The
conventional treatment of acid reflux today
is mostly based on acid suppression; blocking the
mechanism that releases acid; or prevention of
stomach acid production. Major pharmaceutical
companies promote these drugs as miracle treats
which more often than not are top money spinners
for them. But these drugs do not solve the acid
reflux problem. If anything they actually make it
worse. The drugs dramatically reduce the amount of
hydrochloric acid in the stomach thereby
diminishing the ability to digest food properly.
This eventually increases the risk for various
chronic degenerative diseases. The reduction of
the acid also reduces a very important defense
mechanism against food-borne infections and
increases chances of food poisoning.
As
more and more people suffer from acid reflux and
medications are not very effective, it would be a
good idea to take a look at natural treatment
for acid reflux. Of the following remedies
listed it is highly likely that only some of them
will work for any one person. That is because acid
reflux is a very complex condition that takes many
different forms and has many different causes and
a remedy that works wonders for one person may
actually exacerbate symptoms in another. Treatment
is therefore based on trial and
error.
1. Drinking
about a gallon of filtered water daily along
with high doses of probiotics will help restore
normal stomach function for most people. The
water will remove toxins, dilute the acid and
normalize the pH in the
stomach.
2. Garlic
has wonderful antibacterial, antifungal, and
antiviral properties and optimizes the
intestinal flora. It is effective in killing
Helicobacter pylori, the only organism,
resistant to the hydrochloric acid in the
stomach. The garlic must be fresh and must be
chewed, crushed or mixed with juice to allow
allicin, its active ingredient, to
work.
3. Ginger
aids in digestion. Fresh ginger can be ground
and added to foods or taken as tea or in capsule
form. Chewing on a piece of candied ginger after
meals is also just as
helpful.
4. Digestive
enzymes. They speed up the digestive process and
eliminate heartburn. Papaya enzymes may be taken
after meals with a full glass of
water.
5. Increasing
natural fiber. Bulk foods absorb excess acid and
gas and eliminate toxins
faster.
6. Green
tea helps in digestion and soothes the sensitive
tissues of the stomach.
7. Herbs like peppermint,
chamomile, licorice root, lavender, orange peel,
catnip, and fennel help repair the lining of the
digestive tract. Tea made from these herbs is very
effective. It should be sipped slowly and should
be at moderate temperature, not too hot or cold.
8. Bananas
have a natural antacid effect on the body and
are very beneficial in relieving
heartburn.
9. Clove
oil in a glass of water also helps in digestion.
Caraway seeds are also believed to be a great
natural treat for
heartburn.
10. Turmeric
stimulates digestion and prevents acid build up.
It can be used in cooking or taken as
capsules.
11. Probiotics.
The use of acidophilus capsules has helped
relieve heartburn in some
patients.
12. Almonds taken in the
morning and/or after meals chewed well are
believed to prevent acid reflux.
13. Orange-peel
extract for relief from occasional heartburn,
acid indigestion, and upset
stomach.
14. Apples.
Eating apples after meals alleviates acid reflux
in some people. Choose organically-grown apples
and chew well.
15. Apple cider vinegar. Two
to three tablespoons undiluted for acute attack or
same amount dissolved in warm water to prevent
recurrence.
16. Aloe
vera. It is hailed as a miracle remedy by some
people.
17. Chewing
sugarless gum for 30 minutes after meals
stimulates saliva production and aids in
digestion as well as helps wash down food from
the esophagus into the
stomach.
One
comes across any number of suggestions for
natural treatment of acid reflux. Unlike
antacids and acid blockers, they do not aim only
at relief of symptoms. Most go beyond the physical
symptoms and treat the underlying cause that led
to this problem in the first place. Above
treatment will be more effective if combined with
other modalities such as losing weight if
overweight, exercise, and stress management,
regularizing sleep and diet habits, dietary
modifications, etc. This holistic approach will
eventually lead to a healthy body.
