Acid reflux is a painful and
discomforting condition in which there is reflux of stomach acid and other
intestinal contents back into the oesophagus (food pipe).
Heartburn is just one
of the symptoms of GERD (Gastro-esophagal reflux disease), which is a sharp
pain felt in the chest. Acid reflux which continues for a long period of time
can put a person in danger of more severe diseases. Therefore, it is important
to treat it as early as you can.Symptoms
Acid reflux, or GERD can cause a variety of symptoms. The
stomach acid which is refluxed back into the oesophagus is the main reason
behind these symptoms.
·
Heartburn – The most evident symptom of acid reflux is
heartburn. It is an intense, very sharp pain in the chest. It is quite similar
to a heart attack, however there are certain differences. Heartburn often
worsens after a meal. Some foods aggravate heartburn. One may experience a sour
taste in the throat when the stomach acid reaches there.
·
Regurgitation – It is similar to vomiting. The person may
regurgitate undigested food or stomach acid itself.
·
Coughing – throat gets irritated by the stomach acid, which can
lead to coughing, and even a sore throat.
·
Nausea – Chronic acid reflux may lead to feeling of nausea. In some
people, there may be nauseous feelings right before a meal is presented.
Some people assert that acid reflux may be the cause of many
other major conditions. These include earache, fibrosis of the respiratory
system and many others. In severe cases, acid reflux may cause holes in the
oesophagus, which is extremely dangerous. The stomach acid may now spill into
the body cavities and is definitely fatal. So, acid reflux should be kept under
control.
Many of the remedies for heartburn work well for acid
reflux. In essence, heartburn is a result of acid reflux. Any natural substance
that provides relief from heartburn, should ease acid reflux for some time.
However, there is a need of even more powerful home remedies that have an
effect on the natural gastric acid secretion of the body.Most of the medication
for acid reflux, or GERD is designed to reduce gastric acid secretion of the
body. However, they are only effective in reducing the pain. In the long run,
they worsen the disease as it never improves. Natural remedies do not reduce
gastric acid secretions, but instead help the body to manage when and how to
release it correctly.These are some home remedies to reduce acid reflux in the
first place, so that the symptoms caused by it start to decline.
Home Remedies for Acid Reflux
1. Apple Cider Vinegar (best remedy for Acid Reflux)
This is perhaps the most powerful home remedy for acid
reflux. It may seem counter-intuitive as to how an acidic food, like cider
vinegar can help with something which is caused by acidity. Well, the answer
lies in the fact that it does not matter whether the food is acidic or
alkaline, but what it does when it enters the body. Apple cider vinegar helps
the body regulate its gastric acid secretion in a better manner. That means,
when body gets food, gastric acid secretion is strong. However, when there is
no need, the gastric acid secretions dull down. Our daily lifestyle with an
irregular eating patten confuses the brain as to when it should signal the
stomach to release acid. Apple Cider Vinegar aids the body in normalizing acid
levels. This is how one can make use of it.
·
Ingredients
Apple Cider Vinegar (with the mother in it)
Water
Apple Cider Vinegar (with the mother in it)
Water
·
Directions / How to use
Take 2 tablespoon ACV ( apple cider vinegar ) and add it to about 100 ml water. Warm the water slightly and then drink this mixture. It should be taken before meals, 2 – 3 times a day. If the water feels bitter or unpleasant, one can take honey after it.
Take 2 tablespoon ACV ( apple cider vinegar ) and add it to about 100 ml water. Warm the water slightly and then drink this mixture. It should be taken before meals, 2 – 3 times a day. If the water feels bitter or unpleasant, one can take honey after it.
·
Why it works ?
Apple cider vinegar may help to normalize gastric acid secretions. Even though it may increase stomach acid production at certain times, this is still helpful in two ways. Firstly, food is digested better, which helps in overcoming nutritional deficiencies. Secondly, high stomach acid helps to kill H. pylori bacteria, which is believed to aggravate, or even cause acid reflux.
Apple cider vinegar may help to normalize gastric acid secretions. Even though it may increase stomach acid production at certain times, this is still helpful in two ways. Firstly, food is digested better, which helps in overcoming nutritional deficiencies. Secondly, high stomach acid helps to kill H. pylori bacteria, which is believed to aggravate, or even cause acid reflux.
2. Frequent and More
Meals
A simple and yet quite effective natural
remedy for acid reflux is to eat more frequently around the day. But, it should
be healthy food, and evenly distributed. Another point is that there should be
a routine to this eating schedule. One should avoid getting up till late at
night and eat food at that time. A good option would be to go for 6 meals a day
and try to eat mostly natural foods.
3. Drink Mineral Water
Instead of drinking plain, filtered water
which has most dissolved salts taken away, one should try to drink spring
water. This water is naturally alkaline and feels more hydrating to the body.
Drinking mineral water may help to lower lower increased acidity all over the
body, help to digest foods better and improve overall digestion. One should aim
for at least 1 litre of spring water a day.
4. Potato Juice
Drink the juice made of raw potato. The juice
of a potato is alkalizing for the body. It helps the body neutralize excess
acidity not just in the stomach, but all over the body. Potatoes have been used
in Europe as a home remedy to relieve common stomach issues, like heartburn and
indigestion. Drinking its juice is a more optimized way of getting beneficial
nutrients from potatoes.
·
Ingredients
Organic potatoes
Organic potatoes
·
Directions / How to use
Wash the potatoes thoroughly. They may have lots of earthy material on them. Then run them through a juicer with the skin. Drink about 2 ounces of this juice 3 times a day.
Wash the potatoes thoroughly. They may have lots of earthy material on them. Then run them through a juicer with the skin. Drink about 2 ounces of this juice 3 times a day.
·
Why it works ?
Potatoes naturally help to reduce stomach and intestinal problems. In juice form, it is more potent.
Potatoes naturally help to reduce stomach and intestinal problems. In juice form, it is more potent.
5. Ditch table salt
for Himalayan Salt
Regular table salt (common salt ) is refined
salt which is highly processed. One may get some relief from the symptoms of
heartburn and acid reflux by switching over to Himalayan salt.
·
Difference between Common Salt and Himalayan Salt ?
Table salt is purely sodium chloride (NaCl ). Iodine is often added to salt as fortification. Himalayan salt is only 98 % sodium chloride. Rest 2 % is composed of other minerals in small amounts, like iron oxide. That is why Himalayan salt is coloured. These minerals in small amounts are also good for stomach health. Stomach acid production depends on salt [2], and may also depend on the quality of salt. Himalayan salt may prove to be better in comparison with regular salt because of its beneficial minerals. It may help to control and improve gastric acid secretion, thus minimizing acid reflux.
Table salt is purely sodium chloride (NaCl ). Iodine is often added to salt as fortification. Himalayan salt is only 98 % sodium chloride. Rest 2 % is composed of other minerals in small amounts, like iron oxide. That is why Himalayan salt is coloured. These minerals in small amounts are also good for stomach health. Stomach acid production depends on salt [2], and may also depend on the quality of salt. Himalayan salt may prove to be better in comparison with regular salt because of its beneficial minerals. It may help to control and improve gastric acid secretion, thus minimizing acid reflux.
6. Get more exercise
As a simple observation, getting more exercise
may help you feel healthier and feel hungrier. Exercise can tune up many
processes inside the body, and thus stimulate natural appetite. People with
acid reflux may easily lose their appetite as they fear food would lead to
heartburn and all such troubles. Doing simple exercises like basic yoga,
cardio, weight training or martial arts like Tai Chi improves health on many
aspects. It improves blood circulation, functioning of the skin, digestive
system processes and even relieves constipation.
7. Lemon Essential Oil
(Surprising Entry)
It is rare that we use essential oils
internally, but here is a wonderful natural ingredient for acid reflux. One can
take 1 – 2 drops of lemon essential oil to relieve acid reflux. It is one of
the best remedies for GERD. Even 1 drop of lemon oil is very powerful, because
it is an essential oil. Thousands of lemons are needed to produce just 1 ml of
essential oil.
·
Ingredients
Lemon essential oil
Juice
Lemon essential oil
Juice
·
Directions / How to use
Take 4 oz juice, preferably orange or any other citrus juice. Add 1 – 2 drops of lemon essential oil. Drink this juice once a day.
Take 4 oz juice, preferably orange or any other citrus juice. Add 1 – 2 drops of lemon essential oil. Drink this juice once a day.
·
Why it works ?
You may be wondering what is so unique about lemon essential oil which makes it helpful in acid reflux. It contains high amounts of d-limonene.This natural aromatic compound is a micro-nutrient which has been identified to help with heartburn. It may in fact have an effect on the gastric acid production of the stomach, thus helpful in GERD on the whole. [3]
You may be wondering what is so unique about lemon essential oil which makes it helpful in acid reflux. It contains high amounts of d-limonene.This natural aromatic compound is a micro-nutrient which has been identified to help with heartburn. It may in fact have an effect on the gastric acid production of the stomach, thus helpful in GERD on the whole. [3]
8. Avoid the Triggers
Most people who suffer from GERD know that
certain foods aggravate acid reflux. One of the most common triggers is
processed food, that is foods that come packed in containers and packets. These
are some foods which have been known to be triggers of acid reflux and at best
should be avoided.
·
Coffee – especially the
high caffeine varieties, like expresso coffee.
·
Chocolates – this is more
experienced in milk chocolates.
·
Carbonated beverages – the regular soda can really harm our guts if taken in excess.
So, curb the habit of taking a soda every now and then.
·
Mint species – herbs in the
mint category may act as trigger for acid reflux in many people, like
peppermint and spearmint. However, enteric coated peppermint oil is a wonderful
remedy for stomach ache.
·
Tomato containing foods
and more specifically tomatoes can cause acid reflux.
·
Dairy – milk products have a
high probability of causing acid reflux. People who are lactose intolerant are
at an even greater health risks caused by milk consumption. Acid reflux is
believed to be caused by a protein called casein in milk.
There may be many other foods which trigger
acid reflux [4], like processed products, ice creams, alcohol, overly spicy
foods and the like. It is better to keep a food diary and keep track of foods
that aggravate or relieve acid reflux.
9. Garlic
Taking a few cloves of garlic can be great for
acid reflux. Why? Garlic is one of the most powerful natural antibiotics known
to man and it is easily available. It is strongly active against the Heliobacter
pylori bacteria. This bacteria resides in stomach and thrives in low acid
environment. Garlic however kills the bacteria directly [5]. Take 2 cloves of
garlic on empty stomach. Make sure to peel off the cloves. It will definitely
lead to garlic breath, but the bacteria would have a hard time surviving the
garlic attack.Within a few days, one should expect the H. pylori to vanish from
the body. This way it helps in relieving acid reflux which is brought on by an
aggressive H. pylori infection.
Powerful method to take garlic – Take some olive oil and saute the garlic cloves in this oil on very low heat. Let this oil cool down. Then drink this oil, about 1 tablespoon. It is even more effective against H. pylori because it contains nutrients from olive oil and garlic. Olive oil also helps in eradicating this infection.
Powerful method to take garlic – Take some olive oil and saute the garlic cloves in this oil on very low heat. Let this oil cool down. Then drink this oil, about 1 tablespoon. It is even more effective against H. pylori because it contains nutrients from olive oil and garlic. Olive oil also helps in eradicating this infection.
10. Take some Yogurt
Probiotics found in Yogurt are very healthy for the
body. These are healthy organisms, like lactobacillus, which improve gut health. Research has proved that
probiotics assist in improving the “brain-gut” communication [6]. It is the
message which nerves take from the stomach to the brain and back. Nervous
system controls the opening and closing the valve between stomach and
esophagus. When body’s natural nervous system response becomes flawed or dull,
this valve may open and close at the wrong times, releasing stomach contents
back into the esophagus. This is a major cause of acid reflux. Take about 1 cup of fresh, live and organic yogurt in
non-frozen form. This replenishes healthy bacteria in our intestine and
improves nervous system response related to digestion.
11. Drink Chamomile
Tea
Stress may aggravate acid reflux [6]. It may
even cause it in the first place. There are a few things that can help a person
reduce his or her stress levels. One of the is chamomile tea.
·
Ingredients
Chamomile tea bags, or powdered herb
Chamomile tea bags, or powdered herb
·
Directions / How to use
Prepare a strong herbal tea from chamomile. Add 2 tea bags, or 1 tablespoon powdered herb to about 200 ml water. Boil it repeatedly till it is only 100 ml left. Cover the kettle with a lid and let the tea sit for another 20 minutes. This allows more of the ingredients and micro-nutrients from the herb to seep into the water. Now strain it out and drink your herbal tea. For best results, drink at night before sleep.
Prepare a strong herbal tea from chamomile. Add 2 tea bags, or 1 tablespoon powdered herb to about 200 ml water. Boil it repeatedly till it is only 100 ml left. Cover the kettle with a lid and let the tea sit for another 20 minutes. This allows more of the ingredients and micro-nutrients from the herb to seep into the water. Now strain it out and drink your herbal tea. For best results, drink at night before sleep.
·
Why it works ?
Chamomile tea is a simple and easy to do home remedy for mental stress. So, if you are regularly having tough days at work or some other stress, drinking this tea may help the mind lower some of it. This in turn relieves acid reflux caused by stress.
Chamomile tea is a simple and easy to do home remedy for mental stress. So, if you are regularly having tough days at work or some other stress, drinking this tea may help the mind lower some of it. This in turn relieves acid reflux caused by stress.
12. Eat Tropical
fruits
Feasting on tropical fruits may help with acid
reflux. These fruits are rich in natural digestive enzymes, like papain,
bromelain etc. These enzymes provide more digestive power externally, so that
foods are digested better and there is lesser strain on the stomach. Try out
these fruits.
·
Mangoes
·
Papayas
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Pineapples
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Bananas
·
Kiwifruit
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Lychee
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Loquat
·
Durians
and many more.
13. Get some more Sun
Taking more minutes of sunshine can help with
your Vitamin D levels. Vitamin D levels are really low in people who have an
unhealthy diet and also do not take sufficient sunshine. Sitting in the sun for
a few minutes can help boost Vitamin D levels. How much you need to sit really
depends on your location, the intensity of sunlight and the danger of UV radiation.
As a simple rule of thumb, get morning sunshine as it poses low risk of UV
radiation induced skin damage.
14. Aloe Vera juice
One can extract aloe vera juice at home. This
juice, which comes from the gel of aloe Vera plant is incredibly healthy for
the entire intestinal tract [7]. There may be some apprehensions regarding its
use internally. But, in ancient Egypt, it was very popular as an herbal remedy
for many gastro-intestinal complaints.
·
Ingredients
Aloe vera plant’s fresh leaves ( You can easily grow it in your garden )
Knife
Juicer
Aloe vera plant’s fresh leaves ( You can easily grow it in your garden )
Knife
Juicer
·
Directions / How to use
Take 1 leaf of aloe vera. Slice out the covering on the front and the back, and the spiky protrusions on the sides. This should reveal the gel encapsulated by the leaf. Put it into the juicer and extract its juice. This is a thick greenish juice from aloe vera gel. Drink about 15 ml of this juice with water 1 – 2 times a day. It may taste bitter and unpleasant.
Take 1 leaf of aloe vera. Slice out the covering on the front and the back, and the spiky protrusions on the sides. This should reveal the gel encapsulated by the leaf. Put it into the juicer and extract its juice. This is a thick greenish juice from aloe vera gel. Drink about 15 ml of this juice with water 1 – 2 times a day. It may taste bitter and unpleasant.
·
Why it works ?
Aloe vera gel is a powerful healing agent. It heals ulcers and damage caused by acid reflux on the esophagus. This is important as the esophagus needs to be healed. If acid reflux goes on unabated, then it puts so much pressure on the food pipe that it may eventually puncture the delicate wall and create a perforation. Drinking aloe vera juice regularly heals the food pipe.
Aloe vera gel is a powerful healing agent. It heals ulcers and damage caused by acid reflux on the esophagus. This is important as the esophagus needs to be healed. If acid reflux goes on unabated, then it puts so much pressure on the food pipe that it may eventually puncture the delicate wall and create a perforation. Drinking aloe vera juice regularly heals the food pipe.
15. Drink Vegetable
Juices
Veggies are naturally highly alkaline. Their
juices are green and immensely powerful. Drinking a good amount of veggie juice
everyday can help your body heal its digestive disorders and even any other
disease which may be cause by excess
acidity in the body. These are some juices that are excellent for
acid reflux.
·
Cabbage juice –
excellent for ulcers.
·
Spinach juice –
improves peristalsis (natural downward movement of food).
·
Kale juice – great for
its nutritional value.
You can try others like broccoli juice,
cauliflower juice, turnip juice etc. These are really powerful, so drinking
half a glass should be enough for the day.Diet rich in alkaline foods can boost
health and improve existing health conditions significantly. [8]
16. Go for Organic
Foods
Although this is not directly related to acid
reflux, but eating organic foods can improve a person’s health. In the long
run, this may help in acid reflux as the digestive functions of our body
improve. So, make sure to check out the organic farmer’s market and know what
your foods are coming from.
17. Do not drink water
right after a meal
This is a common habit which many people have.
They tend to drink water right after eating food. But, for people with
heartburn and acid reflux, this should be avoided. One should only drink about
1/2 glass of water, and that too only if needed. Avoid drinking water for about
20 – 30 minutes post a meal. This allows digestive acid to work on the food and
completely digest it.If you drink water after a meal, it dilutes the digestive
acids which makes it less powerful. This is detrimental to overall health.
Herbal remedies for
Acid Reflux
Besides the above mentioned home remedies,
there are a few herbal remedies for acid reflux as well. These are obviously
more powerful than home remedies because they contain herbs. However, one
should exercise caution before taking herbs as they can have side effects as
well. Herbal remedies should be taken under supervision of a trained and
certified herbalist. These are the herbs which relieve GERD.
·
Slippery elm tea –
Prepare a herbal tea with 1 tablespoon slippery elm bark powder. It is a
natural demulcent which coats the intestinal wall and protects it from damage.
·
Chamomile tea – It reduces
stress related acid reflux.
·
Calendula – a herbal tea
prepared from calendula also assists in acid reflux.
·
Cardamoms – Chewing a few
cardamoms curbs nausea and also relieves GERD.
Alternate treatment therapies like
acupressure, acupuncture and yoga can also be quite helpful in Acid Reflux disease.
Precautions
Medication for GERD is based on substances
that lower gastric acid secretion of the stomach. This is eventually very
harmful in the long run. They are also difficult to get over, as they provide
lot of relief to acid reflux patients. So, if you have been taking medication
for GERD, do not discontinue them all at once. Try to incorporate a home remedy
and gradually lower the amount of medication that you need. It is a slow
process and should take months. Also consult with your doctor about the
interactions between home remedies and medications.
