Effective Natural Remedies for GERD Relief - Holistic Approach

| Modified on Jan 31, 2024
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.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Marnie (Asheville, Nc) on 10/25/2017
★★★★★

Apple Cider Vinegar helped my GERD pain

I have suffered with GERD most of my adult life. It comes and goes but this time it came and would not go. My DR put me on Prilosec OTC, Zantac, AND Sucralfate. It finally kicked in around 2 weeks in. My Dr tells me to back off the Prilosec because of bone issues. Once I started to feel better I did this. After about a month of feeling "normal" the reflux came back. So I searched the internet and found this site. I gave it a shot. I took 2 TBL of apple cider vinegar, 1 TBL of honey in 8oz of water twice a day. I FEEL GOOD! I eat an apple between meals. I'm eating smaller portions at meal time. I also try to drink plenty of water and stay away from foods that start reflux. I'm hoping this will continue. I hate taking drugs but I hate acid reflux more. Thank you for the welcome information.


Dietary Changes
Posted by Lillly (Houston, Texas) on 10/28/2008
★★★★★

I suffered from acid reflux for 18 yrs and a sensitive stomach for 28 years. This last Jan. I went on a Daniel Fast, really for spiritual reasons, but I noticed right away, the reflux subsiding. I had stopped eating "dinner" just because the Gerd was so bad, and that included not eating fried or spicy foods, or caffene. So then, I started eating brown rice, vegetables and fruits as my main diet. I eat fruit for breakfast and often a fruit soy milk smoothie at night. This enables the digestive system to cleanse itself more effeciently. This way of eating, has allowed the elimination process to be much better. I have always loved milk and ice cream, etc but Betsy the Milk cow was debunked as well! The difference is amazing! Just like we've all heard...my body is not producing the (mucous) it did when I ate dairy products. It makes a different ppl! Try the Vanilla flavored Soy Milk and try the "Almond Milk". If I can change I know you can! Almonds are very alkaline for you, very good. I learned that the largest contributor of cholestrol is from animal meat. I still eat hormone, anti biotic free chicken a couple times of months, and in a pinch a non greasy grilled burger, but by focusing on veggies and fruit, nuts and beans...my body is receiving the real, live enzymes it needs to thrive. I take all the good supplements and am so grateful to have found these alternatives. All the best to you!


Melatonin
Posted by Art (California) on 12/19/2021 2332 posts
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Hi Ellen,

Melatonin is established as an effective treatment for GERD, but is also noted for potentially helping in the repair of gastric ulcers and for its esophageal protective effects against the damage caused by acid entering the esophagus from GERD. Melatonin may also be useful in the prevention of esophageal cancer!

Here are several study links confirming that melatonin is effective for GERD and possibly healing of peptic ulcers and some esophageal issues :

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24251671/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC2821302/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC6073539/

https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/369656

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC3240674/

Art


Basil Seeds (Tutmalanga)
Posted by Sindee (California) on 04/07/2017
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

We take Indian Basil seeds (we call it Tutmalanga in Fiji Islands, large Indian population) for acid reflux, cured my problems over time. I took half teaspoon seeds in 12-16 oz purified water (non-chlorinated, non-fluoridated) twice daily for several months. Have been eating all kinds of spicy foods, meats ect with not a hint of problem. I was eventually diagnosed as having GERD and was on western meds for a long time. Haven't taken any basil drink in 3-4 years but I keep a packet in my kitchen just in case. In the US I buy it from oriental and Asian markets.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Cecilia (Nashua, NH) on 02/03/2015
★★★★★

This ACV is like a magic. I've been sick for more than three weeks now & I've been taking Prilosec for ulcer & GERD but I keep on having heartburn continually like 5-6x a day. I thought by looking for alternative end cure as I was waiting to get a CT scan would be worth it so I came to see what earth clinic suggests. So I asked my boyfriend to get me a bottle of ACV from Shaws & he came to me with a bottle of ACV, just a regular ACV. I've poured two tablespoon on a cup of water & drank it. It's been 3 days that I have no heartburn. This is a miracle cure. I still have the muscle aching from the spasms but the heartburn is gone. I am very grateful to the people who vested time & energy to write this gift of love & care on the internet; it is quite a miracle that I responded very well with it. This is why I am adding my testament to it. I will post more in a couple more days & see what the CT scan would show. I have all the symptoms of heartburn, nausea, vomiting, weakness & I know I have hiatal hernia.
My gratitude to all of you. Cecilia

Okra
Posted by Marlita (Makati, Philippines) on 04/05/2008
★★★★★

OKRA(lady's finger) cured my acid reflux... i also tried the purple pill like OMEPRON OMEPRAZOLE for more than a month and then other brands.

no medicines cures my reflux then i have complication coming from it ( PHARYNGITIS & LARYNGITIS )

ive been browsing sites to look for remedies or much better CURE and im very much lucky to bump on this site. i read that OKRA (lady's finger ) cures his GERD by eating OKRA for 2 mos.

I TRIED IT... by boiling for a minute, removed the seeds then eating 6 pieces a day... 2 pieces for every meal within 10 DAYS im cured already.

I know it has something to do with OKRA'S natural slimmy characterics that help cures the inflammation of my LOWER ESOPHAGEAL SPHINCTER the major reason of the reflux

the slimmy characteristic coats my LES as it gives time to heal it....i guess that's the most important part HEALING FIRST YOUR LOWER ESOPHAGEAL SPHINCTER before your GERD eradicated.

Now i can eat anything i want... my GERD it's just a nightmare for me and dont want to remember as it cost so much depression on me while sleeping in SITTING POSITON for more than a month.

THANKS TO YOUR SITE i read that information here.

Dietary Changes
Posted by Sarah (Santa Monica, Ca) on 11/12/2010
★★★★★

I suffered with nearly constant acid reflux from the time I was a small child. By the time I was 12 or so it was really bad, and in late middle or early high school I was diagnosed with GERD. Many visits to the gastroenterologist, including an endoscopy that nearly killed me from a severe allergic reaction to Demerol, found no potential cause. By late high school I was experiencing heartburn pretty much 24/7, usually as a constant slight throat discomfort and burning accompanied by rather severe nausea and sometimes as very painful chest burning.

Finally in college after some other crazy health experiences that caused me to reexamine my entire lifestyle I narrowed the acid reflux down to one cause alone: grains, especially wheat. I ate processed, white flour several times a day on average, but I find that any form of grains, even whole grains and non-gluten containing grains, will trigger the heartburn all over again (as well as depression, fatigue, nausea, body aches, the list goes on and on). Wheat and rice are the worst, but even supposedly healthy grains like whole oats and quinoa set off these symptoms. This includes even raw, freshly sprouted grains. When I avoid all grains (and cutting out processed sugars, high-sugar fruits, and chocolate has helped a lot too), I virtually never have any acid reflux at all. I know that I am unusually sensitive to grains. But I also strongly believe that humans have not evolved to digest grains properly since we have only been eating them for 10 thousand years or so (not a very significant timespan evolutionarily). I am convinced that most people would benefit at least from reducing the amount of grains in their diet, especially processed flours. Most people's diets are very heavy in just a few grains and eating so much of the same foods, especially foods that we aren't really designed to eat, seems to put quite a strain on the body. P. S. This is my first post here but I absolutely love this site, and expect many more posts from me in the future!


Colostrum
Posted by Sarrah (San Diego, Ca) on 12/18/2015
★★★★★

Sounds like ur gerd was caused by low acid production - I was suffering with gerd for 6 years, last month I started taking colostrum 30 minutes before eating and my gerd is gone. No more diarrhea, heartburn, retching is all gone - gave it to my teenage daughter who had IBS for last two years and it fixed that too - her pediatrician is amazed because we were going to have to do several thousand dollars in test - my daughter is stoked because she has had to deal with diarrhea for two years and it's gone! We are taking Symbiotics colostrum plus and we order from iherb.com they are reliable and offer free shipping


Melatonin
Posted by Ellen (Portland, OR) on 12/19/2021
★★★★★

I was on PPI drugs for over a year for GERD. The GERD gave me syncope, coughing, and dizziness related to low blood pressure. The drug only made things worse by suppressing the acid. I had some improvement from choosing alkaline foods over acid ones, and paying attention to food combining, but I could still get very ill from even alkaline foods, including GERD cures aloe Vera juice and apple cider vinegar.

Nothing worked until I did two things. I took liquid melatonin once every day and I made sure I was drinking at least 3 pints of water a day, shooting for 4 when I could. I put a pinch or two or unrefined salt into each pint. This helps to prevent low blood pressure and helps the body to not just urinate out the water right away.

After a couple of weeks (relief/success was instant! ), I got off of the antacid drug (I chose to taper because it virulently I suppressed acid when you try to kick the drug suddenly), and I have never had a return of the problem that made me a basket case afraid to go out (in case I fainted; the acid was always making me feel hot and very dizzy, with a wildly erratic pulse). I went to a general practitioner and several specialists, but it was only by doing my own Internet research and implementing the EarthCiunic suggestion of melatonin (plus following proper hydration practice for someone of my weight and activity level) that I was helped.

I am completely cured of the issue. I no longer lie awake with GERD/cardiac distress, though I do urinate three times a night because of the water I drink. I am 78 years of age and an athlete. Thank you, EarthClinic, and Art from California who posted about melatonin as a GERD cure!

EC: The URL to Art's article on Melatonin for GERD: https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/art-solbrig-protocol-for-gerd.html

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Morgan (Grass Valley, Cal.) on 01/23/2015
★★★★★

I was slightly concerned with the ACV and acidity. I have GERD gas trial upper reflux disease and have literally been through every kind of antacid there is including prescription. After I was left with no other option for this, I tried ACV and oh my god I love the stuff!. I have turned into a " spokesman" for it with heartburn. It makes sense, vinegar is a base which neutralizes acid. We all learned this in school or from the movie fight club and on the bottle it says, I think, either 3% or %5 acidity, but I am seeing a never ending list of the benifits that come from it - RAW apple cider vinegar.


Pickle Juice
Posted by Mark (Novato, California, Usa) on 11/21/2012
★★★★★

I'm 29 years old, I've had Acid Reflux / GERD since at least 2009. During 2009, I was in a bodybuilding transformation contest, and I worked out 5 days a week. After 4 months of weight training, my acid reflux became severe, and I went to the hospital to get an endoscopy. They found nothing, except that my esophagus was red. Well I laid off the weight lifting for a couple years and started again in 2011. It took a whole year before the acid reflux kicked in again, and this time, it returned with a VENGEANCE! I felt paralyzed by the pain, I was getting tingles in my arms and legs, had a hard time breathing, could barely swallow, felt like I was going to choke on every bite of food, had panic attacks, even felt like I was going to randomly swallow my tongue. I couldn't lay down at night, without feeling like my whole body was in shock, due to the acid in my esophagus. I had a hunch that it was the acid hitting some vital nerve in the esophageal area, which was subsequently causing the all of these other symptoms I described above. Sure enough, I was right!

I went to the E. R. In August of 2012, and they put me on a 2 month supply of Protonix. This immediately stopped all of these symptoms, including all of the acid reflux. I have also tried Aciphex, which works well too, but it has a lot more side effects than the Protonix. I'm a health nut though, I've never drank, never done drugs, I work out, eat well, etc.. So I wanted to get off of these PPI pills. I decided to look on here, where I found Pickle Juice. I have also tried apples which helped for a short time, but then they stopped having a powerful effect, and I started waking up in the middle of the night with acid in my throat.

Well I just now came across this site, looking for other remedies that might help, instead of the pharma-pills. I saw all these about pickle juice, and figured I'd give it a shot. I went to the store and bought 2 bottles of 'Polish Dill pickles with garlic. ' I ate one spear of a pickle, just to test the waters. I was afraid it might cause a worse worse reaction, but to my surprise, not only does my acid reflux seem gone, but I noticed that it made me feel like I could breathe better?? I'm not sure if pickles have ever helped people breathe better, but I certainly noticed that my lungs seemed to open up more and the congestion in my chest seemed all but gone! I will post more as the days go on, and I try more pickles each night. Thank God for this site!


Pickle Juice
Posted by Bill (San Fernando, Philippines) on 11/21/2012

Hi Mark... The fact that your symptoms go away when you take Pickle Juice, ACV or even Vinegar tells me that the reason for your GERD problem isn't caused by too much acid in your stomach but is, instead, caused by TOO LITTLE stomach acid production. Pickle Juice is acidic so when you take it at mealtimes this raises your stomach acid to the correct pH strength -- hence no GERD. But taking Pickle Juice will only accomodate and remove the symptoms of your problem -- it is therefore not a cure. To address and repair the root cause of your problem -- lack of stomach acid -- you will have to supply more chlorides to your body.

Here's how it works. When you eat, the stomach acid pH must be at a pH of between 1 - 3(very acid) for proper stomach digestion. If it is higher than that, more alkaline in other words, then the stomach will fail to kill all the pathogens incoming with your food. This will eventually lead to dysbiosis -- pathogens like E. Coli, H Pylori, Candida, Gardia etc will begin to dominate your upper intestine area leading to all sorts of other serious problems. This is also the main reason and cause for your reflux or GERD problems.

When food is eaten, a hormone called secretin is put out into the blood which triggers the secretion of the pancreatic juices and main stage digestive enzymes -- and this process is triggered only if your stomach acid pH is between 1 - 3. So if you pH is higher and at incorrect strength, then the pancreatic juices and digestive enzymes for mainstage digestion will not be triggered and so your food will just sit there in your duodenum rotting and fast breeding pathogens also causing your GERD and reflux problems.

The remedy is as follows:

* Take betaine hydrchloride tablets at with every meal. This will help to supply the necessary chlorides and will address the root cause of your stomach acid problem.

* Take pancreatic enzymes containing bromelain and papain at every meal. This will aid proper protein digestion in both the stomach and duodenum.

* Take Sea Salt(not refined table salt) -- 1/4 to 1/2 tspn with water once per day -- outside mealtimes. This helps to supply chlorides for proper stomach acid production.

* Take Magnesium Chloride -- 1/4 teaspoon once per day -- taken at mealtme. This also helps to supply chlorides for proper stomach digestion.

* Alkalize the intestines using Ted's Sodium Bicarbonate and water remedy. Take this remedy 1/2 hr to 1 hour after every meal. This remedy helps to promote proper alkaline digestion in the upper intestine and also addresses a possible lack of bicarbonates in the pancreatic juices.

*(Optional) Kelp Extract -- regular advised dosage -- Iodine is also necessary to help regenerate stomach acid.

The above remedy can also be taken together with the Pickle Juice if you want.


Almonds
Posted by vanya (Frankfort, IN) on 03/13/2009
★★★★★

ALMONDS have to be raw!!! If they are roasted your reflux will get worse! Other nuts will not work for reflux! I eat raw almonds every time when I feel the acid is comming back, and it works... thanks


Leg Raise Exercise
Posted by Prioris (ME) on 01/09/2024
★★★★★

How can I strengthen my esophageal sphincter naturally?

Straight Leg Raise Maneuver

Leg raise exercises can be done to strengthen esophageal sphincter muscle
Studies have shown it works. You can do them from bed. I had immediate improvement in my GERD. Just did a couple sets of 10.

https://www.cghjournal.org/article/S1542-3565(22)00970-3/fulltext


Esophageal Resistance Training
Posted by vera (beulah, co) on 07/15/2023
★★★★★

I have come across this simple exercise that, over time, cured GERD. It was written up as a case study and published in Cureus. Here is how it works.

You put some food in your mouth, kneel (the author kneeled on a 6" platform, but it may not be necessary; a pillow may do it) and put your arms down on the floor as you bend over, and lay your head into your hands. Chew and swallow the food. (The key is that your head is below the level of your stomach.) The author did part of his breakfast and lunch this way. He got significantly better after 67 days. He was cured after another 5-6 months. The exercise strengthens the lower esophageal sphincter.

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/359946078_A_Simple_Exercise_to_Strengthen_the_Lower_Esophageal_Sphincter_and_Eliminate_Gastroesophageal_Reflux_An_Autobiographical_Case_Report


Pickle Juice
Posted by Abbey (Northampton, PA) on 12/09/2022
★★★★★

I will forever be so thankful to this site. I've been feeling pretty crummy all morning with GERD symptoms starting about an hour ago and going from 0-100 real quick. So much pressure in my chest it feels like I'm dying. I tried ACV, digestive enzymes, prilosec & tums. Nothing. I just went to the fridge and drank about 1/2- 1 cup of pickle juice and I can breathe again! Great relief & easily on hand! THANK YOU EARTH CLINIC!


Betaine HCl
Posted by Art (California) on 05/24/2021 2332 posts

Bry,

You have to remember that Betaine HCL comes in different strengths and taking 5 to 7 caps of a high strength product can cause damage.

It is also important to remember that if you take too much and you are feeling the burn, you can neutralize the acid with a half teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in a small glass of water. To let the burn continue can cause damage to the stomach.

Art


Dietary Changes
Posted by Charity (Faithville, Us) on 02/06/2018

https://ted.earthclinic.com/cures/gastrointestinal_disorders2.html

According to Ted, "The simplest remedy for people who can't stand the ACV is the lemon and baking soda (8 teaspoon of lemon and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 glass of water), or just 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 glass taken twice a day. The alkalizing should detoxify most of what is going on. However it may take about a month before the negative reaction of foods are reduced. The liver needs to clear them of fats and vitamin E may help.

I have had a similar case like that, which was toxicity buildup in the liver and heavy metal. The more chinese parsley cannot be tolerated, the more important is the remedy, but the less the amount the body needs such as once or twice a week, taken at 1-4 leaves only.

This has happened and after the baking soda and quite possibly magnesium supplements, the allergic reactions to many foods were reduced gradually until the second month where it was possible to eat most of the foods quite normally.

Magnesium, baking soda and sometimes sea salt is used to detoxify the body fluids, while lecithin detoxify fats and oil buildup since it is a fat emulsifier. Other supplements such as taurine and milk thistle may further help. Sea salt such as 1/4 teaspoon in 1 liter of water may help reduce the irritable bowel syndrome taken throughout the day for a couple of days.

Getting both urine pH and saliva pH to 7, is important to reduce the cancer problems by increasing the body's oxygen by reducing the body's excess acidity and carbon dioxide much like adding baking soda to a soda water. It takes about a month of alkalizing to notice improvements in cancer conditions or at least 3 weeks. Most gastrointestinal problem is the body's inability to neutralized the digested acidic foods where the digested acid food has a tendency to digest the persons' gastrointestinal organ, and hence the sickness."


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Joe (Manteno, Il Usa) on 12/14/2015
★★★★★

Here's how I cured a LIFETIME of suffering of GERD: I took ~1 tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar to ~12 ounces of water in a glass bottle. Took a sip whenever you feel gerd coming on. Have this bottle by your side at all times. If you don't feel instant relief this process may not work for you. You may need to protect your teeth from the vinegar by drinking through a straw.

Also very important: When starting this process, I weened my self off of prilosec by switching to one pill every other day then after a few weeks 1/2 pill every other day. You can't split a capsule so just open the cap and pour half out. Prilosec (omeprozole) will cause lifetime damage to your body so this is important to get off of it.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Dropjaw28 (Washington, DC) on 09/02/2014
★★★★★

Wow. I have been suffering with GERD for 10 years and like most people, have been using proton pump inhibitors every day. I've also been anemic (iron and B12 deficient) for at least the past few years. I only recently connected the two issues through research on my own after taking iron and B12 supplements didn't help my anemia. Prevacid was preventing my stomach from absorbing needed nutrients - is the theory. I wanted to get off of the Prevacid, but my acid reflux was debilitating.

I've used ACV many times for sinus infections, but taking it every day wasn't something I was sure I could do. After about 4 weeks of taking it 2-3 times per day (2 teaspoons in cold water) my reflux was completely fixed to the point that I'd forget to drink it since I wasn't dying from reflux symptoms. I'm not gonna lie, it was difficult; ACV is acidic itself and can cause temporary worsening of reflux, it also doesn't taste great. While using it for sinus problems I'd always mix it in green tea with raw honey, but honestly the cold water mix was easier to get down.

I've been making an effort to drink it once per day for general health, but I have gone weeks without it with no reflux, even when I sometimes drink coffee or wine. Thank you Earth Clinic!

Apples
Posted by Jessikah (Keep Portland Weird!) on 02/10/2014
★★★★★

I have suffered from GERD for years. I am that magical one percent in the world that cannot take any modern medicine aka I get really sick (no joke my skin fell off last time I took a zpack.) I tried ACV with a straw and my teeth hurt so bad after a week I had to stop. I tried pickle juice and that made me toss my lunch every time. I sucked on mustard bottles (all I can say is eeeek, gak, ugh! ) So I tried half an apple ten minutes ago. Not absolutely perfect but a whole lot better. I'd say I was left with a two on the one to ten scale (ten sucking like Rancor breathe.) I will try a Granny Smith apple next time, this time I had a Gala apple.



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