Home Remedies for Acid Reflux

Updated on January 24, 2012
N.Y. asks from Bedford, TX
16 answers

I've recenlty been diagnosed with gerd (acid reflux), and have been taking meds for it. In addition, I also have a slight hiatal hernia and recently had a stomach infection. I was treated with antibiotics for the infection, but I'm not sure it cured it. Between the daily acid reflux and burning pain in my stomach, I'm getting desperate and thought I'd try some home remedies to provide some possible relief. I've found that it feels better if I don't eat, but of course that's not realistic.

Please send any suggestions for diet, supplements, etc.!

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So What Happened?

Thank you all so much for the suggestions/advice. I do have the Braggs ACV at home already, so I'll immediately make that a part of my daily regimen! I'm also looking for a good probiatic and will consider a chiropracter in the near future if the problem still persists. I've heard mixed things about honey and am curious about that as well. Right now it seems like anything I eat or do just makes it worse:-(

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A.F.

answers from Fargo on

Raw Apple Cider Vinegar! The best brand I have found is Braggs. It has "the mother" in it, which is full of nutrients and good bacteria- it's the filmy stuff that you will see at the bottom of the bottle.

Also, raw honey works wonders for me when I have acid reflux.

Good luck! Acid reflux is horrible and I am sorry you have to deal with it.

Edit* I just read the other responses and want to say that Everly had a great suggestion in going to the chiropractor. It really does help relieve acid reflux!

2 moms found this helpful

J.P.

answers from Lakeland on

Try taking some probiotics everyday. They make some that are in powder form so you can add it to a drink or food. It has no taste or smell. Worst case it will just help you to have regular BM's.
Becareful what kinds of foods you are eating. My MIL would get really bad acid reflux and when she started weight watchers it went away. She stopped eating sweets and baked goods. I think it was stuff like Crisco in the baked goods that was causing her problems. She has been eating more fruits and veggies instead.

1 mom found this helpful

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M.P.

answers from Raleigh on

I agree on the Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar. It's good for whatever ails ya, esp digestive issues.

2 moms found this helpful
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E.T.

answers from Albuquerque on

My daughter has had GERD since she was born, so I feel like I've tried every natural remedy out there! What works for us is apple cider vinegar in water taken every morning, plus probiotics daily. Then, ginger when her stomach hurts. We use a natural ginger syrup and put it in water.

But the most important thing that we've done to combat her reflux is seeing a chiropractor. Truly, this is been the best thing ever. After two months of biweekly appointments, she was able to stop her medicine (after four years of taking it!!). Now she goes to the chiropractor every six weeks to keep her spine and ribcage adjusted correctly. The copay for that is not nearly what we used to spend for medicine, plus it's natural.

If you haven't yet visited a chiropractor, please do so. You may be amazed at how much it can help.

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L.C.

answers from Dallas on

Hi Nikki!

You've gotten excellent suggestions already! Adding a quality probiotic, apple cider vinegar (I learned something new with that one...) and seeing a chiropractor...

I did want to let you know that the most researched and best probiotic on the market is Culturelle. My mom is a librarian and a natural all the way gal so she used her research background to find out the best probiotic on the market. The reason why Culturelle is the best is that it can be taken on an empty or full stomach without the live cultures being destroyed before reaching your small intestines. Most probiotics have to be taken on an empty stomach. I used to buy mine at Drug Emporium in Denton, but now I order most of my supplements from www.vitacost.com

One more thing...I want to emphasize Patty W's suggestion of an ENZYME in your diet. I watched something recently that explained the why behind reflux and heartburn, and it had to do with how the closure above your stomach had been damaged due to lack of healthy digestive enzymes in the stomach, which leads to reflux and heartburn...

I hope you experience genuine healing soon!

God's Grace to you,

Lisa :)

1 mom found this helpful

R.B.

answers from La Crosse on

my uncle drinks a glass of milk with baking soda in it. He said the baking soda helps with the acid and the milk coats his stomach.

It probably doesn't taste very good... but it might help

1 mom found this helpful
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L.C.

answers from Dallas on

Dr. Tammy Pon in Plano is a functional MD and the bEST! She can help you with natural stuff and will find out what the cause is.
L.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.C.

answers from Des Moines on

OK, this sounds STUPID, but it really does help. Be sure and sleep on your LEFT side, it really does make a difference (and so does elevating the head of the bed!)

Also I know all the "experts" say to avoid carbonated beverages but I find it REALLY helps-- it is SO much better to burp than to wish you could!

1 mom found this helpful
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H.M.

answers from Dallas on

My mom swears by papya (Sorry can't spell it). I have used it when I have not had my meds avalible when it's come on and it helps. It's much better than taking meds all the time.

Good luck and God Bless!

1 mom found this helpful
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R.M.

answers from Cumberland on

I'm not sure you should try this-because you still have soreness-but the best way to combat acid is with another acid-two acid neutralize each other. When I get heartburn-and it is rare-I take two tablespoons of apple cider-or any vinegar I have on hand-and within two minutes the heartburn is gone!

1 mom found this helpful
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S.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

Look out for chocolate, coffee, red wine (in other words, all the good stuff) or acidic foods like citrus or tomatoes. I've noticed that these things make my acid reflux worse. Keep track of what you've eaten and what seems to make yours worse, not everyone is affected the same way.

Stress also affects acid reflux. Exercise, fresh air, relaxation, and sleep can help.

1 mom found this helpful

D.F.

answers from San Antonio on

www.earthclinic.com
Hi Nikki, I love this website. R. people like you and me give feedback on common everyday remedies.
Look it up by ailment and check out all the responses.
Good luck!
D.

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S.N.

answers from Minneapolis on

I've heard baking soda too. I've also heard not eating several hours prior to going to bed so that the food/acid has time to get into the digestive track. i find certain foods sets mine off.... chocolate for one.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.N.

answers from Dallas on

When my friend started taking what I was taking some years ago, because she wanted her arthritis to not hurt anymore. I had been able to get the use of my hands back, and she wanted to also. Two weeks after starting it, she called and told me she no longer had acid reflux, had not had her Rx refillled and had not needed it. I told her I didn't even know she had that issue! She told me it was so bad that by now she would be crawling across the floor without her medicine. I know it helps that for her and many others. http://annnoble.vemma.com Read about it. Should it not, there is an empty bottle money back guarantee!

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K.S.

answers from Dallas on

My husband struggled with similar issues for years, and we kept searching for a natural cure. Well, we found it in this book: No More Heartburn: Stop the Pain in 30 Days--Naturally! : The Safe, Effective Way to Prevent and Heal Chronic Gastrointestinal Disorders by Sherry A. Rogers. He followed the diet plan she recommended for (I think) 8 weeks or something like that, and he hasn't had acid reflux since -- and that was about 12 years ago!

1 mom found this helpful

P.W.

answers from Dallas on

Yes, I am a Shaklee Distributor and I cured mine with supplements.

Get yourself a good digestive enzyme to take before you eat. Add some zinc to your diet. I agree, pre and probiotics can help, but I would not choose a probiotic that is a powder as was suggested by someone else. A probiotic is good bacteria to help your stomach be healthy. It should reach your stomach alive. I don't see how that can happen with a powder. I take a tiny little pill that is encapsulated three times so that the live bacteria reaches where it needs to be.

I also take a very good multivitamin and we have a product that has ginger and peppermint in it that helps sooth the tummy. I hope this helps. Feel free to message me.

1 mom found this helpful
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