Natural Acid Reflux Treatment

For a long time, it seemed like popping a Tums or a Rolaids was the best possible way to counteract acid reflux and its symptoms. Now there are tons of over-the-counter and prescription acid relievers that report the best treatment of the condition. If you are interested in a more natural approach, here are a few methods that you won't see promoted by any pharmaceutical company. These methods have not all been recommended by a doctor or the Food and Drug Administration; please exercise caution when making a big change in your diet or supplementation.

Lifestyle Changes

First and foremost, when diagnosed with acid reflux you should make the effort to lose some weight. By losing weight with a diet rich in fruits and vegetables your stomach will better be able to support your condition. Getting a device like an acid reflux pillow can help you remain elevated when sleeping. This elevation allows for more efficient digestion and less chance of nighttime heartburn. Removing alcohol, coffee and vitamin C in excess will stop the abundant secretion of gastric acid. Smoking and foods high in saturated fat can cause problems digestion problems and the capability of the lower esophageal sphincter. Cutting them out is important. Change your three large meals into five smaller meals. Don't use this as an excuse to overeat. Remove carbonated soft drinks and don't drink milk within the last 2 hours before going to sleep.

Herbs and Supplements

Apple cider vinegar is an often-cited folk remedy. Drink 2 tsp. mixed in a 6 oz. glass of water when you encounter heartburn. Raw almonds, apples and cinnamon make a good snack together as all three of these are acid reducers. Degycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) helps to build back up the mucus lining of the inner stomach and it can attack the symptoms of heartburn. Aloe vera juice is great for calming the irritation of the esophagus. A teaspoon of royal jelly can stop acid reflux within a few minutes. A cup of either ginger tea or a tea made of an extract from anise, fennel or dill seeds can help stop heartburn pretty quickly as well. For preventative treatment use a combination of B vitamins, choline, thiamin, pantothenic acid, gamma-oryzanol (from brown rice) and probiotics to improve your digestion and prevent the overproduction of acid in the future.

Other Treatments

Some homeopathic treatments that may help are nux vomica (30C), pulsatilla (30C), natrum muriaticum (30C) and zinc metallicum (30C). See a licensed homeopath to ensure that these treatments are right for you. Hydrotherapy, a process that involves drinking water with activated charcoal, can help to deal with the symptoms of acid reflux. Reflexology, a practice that works the diaphragm, gallbladder, stomach and pancreas through the reflexes on your feet, can also diminish these symptoms. The deep breathing and slow-but-sure movements of yoga can help you in your weight-loss goals along with helping you to slow down your stomach's acid production. Acupressure practitioners say that you can get rid of heartburn by pressing your CV 12, the center of power point that is found in the center of your body, halfway between your breastbone and naval. Press the point for less than 2 minutes when your stomach is relatively empty.