Acid Reflux Remedies

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First Things First ... What Is Acid Reflux?

There is a very good chance that you have experienced acid reflux at some point...most of us have. Often times it strikes when we overindulge...or when we eat the wrong kinds of food...foods that you know aren’t good for you, but you eat them anyway.

Chronic acid reflux is also known as GERD (gastroesophogeal reflux disease).  Some of us have occassional acid reflux...while others have it frequently...and it can be debilitating and even dangerous in chronic cases. 

Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid escapes the top of your stomach and moves up into your esophagus.  The stomach acid then irritates the lining of the esophagus, causing pain, irritation and discomfort.  Frequent acid reflux can take a toll on your esophagus, slowly eroding the delicate tissue.

There is a sphincter muscle (a small round muscle that acts like a valve) that keeps the acid in your stomach and out of your esophagus.  When that acid escapes through that valve, it causes burning and discomfort, and sometimes even chest pains. 

It is a horrible feeling. And it can make you dread eating because you begin to associate eating with pain and discomfort.

Chronic acid reflux can lead to more serious problems (such as esophageal cancer) if left unchecked, so it isn't about just being more comfortable.  Reversing  your acid reflux is critical for your well-being.

But don’t worry, you don’t have to be a victim of chronic acid reflux. Today we are going to look at some great acid reflux remedies that will help you put the fire out for good and bring the joy back to eating.

Acid Reflux Remedies
Part 1:
Modify Your Eating Habits

I usually start a page by discussing specific remedies for a specific condition.  (For example, alginates and slippery elm bark are excellent acid reflux remedies, and we will get to those in a minute)....but acid reflux is so strongly affected by how you eat and when you eat that we absolutely must discuss it first. 

Any acid reflux remedies you choose will be greatly enhanced by taking a close look at your eating habits and making a few basic changes.

1. Only Eat When You Are Relaxed -- Do Not Eat When You Are Stressed

This is by far THE MOST IMPORTANT acid reflux remedy.  If your lifestyle is frantic and you find yourself running all day, your nervous system is usually in overdrive.

When your nervous system is in overdrive, you cannot digest your food well.  No one can. 

No matter what other acid reflux remedies you try, if you are still eating while stressed, the remedies will not have full effect.  So it is essential to create some stress-reducing eating habits. 

Here are some tips for reducing your stress during eating:

2. Do Not Eat While Watching TV

Now lets talk about some specific acid reflux remedies that will offer you additional relief from the acid reflux monster living in your chest.

Acid Reflux Remedies
Part 2:
Herbal Supplements for Acid Reflux

#1. Alginates -- Make a Reflux-Blocking Raft With Algae Gel

Alginates have proven to be a very effective acid reflux treatment.

You might be asking, "What in the heck are alginates?"  If you guessed that alginates come from algae...you would be right.  Alginates are the cell wall constituents of brown algae. This all sounds very complicated, but the basic idea is this....

These alginates are on our list of acid reflux home remedies because they form a gel when combined with stomach acid, and it is this gel that becomes a powerful home remedy for acid reflux!  The gel floats on  top of your stomach contents...like a raft floats on the water...creating a barrier that keeps stomach acid in your stomach and out of your esophagus. 

The algae raft forms within  a few seconds and can remain in your stomach for hours. And the best part of all is that alginates have been shown to heal damage to the lining of the stomach and the esophageal sphincter.

It is also a safe option for infants and children, as well as pregnant women.   Make sure you are using an all-natural version.  

#2. Demulcent Herbs

Demulcent herbs are powerful allies in the battle against acid reflux. These herbs are on our list of acid reflux remedies because they increase the stomach's production of something called mucin. Mucin forms a protective coating that protects the stomach and intestines from too much acid and other harmful irritants. These herbs soothe and lubricate inflammed membranes.

Theses Demulcent Herbs Are Great Acid Reflux Remedies:

• Slippery Elm Bark
  

• Licorice Root

• Marshmallow Root
  

• Mullein

• Flaxseed

• Coltsfoot

• Lungwort Moss

• Hops

• Iceland Moss

Each of these herbs helps create a soothing and protective barrier over the delicate mucus membranes of the stomach and intestines. You can use them individually or in combination.

Using the three demulcent herbs -- licorice root, marshmallow root, and slippery elm -- will offer your body the chance to heal the damage to your mucosal lining caused by your acid reflux.

But these herbs must be used regularly to maintain the protective barrier they offer because the healing takes place only when the barrier is in place.

Of course in the meantime you will need to get to the root cause of your acid reflux, or it will just become a merry-go-round, and not the fun kind either.

#3. Aloe Vera

Click here to learn more about the benefits of aloe vera and how to use it as a home remedy for acid reflux.

#4. Celery Juice

You will need a good juicer. Click here to learn more about which juicers we recommend and why.

Here are some tips for making fresh celery juice:

• Make sure the celery is organic.

• Always drink the juice on an empty stomach.

• Drink it immediately after juicing whenever possible.
  

• Don't mix it with any other juice...you want pure celery juice.

• Wait at least 30 minutes before putting anything else in your stomach.

• If you can't drink it immediately, put in a sealed mason jar and store in the fridge for up to 48 hours.

Click here to learn more about the benefits of celery juice.

Click here to watch my YouTube video discussing why I love celery juice.

#5. Meet the Bitters

The family of bitter foods and herbs, that is.  This family of foods and herbs have been used traditionally to improve the digestion process, and this makes them powerful acid reflux remedies.

Like celery juice, the bitter herbs have the almost magical ability to help your body restore it's natural balance of digestive enzymes. 

Here are some of the effects of bitters that make them great home remedies for acid reflux:

Work with the body to help it produce more stomach acid if needed, and they help the production of enzymes, hormones, bile, and pancreatic enzymes.

1. Strengthen and tone tissues in the entire digestive tract.
   

2. Help heal damaged mucous membranes.
   

3. Stimulate digestive secretions in the small intestine.
   

4. Support the health of the liver, which aids in digestion by producing bile.

Ideally bitter herbs and foods should be a regular part of your daily diet, so you can benefit from their many wonderful virtues.

Examples of bitter herbs are gentian, barberry bark, caraway seeds, ginger, fennel, peppermint, wormwood, and yellowdock. 

Bitter foods examples are arugula, dandelion greens, dill, jerusalem artichokes, and kale, to name a few.

So don’t be bitter about the bitters, they can help you heal!

#6. Activated Charcoal

keep a few of these tablets on hand at all times.  If you feel your acid reflux coming on, take a dose immediately with 8 ounces of water. The charcoal will trap excess acid and prevent it from traveling into your esophagus.

Click here to learn more about where to find activated charcoal and how to use activated charcoal as an acid reflux remedy.

#7. Cabbage Juice

Cabbage juice can be a great home remedy for acid reflux. 

For some people, cabbage juice is the answer to their prayers.  For others it has no effect at all.  The only way to know how it will affect you is to try it out for yourself.

The theory behind cabbage juice is linked to a suspicion that the bacteria H. pylori causes acid reflux. (This theory hasn’t been verified 100%, but in some individuals the bacteria does seem to cause problems.)

Cabbage juice has been shown to kill H. pylori.  Individuals who had success treating acid reflux with cabbage juice may have in fact killed their H. pylori infection.

Daily consumption of cabbage juice has also been shown to heal peptic ulcers within 10 days.  So if you have damage to your stomach lining, consider adding cabbage juice to your daily routine

#8. Chew Gum

Of course I don’t recommend chewing just any gum. Most gums are filled with chemicals that are dangerous for the body. Find a natural chewing gum that has simple ingredients you recognize.

#9. D-Limonene extract (from lemons and oranges)

Most of us know that lemons and oranges are excellent foods for our health. But did you know that a compound from these two fruits can create a home remedy to help you with your acid reflux?

For some people, eating an orange or a lemon could exacerbate their acid reflux.  But when we extract a compound called "D-limonene" from peels of oranges and lemons and package it in supplement form, we have a winning recipe for acid reflux relief. 

Studies have shown D-limonene effectiveness in clearing up acid reflux. In one study 89% of participants reported complete remission of symptoms after just two weeks of taking D-limonene.

While researchers are stumped about how D-limonene relieves acid reflux, the evidence shows that it does!

#10. Probiotics

I have seen probiotics virtually eliminate digestive problems in some individuals.

Probiotics help to replenish your gut with good bacteria.  This helps improve digestion, and it helps kill h.pylori (the bad bacteria that can contribute to acid reflux and other stomach problems).  

Studies have shown that probiotics have improved gastritis symptoms and decreased h.pylori infection.  Probiotics also seem to have anti-inflammatory properties, which means they can help soothe the irritation in the mucus membranes of your esophagus and stomach.

You can get probiotics through supplements and through fermented unpasteurized foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, coconut kefir, and yogurt (preferably non-dairy).   

#11. Almonds

Some people swear by almonds as a home remedy for their acid reflux. These individuals recommend eating 5 almonds as soon as they feel their acid reflux coming on.

Just be sure to chew the almonds really well.  (Of course, if you suffer from acid reflux, you should be chewing all of your food really well.)

#12. A Winning Combination -- The Ultimate Cocktail

Here is the big news -- a supplement containing 7 different ingredients eliminated acid reflux in 100% of participants in just 40 days!

What were these magical 7 ingredients?

• Melatonin

• Betaine

• Vitamin B6

• Vitamin B12

• Folic acid

• L-tryptophan

• Methionine

Ok, ok....I know what you are thinking...that is a lot of ingredients in one supplement.

Well not really...there are many supplements with a lot more ingredients...but unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be a supplement on the market right now that contains all these ingredients...so you have to gather them yourself.

It's inconvenient, but it's worth it if it completely reverses your acid reflux. 

Here's the breakdown....Researchers used this combo of ingredients in a study on acid reflux. They then pitted this supplement against a pharmaceutical drug used for acid reflux known as omeprazole.

• 176 subjects received the supplement combination for 40 days

• 175 subjects received 20 mg of omeprazole (Prilosec) for 40 days.

Want to take a guess at the result of the study? If you said the supplement worked better than the drug, you would be right!

• At the end of forty days 100% (all 176) of the supplement group reported a complete regression of their acid reflux symptoms.
  

• Only 66% from the omeprazole group (115 out of 175 participants) reported complete regression of their symptoms. Not to mention the drug has some unpleasant and potentially harmful side effects.

Now this supplement would be one heck of an acid reflux home remedy if it existed.  But don't fret.  You can buy each of the ingredients separately and take them together.

And I have done all of the searching for you.  Click here for a quick link to these products. 

#13. Melatonin -- Better Sleep and Better Digestion

It is now known that people with low melatonin levels are more likely to have acid reflux. Studies have shown if you give these individuals a melatonin supplement their acid reflux will get better.

Try taking a melatonin supplement for a few months and see if it improves your acid reflux.   Click here to learn more about melatonin and how to use it as an acid reflux home remedy.

Watching tv and looking at computer and smartphone screens late at night reduces melatonin production in the body.  If you suspect that low melatonin levels are contributing to your acid reflux, try to reduce your exposure to electronics and bright lights for several hours before bedtime, and try to go to sleep before 11:00 if possible.

You can also purchase glasses and other protective items that will screen out the harmful light. 

#14. Ginger

You can eat fresh ginger, drink ginger juice, use ginger root to make ginger tea, or take ginger capsules.

#15. Digestive Enzymes

Another acid reflux remedy we were born with .... digestive enzymes.  But digestive enzymes can become depleted over time.

Digestive enzymes help digest the food in your stomach. Sometimes your stomach and pancreas may have problems producing enough digestive enzymes to get the job done, and this can lead to acid reflux. 

You can take digestive enzyme supplements to increase your body's supply of digestive enzymes, and there are plenty of products out there today (click here for some good choices). 

But an even better option is to make sure that at least half of each meal you eat consists of uncooked whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. These foods are still alive and they contain their own digestive enzymes.

But wait, I thought acid reflux was caused by too much acid in my stomach? Sometimes it is.  But for some acid reflux sufferers, low stomach acid is the problem.  You can get tested for it by your gastroenterologist, or you can experiment with eating more living foods to see if they make things better.

Whether your acid levels are too low or too high, eating more living foods should help provide some relief. The living enzymes in living foods are among the greatest of all acid reflux remedies and can make a huge difference over time.

Acid Reflux Remedies 
Part 3:
Eliminate Common Causes of Acid Reflux

Many circumstances can contribute to acid reflux.  Sometimes removing negative influences can be one of the most powerful acid reflux remedies. If you have any of the following in your life, eliminating or reducing these circumstances can make a big difference. 

Check out this list and see if any might apply to you: 

• Eating too much food at one time

• Smoking- smoking is just bad, bad, bad.

• Being overweight

• Late night eating

• Wearing your clothes too tight

• Laying down soon after eating

• Foods and drinks that cause your esophageal sphincter to relax. (Some of the culprits are chocolate, carbonated beverages, peppermint, alcohol, high fat foods, and coffee.)

• Some medications- aspirin, the NSAID family [which includes anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen], calcium channel blockers and beta blockers, and others.
  

• Fluoride -- change your water/change your toothpaste (click here to learn more)

Other conditions might be a little more difficult to address but can still be contributing factors:

• Hiatal hernia-- see your doctor or a naturopath who can do hernia manipulation
  

• Pregnancy -- not much you can do but ride this one out for 9 months, but the other advice on this page can help you get through it

Acid Reflux Remedies 
Part 4:
Eat Foods That Heal, Get Rid of Foods That Harm

Eating a healthy diet based on plants in their whole state (unprocessed) is the greatest of all acid reflux remedies.  If you suffer from acid reflux, making changes in your diet can make a huge difference. 

Fatty animal foods are a primary cause of acid reflux.  Cutting back on meat, dairy, and eggs can make a huge difference for your acid reflux.  If you are really tough and truly committed to your health, try cutting these foods out all together and replacing with healthy plant-based whole foods. 

Obesity is also a major cause of acid reflux.

Now I know none of us like to hear all the time about how good weight loss is for us, but its true.  Especially for acid reflux, because being overweight is considered the number one risk factor for acid reflux!

You can do it, and I am here to help you and support you every step of the way!

Food allergies don’t appear to be a factor in everyone who suffers from acid reflux. But there has been at least one study showing a correlation between food allergies and acid reflux.

If you have tried a lot of the acid reflux remedies in this article with little relief, you might consider getting tested for allergies. 

You can go to the doctor and ask for a food allergy test. If you don’t want to go that route, you could try a elimination diet.  Click here to learn more about how to conduct your own elimination diet.

Acid Reflux Remedies
Part 5:
Change Your Sleep Environment

Raise the Head of Your Bed!

This home remedy for acid reflux is just good common sense. It is one of the simplest and to-the-point methods to get relieve from acid reflux, while you try to get some shut eye.

There are three basic ways to accomplish this:

1. Use bed incline risers (click here for example)

2. Use a wedge pillow (click here for example)

3. Get an adjustable bed base (click here for example)
   

Now you are utilizing gravity as a home remedy for acid reflux. You want gravity working for you, not against you.

Liquids can’t go up hill, and that includes your stomach acid. So  change your sleep environment as soon as possible.

Acid Reflux Remedies
Part 6:
Optimize Your Large Intestine

The health of the colon has a huge impact on the health of your entire body, not just you digestive health. But acid reflux is a digestive health problem, and having a healthy and properly functioning colon will definitely have a huge impact on all of your digestive abilities.

That makes intestine optimization a must-have home remedy for all cases of acid reflux.  There is a lot of confusion out there about this topic...so click here learn more and let me guide you through it.

Acid Reflux Remedies 
Part 7:
Chill Out!

If you are a high-energy individual living a high-stress lifestyle, then you are at risk for acid reflux.  The good news is that you now have an excuse to get some much needed R&R.  Rest and relaxation are powerful acid reflux remedies.

Acid Reflux Remedies
Part 8:
Hydrate

Drink more water!

Water is a powerful home remedy for acid reflux.

Sub-optimal hydration can have detrimental effects on every aspect of body function, especially digestion.  Most Americans are chronically under-hydrated (meaning they almost always don't get enough water), and this can lead to everything from constipation to acid reflux.

Click here to learn more about how much and what kinds of water to drink.

Want to delve deeper into the studies posted on our Acid Reflux Remedies Page?  Here is a list of all of the studies we referenced ...

http://www.healthline.com/health/gerd/esophageal-cancer#Overview1

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2741888

http://www.livestrong.com/article/263648-acid-reflux-fiber/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10848650

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26742306

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1643665/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17311980

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16948779

http://www.altmedrev.com/publications/12/3/259.pdf

http://www.healthline.com/health/gerd/weight-loss#Acidreflux2

http://journals.lww.com/jpgn/Fulltext/2007/01000

https://www.drugwatch.com/proton-pump-inhibitors/

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