008
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
For about a year I have been bothered periodically by acid reflux. In December 2007, it traumatized my throat and I was having trouble swallowing vitamin pills. The doctor urged me to take Pantaloc. I took one pill and within a day developed erythema nodosum with excruciatingly painful joints and red blotches all over my lower legs. The doctor tested for all other causes, but it was likely an allergic reaction to the sulfur in the drug. Ironically I took Ibuprofen for the joint pain which only made the acid reflux worse. I also now notice that I have developed vertical ridges on my nails and loss of the white half moon on all but the thumbs. The Internet tells me that this is due to a B12 deficiency due to use of antacids. Do a search on "B12 Antacids nail ridges" to read about the potential adverse effects (memory loss, etc). I immediately swore off antacids (even Tums) and went hunting online for natural acid reflux remedies and found your great site. Yesterday I used ACV in water and it cleared up the reflux almost immediately. I will be purchasing the organic today. MANY THANKS!
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Jaci (Fremont, CA) on 01/02/2008
★★★★★
Guess what I just learned. Instead of trying to calm the acid in our stomachs, it is timing of production of the acid. By taking a thumbnail amount of ginger (even if you chew and spit it out) before and after your meal, or cayenne pepper, it will release the acid so it can do it's job and get out of the stomach. And for healing the esophagus take 70% slippery elm back powder and licorice powder and mix in water till a consistency of light oatmeal. Take a tablespoon every hour. This heals the esophagus. Good Luck!
OTC
Posted by Terri (Carmel, Indiana) on 07/08/2007
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
I have suffered from Acid Reflux for years and took the "purple pill", which helped my symptoms most of the time. In May, I was rushed to the ER with horrific stomach pains. After a colonoscopy, upper GI, barrage of blood work, it was discovered that I had pancreatitis. Very strange since I don't fit the profile for the disease (don't drink, gallbladder removed, healthy diet). My chiropractor told me to research the purple pill and imagine my shock when the possible side effects of the pill was PANCREATITIS - of which there is no cure!! I immediately went off the pill and found your site while looking for a cure for the acid reflux. I am hoping the ACV works! If anyone is on the purple pill, BEWARE.
Miso Soup
Posted by Kiran (Canton, MI) on 06/04/2007
★★★★★
Hi, It seems that having Miso soup helps reduce my acid reflux problem. Wondering if anyone else has experienced this too! Kiran.
Banana
Posted by Frank (Dublin Ireland, Southern Ireland) on 04/30/2007
★★★★★
having had reflux for five years, i started taking a banana a day. after about two weeks, i tried to do without my NEXIUM TABELT. which previously would only last for three nights. this time however, i have not had a NEXIUM TABLET after 15 days. frank
Lemons
Posted by Eileen (Sacramento, CA USA) on 03/16/2007
★★★★★
I have long suffered from stomach problems and acid reflux. I stumbled on a cure by accident. It is called the Lemonade Fast and is apparently pretty ancient. I just wanted it for an easy fast and cleanse. Into 10 ounces water, mix in 2 Tablespoons good grade B maple syrup (for minerals) and 1/8th of a teaspoon cayenne pepper. Sounds awful but actually it gets to be quite delicious. You want to drink 6 to 10 of these a day and any other water or mild herb tea like peppermint. I did the full 10 days, way too long, but what I noticed was that not only was my ulcer cured but gum disease seemed to be cured too. They must be related. Eileen
Pine Nuts
Posted by Amy (Sevierville, TN) on 03/13/2007
★★★★★
Hello Everyone, I just had to post this ASAP!! If you have tummy troubles this is a must read for you. My husband has acid reflux, and suffers terribly, and our daughter has been through many "treatments" for H Pylori. (H pylori causes stomach ulcers) The other day I bought some pine nuts to go in our salad, and low and behold, my husband about 15 minutes after eating dinner, says " my stomach doesn't hurt." Sure enough even Audrey said "my tummy feels better". I began researching pine nuts, and found that they have been popular for many ailments, including H pylori, and acid reflux. It has been a few days now, and Kevin eats about a 1/4 a cup a day, and Audrey eats more, about 1/2 a cup a day. Her stomach hasn't bothered her in days, and Kevin is doing great. We have supported the anti acid industry for years now, and I am so glad to stop! The pine nuts can be found everywhere, even Wal-Mart. This is just a miracle. I hope this helps everyone as much as it has us. Amy, Sevierville, TN
Chamomile Tea
Posted by Toma (Chicago, IL) on 01/30/2007
★★★★★
I talked to my practitioner recently, and he told me that Apple Cider Vinegar is good only for those people who have high acidity; for those who have low acidity it can be harmful. He told me the least harmful remedy for Acid Reflux and other stomach problems is CAMOMILE TEA. I tried it, and it works wonders.
