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.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Dadhwalz (Ludhiana, India) on 04/11/2011
★★★★★
1) Sleep sitting up, or with the head, neck, and shoulders raised at least above the stomach. This will keep excess stomach acid from traveling upwards into your esophagus.
2) Eat smaller meals more frequently, as larger meals tend to create excess stomach acid, which then leads to heartburn.
3) Although not totally proven, avoiding certain foods like coffee, fruit juice, onions, chocolate, spicy foods, pretzels, tea, fatty foods, etc. can help reduce heartburn.
4. natural Aloe vera juice is another great approach that can help reduce the effects of acid inside the stomach.
5.Teas can be quite effective in assisting with digestive problems.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Elly (Topeka, Kansas) on 07/17/2011
Hi Catherine, so true! I was born with a hiatal hernia and sometimes get reflux. Strangely I sometimes get reflux on an empty stomach in the morning and after I drink filtered water. Apple cider vinegar with a little baking soda has always helped and for some hours. I was a little timid to try the HCL and wondered if maybe using ACV instead would be fine since they both seem to do about the same thing. I also took some digestive enzymes after meals but felt a tiny bit of reflux on continued use but I can't say for sure if they were to cause. ACV is a Godsend! Thanks!
Low Carbohydrate Diet
Posted by Max (Titusville, Pa / Usa) on 03/28/2011
★★★★★
Recently I switched to a very low carbohydrate diet to control my weight. My heartburn, along with cracking skin and calluses on my feet disapeared along with my heartburn! I have had heartburn for quite awhile and did get relief form apple cider vinegar, lemon juice and celery but it would come back. I can now eat spicy chili and drink coffee and the heartburn does not appear. It is amazing.
Major Heartburn Warning
Posted by Mikeyb33 (Concord, Ca) on 11/27/2010
WARNING!
I thought I was experiencing severe heartburn at 5am in the morning. It was unbearable and I could not sit, lie or stand still. The only thing that helped was to walk around outside, but that only lasted for a few moments. I decided to drive to the hospital ER with my wife. Once inside the ER admitting area, they asked me to sign a few forms, but before I could, I told the admissions person I was feeling lightheaded, and at that point passed out. I woke up in the ER room with several people attending me. It turns out that my heartburn was the prelude to a massive heart attack, where I had to be revived with CPR and the shock pads. They said I had left them for a few moments. Thank God I decided to go to the ER, something I was very reluctant to do. But now I know, that at the slightest signs of a heartburn, or any thing related to the heart, to call 911 immediately. I hope this helps many people who think they are experiencing what they feel is severe heartburn. Hopefully in everyone elses case it is only heartburn, and not the onset of a heart attack. I feel very blessed to be alive to be able to relay this message. Eat Healthy. Live Healthy. Stay Healthy.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Marlene (Chatt., Tn.) on 03/16/2012
My sister takes it straight says it works better for her than any of that over the counter stuff.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Cathryn (Pennsylvania) on 05/05/2017
I take it straight as well with no problems.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Crazydogjack (New Castle, Pa, USA) on 10/09/2009
Hi Lanette,
For me, orange juice triggers heartburn and acid reflux. Try it just with water. You get used to it. I actually enjoy drinking it now.
Celery
Posted by Barron (Sarnia , Ont) on 09/21/2009
Hi..when I get Heartburn..I put a tablespoon of vinegar in a half glass of water..and take a couple of gulps..and within 10 seconds my heart burn goes away..it really works..try it.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Brian (Lexington, Kentucky) on 08/25/2009
★★★☆☆WORKED TEMPORARILY
Initial results good then I hit a wall... I started out last Sunday with 2tsp ACV, 2tsp honey, dash of cinnamon and 10 ounces of water 3 times a day. I saw immediate results and was mostly heartburn free. One night I had to get up in the middle of the night and took an extra dose due to heartburn and it knocked it out. Last night, which was Wednesday I got heartburn after dinner, nothing unusual about the dinner and it would not go away. I took my normal dose at bedtime and it did nothing. I tried again about 4 hours later and nothing. I am discouraged because it was working well. Should I take more ACV or less. I am confused, help.
Lime Peel Tea
Posted by Kellysam (Nassua, Bahamas) on 08/13/2009
★★★★★
I have been recently diagnosed with Gerds after a recent flare up, for the last three weeks i have been using every suggestion i have found , none with lasting benefits. After having heartburn for three days i tried lime tea, that is the skin of one lime, peeled off and brewed in hot water, drinking that with a little sugar or without throughout the day, at least three times has helped to relieve and even rid me of my heartburn. Also i found that i was not making enough bowel movements, this i believe can increase heartburn, because the stomach is not emptying fast enough so gases and acids are released upwards.So a good colon cleanse as also been of great help.
Apples, Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Joeyduckie (Phoenix, Arizona) on 04/21/2009
★★★☆☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
I like to say that my Dr woods Grimm said I have Gerd and that I neee to take Ranitidine 150 mg twice a day and that I don,t like having side affect and so I have been looking into try cure what have and I am 53 year old and from Phoenix,Arizona and I did try the ACV 2 tabele spoon in 1-16 oz of water on with no food and I end up get Nause to my tumb so I went back to just eat a half a red apple and that seem to help more then just the ACV did and that I have been suffer from GERD for 2 years now and cut down on my eat and just learn how to eat right to.I can say that this website is wonderful and that I read 100 comments to and that I don,t like take drugs all do is cause more problems and that I don,t need and I am looking for better ways to keep my self health and drug companys all they want do is sale you drugs that make more sick and cost you $10,000 dollars in 1 year and you are not better but worse and that God made are body out dust of earth so good food will heal are body.So people I need your feed back so that I can know if I should cut down on water of using ACV or try just eat apple everyday to.and what else helps heartburn beside apples to? looking for forward of hear from you people. Josh Page USA
Apples, Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Elaine (Columbia, South Carolina) on 04/16/2009
★★★★☆
I had my first episode of heartburn and chest pain about 5 days ago. My stomach has not been the same. I feel bloated immediately after I eat and the last two days I have had some dyrhea. Eating apples and taking two teaspoons of acv stopped my heart burn and chest pain but why do I still feel bloated after I eat and why is my urine very yellow?
Apples, Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Katherine (New York, NY) on 04/16/2009
I have the same symptoms when I eat more than 1 piece of bread - severe heartburn and bloating. Are you tender anywhere in your stomach? If so, it might be an obstruction in your colon caused by food. You can lay on your stomach and dig your fist into your stomach to help move the food along the colon. Licorice DGL has helped with the pain whenever I have this issue as does drinking distilled water.
Apples, Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lynn G (Columbia, Maryland, USA) on 04/17/2009
To Katherine from New York. Have you considered eliminating ALL gluten-containing foods (wheat, oatmeal, barley are the worst offenders) from your diet for at least six weeks as an experiment to see whether your condition improves? You can have gluten sensitivity that is "subclinical" in nature, that is, not full-blown celiac disease, which is an extremely debilitating condition that can cause substantial damage to your gastrointestinal tract. I found out that I have this sensitivity when I eliminated gluten from my diet about 20 months ago. I no longer have GERD (acid reflux) for which I took proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) drugs for about 8 years.
To Elaine from Columbia, SC. Since your gastrointestinal upset is very recent (and sudden), you should investigate whether you have suffered some form of food poisoning or other insult to your diet. If your bloating symptoms don't resolve in two more weeks, you could consult a naturopathic doctor (ND) or another type of alternative medicine doctor who is well versed in issues of diet and knowledgeable about nutritional supplementation. Regarding urine color, be sure to drink enough water for your daily needs, but don't overdo it. Never drink a lot of fluid during or right after a meal--that dilutes your stomach acid and digestive enzymes too much, and you need these at peak concentration in order to digest your food properly.
Mustard
Posted by Ece (Albany, Ca) on 11/16/2012
Baking soda is alkaline, not acidic. Baking soda provides some relief to some individuals because it reduces acidity in the stomach (it's an antacid).
Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) when combined with acetic acid (vinegar) makes sodium acetate, carbon dioxide, and water. The sodium acetate provides some relief for heartburn as well. As the conjugate base of a weak acid, a solution of sodium acetate and acetic acid can act as a "buffer" which is a substance that maintains to keep a relatively constant pH. This is useful in the stomach b/c it can maintain the stomach's proper pH and acidic environment, so there is not too much and not too little acid.
This is what happens when you combine baking soda with ACV.
Low Carb Diet
Posted by Anthony (Weirton, WV, USA) on 01/10/2009
★★★★★
Heartburn cure: A low carb diet completely cured my heartburn/acid reflux. I tried everything from ezymes to raw apple cider vinegar and nothing worked. I quit coffee (which I love), but it still remained. When I went on a low carb diet, the heartburn went away. It took about a week to totally cured.
By low carb I mean 30-40g of carbs per day. I'm surprised no one else has mentioned this. If you feel you have tried everything to cure heartburn, this may be just what you needed.
Pine Needles
Posted by Lorraine (Charles Town, WV USA) on 11/12/2008
PLEASE remember that if there are pine trees in your yard and you choose to eat the needles for heartburn, WASH them. Pesticides and general residual debris could be a lot worse than heartburn!
Milk
Posted by Carrie (Halifax, NS, Canada) on 06/08/2009
Milk (Dairy) is in the Acid Family. At the time of consumption milk offers immediate relief from acid reflux symptoms, but this is only temporary and the reflux will return. A trick that really works for me is not consuming liquid 30 minutes before and 45 minutes after food consumption. Water (liquids) often times slow digestion and digestive fluids, thus contributing to acid reflux and slow digestion. Hope this helps!
Milk
Posted by Fatima (London, UK) on 04/06/2015
★★★★★
Drink milk mixed with water , one glass water half glass milk. This is also good for pregnancy related heartburn.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Conni (Bainbridge, OH) on 01/01/2007
★★★★★
I remember my Grandmother (she's now 94)telling me about ACV tea with honey years ago, but I didn't take heed to her good teaching. In fact she had the book by Jarvis - 'Folk Healing' and has since given it to me. Anyway, in his book, Jarvis talks about preparing babies' formula (for those who can't nurse) with cows milk and using honey to sweeten it. It is my understanding that infants under a yr old cannot tolerate honey, as there is something in it that is toxic to them. Now, here's the weird thing.....my daughter is 32 and when she was an infant I would often dip her pacifier in honey. She loved it and it never, ever made her sick. Of course, I had no idea at the time that honey is supposed to be toxic to little ones. Did she have a tolerance to honey and were we just really lucky it didn't make her sick? Could somebody share any experiences with this? I'm beginning to think the formula companies don't want young mothers to know there is an alternative to their expensive products and are using scare tactics to prevent a less pricey, and perhaps, more nutritious 'formula' from being used. As for the ACV....I plan on using it for more than just heartburn. I've had it for years off and on. I'd be prescribed meds and I'd take 'em, but the heartburn always came back. Recently it has been a constant companion for 3 weeks solid. I stumbled upon your website and feel like I've died and gone to heaven. It's wonderful. Thank you so much.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Emily (Biddeford, Maine) on 06/22/2009
For the person wondering if we're being duped by formula companies, this is from the Weston A. Price Foundation's webite:
"A mere fifty years ago, part of the preparation for women during pregnancy, aside from a diet enriched by special animal foods, was the scouting out of a cow that would be given the best of pasture and whose milk would be available to the infant throughout its infancy. Today we know that we should dilute the milk and add other whole foods, but even before we knew these things, thousands of babies thrived on rich whole milk from a variety of animals. Yet some of the strongest words in the medical literature today are aimed at commercial formula's only competition-homemade formula based on cow or goat milk.
Today the new mother who finds herself struggling with nursing, and frantic at the frequent cries of her baby, is first told that she should have more confidence. When she gives in to the inevitable and switches to bottle feeding, she is told that formula made in factories is better than milk produced by living animals. Another formula customer is born.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jl (Atlanta, Georgia) on 01/31/2010
Honey can be FATAL for infants! Botulism spores can survive in honey's anaerobic environment, but are not concentrated enough to harm older children and adults. Infants however could die from the small amount of spores in honey. So, DON'T GIVE HONEY TO INFANTS! Of course you didn't know and I'm glad your daughter's okay. A lot of people don't know honey is dangerous for infants.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Henri (Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada) on 03/29/2011
I read a book: The Cure For All Diseases by Hulda Regehr Clark, Ph. D. , N. D. In the book, p. 383, she gives instructions on eradicating Aflatoxin. Honey is one of the items she lists. Aflatoxin is mold and is present in some foods. She says to treat the honey for mold; heat the honey to high temperature and add 1/4 tsp. of crystal Vitamin C per pint of honey.
Mustard
Posted by Polly (Gander, Nf, Canada) on 01/01/2012
Thank-you so much for posting this remedy guys-- I have been suffering from terrible heartburn today, and can't eat anything. I just took a tablespoon of mustard, and I feel relief instantly-- it really works!!! I love this site-- Thanks again~~
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Ryan (Ottawa, Ontario) on 12/03/2006
★★★★★
I have been experiencing recurrent chest pain for almost the last year, all tests (ECG's, Halter Monitor and lots of blood work) indicated that there was nothing wrong with my heart so the doctors put me on one of those fancy (and expensive) proton pump inhibitors as they assumed everything was related to GERD (acid reflux). I am not sure if it was GERD that I had but the chest pain has gone away. As a bonus I have been shedding pounds like never before. However I do think that the weight loss is mostly water due to the fact that ACV acts as a mild diuretic. Interestingly enought unlike other natural diuretics ACV doesnt affect your salts/electrolytes because it contains potassium. Really happy to have found this website!
Aloe Vera
Posted by Chris (Stony Brook) on 10/10/2019
★★★★★
I just started drinking 1/2 cup of aloe vera juice in the morning and before bed and my heartburn feels a lot better.
Mustard
Posted by Vivian (Kansas City) on 03/16/2016
Let me understand this. Yellow mustard as in French, works for heartburn? I'm the queen of heart burn I will try anything.
Mustard
Posted by Anjelikmessenjer (Citrus Springs, Fl, United States) on 09/29/2012
minimal relief for me :(
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Catherine (Wellington, New Zealand) on 07/17/2011
About heartburn.. It may be caused by hiatal hernia OR lack of HCL (low stomach acid)
HCL is needed to breakdown and digest foods, when it is lacking, digestion is incomplete and results in heartburn. When ACV works it indicates that HCL is needed and thats why ACV works for some heartburn and not others.
In hiatil hernia sleeping with head elevated keeps stomach acid from moving up the eosophagus, prime culprit in night time heartburn. Low carbohydrate diets work really well for heartburn and charcoal tablets can be effective in controlling belching.
Low Carbohydrate Diet
Posted by Francois (Belgium) on 01/29/2015
From my own experience with heartburn and low-carbohydrate dieting, I think it has to do with the reducing or supression of wheat and rye in the diet.
I have recommended some friends with GERD to stop eating wheat products (not an easy task: bread, pasta, cookies etc.), and those who did try it, found relief. Without following a low-carb diet.
I am convinced that low-carb diets are great, and I'm a low-carber, but lots of people won't go there: too much hassle and too counter-intuitive for them.
Cutting down or removing wheat (and rye), while still a hassle, is easier for them to achieve than following such a 'strange' thing (strange in their view) as a low-carb diet.
Low Carbohydrate Diet
Posted by KT (Usa) on 01/30/2015
This is so true. I read where a doctor cut carbs only to lose weight but discovered he no longer had heartburn by doing that. The problem now is not only with starches. All of our fruits and vegetables have been genetically modified to last longer so, in my opinion, this makes them harder to digest, hence the rise in diabetes. It was a long time learning for me. I've had to reduce portions of meat, get smaller eggs and two percent milk because the animals we eat or get milk and eggs from are being fed GMO grasses and grains.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Cindy (Las Vegas, Nevada) on 01/04/2012
Try drinking your ACV mixture through a straw. This will bypass the teeth somewhat and lessen your concerns.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lanette (Sacramento, Ca) on 10/09/2009
I would like to know if there is any problem with taking ACV with orange juice for heartburn. Thanks!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Courtney (Lake Mary, Fl) on 02/12/2010
Can you tell me what ACV stands for and how to make this mixture? I suffer from heartburn nearly daily and eat Tums every night... Thanks!
EC: ACV = Apple Cider Vinegar. See other posts in this section for recipes!
Celery
Posted by Bobbi (Smithfield, Pennsylvania) on 09/20/2009
really really bad heart burn... I have Barret's Disease, and the only thing i've found was presription. I think I am going to try the celery --- seems much cheaper. I'm talking pain from heartburn that one could confuse as a possible heart attack. the pain goes right through into my back, and in my shoulder. if any one has any other suggestions PLEASE PLEASE post them; as a chronic heartburn sufferer you know what it's like to live with every day.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Ed (Green Bay, Wisconsin) on 07/20/2009
★★★★★
I dont believe it, it really worked!...I was thinking to myself I bet someone is sitting behind their keyboard laughing their butt off thinking how many people are going to try this. Well I am gullible and I tried both ACV (mixed with pure maple syrup because I have no honey) and then I took a big gulp right out of the pickle jar!...yup they both worked. I did 2 teaspoons of ACV and then poured in the syrup (took a minute for the syrup to mix in with it) and boy is it NASTY!...but it works, it burned pretty bad for about 15-20 seconds after and then POOF it was gone!...then I decided for extra measure id slam some pickle juice. We recently got ACV because my wife found that mixed in with the pets' water its a great cure to rid fleas, otherwise we wouldnt even have it in the house. I have had GERD for about 10 years now and I have been taking prilosec as well as zantac and the like, and when I run out I use baking soda mixed with water and that almost makes me puke everytime, but also works. in a pinch I would suggest this to anyone, it really works!!!...no more water and baking soda for me, this is far more tolerable.
Coral Calcium
Posted by Eva (Kitchener, Canada) on 03/19/2009
★★★★★
I have this question. Coral calcium works like a magic to relieve my heartburn. Sometimes I have to take quater of teaspoon diluted with some water 3 - 4x daily. Is this O.K.? Thank you very much, Eva
Mustard
Posted by Andrew (Overland Park, Ks, United States) on 08/08/2012
Hi Meg. Baking soda is basic from what I know. Around 8-8.5.
Low Carb Diet
Posted by Cassady (Norman, Ok) on 02/07/2012
100% of my heartburn is due to gluten intolerance. I can eat whatever I like, as long as it doesn't have any damn gluten in it. As soon as I eat gluten, I get awful heartburn. My point here being, perhaps a low carb diet helps some people with heartburn because they are generally eating less breads and pastas? Maybe try eliminating gluten from your diet if you've tried everything else.
I'm here because sometimes... You just have to have a slice of pizza!! I ate a pear, per someone's suggestion cause I already had that and not an apple. Heartburn has not disappeared completely but is DEF much better!! Thanks!
Ginger, Honey, Aloe Vera or Baking Soda
Posted by Dinesh (London, UK) on 12/17/2008
Hi Dante, Thanks for the advise. I am going to buy ACV tomorrow as i suffer from hernia. I tried to use ACV but didn't help me. I shall try.
Mustard
Posted by Michelle (London, UK) on 07/27/2014
After suffering with heartburn for years and seeing lots of comments about mustard helping..getting a bad attack I decided to try some..having only english mustard in the cuboard..i gave it ago...was so hard to swallow even tho I like mustard!
20 minutes later..still in pain...im guessing because it doesnt have vinegar in it???
can anyone clarify that this is the reason it hasnt worked?? Thanks.
Mustard
Posted by Laurenann87 (Boston, Ma, Usa) on 12/27/2010
I see everyone saying Mustard, but does this mean like Yellow mustard? Brown Mustard? as in condiments? or like Mustard seed powder? Please clarify
Thanks
Almonds
Posted by Chundra (Cleveland, MS) on 09/25/2008
★★★☆☆WORKED TEMPORARILY
I tried the almonds and they partially worked. I am going to try the apple cider vinegar when I get home.
Almonds
Posted by Braveheartlion (Rome, Ny) on 11/25/2011
★★★★☆BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
These worked for my heartburn as I am in my 7th month of pregnancy, but I sure did get sick of them. I have also have read that too many nuts can cause constipation which is also a problem of late pregnancy, so be careful. ACV and baking soda work not so well and the taste is awful with a burn of their own.
