(27)Acid reflux is characterized by heartburn or burning pain around the lower chest area due to stomach acid moving up into the esophagus, a long tube connecting the throat to the stomach. The pain tends to worsen when you lie down or bend over.
Severe or chronic acid reflux is referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In addition to heartburn, it may also give rise to symptoms like nausea, a sour taste in mouth, sore throat, dry cough and chest pain. If left untreated, it can cause serious complications including Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal cancer.
The exact cause of acid reflux disease is still not known. But it is clear that factors like smoking, obesity, pregnancy, certain foods, genetics, malfunctioning of the lower esophageal sphincter muscles, stomach abnormalities like hiatal hernia and certain medications may contribute to this problem.
Frequent and severe bouts of acid reflux require medical treatment. If you experience only mild symptoms, you can try some natural home remedies to get relief. If the problem occurs more than twice in a week, then consult your doctor.
Here are the top 10 home remedies for acid reflux.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is one of the most effective home remedies for acid reflux. It aids digestion and helps balance acid production in the stomach.
- Mix one to two teaspoons of organic raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar in a cup of warm water.
- Drink it 20 to 30 minutes before eating a meal.
- Do this on a regular basis, at least for a few months.
You can also drink apple cider vinegar mixed in water when heartburn strikes.
2. Baking Soda
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a natural antacid that provides quick relief from heartburn, the most common symptom of acid reflux.
- Mix one-half to one teaspoon of baking soda in a cup of water.
- Drink it down quickly for instant relief.
Note: Prolonged ingestion of baking soda is not recommended. Also, those who have high blood pressure should avoid taking baking soda as it contains sodium.
3. Aloe Vera Juice
Due to its healing and anti-inflammatory properties, aloe vera helps soothe inflammation in the stomach and esophagus to bring relief from the effects of acid reflux.
Simply drink one-quarter cup of aloe vera juice about 20 minutes prior to eating a meal.
Note: Do not take aloe vera in excess because it may have a laxative effect.
4. Chewing Gum
A study published in the Journal of Dental Research found that chewing a piece of sugar-free gum for about 30 minutes after a meal can help relieve symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease.
It stimulates production of saliva, which in turn washes away acid accumulated in the gut. Being alkaline, saliva also helps neutralize stomach acids.
So, you can have sugar-free chewing gum after meals to ease your acid reflux. You can also consider chewing a cinnamon gum, but avoid mint-flavored gums as mint relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, which contributes to the reflux of stomach acids into the food pipe.
5. Licorice Root
Licorice root is beneficial for acid reflux because of its stomach-healing properties.
It soothes the mucus membranes and protects the lining of the gut, reduces gastric inflammation and decreases gastric spasms.
- Boil one-half teaspoon of licorice root powder in a cup of water. Strain and drink it 15 to 20 minutes before meals. Use this remedy two or three times a day for one week.
- Alternatively, you can take one or two 400 mg chewable DGL (Deglycyrrhizinated licorice) tablets before meals, two or three times a day. Continue for at least a few weeks. You can get this herbal supplement from most natural food stores.
Note: Consult your doctor before taking this herb.
6. Yellow Mustard
Yellow mustard is another popular home remedy for acid reflux as it helps neutralize stomach acid. The vinegar content in this food is a weak acid that lowers the pH of stomach acid.
When acid reflux strikes, eat one teaspoon of plain yellow mustard for instant relief. If it is too strong for you, follow it with a glass of water.
Note: Though effective in most cases, mustard may make heartburn worse for some people.
thank you very much for all your health ideals very helpful please keep up the good work
I,ve used these for years” good to see them this, I,m sure it has helped many people, my great grandmom used some of them nostalgic for me” Thx
Your health tips are very very helpful, in fact you don;t know how many lives you’ve saved. Thank you ! Thank you !! Thank you !!!
VERY GOOD ,THANK YOU /
Love It 🙂
Tnx mch
I can say today I am alive because of drinking apple cider vinegar. I read this info long time ago somewhere and it really worked and I actually added baking soda in it..
Raw, unfiltered honey cured my chronic GERD/Acid Reflux. I am symptom free.
Most of the honey sold in the US is pasteurized, filtered or adulterated with who knows what. The label must contain the words “raw, unfiltered.”
Did you just eat the honey alone or is there a remedy to this
Very nice tios
Wow ..this is so helpful tips for me since am suffering a flux ..thank you ..I do the try…
1/4 teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) is probably the best solution for quick relief of heartburn
in how much water
All these remedies are to reduce the symptoms. my husband had acis reflux due to E.Coli (which is the most common cause). He took a tiny piece of mastica every morning along with a glass of water with 3tablespoons of good quality honey..After two weeks he had no symptoms
A slow bowel due to food with too low fibre and high in processed sugars. . The bowel should empty every day . Twice a day is better… some ppl only empty their biwel every 3 or 4 days . Some longer . This backs up in bowel preventing stomach from emptying completly..so build up of undigested food bubbles up into the throat. Burning … simply solution. Squeeźe lemon juice in water . Drink it slowly . Lemon juice buffers stomach acid. Cleans the blood. For the bowel… increase fibre and water intake. You might get wind etc in the first week but that will pass as the bowel is cleansed.
Thank you so much
Your tip’s is very helpful. Thank you so much.
Is Apple Cedar Vinegar easily available in the market? What’s the price? I have this GERD since 2011 and till now I’m struggling with this damn disease…please help me. I want to try this tip…thank you
Is this a real question like really are you seriously asking if one of the most common things on the planet is readily available……I would hope so since Americans use/consume well over 30m gallons of it a year in barbeque sauce alone also works wonders for cleaning hardwood floor acid reflux as a mildly effective natural CLR and a nearly limitless list of applications
Thank you for these tips I will be trying them,
Comment:
I have been following your posts and my acid reflux has reduced drastically. I have seen a good turn around in my life. Thank you.
Hi
I would like to know if its safe to drink both baking soda and apple cider vinegar at once or drink one after an hour you drink the other. My suffering from throat burn that comes and go every now and then. Thanks for the listing those home remedies.
Thanks for all the great information .
If you have gerd, avoid coffee and tea and chocolate. Also avoid acid foods like citrus. Make sure that you do not lie down for one to two hours after eating. And yes, apple cider vinegar and baking soda both work, but you should also get checked out by a doctor since it can lead to cancer in throat and stomach.
the mustard do work thx
Just what I was looking for. Will try some of these tips. Thank you! 🙂
My son of six year old has GERD problem he is not able to eat properly.. Plz can u advice what should i do for his weight gaining..Thanks