Home Remedies for Acid Reflux: 3 Effective Solutions
Acid reflux is a very common health problem among adults, both men and women. This condition causes burning and pain in both the esophagus and throat, and worsens the quality of life of those who regularly suffer from it.
In this article, we’ll review some home remedies for acid reflux. That way, you’ll have natural alternatives that won’t cause side effects. Keep reading to find out more.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
For starters, if you suffer from acid reflux frequently, you should go to the doctor. Your doctor will make the diagnosis and, depending on the severity, they’ll be able to indicate different treatments. These can be different antacid drugs, surgery or, endoscopic treatments, which have been researched in recent years.
It’s important to emphasize that it’s not the same to suffer heartburn or reflux sporadically than to have a diagnosis of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, in addition to a medical checkup, some home remedies can help you alleviate this condition naturally.
Home remedies for acid reflux
1. Honey
To start, let’s take a look at honey, a medicinal food and topical remedy for many conditions that people have used since ancient times. You can also use it to relieve acid reflux along with conventional drugs.
Honey, thanks to its density and viscosity, stays for a certain time in the esophagus. This provides a coating on the entire mucous membrane has an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial action.
When choosing honey, we recommend that you use pure and raw honey. That way, you’ll ensure that it maintains its properties and doesn’t include unhealthy additives.
2. Ginger
Ginger root is an effective natural remedy for acid reflux, and digestive conditions in general. It can also be a solution for children who suffer from this condition sporadically. In addition, pregnant women can use it for reflux, nausea, and vomiting.
The appropriate dose is between 1 and 1.5 grams of dry ginger powder per day, and you can take it half an hour before meals or when you feel reflux symptoms. You can also take it as an infusion or extract (according to the manufacturer’s instructions). In some cases, an excess of ginger can cause digestive problems.
3. Licorice
Licorice is a natural and homemade remedy for acid reflux and inflammation. Specifically, we recommend deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) preparations, which contain less than 1% glycyrrhizin.
Thanks to this type of licorice extract, you can avoid the long-term side effects of this ingredient (hyperkalemia, hypertension and sodium retention). However, people with high blood pressure should always take it under medical supervision.
Nowadays, you can find licorice in pills, candies, extracts, etc. However, we recommend checking the glycyrrhizin content on its label.
Finally, you can choose one of these three remedies according to their characteristics and properties. Or you can also prepare a tea with the two medicinal plants every day and sweeten it with honey.
You might be interested in: Chamomile and Other Remedies that Improve Digestion
Other effective tips for acid reflux
In addition to these home remedies for acid reflux, you can make some changes to your lifestyle to help you improve this condition. They are as follows:
- Maintain a steady weight or try to lose weight. An accumulation of fat increases pressure in your abdomen.
- Avoid toxic habits such as smoking, and don’t abuse alcohol.
- Avoid eating food within three hours of going to bed.
- Raise the head of the bed a little so that your body is slightly inclined to prevent reflux.
- Avoid some foods that can make acid reflux worse: spicy foods, excess fat, chocolate, citrus, tomato, coffee, and mint.
- Eat more often throughout the day to reduce the amount you eat at each meal. That is, several light meals.
Now you know some remedies and tips to relieve acid reflux naturally and effectively. However, if the problem persists you should go to the doctor, since in the long run you could suffer other serious digestive disorders.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Math, M. V., Khadkikar, R. M., & Kattimani, Y. R. (2013). Honey – A nutrient with medicinal property in reflux oesophagitis. Indian Journal of Medical Research.
- Yeh, A., & Golianu, B. (2014). Integrative Treatment of Reflux and Functional Dyspepsia in Children. Children. https://doi.org/10.3390/children1020119
- Herregods, T. V. K., Bredenoord, A. J., & Smout, A. J. P. M. (2015). Pathophysiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease: New understanding in a new era. Neurogastroenterology and Motility. https://doi.org/10.1111/nmo.12611
