PROVEN Remedy for Acid Reflux

An unhealthy diet and a stressful fast-paced, workaholic existence have led to many lifestyle diseases. Important among them is acid reflux or heartburn. Many factors contribute to acid reflux symptoms and the symptoms and treatment too varies from one person to another. What works for one person may actually trigger off symptoms in another. So, the best remedy is to prevent the acid reflux in the first place. If the reflux cannot be avoided simple lifestyle changes can at least minimize the adverse effects.

Acid reflux occurs when the stomach cannot withstand the pressure of its contents which are then forced backward through the lower esophageal sphincter into the esophagus. The corrosive contents of the stomach irritate the sensitive esophageal lining leading to heartburn and other complications. Since eating habits form a major cause of this condition, it is but obvious that healthy eating habits can fix this problem. But other remedies may aid the acid reflux healing process.

1.  Drink plenty of water to detoxify the stomach. This is recommended even for healthy people but for people with acid reflux, they must drink enough water to keep the urine a light yellow color.

2. Garlic keeps the gut flora at an optimum level and has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Fresh garlic works best but it must be chewed or crushed before swallowing to allow the allicin, the active ingredient, to be effective.

3. Ginger aids digestion and effective in reducing acid.

4. Herbs like anise, lavender, chamomile, orange peel extract keeps acid level in the stomach under control.

5.  Massage abdomen with essential oils such as peppermint, anise seed, or chamomile dissolved in carrier oil like olive oil or jojoba oil.

6. Chewing on licorice root is believed to be a natural cure for heartburn.

7.Caraway seeds made into tea or chewed help relieve symptoms of heartburn quite effectively.

8.Apple cider vinegar taken diluted with water or as capsules.

9.Avoid fatty and fried foods, high sugar foods, caffeinated and alcoholic beverages.

10.Keeping a diary of foods eaten and the symptoms helps in avoiding foods that trigger attacks.

11.Sleeping and lying down with the head and shoulders raised above the body lowers the chances of acid creeping back up into the esophagus.

12.Eating food at least three hours before lying down or bending over can also be of help as pressure on the stomach is avoided and the acid does not get a chance to reflux.


13. Avoid smoking, tight clothes, and spicy foods.

14.Reduce weight if overweight as the extra weight tends to put pressure on the stomach causing regurgitation. Physical exercise will not only help in weight reduction but also improve emotional well-being.

15.Regularize eating and sleeping habits.

16.  Although you can get temporary relief from some over-the-counter heartburn medication, you can actually damage your digestive lining if you take too much for too long.

All these remedies will help not only in reducing symptoms but not in eliminating the cause of the acid reflux. This type of holistic approach is essential in the treatment of GERD. As the body becomes healthy it will gradually heal itself and symptoms will disappear.