Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux Relief

Apples

Posted by Tekkhan (Lauraville, Maryland) on 06/13/2008
★★★★★

When I use to party into the wee hours in my youth,the only stores open back then were 7-11s and Taco Bells. So,2am quick food choices were limited, and I always ate the dreaded Chili Dog with the works; knowing in the morn I was going to regret the choice once again. But, this one time I drank apple juice with my chili dog because the slurpy machine was broken: to my surprise I awoke w/o any acid reflux or indigestion. I didnt understand why until I tried it again, after another night of partying. I was onto a cure, apple juice has worked for me ever since, for over the last fifteteen years.

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.

Apples

Posted by Alita (USA) on 03/03/2008
★★★★★

I'll try to keep the history of my acid reflux short, as it pretty much reiterates many other people's experiences. Over the past 10 years I have figured out that my triggers are: 1st and foremost painkillers, particularly Ibuprofen, but the only thing I can take (IF I drink plenty of water or eat with it), is Tylenol. I can't do Sudafed either, and I try to stay away from meds as much as possible. 2nd trigger: dairy, plain and simple, it is very predictable. If I have too much dairy I can count on the fact that I'll be up that night. It's funny, there have been times I'm up struggling with this, and my husband will say "well, you had that ice cream (or whatever) earlier didn't you?", and then I remember, and know that it isn't all in my head, dairy does in fact aggravate it too. However, goats milk is much more tolerable in moderation, than cow products, I know that the proteins are different between the two, but other than that I don't know why it isn't so aggravating. I did Prevacid for a while initially, which controlled it slightly, but not enough. The turning point for me when I started being able to finally gain some control over this, was with an herbal product by "HERB PHARM" called "Neutralizing Cordial". Also, carbo veg homeopathic remedy has helped a lot, so lately I have been able to control it with that and/or Rolaids, (which I would prefer to get away from as well). By learning my triggers over the years and adding these natural remedies into my repertoire, I have been able to manage this and have found that when I'm doing ok I can eat anything, and that when I'm prone to this, anything will aggravate it. All that was prior to last week; THEN, the other day I followed a pop-up ad from recipezaar.com (great web-site by the way) where a guy is selling some booklet about his acid reflux discovery (didn't by his book yet, where he claims to have a cure for it). But, he did vaguely mention his initial apple discovery helping acid reflux. I tried it that night, thinking "it can't really be this simple can it", and low and behold, it was. I kept expecting to wake up choking with acid, and it never happened. Every night (but 1) I have been eating an apple (or a few slices) after dinner/before bed and it is the first time anything has helped so completely!! The night I forgot, I had to take 2 Rolaids, which I realized had been helping me only minimally compared to the apple. What else is there to say, it certainly can't hurt! I fully expect that this will continue to help, as it's already proven to be far more effective than anything I've tried thus far. It just reminds me that in life, sometimes the best things don't have to be complicated or expensive to be valuable, we get so busy trying to "over-think" things sometimes, that we overlook the simple, basic things that are right in front of us. I wish you luck on your own journey of discovery.

Reader Theories

Posted by Mark (Litchfield, CT) on 11/29/2006

While I'm sure there is more than 1 reason anyone might develop acid reflux, I truly believe I have found the most common reason for it.

As most of us know, acid reflux is really nothing more than the acid in our stomach coming up into our esophagus. There is a diaphragm that sits just above the stomach and surrounds the esophagus, and it's sole purpose is to tighten-up around the esophagus when necessary to prevent this very thing we call acid reflux. More on this later.

About 5 years ago I started getting numerous digestive/intestinal problems, such as bloating, cramps, and fluctuating from diarrhea to constipation on a regular basis. I tried many things, including apple cider vinegar, but nothing worked, so I went to a homeopathic doctor who prescribed large amounts of Acidophilus. 1 week after taking it I suddenly developed acid reflux, which stayed with me ever since. Then I came across another homeopathic doctor who, after giving me certain tests, told me I had Candida.

I have since studied much about this disease, and it is quite disturbing how we get it, how many diseases it is responsible for, and how more & more of us are getting it every year.

Candida, simply put, is an overgrowth of yeast throughout our bodies. We all have yeast in our digestive system, along with Lactobacillus, which is a good bacteria that feeds off of the yeast, keeping it under control. Antibiotics will kill the Lactobacillus in our bodies, but not the yeast. Once this happens the yeast grows out of control and causes too many health issues to list here.

Acidophilus contains Lactobacillus, which is why many naturalists will prescribe it. However, in cases of Candida, once the yeast is already out of control, it is useless, if not detrimental. The Lactobacillus Prevents Candida. Once you have this disease you must first get rid of it, then restore your flora/Lactobacillus

But in severe cases the Candida will leave the digestive system and spread into organs such as our lungs, etc. This over growth of yeast will embed itself into the walls of the intestines, causing many digestive problems, and will undoubtedly be one of the culprits for acid reflux. However, many of us have difficulty digesting carbs, and sometimes even protein, due to our bodies not producing the proper enzymes we need in order to digest these foods. I am one of these people. As a result of this, when I eat carbs my abdomen will immediately bloat up. A modern medicinal doctor, and homeopathic doctor, both explained to me the reasons why this sort of thing happens, but I never really understood it. But long story short, my lower abdomen will bloat up after eating carbs during its struggle to digest these foods, and this in turn pushes my stomach upwards, thus forcing it to open the diaphragm more-so, thus allowing acid reflux to occur. My chiropractor, who also studies much about natural cures, was able to adjust/massage the diaphragm, as it sits just below our solar plexus, and this, along with changing my diet, AND ridding the candida which took me just over 1 year to do, has rid my acid reflux permanently.

If the muscle membrane surrounding the diaphragm is torn, which is called a Hiatal Hernia, this too, will allow acid to travel up into the esophagus. In severe cases such as this surgery is necessary, but this is rare. Most of the time it can be cured through non-invasive therapy.

I'd like to note here that most people who have this issue with digesting carbs will end up with Candida. Please take the time to read up about this disease, and don't just buy the first product you see for curing it. To rid it permanently will take a minimum of 6 months to 1 year. Since Candida feeds off of carbs you need to go on an Atkins-like diet to starve it while you kill it. Staying away from antibiotics is very important to prevent getting this disease, but if its necessary to take one you must take an anti-fungis-like product, like Caprylic Acid to prevent the yeast from growing out of control while on the antibiotic. However since antibiotics are found in so much of our foods, while we ingest these foods every day we are gradually killing the good bacteria in our bodies which inevitably brings on Candida. Organic food is a must for truly good health. I hope this helps. Good luck!

Aloe Vera

Posted by Susan (Bayfield, CO) on 04/09/2006
★★★★★

I found that drinking a half cup of aloe vera juice mixed with apple or white grape juice in the morning relieved symptoms dramatically. I occasionally get symptoms if I over indulge spices or greasy foods!

Apples

Posted by Connie (Dayton, Ohio) on 01/30/2006
★★★★★

I suffered with the discomfort of Acid Reflux for years. Often times, I would be doubled over and holding my chest. In the last two months, I stumbled upon a remedy. I drink equal parts of apple juice and Cranberry/ Grape juice. I no longer have to take Prilosec OTC. Praise God for this natural, simple and cost effective cure. In addition, thank you for providing this wonderful website for others to share their natural cures for Acid Reflux.

Apples

Posted by Parag (India)
★★★★★

I have tried this and it works. I am a singer and acid reflux is really a curse if u r a singer. But lately I have started eating some apple slices before going to bed. And it helps a lot. But the main thing is to have 5-7 small meals during the day instead having 3 large meals and eat at regular periods. Don't have late nights. and this will help to cure acid reflux a lot. than u can try other things like ACV or whatever works for u. But always try something natural instead of medicines. I myself tried taking anti-acid pills for months. But it won't cure the problem completely and worse, the day u stop taking pills, it will come back with a vengeance. so I stopped taking pills from many months now. And try to be regular with my sleep and meals and also workout regularly. It has helped.

Papaya

Posted by Gary (West Monroe, LA)
★★★★★

Papaya enzymes cure acid reflux. Best remedy on the market. Take six first time. One later hour six more. Next day six a day. Then four a day until reflux is gone. I eat them like candy until pain is gone. You will thank me.

Lemons

Posted by Lorraine (Youngsville, New York) on 07/03/2009
★★★★★

In lieu of lemonade you can just squeeze some fresh lemon in water. I even enjoy a slice of lemon sprinkled with a little sea salt. I have used lemon for years when I've had an upset stomach and it really works!

Lemons

Posted by Kristina (Seattle, Wa Usa) on 06/22/2011
★★★★★

My 6 yo was dealing with acid reflux after having an extended vomiting episode with the flu. Nothing was helping it and I felt so bad for her. It hurt each time she ate anything. I came on here to find something to help. Lemonade seemed like the easiest thing to give her so we tried it and it worked, right away! After a few days it subsided completely, but I still keep lemonade around in case. I used an organic lemonade.

Soy Milk

Posted by John (Amsterdam) on 03/03/2024

I was eating certified organic tofu, so I assumed it was NonGMO, however I could not find NonGMO stamp on the package. I researched their website and did not find nonGMO mentioned anywhere

Make sure it is indeed prepared from non GMO soybeans.

Apple Cider Vinegar, Baking Soda

Posted by Roger (Philadelphia PA) on 08/15/2023
★★★★★

I have used the ACV & Baking Soda tonic for Acid Reflux for about 20 years. I use the raw organic version, with 'the mother'. It works really well, and feel it has other benefits. One caution is if you are monitoring your sodium intake as baking soda does have a fair amount.

Acidophilus

Posted by Mary Anne Haskins (Northern IL) on 04/24/2024

Looking to get the amounts of fennel, raisins, and water for this recipe please. Thank you.

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

Apple Cider Vinegar, Lemon

Posted by Lilli (Kenmore, Wa, Usa) on 02/13/2013 13 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.

Baking Soda in Orange Juice

Posted by Drmikedo (Northumberland, Pa, Usa) on 10/22/2012
★★★★★

Awesome acupressure post for reflux. I know this technique as the diaphramatic release. My understanding is that this works because diaphragm spasm (or tightness) causes it to be ineffective at supporting the LES (lower esophageal sphincter). If this is a component to your reflux, it will definitely help.

For the acid part, my favorite is Sodium citrate. Works by neutralizing and then buffering the stomach's acidity. Does not cause the rebound effect of calcium containing solutions (calcium stimulates the body to secrete more acid, as acid is required for its absorption). Can easily be made by combining 4oz of orange juice with 1/2 tsp of baking soda.

Apple Cider Vinegar, Baking Soda

Posted by Marie (Ny) on 08/07/2017

Yes, but I have read that first you put the Apple Cider Vinegar in the glass, then add the baking soda, let it foam up and when it's done foaming THEN add the water and drink. I add a little bit of stevia too to sweeten it. I had forgotten all about this remedy and now I have a stricture in my esophagus and I need it to be stretched. I am on second day of the PPI, but am going to quit and take the aloe vera as the drug can cause seizures, harm the kidneys, pnuemonia, fractures, oh and even Lupis!

Kefir

Posted by Tina (Houston, Usa) on 05/08/2012
★★★★★

Happy to report that home-made Kefir and Kombucha has resolved long standing acid reflux. I now can sleep uninterrupted in the night, and do not suffer from painful acid reflux.

Google to find easy ways to make these at home.

Papaya

Posted by Sara (Knoxville, Tennessee) on 02/19/2012
★★★★★

i have had acid reflux since I was in grade school trying one perscription then the next all working for a while then not at all. my heartburn comes with headache, nausa, and aching in my arms and legs.

i am 32 now and I was walking through the mall in knoxville, tn and ran across a store called vitamin world. this was my lucky day. the person behind the counter suggested papaya enzyme tablets. they taste good, not chalky like tums

and best of all they really work. I suggest you try these.

Cayenne

Posted by Olddude (Chattanooga, Tn, Usa) on 02/08/2012 21 posts
★★★★★

I have had acid reflux for years now and finally got around to Cayenne pepper and apple cider vinegar. I have been doing this for only 3 days and my acid reflux is under control without taking pills. Just a pinch of cayenne to a coffee mug and 2 teaspoons does it for me. I am thankful I found this site.