Effective Natural Remedies for GERD Relief

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Rosario (Virginia Beach, Va) on 11/06/2010
★★★★★

I can attest to the fact that the ACV has cured my GERD! I've been taking Nexium since May 2009 until Sept 2010. Initially, the Nexium helped ease my GERD but in recent months, my condition was back to square one with having acid reflux/heartburn each time I ate and difficulty sleeping at nights. Thank goodness I found this site! I decided to start drinking the organic ACV tonic at a low dosage of 2 capfuls in 4 oz. Water, plus 1 tbs of raw honey, three times a day. 6 weeks later, my upper GI endoscopy results showed normal esophagus/stomach with no signs of tissue damage... Plus, no hiatal hernia! A small one was discovered a year prior so maybe it shrunk?. My surgeon couldn't explain why it was no longer there, but he encouraged me to continue taking the ACV while it obviously worked for me. I'm now able to sleep at nights with one pillow versus four!

One day, I forgot to drink the tonic, realizing that the I didn't have any symptoms that usually trigger or remind me to take it. I'm now just adding two capfuls of ACV and honey in my cup of hot tea that I drink an hour before bedtime. In addition, my cholesterol levels improved dramatically to normal levels and my physician even took me off my high blood pressure medication. I'm just sooooo happy and thankful for finding this site. Now I'm not only able to share my experience here but by forwarding this site to other people I know that suffer from this disease.

Pickle Juice

Posted by Sharon P (Mineral Bluff, Ga) on 11/30/2009
★★★★★

hi my name is sharon have been diagnosed with the medical condition gerd really couldnt understand it until tonite...starting feeling the systoms coming on about an hour ago and nothing at home to take so went to the internet and typed in gerd and found this website...wow read the section on pickle juice and tried about half of cup and starting feeling relief in just a few minutes...will be a full time drinker of pickle juice thanks..im 43 years old

Licorice Root Extract

Posted by Betsy (Santa Fe, NM) on 11/20/2008
★★★★★

Thank you all for your comments regarding ACV and GERD. I have had this annoying problem for a couple of years now. My nurse practitioner suggested using DGL or"Deglycyrrhizinated" Licorice Root Extract. It is available from several different companies at any local health food store. It is not a cure, but it is very soothing. Two tablets in the morning keeps acid reflux away all day for me, but I will try ACV too. Will report back...Thanks!

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Carri (Lake Forest, California) on 08/11/2008
★★★★★

My husband was on proton pumb inhibitors for GERD, Prilosec being one of them. From my reading of nutrition books and alternative medicine I know how dangerous it is to have your stomuch and bowels out of whack and how it effects the rest of your health. So I zealously urged my husband to get off his medicine and that I would find some way that would work. I googled natural cures for GERD and gathered info from different sites(without having to buy their products) and we tried all the different things we found. Plus I also put him on a low carb high protein diet. It took a few months but he no longer has stomuch pain and the GERD is gone!
From what I can remember here's what he took.

DGL (deglycerized licorice)
Lemonene (or something like that)
Digestive enzymes
probiotics
NO coffee (until GERD is completely gone!)
Acid defense by garden of life and a few other things we found in health food stores.
In Protein Power (the book) they claim that the diet cures GERD, so we also did that and my husband lost 35 lbs too.

I'm not sure exactly what cured him because we threw everything at him and it worked! Don't blindly believe everything doctors or even well meaning friends and family say.There are cures for many things if we learn to work with our body instead of trying to suppress it's natural functions through the many pharmaceuticals the docs are throwing at us.

Almonds

Posted by Nick (Johnstown, PA) on 10/03/2008
★☆☆☆☆

See i have the opposite reaction, when i eat any kind of nuts, my acid reflux gets hella worse.

Digestive Enzymes

Posted by Coye (Newberry, SC) on 09/05/2007
★★★★★

I had moderate asthma and chronic gerd. I started using a natural enzyme that contained PAPAYA!! I take the tablets everyday. I haven't had a problem or symptom since I've taken them.I've read many studies that papaya helps withs gerd!!

Nutritional Yeast, B1

Posted by Amanda (Los Angeles CA) on 04/26/2026
★★★★★

Nutritional yeast (non fortified) and vitamin B1 (Thiamine) for Gerd

I was having Gerd symptoms for the last few days after struggling with it on and off for a year. I saw a video of a chiropractor talking about how B1 (Thiamine) deficiency can imitate other illnesses. He mentioned how Gerd can occur from a B1 deficiency and recommended that people take unfortified nutritional yeast since it is high in B1 and other B vitamins. I tried it and instantly felt better - my symptoms of Gerd completely went away a few minutes after eating it. He also recommended taking a form of B1 called Benfotiamine, and another doctor recommended another form of B1 known as TTFD. You can google this in YouTube and the videos should come up.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Elsa D. (New Zealand ) on 01/04/2022

hello everyone with GERD

I'm back again for some exciting experience I had just a few days.

i have sooo much things happening in my stomach bec I have eaten different nice but naughty foods during the holiday season.

i woke up spinning and my stomach is giving me too much problem . I can't drive bec I'm dizzy and feeling in my stomach

i want to vomit but I can't I did the suggestions I have posted earlier, it does help but problem always came back. I have been dizzy nearly a week, not vertigo . It's coming from my stomach

When someone had the same experience I had, recommended Eno Fruit Salt. Went to Indian store bought one but the lady owner recommended ‘TRiphala' as well.

Arrived home and took some Eno, seems good.

before bed I took Triphala, next morning took another dose .

The next day morning, the GERD sickness I had for more than 20 years seems fixed

Oh I took some slippery elm that day too, to calm down the spasm in my stomach .

Bec that spasm in my stomach make me dizzy too that urge me to moved my bowel (sorry)

Would you like to try?

Go to Indian store or store online

LoveElsa

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Don (Michigan, USA) on 02/15/2019
★★★★☆

Ok folks here we go. I got rid of my GERDin about 7-10 days doing everything I was told not to do. I refused to take PPI's and the aluminum packed ant-acid pushed on my by doctors.

1. I started with the traditional tsp. baking soda in small amount of water morning and night. It helped.

2. I ate a thick slice of raw organic ginger root with every eating. It has natural antibacterial and huge amounts of digestive enzymes. And it really helped.

3. I ate lots of dill pickle spears. Felt good.

4. Soak in a glass jar, steel cut organic oats in pickled juice / water over night in fridge and ate by spoonful as needed. Lasted several days. Was filling and stopped acid. This was working but I felt this overwhelming hunger to rinse my stomach with beer. Previous to this it had been about 10 years since I drank alcohol.

5. One evening I drank 6 lights beers. It felt SO GOOD RINSING MY STOMACH WITH THE SUDS.

6. The next morning (with a little headache) I felt a need for grapefruit. I bought a bag of 9 grapefruit and ate EVERY ONE of them. And it felt so good. Citrus is supposed to be a no-no.

7. I started eating about two big salads of whatever MIXED GREENS DAILY. With 2-3oz fish protein, canned salmon or shrimp. THIS DID MORE FOR ME THAN ANYTHING.

Today, although I am not thrilled with drinking beer, I drink a light beer on the days I feel the need. BEER WITH CORN STILL HURTS MY STOMACH. BEER WITHOUT CORN SOOTHES MY STOMACH.

No more butt burning acid gas, hoarse sore throat or upper stomach pain.

Here is the biggest thing I learned from this. Have you ever watched a dog sniff food before it eats. If it sniffs good he scarfs it down, if it sniffs bad he walks away. SNIFF FOOD BEFORE YOU EAT. YOU WILL KNOW IMMEDIATELY IF IT IS GOING TO HEAL YOUR STOMACH OR HURT YOUR STOMACH. For instance, any kind of apple does not smell good to me, and if I eat it my GERD will flare up.

CONCLUSION: For me eating lots and lots of mixed green leaves is the number one thing that keeps GERD away. A daily grapefruit is refreshing and soothing. An occasional corn free beer. A few dried cranberries WITHOUT SUGAR is good.

Experiment with small amount to see what your body wants and does not want.

Grapefruit hack: Stop trying to spoon out a grapefruit half, that is just plain silly. Cut the grapefruit into six wedges; then eat it holding like a watermelon or easily pull out of the peel to eat in one piece.

Dietary Changes

Posted by Steve (Nv) on 02/06/2018

Try doing the Hulda Clark liver/gallbladder flush. Once you get the liver/gallbladder flushed out your digestion should improve.

Dietary Changes

Posted by Larry (Wichita, Ks) on 02/11/2018

Josh, I think you are on the right track. This is what has worked for me. Betaine hydrochloric acid 2-5 with every meal, aloe vera sips a couple of times a day and apple cider vinegar 1/2 teaspoon in 12 oz water drunk throughout the day. You can find out more about betaine in other entries on Earth clinic.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Geo Phil (Uk) on 09/21/2017
★☆☆☆☆

In my case AVC did not work. It exacerbated the issue!

Almonds

Posted by Ellen (Tx, US) on 10/30/2014
★★★★★

I have been trying different things for acid reflux. Raw almonds worked better than anything else. I didn't even eat very many. I ate about a tablespoon of slivered almonds. Fantastic results! I will be buying more almonds tomorrow! Thank you.

Dietary Changes

Posted by Payitforward (Tx, US) on 10/26/2014
★★★★★

I personally would not use Apple Cider Vinegar or HCL at all for treating acid reflux. Those who have used it for years may have compromised their intestine lining. Treating AR is best by consuming low acid and low fat foods. The first several days of the diet you will find great relief. As you detox your system from being overly acidic. Also, calcium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate will help relieve symptoms at night.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 10/27/2014

Hey there Cornelia,

About Acid Reflux and how the ACV is not working...well, ACV will work in mild Reflux cases, but you have to do your part as far as making sure the food you eat is within Reflux Control Bounds.

For instance, it is well known that coffee and ice cream, all milk in fact and red meats, chilies, and even too much sugar products at night can all contribute to the problem of reflux. The diet has to be moderated and made as alkaline as possible. If you do that you'll find the ACV will carry you the rest of the way to getting the reflux greatly under control.

This has been my experience at least. Reflux control is dual; right diet and right digestion.

Rutin

Posted by Zark (Emerald City, The Land Of Oz) on 03/18/2014
★★★★★

Yes, I did try ACV for my reflux. It did work but I had to take it regularly, and I was concerned about my teeth - they started to hurt from all the acidity.

Rutin worked better for me as the reflux has now been gone for a few weeks and I don't need to take anything regularly to keep it that way. In other words it was a proper cure. Just don't take when pregnant as it could possibly bring on delivery.. maybe.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Happy2tell (Adelaide, Australia) on 04/07/2013
★★★★★

Hi there, three years ago I suffered from whooping cough which made my asthma worse as well. I needed to take prednisolone (steroids), as well as other asthma medication by the bucketload to be able to breathe. I ended up with systemic thrush and GERD (reflux for short) and was put on nilstat and nexium. If I ran out of nexium or ate something fatty, the reflux would almost choke me, to the point where I went to hospital to see if I had cancer of the throat. I had also gone back to study and was really stressed, which made the reflux worse as well. No cancer, but no reason for the the reflux to be so bad.

After a bit of research, I started to take apple cider vinegar with honey as I was desperate. The reflux disappeared almost immediately. Goodbye nexium. It has been over 4 months now and I have had no problems with reflux whatsoever. If I have had a spicy or fatty meal, I chase it with Apple Cider Vinegar and honey and I have no problems. I now have a cold and am sipping on Apple Cider Vinegar and honey.

D-Limonene

Posted by Maggie (Overland Park, Ks) on 03/23/2013 5 posts
★★★★★

Orange Peel Oil aka D-Limonene has saved my life. The instructions say to take 10 softgels; one 1000 mg capsule every other day for twenty days. It says to take it with or after a meal. I have read that some people are bothered by the orange flavor in their system. I like it, but I have taken the pill first, and then ate my meal after the pill. Food on top of the softgel still seems to work quite well, but the orange doesn't seem as strong. I do feel a warming sense in my stomach when taking the first couple of softgels, but I feel it's only from the orange peel oil doing it's healing and coating.

The label says the results of taking an orange oil pill every other day for twenty days lasts about 6 months and they are right. It can last a few weeks more or less depending on my diet or stress level. I now have it on my calendar so that I don't have to have a GERD attack before I remember that 6 months are up. I have also tried taking 8 or 9 pills so that I have 1 or 2 left over for the next time I have problems, but taking all 10 pills works the best to keep all symptoms, all the way gone for the next 6 months.

I've read that they aren't really sure why Limonene works. They think the immediate results are possibly from the oil's surfactant properties. I think the oil floats on top of stomach juices or something so that acid bubbles can't form. You can read more on why it works for the long term on the net. Discussions on user reviews of the different brands of 'orange peel oil' and 'limonene' were helpful to me. If you think about it, I have orange oil to clean gummy price tags off newly purchased items. I have orange oil to clean grime and make my kitchen cabinets shine. I have orange oil spray to clean my counter tops. It is said to be anti-bacterial and such. Of course, I won't ingest these, but maybe the orange peel oil softgel tabs are similar in that it cuts the grease and grime, etc. Inside me too! Maybe the oil creates a nice coating on the esophagus and stomach lining so any irritations can heal.

Whatever. I just know that the first softgel almost immediately takes down the bloat and pressure in my stomach and calms the acid bubbles. As long as I have remembered this regimen every six months, I have never had a GERD attack. No more esophagus on fire. No more coughing attacks to the point of not being able to even take in a breath from acid bubbles tickling and burning my lungs. No more red and burning sore throat. No more unbearable killer headaches from acid burning my sinuses. Heck, my ears were even very painful on the inside from acid reflux. No more! OMG. Not even a little burning. Nothing. Regular life. Ahhh!

For immediate needs, ask for 'orange peel oil for reflux' at the organic foods store. The box of 10 softgels is worth it. Trust me! It is a little expensive, but I know I need it every 6 months now or will DIE from the next GERD attack. Since my first box, I have found that any 1000 mg limonene softgel will work. The best word to search on any buy/sell/trade website is 'limonene' to get the cheapest cost per pill. (Better than searching 'orange peel' or 'reflux remedy' and the like). I now have a bottle of 60 softgels of d-Limonene with an expiration date that will take care of me for the next couple years. Much cheaper, and with extras on hand if I have break-through reflux from overeating or trying an offending food. (I have tons! Of food allergies).

I haven't found anyone mentioning side-effects, except the orange flavor being intense or it not working for them. I'm not allergic to it and that's saying a lot since I am allergic to so many things. I am also happy knowing that I am not taking an acid reducer pill that is known to leach calcium out of the body. I don't want a broken hip later in life!

If the 6 months are up and I forget limonene, I still use the standby of apples, ACV with the mother/honey mixture, and aloe liquid along with the limonene softgels. I drink and sip ACV/honey all day. I get at the aloe liquid, formulated for digestion, at the organic foods store and use as directed. I keep apples and ACV drink by my bed at night for when I wake up in a coughing fit. I sleep on my left side, which absolutely works to pinch the valve at the top of the stomach closed, keeping bubbles trapped. I look up to cough when my back hurts. Limonene helps me avoid all this now. It's wonderful!

Pickle Juice

Posted by Steve (Charlotte, North Carolina) on 10/27/2011
★★★★★

I am a healthy and fit 56 year old. As I've aged, I have learned to avoid eating later at night and to choose my foods wisely, selectively avoiding foods that cause heartburn. Both efforts have helped control GERD, which I ocassionally experience at night while horizontally resting or sleeping. When I do eat the wrong foods or eat late at night, I'll take OTC medication to prevent GERD. Late last night I ate several slices of pizza, a notoriously avoidable food for me, but I followed that with three garlic kosher dill pickle spears. Not an inkling of indigestion! Truly remarkable!

Pickle Juice

Posted by Sarah (Thomasville, Nc) on 11/22/2011
★★★★★

It's 2:30 am and I cannot sleep due to the burning in my throat. I do not suffer from GERD and this is one of the few times in my life that I have had an episode of acid reflux and therefore I do not have a medicine cabinet full of pills to prevent it.

I stumbled across this page and found that pickle juice might provide some relief since I don't have apple vinegar so I guzzled down some pickle juice and I feel much better. The searing, burning sensation in my throat has almost subsided and it's only been a couple of minutes since I drank the juice! Yay! Maybe I can go to sleep now! Thanks for the information!

Soft Cheese

Posted by Shana (Philadelphia, Pa) on 09/09/2010
★★★★★

I just wanted to comment on what helped get rid of my acid reflux in case it can help someone. I see so many cures on your site and this one may help someone too. I had severe acid reflux starting last May from eating too many grapefruits, lemons, pizza and spaghetti all in a span of two weeks. My body shut down and I developed severe acid reflux with mild inflammation of the esophagus. I had pains in my throat sometimes and I was up every night almost all night because the Pepcid didn't work well enough and I was allergic to Previcid and afraid to try other medicine. Plus, I didn't want to be on meds.

I discovered 2 months later by accident that soft cheese helped get rid of my gerd. I was famished one night after a workout and had to rush myself to the nearby restaurant which happened to be Cosi. I ordered their signature salad which has cheese on it. I had been told to not eat cheese because it could make my gerd worse, plus I never ate cheese much due to it causing my nose to always run. Long story short I had very little Gerd that night and could sleep better. I decided to experiment and ate a little soft cheese at each dinner and each night I was better. I've been off medicine three weeks and my esophagus feels normal. I have very little Gerd and can sleep now a full night. In case this helps someone else, I wanted to be sure to put this on your site. I also have read that zinc salts healed 100% of the people in the study so perhaps zinc supplements will help people as well.

Gerd is horrible, but don't give up. You'll find a cure so you won't have to stay on meds. Don't overeat, don't eat spices or tomato sauce, don't eat fat or fried foods, and you'll get better.

Dietary Changes

Posted by Jane (Steamboat Springs, Colorado) on 06/15/2010
★★★★★

Acid Reflux - Beware of Caffeine!

I was diagnosed with GERD at age 44 and like so many of you I tried Nexium and Prilosec with minimal relief. Basically the meds just masked the symptoms. The reflux was severe making me miserable and I was losing weight I could not afford to lose; my clothes were baggy and I looked gaunt. I researched online and learned about dietary triggers. One of the biggest triggers is caffeine. Also, deep-fried foods don't digest well in the stomach, so I cut them out of my diet. Some sauces like tomato or certain dressings can also bring about reflux. Finally, large meals leaving you overly stuffed, can activate reflux.

People, pay attention to what you eat and take note of foods that trigger your reflux. I have had my reflux under control for five years now, am back to a healthy weight and enjoy decaffeinated coffee and tea daily even chocolate. For me caffeine hands down was the worst trigger. If I have any symptoms in future, I will most certainly try apple cider vinegar.