Natural Cures and Remedies
for Acid Reflux

Just about everybody gets acid reflux from time to time, particularly after consuming a very heavy meal. But whenever your symptoms begin occurring more frequently, you could have heartburn or what is also known as GERD or acid reflux. A description of this is when the sphincter muscle in your esophagus -- also described as the valve that separates the stomach from the esophagus -- does not shut completely and allows the stomach acid to squirt upward into the esophagus.

Acid Reflux Symptoms

• Acid or food spurting up into the throat and regurgitation
• Burping
• A burning sensation in the stomach and chest
• Trouble swallowing
• A sensation that you may have food lodged in your throat
• Unproductive coughing
• Stomach upset and bloating
• Pain felt in the chest (sometimes mistaken for a heart disease)
• Having bad breath
• Feeling hoarse
• Feeling nauseous after eating

What are the Possible Causes of Acid Reflux?

• The stomach not having adequate hydrochloric acid.
• Consuming a heavy meal that fills the stomach and forces acid into the esophagus.
• Eating foods cooked in trans fats, such as chips and fries, and foods that are processed.
• Laying down immediately after a meal.
• Heavy people frequently have acid reflux as fat in the abdomen puts pressure on the stomach.
• People who smoke are more inclined to have acid reflux.
• A weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter.
• Pregnancy puts pressure on the stomach causing relaxation of the muscles in the lower esophageal sphincter.
• Aging can cause the slowing down of esophageal peristalsis.
• Wearing tightly fitting clothes.
• Abnormalities of the esophagus.
• A hiatal hernia may cause the food you have eaten and your stomach acids to back up into the esophagus, resulting in heartburn and chest pain.
• A disorder of the esophagus known as achalasia can impact the ability of food to move down into the stomach.

Dieting Tips for Heartburn or Acid Reflux

• Try to stay away from processed foods and fast foods. Instead eat a diet of natural and whole foods.
• Apples can lower acid in the stomach.
• Always eat dinner no less than three hours before bedtime.
• Rather than three large meals, try eating smaller meals and snack between if needed. It requires much lower levels of acid to digest a smaller meal and it is easier on the stomach.
• Don't lay down for 45 minutes to an hour after you eat.
• Put one to two tablespoons of unpasturized apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and drink twice a day. This doesn't always work for everybody but does work for a high percentage.
• Avoid alcohol or only drink a small amount.
• Don't drink lots of coffee. Try drinking only two or three cups a day.
• Milk isn't a very good choice as it can actually cause an increase of acid in the stomach.

Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux

Barley Grass -- My absolute preferred method to cure heartburn problems. I had acid reflux for quite a few years. When I started drinking barley grass daily my acid reflux was completely gone. Other green drinks might work as well, such as spirulina, chlorella, wheat grass, etc. Green drinks assist in alkalinizing the body which reduces acidity.

Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice or DGL -- This is an extract of deglycyrrhizinated licorice and glycine, an amino acid. It is chewable because the saliva in your mouth helps boost absorption. Studies show that DGL stimulates and speeds up the natural protective elements of the digestive system, which aids in relieving stomach discomfort right away.

DGL and Acid Reflux Article

Mastic Gum -- This is a resin made from the pistacia lentiscus tree and is used for a number of digestive problems. It was originally used in the Middle East. It's useful in treating heartburn, acid reflux and GERD and also ulcers. There is an article below by Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D. that has some information about mastic gum.

Apple Cider Vinegar or ACV --There are many people in forums and at blogs that are saying apple cider vinegar is working for them. Do not use the tablets or capsules because they are not as beneficial. Make certain you purchase certified organic, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar with the mother. Vinegars that contain the mother also have minerals and enzymes that are not present in other vinegars because of over processing and overheating. ACV has been great for my acid reflux as it cures it each time in about ten minutes.

How Interesting Is Vinegar?

Pickle Juice -- Pickle juice gives you immediate relief from your acid reflux. If you are in need of relief and there is nothing else you can do, this is a home remedy that will help you right away in most cases. I have used it several times with good results.

Orange Peel Extract -- There is an article below by Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D. that has some information about orange peel extract. According to the information I found online there have been studies that show nearly 90% of participants claimed their acid reflux symptoms were gone in two weeks from the time they started on orange peel extract. Research shows that it might be a remedy for cancer as well.

Slippery Elm Bark -- Is helpful in curing acid reflux because of it's calming and soothing effect on inflamed mucous membranes.

Probiotics -- Taking probiotics can help your acid reflux and intestinal problems by improving digestion.

Resources

Helpful Articles:

Here's a terrific article about how you can eliminate your acid reflux in five easy steps using some of the remedies mentioned above. It's an article called "Eliminating Chronic Acid Reflux And Indigestion by Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D.

Natural and herbal remedies for the treatment of heartburn

Helpful Books:

Why Stomach Acid is Good for You: Natural Relief from Heartburn, Indigestion, Reflux and GERD

No More Heartburn: Stop the Pain in 30 Days--Naturally! : The Safe, Effective Way to Prevent and Heal Chronic Gastrointestinal Disorders

Your Favorite Cures or Remedies:

From Annette --
Mustard out of the grocery store for acid reflux.

Let us know your favorite remedy for acid reflux by clicking here.