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.
MarVelous (USA) on 06/20/2023:
I am 71 years old and vividly remember taking kerosene with a teaspoon of sugar for sore throats or colds. My grandmother gave that to all of us when we got sick. Turpentine was a seasonal remedy for colds and parasites. We survived and even today I use it. A good remedy for acid reflux or indigestion is to take 1/4 cup of aloe vera juice immediately before eating each meal and 1/4 cup after each meal. This neutralizes the acid and if there is irritation in the gastrointestinal tract, a tbsp of slippery elm bark powder will help to heal the irritated membranes in the tube. This is also good for those suffering with Crohn's disease. I have found that vinegar and baking soda irritates the digestive tract. The aloe and slippery elm soothes and heals. I hope this helps.
Shouldn't. I'm hypothyroid and the aloe juice (inner leaf) has worked wonders for my GERD. Btwy, my doc also has me supplementing my natural desiccated thyroid meds with a bit of iodine (mixed in water) each day. I've been drinking the juice for a month now and have noticed no impact on my thyroid condition.
I sang in church for many years. Slowly began to loose my range and general vocal ability. Also began to have acid reflux. Now after 15 years of issues, I am singing again and also sleeping at night without the reflux. The only thing I am doing is drinking about one-half cup of pure aloe Vera juice before bed and repeat in morning. I can even eat again during the evening hours - even close to bedtime. Several others in our family recommended this to me. They had been cured of reflux and were so excited. This is a godsend.
Try Aloe vera liquid. So purified it taste like drinking water, does not have to be refrigerated. I even put it in my cats water and it's amazing what it does for their elimination as well. It makes your body more alkaline, help your skin and hair- about 2 ounces at least once a day for an adult.
I was recently diagnosed with Diverticulitis, Barrett's Esophagus and a Hiatal Hernia. I am a Disabled American Veteran and one of my problems has been GERD, which I have suffered with for many years. Some nights it got so bad I would wake up and jump out of bed, choking for air. I have been on a regime of Omniprozole for many years as well, but have recently starting takin Aloe Vera Gel, ACV, Slippery Elm, Papaya Enzyme and a Probiotic and can say I've had the most restful sleep I've had in a long time. Plus the bloated, hard and puffed out stomach is no longer there. I am not sure if one thing is doing it or a combination of all of them, but for now I am going to stick with it.
What I have tried for acid reflux and gastritis is aloe vera pills. When I am going to eat something I know I will regrtet, I take my pill right before and I am just fine. After I had gall bladder surgery, I was unable to continue with my bad habits (ex: sour & acidy junk foods)
Aloe Vera is also nice, I had had acid reflux for 7 yrs, having been going to hospital taking all antibiotic. It seemed not working. When I saw GNC food supplement in Thailand I went for it. I have been taking aloe vera with fish oil and it seemed working. I suggest people with stomach problem should try this. U can buy this from Top Markets, central and future park at the first floor. If anything I can be of help. God bless ya all.
I've found aloe juice to help with digestive issues and read that it works by lowering the acidity of the gastric juices found in the stomach. Aloe vera is also a powerful anti-inflammatory (think sunburns), offering relief for sore throat symptoms as well. Hope it helps!!
My daughter Natalie suffered from reflux from day one. She was born slightly premature, and was in the NICU for breathing difficulties, where she was given antibiotics. Along with helping what the doctor thought could be a slight infection, the antibiotics wiped out the good digestive enzymes we need to absorb the nutrition from food. After many nights of screaming and hearing her pained gasps, and refusing to put her on prescription drugs with varying side affects, we were recommended to an aloe juice product. Not only does Natalie love it, but here we are almost 4 months later and all signs of her reflux are gone.
Also, aloe juice helps to strengthen the immune system. She's had 1 cold, pretty remarkable. (She has 3 young, very curious cousins! ) If you'd like more information on the aloe juice, feel free to get a hold of me. Beware of aloe juices that contain things called "aloins, " as they are not safe for infants. I'd love to tell you more, because I know what a heartbreak reflux can create for a mother. Good Luck -Kayla
Just read your thread and had to reply. Have been taking the ACV for months and it's great and my husband is also a big fan but recently my acid reflux has returned with a vengence. I snipped a leaf off my aloe plant out of desparation and chewed it. Lo and behold, I am writing this to say that immediatley my ar is gone and I am going to need to find another plant as mine is a bit small and may not survive me!! LOL
I would recommend to anyone that has acid reflux to use aloe vera. There are differents forms to take. My daughter takes the gel capsules because she doesnt like the taste. And alot of it has to do with stress. So depending on your life style you need to make a change in your life. I have learned that I can not control eveything, so I have learned to control myself and not let the actions of others affect me. Its the best way to deal with things.
Hey Kimberly from Mineral VA, try aloe vera juice for your acid reflux. I have had chronic heart burn and acid reflux and the past week it has gotten out of control and keeping me up at night. The gal at the pharmacy told me to buy a gallon of aloe vera juice.. and guess what my acid reflux is gone!! I was taking antacids, and baking soda, even ACV nothing was working but the cooling and gentle effect of aloe vera juice has done the trick... i hear its good for weight loss too...hmmmm looking forward to what I'll find. Good luck.
Was just reading Ted from Bangkok, Thailand post 12/04/2006 on acid reflux and wanted to pass my findings along. Back in the early 70's I had acid so bad that I would swallow antacids whole, by the handfulls. While shopping the, (then, very new concept in my area), herb store, I found aloe vera "gel" which used Irish moss as the gelling agent and ascorbic acid as the preservative, it cured my "AR" with the first swallow! Later I determined it was actually the Irish moss that stopped my acid! However, I can't find the combination anywhere any more.
I have found that Aloe Vera is the most helpful. Didn't have much relief, if any, with ACV. Also, one needs to alter one's diet -- take out coffee (decaf is just as bad), teas, milk, chocolate, and especially alcohol. No food after 7 p.m. I think, however, I am unusual from most in the fact that when I lie down, the problem lessens. I don't have problems with sleeping, and if I am having a bad attack, I try to lie down somewhere until it passes. Of course when I arise, there is quite a bit of belching, from all that gas sitting in there all night, but usually I don't have heartburn. Just a lot of gas and belching and swallowing problems.
I have had the added displeasure of a Zenker's Diverticulum in my throat, and when food gets stuck in there, the acid reflux goes into overdrive trying to dislodge the food.
Between Prevacid, daily aloe vera doses, diet alteration, and getting a fair amount of exercise (relieves stress), I am slowly getting a handle on it all. Stressing out about the reflux doesn't help matters.
As for the Aloe Vera, I use both George's - which has no flavor, and the Stomach Formula, which is gaggy but helpful. I also have a Hiatal Hernia. My doc has said that if things worsen, there is a surgical procedure that he can do that involves inserting botox in the lower sphincter to narrow it. I would be interested to find out if anyone else has had this procedure done.
Harley (South Windsor, Connecticut) on 08/19/2008:
Well, another two months have passed and I continue to improve. I now take the aloe vera on rare occasions...maybe once every two weeks. Considering I had to take the Prevacid and, later, Prilosec every day, the aloe vera juice has really turned things around for me.
Aloe Vera: Get some aloe vera peel the skin off of it and you add water to the goo and throw it in the blender you will feel more energized and it will help reduce acid reflux.
Harley (South Windsor, Connecticut) on 06/18/2008:
A week after a flu shot, I developed a virus, including a fever of 100 degrees(F) and extreme fatigue. Then, I started to experience a funny feeling in my chest when swallowing. This developed into intense pain to the point that I could only get down room temperature water.
Went to a walk-in clinic on the weekend (own MD not available) and told to take Prilosec OTC. Didn't do any good. Saw my MD who put me on Prevacid and sent me for a Barium swallow test and, later, an upper endoscopy. Acid Reflux was the diagnosis....first time ever. Two months of Prevacid (which did work but was costing $156/month) and my esophogus healed. I tried to wean myself off but started feeling the familiar pain so I kept on the Prevacid.
While researching natural cures I came across this web site and decided to try Aloe Vera Juice. The local Vitamin Shoppe carries several brands. I tried ____ brand of its digestive formula of Aloe Vera (bunch of other herbs etc). It's been two months and I have been pain free although I have to watch what and when I eat as well as chew my food completely instead of swallowing in a hurry..I eat way too fast. A quart of the Aloe Vera juice lasts one week and costs $10.95. I also tried the apple cider vinegar but it did not work for me.
Just a note about Aloe juice. The best brand, in my experience, is George's as it has no taste. The only warning I would have about aloe for acid reflux, is that it can, as it did in my case, act as a pretty potent laxative so just be aware of that if you are planning to try it. Thanks for all the helpful ideas.
I've read many of your questions on Acid Reflux. I was diagnosed with Bleeding Stomach ulcers, and was on many Antibiotics and Prevacid, acidix,to my surprise helped towards my osterprosis. I was on this for several years. There is really something that works better then anything I have read. It is 99.9% Aloe Juice. Take a little before each meal and it helps the stomach and digestive tract. After using it for several weeks then u only need it for morning and evening. I just read all the things like mentioned in your blogs here,but thought I should pass along about Aloe Juice. Thank you Peggy
I got acid reflux after having taken aspirin daily for about two weeks (for chronic headache). That was many years ago but my stomach is still sensitive to spicy foods, too much grease, etc. I have found that if I cut a leaf off my Aloe vera plant, peel off the leathery skin and eat the slimy jelly-like inner part of the leaf, it soothes my throat and settles my stomach. (This remedy was told to me by a Japanese friend, who said that's what people do in Japan.)
Zinnia (Wappingers Falls, New York) on 06/04/2007:
My daughter Stefanie developed an acid reflux. She was given an anti acid Rx. It temporarity stopped. I researched the wonders of Aloe Vera and found that it treated her. Since then whenever it occurs, I give her juice mixed with Aloe Vera juice. It works wonder.
I have LPR (Larngopharyngeal reflux). I drink 4 oz. of Aloe Vera juice each morning on an empty stomach. I am able to eat anything I like, without heartburn or indigestion, which also curbs the LPR created by the acid reflux.
I started taking aloe vera juice 1 week ago I had come to the end of my rope after being on aciphex for heartburn for 5 years. then being told to double up on my dose. that did not even work anymore I had such bad heartburn I thought I would never make it through the day. I called my doctor and he told me to come pick up samples for other meds. I decided I was sick of the meds. so I went to my local Health foods store looking for answers. They told me to take aloe vera juice about 2oz- 8oz a day. I didn't think it would work,but i was desperate. I took it that day and it did nothing! I still slept like crap that night. but the next day i took it. after the second time i took it my heartburn just went away. It hasent returned for 1 week. I have not taken any meds whatsoever. but yet I feel gassy. But I still would rather have gas instead of heartburn anyday. if anyone knows anything how to get rid of severe gas contact me please.
I have bouts of acid reflux, and am therefore intrigued by the Apple Cider Vinegar remedy. Like a number of the people who responded to your posting, I, too, ended up in the emergency room on more than one occasion surrounded by perplexed physicians. Since I won't take pharmaceuticals, I began experimenting with natural remedies, and have found that taking an ounce of Whole Leaf Aloe Vera Concentrate before each meal stops any unpleasant symptoms. Interestingly, aloe tastes a little like ACV. In addition to the aloe, I have found that chewing each mouth-full of (wholesome) food thoroughly before swallowing helps enormously. This takes much of the digestive burden off of the stomach. It's important to eat your meal slowly, chewing each bite of food until it's totally pulverized. Too many of us eat under stressful conditions, devouring our meal like it's the first we've seen in days. DGL-500 (deglycyrrhizinated licorice), Ayurved series, is also quite helpful when taken between meals or at bedtime. It helps to protect the stomach lining, and unlike regular licorice, will not elevate blood-pressure.
I found that drinking a half cup of aloe vera juice mixed with apple or white grape juice in the morning relieved symptoms dramatically. I occasionally get symptoms if I over indulge spices or greasy foods!
