10 amazing natural remedies for acid reflux
Are you looking for natural remedies for acid reflux? People explain unpleasant feelings of acid reflux as lava constantly bubbling up into their throats. We understand that’s such an unpleasant explanation. Sadly, that is precisely what happens when you have your stomach’s gastric fluids flowing backward and up into your esophagus (food pipe).
To measure the esophagus’s proper functioning, esophageal manometry is the prescribed test that measures the esophagus’s function and lower esophageal sphincter.
This internal roller coaster is more common than you may expect. However, some lifestyle changes and natural remedies help relieve symptoms of acid reflux without any medications. Keep reading to find out some most effective remedies for heartburn or acid reflux.
Effective Natural Remedies to Alleviate Acid Reflux
Here’s a look at some natural remedies and lifestyle changes that help.
Drink Apple Cider Vinegar
Organic apple cider is an alkalizing food containing antimicrobial properties that helps maintain blood sugar, lose weight, and recover gut health. Additionally, alkaline ideally fights off cancerous cells and microbes in your body.
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As for remedy, buy raw, organic, and unfiltered vinegar that’s packed in a glass bottle. Take a teaspoon or two each morning before having breakfast. Hold it in your mouth for a few moments before swallowing. It will increase saliva production and increases the stomach`s digestive acid production.
Add Fennel Seeds to Your Tea
Fennel seeds are a great source of some essential vitamins and minerals, and that’s why people use them as a digestive aid all around the world. Fennel seeds contain anethole, which helps relax the stomach and balances out the stomach contents.
To reduce acid reflux, soak some crushed fennel seeds, add them to the boiling water and make a tea. Sip that tea after each meal.
Try Drinking Aloe Vera
It’s a known fact that aloe vera has uncountable benefits. Aloe vera is a natural anti-inflammatory that best for sunburns and soothes an inflamed stomach lining and esophagus when ingested. You are only required to mix three ounces of aloe vera with eight ounces of coconut water or fruit juice. Gulp it down 15 to 20 minutes before eating anything.
However, be sure not to take aloe vera as a treatment for esophageal cancer. While the common belief does recommend drinking the tea for the ailment, research proves otherwise!
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Eat Fruits
For acid reflux, having citrus fruits is not an intelligent idea. But pH-balancing malic and tartaric acid and the digestion-promoting pectin found in apples are indeed a yes!
The papain enzyme that liquefies carbs reduces inflammation, speeds up the metabolism, and treats constipation present in papaya is excellent for acid reflux, as well. So are bananas, which have a natural antacid effect that helps coat the stomach lining to soothe it.
Wind Down with a Cup of Ginger Tea
Consuming ginger is one of the oldest natural remedies for acid reflux. It is the main ingredient for digestive herbal formulas that control digestive issues. Try relaxing with some warm ginger tea whenever acid reflux strikes.
Ginger is also beneficial if you have an upset stomach. Whenever you feel nauseous, sip on ginger tea or take a piece of raw ginger.
Have Manuka Honey
Many people vouch for having a spoon full of Manuka Honey about four times a day, 20 minutes before each meal and before hitting the bed.
While the Manuka Honey has no side effects, it effectively helps with reflux symptoms by coating the esophagus and stomach and curing the lining and tissue damages provoked by acid reflux.
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Break Down Larger Meals
Know that smaller meals allow your digestive system to function correctly. If you gobble up too much, your stomach acid will most expectedly bubble back up the esophagus like lava.
Sleep on the Left Side
The sleeping flat is a primary cause of reflux. Try sleeping in an upright position or on your left side. This position does not allow gastric acids to empty back into the food pipe.
Give Peppermint a Try
Something that soothes reflux quickly is peppermint, which is one of the most recommended herbs for digestion. It helps with an upset stomach, nausea, and other digestive issues. Additionally, peppermint tea also cools that burning throat, making it one of the most beneficial at-home remedies for issues like heartburn or acid relux.
Lifestyle Risk Factors That Help Relieve Acid Reflux
Other self-care activities that help to manage acid reflux include:
- managing a moderate body weight
- Reducing alcohol consumption and quitting smoking
- uplifting the head of the bed while sleeping
- eliminating fatty foods from your diet
- wearing loose clothing
- avoiding eating 2–3 hours before sleeping
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Foods That Can Trigger Reflux
People with reflux are often suggested to eliminate the blandest or spice-less foods from their diet plans. However, that’s not the case any longer. We’ve evolved from the days when you were not allowed to eat anything.
Still, there are some foods that most probably can trigger reflux and can lead you to have difficulty swallowing. Most common foods include tomatoes, coffee, tea, mint, spicy foods, onions, fatty foods, garlic, chocolate, and alcohol.
If you consume any of such foods regularly or more than enough, you should try eradicating them to see if it makes any difference in controlling your reflux. And then try to add them back one after another. Chewing gum across the day also helps reducing acid in the esophagus.
Drinking Beverages
Believe it or not, how a person drinks a beverage can also deteriorate acid reflux, leading to heartburn symptoms. Following are a few helpful ways that can act as remedies for heartburn, as well as for reducing reflux symptoms:
- Drink as much water as you can to stay hydrated, but avoid gulping large quantities in one sitting.
- Do not consume beverages like alcohol late at night.
- Remain in an upright position after drinking anything.
When to See a Doctor
Acid reflux, though it’s uncomfortable, is highly treatable.
Some cases can be easily treated at home using natural remedies for reflux acid, avoiding triggers, and lifestyle changes. At the same time, others require professional medical advice. Severe symptoms may require proper medical treatment, prescription medication, or in some rare cases, surgery.
If someone has frequented or severe acid reflux symptoms, they should immediately consult their physician to rule out other ailments. The doctor may examine the esophagus or food pipe to check for any more severe tissue damage.
Nevertheless, people with mild or occasional reflux can usually keep the condition checked with natural home remedies, lifestyle changes, and OTC medications.
It is particularly significant to seek medical attention if an individual thinks he is experiencing reflux or any other symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD. Other symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, right arm, or pain jaw pain.
These signs may lead to some more severe health issues, such as a heart attack.
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The Bottom Line
If you’re suffering from acid reflux, visit your nearest grocery store before the pharmacy. The above-mentioned natural remedies for acid reflux have multiple soothing and healing effects, and undeniably, some are pretty delicious to boot. But don’t entirely rely on these home remedies.
Remember that without thorough scientific investigation, it is hard to claim natural remedies work, and what works for your neighbor may not always work for you. Many people assume that ‘these remedies are safe because they are natural,’ but this may not always be true.
It is significant to see your doctor discuss supplements and medication thoroughly, mainly if you develop some new or worsening symptoms.
