4 Natural Hacks for Acid Reflux

4 Natural Hacks for Acid Reflux

Indigestion, heartburn, GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease) and acid reflux are all similar conditions that cause gastrointestinal and esophageal pain. There are many over-the-counter (OTC) and pharmaceutical medicines available to relieve these conditions. However, expense, side effects and elongated use are some of the concerns regarding such choices.

These 4 natural hacks for acid reflux may be an option to try for a while to see if you can tackle your pain. They are easy to find or do, inexpensive, and could save you years of dumping toxic medical chemicals into your body on a daily basis.

Easy ACV

Apple Cider Vinegar seems to help a lot of ailments but acid reflux is at the top of the list. According to Christina K. Major, holistic nutritionist and naturopathic doctor in Trevorton, Pa.,

“Many people mistakenly believe all acid reflux and indigestion is caused by an overproduction of acid. The latest research shows it’s actually the opposite for many people: There is too little acid produced to adequately digest the food eaten,”

Healthline reports that these are some of the benefits of ACV for acid reflux:

  • Raw or unfiltered apple cider vinegar contains “the mother of the apple,” which is high in protein.
  • Apple cider vinegar may introduce more acid into the digestive tract. If your acid reflux is the result of too little stomach acid, this may be beneficial.
  • The acetic acid found in the vinegar fights against bacteria and other foreign bodies.

When symptoms arise, dilute ACV with water and sip slowly through a straw (ACV can strip tooth enamel when not diluted or consumed without a straw). If you have a low amount of stomach acid, the natural acids in the ACV should help relieve a negative reaction such as acid reflux.

If you do not see improvement in a few days or weeks, try another remedy. Do not use ACV if have an ulcer, your throat gets irritated or you are on medication as it could thin your blood.

Hello Aloe

Another easy acid reflux hack is drinking aloe vera juice. This juice is harvested from the green spiky aloe vera plant with “jelly-like” innards. The juice of the aloe vera holds anti-inflammatory properties that could work very well for an acid reflux sufferer.

Some research suggests the cause of certain acid reflux cases could be inflammation, not overactive stomach acids.

Medscape reports,

“Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may be caused by an immune reaction, rather than direct chemical injury from stomach acids, according to results from a small, single-center study published online May 17, 2016 in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association).”

A pilot, randomized controlled trial study published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine (12/15) concluded that,

“A. vera may provide a safe and effective treatment for reducing the symptoms of GERD”

Aloe vera can be purchased in juice or gel form, diluted with water or taken directly. It is recommended to take two fluid ounces about twenty minutes before you eat. Look for raw or flash pasteurized organic aloe vera for best results. Side effects are rare but could be slight diarrhea, minimal stomach discomfort or lowering of blood sugar. 

A Higher Power

Now that the medical benefits of marijuana have proven significantly effective for serious health conditions such as epilepsy and cancer recovery, it is also being applied for acid reflux. The oil derived from the plant has been prepared to exclude the mind altering compounds of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and is legal in many American states.

Medical Marijuana reports that,

“Research suggests that cannabis is effective in treating the symptoms of these GI disorders in part because it interacts with the endogenous cannabinoid receptors in the digestive tract, which can result in calming spasms, assuaging pain, and improving motility.  Cannabis has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and recent research shows crucial neuromodulatory roles in controlling the operation of the gastrointestinal system, with synthetic and natural cannabinoids acting powerfully to control gastrointestinal motility and inflammation.”

It is easy to use CBD oil to prevent acid reflux. Either place a few drops under your tongue or mix with a small amount of water and take before you eat.

Quick Fix

If your acid reflux erupts when you can’t get to any of these remedies, one of the quickest, natural fixes is baking soda. Simple mix a teaspoon with a glass of water and slowly sip. The high alkaline content of the baking soda has been shown to ease the over acid production in your stomach. The active ingredient in baking soda is sodium bicarbonate and it can be found in many over-the-counter (OTC) antacids. However, using baking soda lessens your consumption of additional ingredients in many of these OTC medicines such as sugars, dyes and preservatives. Do take note that baking soda is a temporary remedy and should only be used for quick relief and not for constant use.

If you struggle with acid reflux or any similar symptoms, these 4 natural hacks for acid reflux may help. In the meantime, if your diet involves acid reflux triggers such as processed foods, alcohol, caffeine, fried foods and high sugars, reducing these may help you avoid unnecessary pain and medication.