Effective Natural Remedies for GERD Relief

Apples

Posted by Lura (CA) on 05/06/2006
★★★★★

I ate a mini red small apple from Trader Joe's that actually seemed to make my GERD worse. But on days I ate other kinds of apples I don't recall having too many problems. I just ate some red delicious apples and didn't have any problems.

Apples

Posted by Carlos (Baltimore) on 04/23/2006
★★★★★

I am so glad I found your website. Last year I started developing some strange food sensitivities and terrible dizziness and fatigue. After numerous doctor visits and many many tests I was diagnosed with acid reflux! I was taking aleve for joint pain and levaquin for an infection and my health started going downhill fast. I started taking Prilosec & Zantac and noticed remarkable improvement for a few weeks, but then my heartburn and problems swallowing got worse than ever! One day I noticed that a nice crunchy green apple helped my GERD considerably, and now I can't live without 2-3 green apples a day. I'm going to try that apple cider vinegar too - antacids are just like painkillers, they don't attack the real problem they just try to minimize complications without addressing the source. Thanks for the info!

Dietary Changes

Posted by Gurt (USA)
★★★★★

I did research in medical journals over gerd/acid reflux since it was causing some health problems. What I found was that carbonated drinks build pressure in the stomach pushing the acid back into the throat. I drink one carbonated drink mid-morning then juice, water and decaf-tea during the remaining day. I also found that caffeine relaxes the muscle that becomes weak with gerd. It was a slow process to cut back on the caffeinated drinks and caffeine but now I am feeling so much better.

Dietary Changes

Posted by Josh (Ca) on 02/05/2018
★☆☆☆☆

I have been dealing with bad GERD since I was 18 and have not gotten any relief exept taking prilosec which I know is horrible for you. I have tried Nexium and other antiacids but Prilosec seems to work the best. I'm now 25,6'0 and weigh around 125 pounds because it's a struggle to eat everyday. I eat about 1 meal a day which isn't a lot and after about 4-5 days I have to do a day of fasting to get my stomach to settle down and relieve the bloating and reflux. I've also been taking senna laxative because that seems to help me out too. I have done a lot of medical tests including the pill cam which didn't pass through me before the battery died (7 hours) so they had me do it again but made me drink laxatives first and it passed through fine and they didn't find anything.

I tried the FODMAP diet which didn't help and I also tried align but that seemed to upset my stomach. I recently bought aloe vera juice, digestive enzymes, AVC, honey and a colon cleanse called Oxi-Powder. Been thinking about trying some CBD oil too but the good stuff can be pricey. I'm open to pretty much anyhthing if anyone has suggestions... I can't keep living like this.

Melatonin

Posted by Ron (Port Saint Lucie, Florida ) on 07/24/2016
★★★★★

Gerd: Melatonin seems to be helping protect my esophagus. There is a vitamin, amino acids, hormones, therapy, with Melatonin I found online. 170 people's I believe. Versus PPI's

Supplements

Posted by Beverly (Texas) on 03/09/2022
★★★★★

Wondering if anyone has ever tried Iberogast.............made in Germany and from botanicals?

Integrative Medicine for Gastrointestinal Disease (nih.gov)

STW 5 (Iberogast) is a commercial formula that includes nine botanicals: Iberis amara, Matricaria chamomilla, Carum carvi, Mentha piperita, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Melissa officinalis, Chelidonium majus, Silybum marianum, and Angelica archangelica.10 In three studies of functional dyspepsia that included patients with GERD symptoms, those receiving STW 5 were more likely to have improvement in symptoms than those receiving placebo. STW 5 was most effective for epigastric pain, retrosternal pain, and acid regurgitation. Adverse events were similar to placebo and included dermatitis, angioedema, digestive intolerance, and one case of allergic asthma. The product has been sold in Germany for 40 years and has a good safety profile.

Betaine HCl

Posted by Bobbie (Burbank) on 04/28/2016
★★★★★

I disagree with the thread that states you need to neutralize stomach acid to cure acid reflux, which is the ideology of mainstream meds like Prilosec. Doing so will only exasperate the condition. Hear is why.

Poor eating habits high in crabs cause an overgrowth of starch metabolizing bacteria, like h pylori, in the stomach. These bacteria actively lower the stomach acids to facilitate their own growth, which reduces the stomachs ability to do its job, digest food. If food does not reach a certain acid level, it will not be released into the intestines and will sit in the stomach like a rock. This causes stomach bacteria to begin metabolizing the food in the stomach, which causes a gas byproduct to build and resultant burping. The burping brings up gastric acids into the esophagus, and resultant GERD.

Curing GERD means healthy eating habits (low starch diet) and restoring stomach acids with HCL acid tablets. If your GERD has already progressed to stomach ulcers, you will first need to address that problem before re-acidifying the stomach. Worked like a charm for me.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Maryann (Sacramento ) on 09/11/2016
★★★★☆

Hi. I have been dealing with gerd for about two months now I have tried ACV for about couple weeks now it seems too help me but I get flare ups every now again I take pepcid ac occasionally I also have seen my dr because I have gurgling and chest congestion as well and she says not too worry about that. I do 1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar and chase down with water in the am and before I go too bed should drink more of the ACV.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Bodulica (Barrie) on 03/10/2015
★☆☆☆☆

For me, after 3 days - absolute disaster! I don't know how to repair the damage. It is really bad.

Betaine HCl

Posted by Fabio (Sao Paulo, Brazil) on 12/26/2014
0 out of 5 stars

What do I do if Betaine HCL flares up my acid reflux even more?

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.

Raw Potatoe Juice, Baking Soda

Posted by Dave (Fountan Inn, Sc) on 04/17/2014

Hello, Reflux Master from Brazil;

You list the things that didn't help and the two that did, both alkalizing in effect. So that may tell you that the issue is largely (in your case) and in most cases the issue on reflux is usually ACIDIC body in nature. Try this experiment... which works for me; For one MONTH... get off ALL acidic foods; really...hard to do but the biggest source of base line acidic issues. Get off COFFEE, even decaffed. (It's acidic too.) No chili products, nothing with tomato, like Ketchup...and I know that in Brazil you may have lots of such acidic food temptations.

Next: reduce your red meat intake after 1:00 pm especially. The body has trouble digesting too much dense proteins. Let up on those a LOT. Eat salads at night and finally: Fish and chicken are OK. NO milk products after 1:00. Like: Ice Cream.

At night take this digestive remedy. Around 9 pm take a tablespoon in a glass of water with one third teaspoon of baking soda...Let finish fizzing and drink. An hour later take an HCL-Betaine tablet.

And finally eat a few bites of papaya...the miracle digester. And careful for too much SUGAR...that's the wild card and often overlooked in getting the body alkaline. OFTEN sugar is the main culprit. SO...NO sugar after 1 pm. The idea is ... let your digestive system catch up with the foods you give it and give it alkalizing items and let up on acidic items. 90 percent of people who follow the DIET logic and the DIGESTIVE logic of the above formula will get substantial relief. I take that back...95 percent. REALLY. Try it. I know the coffee break is hard but the coffee I found was about half of my problem.

Raw Potatoe Juice, DGL Licorice, Probiotics

Posted by Mjake (Ny) on 06/18/2013
★★★★★

I found myself very sick at the beginning of this year. Ended up in the hospital twice in one week because I was so sick, could not eat, could not drink.

I went to the GI and they did an Endoscopy but found only inflammation in the LES, no Pyloria and no ulcers. I was diagnosed with GERD, and the doctor put me on Nexium for 3 months. During those 3 months I didn't feel 100% but I felt ok enough to continue my regular life.

I just came off the meds about 3 weeks ago. I lost about 1lb a day. I couldn't even go to work. I had a host of symptoms: weakness, head pressure, stomach pain all the time. I don't even remember the last time I felt hungry because all I felt was pain. I had gas, bloating and pain, not to mention just wanted to get in bed, which is now super uncomfortable because I raised it 6 inches like they recommend. I tracked my calories and at some point I was eating less than 500calories because eating was so painful.

What I've done to help me:
1. Checked for Candida - according to saliva test I was positive: I bought probiotics and stomach enzymes. Not to mention started drinking Kefir and Kombucha.
2. I started a paleo diet. This has been quite hard since I'm barely able to eat period, and restricting what I eat has made even finding what to eat quite hard. But I heard it was good, so I've done it. I eat veggies and meats/protein.
3. I did the HCL test - both the 6oz of protein, and the baking soda test (2 days). It seemed positive, it took me well over 5 minutes to burp. So I started to supplement with HCL. I felt something after the first pill, but ok so continued. I still couldn't eat really. On the 2nd day's dinner I didn't really feel great, but thought maybe I needed more HCL. I took 2 HCL pills on the 3rd day's breakfast/lunch meal and felt so sick I had to drink a glass with a tsp of baking soda, this helped but I wasn't feeling great. Obviously low stomach acid wasn't my problem.
4. Back to square 1. Most sites now, including this one only discuss the need for HCL supplementation. I felt very depressed, but during one small blog line somewhere mentioned that if the HCL test fails, then you should try taking: Alkabase, Gastric Complex-HP and/or Mastica.
5. I bought Similase, which is suppose to be like Gastric Complex-HP, and some Mastica.
6. I started taking DGL Licorice and Similase, along with the probiotics and the enzymes. This seemed to help but not that great.
7. I was afraid of Alkabase because of the high sodium, so I looked for something else that could act like an "alkaline. " I then heard from a friend of the family that raw potato juice is good for stomach ulcers and GERD. I then read that the raw potato juice acts as an alkaline, so I figured this could work instead of the Alkabase. I just peel the potato, chop it, put it in the blender with some water, puree, then pour it into a strainer and get the juice. I drink that, keeping away from the potato bits because I read those are bad.

For 3 days now I'm doing this: fresh raw potato juice 30 minutes before every meal (empty stomach), 2 DGL licorice chewables 10 minutes later, and 1 Similase and 1 probiotic just before I eat my meal.

I have to tell you, it almost brings tears to my eyes to think of how much better I've been feeling. I finally stopped my weight loss, I was down 13 lbs in 20 days. Every day I feel stronger, and like I can eat. I read this potato juice thing should be done for about 10 days. I will check in then. Good luck to you all.

Apples

Posted by Truth9 (New York) on 02/20/2013
★★★★★

Organic apples are great for GERD and IBS. To supercharge them, take COLD CHAMOMILE TEA. A couple of cups in between meals or at night. Together, they will save you from doctors and their procedures, medications, pain, anxiety, etc.

Trust me on this one. You can do no better!

Gentle Remedies for GERD

Posted by Ed2010 (Oakville, Canada) on 02/17/2013
★★★★★

Hello Krishna, Looks like your daughter is having low stomach acid. When there is low stomach acid, the Esophagus Sphincter will not close properly. This results in vomiting, burping, indigestion, infection.

IMO, high stomach acid is better than low stomach acid.

Clintodac what your daughter is taking now is a protob pump inhibitor. Which worsens the problems more. Now to increase the stomach acid. First stop cintodac.

After every meal drink lemon juice. Lemon juice made with half lemon squeezed and mixed with jaggery not white sugar in a glass of water, if you don't get jaggery then you can use sugar or honey. If your daughter sees any improvement make this to 1 lemon. If she feels good when taking this, she has to continue this for 1 - 2 months. During this time the stomach may heal and start producing its normal acid. This is like giving rest to your stomach so it can recuperate. If lemon juice works you can notice improvement in the 2nd day.

Alternatively, there is a supplement called Betaine Hcl which provides acid to your stomach. I am not sure whether you can buy in dubai. you can buy it online.

Take 1 betaine hcl capsule with meals. If you are feeling comfortable, then take 2 betaine hcl capsules in the next meal. If you are feeling good then take 3 betaine hcl in the next meal. Now if you are feeling acid reflux or stomach burning sensation then drink a glass of water mixed with half teaspoon of baking soda to neutralize stomach acid.

Now, the result is you have low stomach acid and you have to take 2 capsules with your meal for some time.

Some people are very low in stomach acid for which they have to take 4 - 6 capsules. Try Betain Hcl with pepsin. Betaine Hcl does not cure GERD, it just supplements Hcl, But the idea is lessen the burden of the stomach and give it time to rest and heal. If you don't find Betaine HCL, lemon juice is the simple and best remedy.

Let us know how your daughter is proceeding, it can help many here.

Good Health.

Thanks

Ayurvedic Remedies

Posted by Mahi (New Delhi, India) on 02/17/2013
★★★★★

Re: Gentle Remedies Needed for Daughter With Gerd

When my daughter was 8 years old she had this problem and now she is 16 and completely out of it. This is what I did with some ayurvedic medicine. Soak raisins at night and give her that juice in the morning. It is very cooling. Also I gave her sometimes chia seed. You have to soak this seed for couple of hours (This is what they used on top of faluda icecream in India. In Gujarati we called it Takmaria) This is also very cooling. My daughter completely stopped taking any kind of soda or diet soda. I was reminding her to drink lots of water. Also ask your daughter to eat little food one at time not to full stomach. This is a big help. It took my daughter one year to recover complety but she is completely out of it. Also at night we raised her bed so food does not come up. I hope it helps.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Wplush (Honolulu, Hi, United States) on 05/25/2012

For the past year, I've been suffering from what I believe is acidosis. My medical doctors initially thought it was GERD, but couldn't find any significant evidence of GERD. I tried all medicines for GERD and even went through surgery to fix it with no avail. In the past year, I began breaking out in Eczema for the first time in my life. My current symptoms are a dull/burning pain in my stomach, throat, mouth, tongue, and lips. It's pretty constant throughout the day. I've read so many good things about ACV so I decided to try it. I've been using 2tps in water 3-4 a day for the past 10 days. My skin is slowling improving amazingly as my dermatologist just gave me a steriod cream which barely helped. The dull/burning pains in my stomach, throat, and mouth still remain but I believe it is linked. It could be inflammation or something similar. But the skin changes and digestive issues happened around the same time so that's why I think they are linked.

People of Earth Clinic, what do you think? Do you think my issues with my skin and the burning pains are related? How long do you think it will take for my body to get the benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar? Thank you.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Lori (Marco Island, Fl) on 04/23/2015

Acidosis can be a pretty serious diagnosis. Why would you think you have acidosis (metabolic acidosis I presume)? The symptoms you describe could be many, many things, but do not seem to relate to the symptoms of acidosis. I think you should ask your physician to rule this out with blood work.

Apple Cider Vinegar, Baking Soda

Posted by Robert (Manila, Luzon, Philippines) on 02/07/2012
★★★★★

At this writing, I am happy to report that I am still gerds and cough free. The ACV has worked well for me. I am no longer taking any of the prescribed medicines. My energy level is returning to its normal state.

I use two tablespoon of ACV, six to eight sodium Bicarbonate pills disolved in eight ounces of water with two table spoons of Honey added. I use local honey in hopes that it will help with my allergies.

Thank you Earth Clinic and to the Lord for answering prayers.

Apple Cider Vinegar, Baking Soda

Posted by Robert (Manila, Luzon, Philippines) on 01/24/2012
★★★★★

It has been over two weeks since I came to this site seeking help. I am happy to report that it has been a pain free weeks starting the first day of Apple Cider Vinegar and Sodium Bicarbonate. I am still afraid to stop the expensive meds entirely but I am down to taking them one time at night rather than three times a day. I will wait several more days and stop them entirely.

I put two tablespoon of ACV in a eight ounce glass of water and eight sodium Bicarbonate pills. I add two tablespoon of local honey direct from the bees. Does not taste bad and is effective.

I also control my diet. No colas, no caffeine, no fats, mostly steamed vegetables and chicken breast. For drinks, I put fresh bananas, papaya, apples, Korean pears in blender and blend them to a liquid. Makes a drink. Thank you Ted.

Digestive Enzymes, Baking Soda

Posted by S. Jones (Litchfield, Mn) on 08/18/2011
★★★★★

I have tried it ALL. Prilosec, Zantec, Nexium, Apple Cider Vinegar just to name a few.

I have found IT! Digestive Enzymes with Betaine HCl. It works. I doubled the dose for the first week per my natural doctor I see, and then brought it down the next week to normal dosing. Take with every meal. Give this at least a week to do its thing! Oh and along with that take NO GERD, that contains Licorice Root Extract... double that dose for a week as well.

In the meantime to relieve the pain, try 1tsp Baking Soda in a 1/2 glass of water.