Top 10 Natural Remedies for Acid Reflux

More and more people suffer from acid reflux, but many of us aren't excited about the prospect of going on medication permanently. If you want to see what home remedies are out there, this page provides a few recommendations.

These natural remedies are not listed in any particular order. On the contrary, it is highly likely that only some of them, if any, will work for you. Acid reflux is a highly individual condition that takes many different forms and has many different causes, and a remedy that works wonders for one person, does nothing for another, or might even make another person feel worse.

Treatment is therefore a trial and error process: you try a suggestion and see whether it works for you, and if it doesn't you try something else. I realize this is a rather frustrating prospect but unfortunately, there is no other way.

Also, you should always remember that these are home remedies, and this article does not dispense qualified medical advice. If your symptoms persist or even worsen, I strongly recommend that you consult your physician.

1. Drink a glass of milk. Even though opinions differ on whether it should be whole or skim milk, this is an accepted and often recommended measure for immediate relief for heartburn and acid reflux.

2. Drink water. The water will dilute the stomach acid and wash down anything that might be planning on defying gravity, so a big glass of water after your meal might do the trick.

3. Chew almonds. A few almonds, taken in the morning and/or after meals, chewed very well, have been hailed as the new miracle treatment for acid reflux by some people.

4. Chamomile or fennel tea. The soothing effects of chamomile or fennel tea are also known to provide acid reflux relief. The tea should best be sipped, not gulped, and should be of a moderate temperature, not too hot or cold.

5. Eat an apple. Eating an apple after a meal has also been found to alleviate acid reflux. Choose organic apples and chew well.

6. Candied ginger. Chew a piece when you're feeling the acid reflux kick in. You can also put a piece of candied ginger in your tea and let it sit for a bit before drinking it if you don't like eating candied ginger.

7. Apple cider vinegar. Swallow two to three table spoons undiluted for an acute attack, or dissolve the same amount in warm water to drink to prevent acid reflux from recurring.

8. Papaya enzyme. Available in the form of papaya enzyme pills, this enzyme has helped end acid reflux symptoms for some people.

9. Aloe. Despite its consistency which takes some getting used to, aloe juice also is some acid reflux patients favorite remedy.

10. Chew gum. After your meals, chew sugarless gum for 30 minutes. This stimulates saliva production which in turn like water that you drink dilutes the contents of your stomach and helps wash down anything from your esophagus into your stomach.

Chewing Gum Helps Surgery Recovery

There's a time and a place for everything, they say -- even chewing gum, apparently. British researchers have found that chewing gum after colon surgery can help restore intestinal function.

GETTING BACK TO NORMAL

If you've ever had abdominal surgery, you've been subject to the embarrassing questions from the nursing staff about whether or not you've successfully passed gas or moved your bowels. That's because doing so indicates everything is beginning to operate more normally. Post-operative ileus -- the inability of the intestines to pass contents following colon surgery  -- is an all too common problem that contributes to pain, nausea, vomiting and abdominal swelling. In five trials reviewed by British researchers, post-surgical patients chewed one piece of sugarless gum (though it doesn't have to be sugarless) for five to 45 minutes, three times a day. In comparison to those who did not chew gum, the gum chewers...

• Took on average a half-day less to pass gas.
  
  
• Took on average one day less to have a bowel movement.
  
  
• Were discharged from the hospital a day earlier.

Gum chewing may help by stimulating the digestive system, encouraging it to get moving once again after surgery. Daily Health News contributing editor Andrew L. Rubman, ND, explains that the vagus nerve -- a key nerve that originates in the brain and extends down to the colon -- is activated by the sight, thought, taste or smell of food. This stimulates gastric juice production. The vagus nerve also controls peristalsis, the automatic movement of food through the digestive tract. While eating may also act as a stimulant, most people cannot tolerate it so soon after surgery.

Findings were published in the August 2008 issue of Archives of Surgery. Researchers note that larger, randomized studies are required to learn more about how post-surgical gum chewing can reduce the length of stay.

Chewing is a good short-term practice to help return normal gastrointestinal function, says Dr. Rubman. Yet he also recommends caution: If you start to feel cramping while chewing gum, stop and wait for it to pass. But if you feel better and find that function is improving, have another piece. This is an easy way to help yourself heal.

Source(s):   Andrew L. Rubman, ND, director, Southbury Clinic for Traditional Medicines, Southbury, Connecticut.