blog detail banner

Acid Reflux

7 Surprising Home Remedies for Acid Reflux

Jul 14, 2017

Having an occasional bout of heartburn after a heavy, spicy meal is one thing, but dealing with acid reflux on a regular basis is a horse of a different color.  If you’re anything like me, you probably don’t want to become dependent on allopathic medicines that all come with a plethora of unwanted side effects. So when usual heartburn home remedies like a spoonful of apple cider vinegar or peppermint oil capsule before a meal fails you, we recommend these unusual remedies for acid reflux that surprisingly do the trick!

Sea Salt

remedies for acid reflux - sea salt

remedies for acid reflux – sea salt

The simplest and most effective cure for acid reflux sits right there in your kitchen cabinet – sea salt. Simply taking a pinch of sea salt, dissolving it in your mouth and then drinking a glass of water is a simple and easy way to make acid reflux go away. Sodium chloride gives your body much-needed trace minerals and balances the hydrochloric acid in the stomach as well.

According to Dr. Fereydoon Batmanghelidj’s concept of Water Cure that uses the healing benefits of salt and water

Dosage: As recommended from the research of Dr. Batman, divide your body weight in pounds in half. This is how many ounces of water you will need to drink each day. Before drinking the water, allow 1/8th teaspoon of unprocessed sea salt to dissolve in the mouth.

When To Have: Divide your daily dosage of water into 5-8 manageable doses throughout the day.

What form: The best is unprocessed sea salt or unprocessed mined salt. Dr. Batman highly recommends the following: Celtic Sea Salt, Pink Himalayan sea salt and Real Salt. The water needs to be chlorine free, preferably natural pure water.

Mustard

remedies for acid reflux - mustard

remedies for acid reflux – mustard

You probably love mustard on your hot dogs, but did you know that a tablespoon can also bring relief from reflux? An alkalizing food that is full of minerals, mustard contains a weak acid in the form of vinegar. A spoonful will help neutralize the acid that may creep up your throat, and therefore may neutralize the pain of acid reflux.

As advised by Claire from Everyday Roots

Dosage: 1 teaspoon of good quality yellow mustard

When To Have: It seems to be the most helpful if you’re feeling a bout of acid reflux creeping up, or if you’re in the midst of one.

What form: Use a high-quality, organic, traditional mustard sauce, since it is vinegar and not mustard seed that reduces heartburn symptoms.

Buttermilk

remedies for acid reflux - buttermilk

remedies for acid reflux – buttermilk

Buttermilk is a typical refreshing and healthy drink that’s used extensively to aid in digestion in many countries, including Germany and India. Buttermilk is the liquid left behind when cream is churned into butter. Rich in lactic acid, it helps to neutralize stomach acid and soothes the stomach as it coats the stomach lining, reducing irritation caused by acid reflux.

Several studies have found that probiotics are helpful in the treatment of gastritis, acid reflux and inflammatory bowel disease. Buttermilk is a good source of probiotics, thanks to the live cultures added to ferment the milk sugars.

According to Dr. David Williams, fermented milk products like buttermilk are some of the most complete probiotics available.

Dosage: 1 small glass of chilled buttermilk. Adding spices like ginger, cumin and caraway seeds that aid digestion also add to the flavour.

When To Have: Sip on spiced buttermilk after a meal.

What form: Pure, freshly made buttermilk is best. If you’re choosing a packaged version, make sure it’s free from preservatives and additives.

Garlic

remedies for acid reflux - garlic

remedies for acid reflux – garlic

You’ve probably heard that garlic can be a trigger for heartburn. But when used correctly, raw garlic is a powerful remedy for alleviating symptoms of acid reflux for good! Herbalists and naturopaths recommend raw garlic eaten on an empty stomach, or garlic supplements for acid reflux. As a natural antibiotic, garlic is a natural way to kill the H.pylori bacteria that affects almost 80% of reflux sufferers.

Here’s the best way to use garlic to cure acid reflux.

Dosage: 2 cloves of minced raw garlic, or 2 capsules of garlic supplements

When To Have: On an empty stomach

What form: Choose fresh garlic that is not yet sprouted. Peel the skin and chop up two cloves. Eat first thing in the morning and drink a tall glass of water afterward. If the strong taste of raw garlic is too overwhelming for you, garlic supplements will also do the trick.

Coconut Water

remedies for acid reflux - coconut water

remedies for acid reflux – coconut water

The alkalizing effect of tender coconut water brings instant relief from a bad bout of acid reflux. Sweet coconut water aids in mucous production in the stomach which coats the stomach lining, preventing irritation from excessive acid production. It cools and soothes the lining of the stomach, reducing the burning sensation that accompanies heartburn. Furthermore, it’s rich in fiber, which aids digestion and prevents the reoccurrence of reflux.

To find permanent relief from acid reflux

Dosage: 1 glass fresh tender coconut water

When To Have: Have some after every meal, keeping in mind to eat a nutritious, healthy GERD-friendly diet.

What Form: Fresh tender coconut water is preferable over the bottled variety.

Carrot Juice

remedies for acid reflux - carrot juice

remedies for acid reflux – carrot juice

When you have acid reflux, drinking a glass of juice with your breakfast can seem tricky as most citrus fruits can trigger heartburn. The simple solution – juice carrots!  Vegetable and fruit juices should be a part of a healthy GERD-friendly diet. Carrot juice is especially beneficial as it has a very restorative effect. It is an alkaline food, which soothes the stomach.

According to Dr. Liz Mingay, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine

Dosage: 1 glass fresh carrot juice made with fresh carrots. You can add other alkalizing fruits and vegetables to make a smoothie, if you wish.

When To Have: Drink a glass before lunch or as a mid-day meal. It will keep you full and also keep you from mindless snacking.

What Form: Fresh carrots are best. Put them in a juicer to make a glass of fresh juice. Packaged carrot juices often contain added sugars and preservatives which are not recommended for a GERD friendly diet.

Saccharomyces boulardii

remedies for acid reflux - Saccharomyces boulardii

remedies for acid reflux – Saccharomyces boulardii

More and more research points us in one direction – Esophagitis and GERD are caused in part by bacterial overgrowth. In fact, IBS is also common in patients with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, which might be a byproduct of the disproportionate use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in IBS. Studies have found that H. pylori related gastritis and reflux esophagitis progress negatively under treatment with PPIs like omeprazole. This is where Saccharomyces boulardii, a probiotic strain specifically for the small intestine, steps in. This probiotic can reduce H.pylori infections, as well as prevent gastric ulcerations. It also helps reduce gut inflammation and improves the body’s ability to absorb nutrients from the food that you eat, making this the perfect acid reflux home remedy available today.

As advised by Chris Kresser, a Renowned Practitioner of Functional Medicine

Dosage: 500mg, twice a day

When To Have: After meals

What Form: Though it’s also available in liquid and powder form, capsules provide the most accurate dose that is also easy to take every day.

While these unusual and surprising remedies for acid reflux are worth trying, they cannot replace conventional treatment for GERD. Talk to your doctor or a naturopath to make advisable changes in your diet and lifestyle to find permanent relief from acid reflux.

Maneera Saxena Behl
Maneera is a health and fitness enthusiast who is also a firm believer in the power of dietary supplements. A health buff, she likes to help others improve their overall well-being by achieving the right balance between nutrition, exercise and mindfulness.