Effective Natural Remedies for GERD Relief - Holistic Approach

I was Rx Nexium that control my symptoms for awhile but if I stopped the medication I was back in pain. I also had a hard time lying flat on my back to sleep. I also got to a point that I had to eliminate certain foods from my diet. I read the messages on this site and was impressed. I tried taking the ACV 2 table spoons in a glass of water . After 2 weeks I stopped the Nexium and I no longer need any medication, I am back eating anything I want , I breath better , I sleep flat on my back without any problems. Im a physician myself and I think the current medical analysis and cause of GERD is wrong. I think the cause is either
1. Low Stomach Acid Production " under production "
2. Yeast infection
3. Unkown Parasite

Item 1 is less likely I think its either 2 or 3 , the ACV kills the organisim over a 1-2 week time period . Just my thoughts . ACV has saved my way of life . Thank God for sites like this!

Interesting to see yours got worse. Here is an idea.... I buy into a good portion of Dr. Amato's blood type principals. The vinegar or vinegar tabs making your reflux worse suggests to me that you produce enough stomach acid on your own: and that is suggestive of type O.

I am an O and will soon begin a vinegar regiment soon BUT I will bring the vinegar to neutral or more alkaline by adding baking SODA (sodium bicarbonate) to my solution as discussed in places on this site. 1/2 tsp. Baking soda (plus a pinch) should neutralize 2 tbs. of 50 grain / 5% acidity ACV .

My G.E.R.D. was vanquished when I eliminated breads and most wheat products from my diet. Best Wishes

Thank heavens for finding this site... my birthday is on Oct. 31st and I was in dire pain from GERD just been diagnosed .. hadnt picked up my meds yet and went to WED to research Holistic REM... well mixed the ACV with water and it burned going down but after that I felt much better... it is next day and am not experiencing any burn at all... so will keep you posted Thanks

ACV apple cider vinegar for Acid Reflux. Dont use the tablets use the real thing, _____s make an excellent Oraganic ACV. And with some people it takes longer than just a few times of trying it. I use 2tbsp ACV in 8oz cup of hot water with honey.

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!

Having suffered for a while with the symptoms of GERD my doctor put me on a repeating prescription of PPI's, Omeprazole and then lansoprazole. The side effects of these plus the reducing effectiveness led me to this site.
I tried 2 tbs of apple cider vinegar once a day in water but gave up too soon - after a few weeks. Well the pain and unpleasant symptoms continued and I jumped backed to the PPIs. After a few days of the side effects and the fact that they weren't treating the symptoms any longer I decided to go back to the Apple cider vinegar but decided to give it a go for a month. I used 2tbs,three times a day, occasionally adding a quarter teaspoon of bicarb. After a few weeks the symptoms went away.

I would like to point out that I gave up drinking fizzy drinks as well & so perhaps the combination worked. Frankly I don't care as I am now sleeping so much better and have even reduced the number of times I have the ACV.

I guess the moral of the story for me was that you have to be prepared to be in it for the long haul.

Hope this helps.

Willie,

10/10/2008: Willie (wwisely [at] earthlink [dot] net) from Los Angeles, CA replies: "Holly, I haven't tried ACV as a remedy yet but am curious: I am a singer and am curious about your LPR. Did it affect your voice in anyway? Did it make you hoarse or gravely, or noticably reduce the range or resiliency of your speaking/singing voice?"

My husband is a professional singer and a few months ago was diagnosed with LPR, along with a polyp on one vocal cord and the other with a slight rupture. UGH! Last thing a singer wants to hear. It does affect your range and can give you a hoarseness, but so can a polyp. I know you don't want to hear this, you should go to a ENT who specializes in singers (ask around) to check for any vocal cord damage. My husband let it go so long he would lose his voice after one night of singing, you don't want that. They tried to put him on an acid suppressor, but we refused, since I was able to control my acid reflux naturally. He modified his diet, gave up alcohol, cigars (occassional), and started taking Digest Gold (plant enzymes). He dones not take ACV, but I do and have had mixed results. If my stomach is burning and it's just in my throat (lump, burning) it helps. But if my stomach is burning, it seems to make it worse. That's me and everyone is different. Go get checked out and if you do have LPR, try the home remedies here and on other sites 1st, before going on a script. I want on a proton inhibitor and it made me way worse, I could only sleep straight up. We need acid to digest our food. Enzymes help alot too! Good luck!

Hi there. If you are taking ACV in water for acid reflux, you might want to add Aloe Juice, must be organic and natural without additives 15ml morning and evening. It helps soothe damaged tissue and mucosa both in the stomach and esophagus. It works for me.

Holly, I haven't tried ACV as a remedy yet but am curious: I am a singer and am curious about your LPR. Did it affect your voice in anyway? Did it make you hoarse or gravely, or noticably reduce the range or resiliency of your speaking/singing voice?

ACV: I have suffered Gerds for years and have been on Nexium, Prilosec and PRevicid. I eat ante acids like they are candy...I decided to try this remedy the other day and it felt a little better, but then I started getting an unbelievable burning in my stomach. I am still taking tums and I am currently trying not to take this other medicine. Doctor has me on zantac, not sure what to do. How much time is needed on this, it literally feels like my stomach is on fire. I want off of Nexium because I think it is causing my vertigo....anyone else have vertigo issues???

Over the last year, I've noticed occasional burning in my throat that was similar to heartburn. I've also felt like I had something stuck in my throat. Last night when I went to bed, the pain and spasms were so severe, I actually considered going to an urgent care facility. I eventually fell asleep sitting up.

This morning, my internet research indicated that I probably have Laryngopharyngeal Reflux or "LPR" which is similar to GERD, just higher up in the throat.

Looking for a natural remedy, I found this website about ACV. 30 minutes ago, I drank 2 teaspoons of ACV mixed in a glass of water. I'm already feeling some relief! Keeping fingers crossed that this is the remedy I'm looking for! Thank you everyone for taking the time to post your thoughts! I think you just saved me a lot of "heart (burn) ache".

I have been diagnosed with small airways disease. Really couldn't understand the diagnosis(had a cat scan and chest x-ray) because I haven't had any breathing symptoms but kept coming down with bronchitis and sore throats that wouldn't go away. My voice continues to be very hoarse and my tongue does feel like it burns once in awhile.

I recently attended a book signing in NYC for a dear friend and at that party I met a woman who told me she too, had been diagnosed with small airways disease several years ago and was treated with all types of asthma medications and finally got fed up and went to an ENT doctor. The 3rd ENT she visited, diagnosed her with GERD.

She really has saved me from such frustration. After thinking about it for 2 seconds, I decided to start watching what I ate and noticed a difference immediately. I also took some Zantac and felt a difference. Now, after reading all of these testimonials I am going to try the organic ACV mixed with water.

I also had my gall bladder removed several years ago and appreciated so many of the comments on taking digestive enzymes.

I am so excited to give it a try. Thanks everyone!

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

I have been suffering from severe GERD for the past three years.I used all kinds of antacids and none did work for me.
I believe poor bowel movement is also makes GERD severe. Keeping the stomach clean is a part of getting relief from GERD.
I started walking at least an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening. I started taking two cups of fruit salad daily. I started finshing dinner at least three hours before going to bed. The result is now I am almost free of the hellish reflux, i ndigestion and constipation.
But I'm not sure whether it has been cured...

I have both GERD & Hiatal Hernia, and found that the Apple Cider Vinegar tablets made my condition worse (in fact my doctor told me not to take it anymore). So, what brand of apple cider vinegar do you recommend for me to take that Will help?

Re: Kate's reply to my GERD experience and ACV treatment and results.
Thank you Kate. I will follow through on your recommendations.

Mike: Your symptoms rang out to me and I am compelled to remark and hope that you have also had your cardiac enzymes checked as well as bloodsugar levels with an A1C.

I use a variety of natural remedies for many things but being a heart attack survivor and a diabetic your symptoms caused a red flag for me..... and perhaps that's about me and not you....but I felt as I said compelled to respond.
Be well in all ways.

It's only been about 10 days, but the APPLE CIDER VINEGAR remedy for GERD seems to be working (1 TBSP of ACV, 8 oz. of water, 1 TSP of baking soda and a little bit of honey). After endless days of a burning stomach, countless Prevacid pills and baby food jars, jello, applesauce etc., along with extreme weight loss, I'm actually approaching a normal diet now. Taking it slow as my stomach was probably about the size of a peanut and will take time adjusting to whole foods again. I just bought the ACV tablets so I'll see how they compare to the liquid. May God bless all of you as He has blessed me.

I have had Acid reflux for a year because I went on the cabbage soup diet which involves a lot of tomatoes and onions. For one week that is basically what I ate. I got a cold and lost my voice but my voice did not come back after my cold was gone. My esophagus began to burn all the time. I tried ACV but it burned my throat even more. However no one told me to mix it with water. I took it straight. I only tried it for a few days. I went on prescription medicine and it helped for a while but now this summer I have been eating fresh vegetables and it is happening again. I want to heal so I am going to try ACV with water this time. Thanks.

I am writing to say that I have had GERD for 30 years since I was 10 years old. I was put on the tagament as a child, then prilosec as a young adult, etc, etc. I now have been taken the Zantac 150mg for I guess 5 years with no help. I eat them like candy. I have recently (past few days) ran out of meds and am in excrutiating pain with spasms, etc. I also have the hiatal hernia for 9 years. I have just found this website and I am going this very minute to store to find some Apple Cider Vinegar. I am a little scared it will burn since the burning has been in my ears for (2) days and spasms are relentless. I will let you know how this remedy works and I am praying it will. Thank you for the website's info.

I have been on all types of acid reduction products since 1970 for acid reflux disease, gerd and a hiatal hernia. I used prylosec when you could only take it for two weeks at a time because it caused cancer in labratory rats.When my Dr.told me I could take it everyday, I asked him if the rats got better? I have been taking ACV for only five days and it seems to be helping. I have been using two tablespoons and a teaspoon of honey in eight ounces of water. I am still not sure whether or not to take baking soda with it and what that would accomplish if I do use the baking soda.

I was reading over natural cures for Acid Reflux, or GERD, and noticed no one mentioned sauerkraut. I have been using this and it does work wonders. I used to get pains like aliens eating through my body from the GERD, and the sauerkraut has helped immensely. I don't like the taste of it, so I'm going to try a few things mentioned on this site. 2 tblsp sauerkraut 2x daily helps clear the nausea and pain for me.

I have had GERD for almost 3 months. I did not know what it was until I researched it on the internet.I had been eating a lot of spagetti made with diced tomatoes as well as drinking tons of coffee and peppermint tea constantly. Apparently my diet brought about the GERD in the first place. Then about 2 weeks ago I caught a stomach virus from my daughter.My husband caught it too so I know for a fact that it wasn't just the GERD. Suddenly I could not digest anything at all. The reflux was unbelievable and unrelenting. I tried OTC meds like Zantac and Tums, as well as using sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) to control it at it's worst. Nothing was truly working and I was living on crackers and honey for days. My throat hurt and I had the globus sensation. My throat felt so swollen and tender that I could not sing or talk with any force. I went to the doctor and he gave me samples of Aciphex. I tried that the next day but I felt horribly lightheaded and developed a bad headache.

I decided I wasn't going to go through a second day like that. I did an internet search and found this website. When I read about all of the people who were helped by drinking ACV I ran for the kitchen. All I had was Heinz brand ACV but I drank 1 tablespoon in about 8 ounces of water. I felt relief within minutes. I drank it with every meal that day. I kept the meals light and stomach friendly. That night I bought the good brand at Whole Foods(the one with the mother). The next day the globus sensation was gone. I continued that dosage with every meal for several days. After I began to feel better I cut back my dosage to about 1 teaspoon to 8 ounces of water. I usually only drink it once a day now in the morning, unless I feel like I might be starting to have reflux after a meal. Then I drink a smaller amount to counter the reflux. I am able to eat most regular foods now, although I'm being more careful about what I eat now and the amount. Keep in mind that I had a stomach virus as well as GERD so I think it took a little longer to recuperate than if I had only been dealing with GERD. Thank you all so much for your testimonials. They have made a huge difference in my life. I am eating and singing again, and feeling so much better.

All the best,
Ellen

When treating your acid reflux with ACV (with the mother) raw honey & water, is this on an empty stomach? I'm on day three, taking it in the morning on an empty stomach & my stomach feels like it's being eaten away. A gentleman who spoke poor english at a health food store told me on an empty stomach, I think? I would appreciate your feedback. Thanking you in advance, Pat

After suffering from acidity for more than 6 months I found a perfect cure for my condition(GERD). The age old saying 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away' should be altered to 'an apple a day keeps the acid at bay'. It really works for me, I have been trying out different apples for the past two months and one apple which helps me 99% is the apple by the brand name 'Stemilt'.We get these apples in most of the supermarkets in India(probably they are imported from US).God bless everyone involved in importing these apples to India.I am on no medication/antacid and of course I am trying to limit my intake of acidic foods.

Wish everyone a speedy recovery.