Home Remedies and Herbs for Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is a condition that causes stomach acid to move up into your esophagus. This results in heartburn, regurgitation, and nausea. Acid reflux symptoms that occur more than twice a week is then a condition referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a chronic ailment that requires lifelong treatment in most cases. Untreated patients with GERD are at a higher risk for serious health complications including cancer. ^1,2,3

What Causes Acid Reflux?

Generally, there are three primary acid reflux causes. These are poor diet and lifestyle, a hiatal hernia and the result of certain medication side effects.

People who are obese, smoke, eat unhealthy diets, and don’t exercise are at a much higher risk of acid reflux. Smoking, or inhaling secondhand smoke, reduces your esophagus’ ability to clear acid, and that effect can last for over 6 hours after smoking a cigarette. A diet that’s high in salt or low in fiber is another one of the leading acid reflux causes.^2,3

A hiatal hernia is a stomach abnormality where the upper part of your stomach and the muscles in the lower part of your esophagus move above the diaphragm, a muscle that separates your stomach and chest. A hiatal hernia allows stomach acid to rise into the esophagus much more easily. Unfortunately, the exact causes of hiatal hernias aren’t known.^1,4

Certain medications can also contribute to acid reflux causes. This can include certain narcotics, tricyclic antidepressants, calcium channel blockers, clonidine, dopamine agonists, lithium, nicotine and progesterone.²

Acid Reflux Symptoms

Acid reflux symptoms include:

• Heartburn, a burning sensation in the middle of your chest
• Chest pain
• Vomiting and nausea
• Bad breath and sour taste
• Painful and difficulty swallowing
• Sore throat
• Regurgitating food
• Hoarseness and change in voice
• Respiratory problems
• Belching
• Chronic cough
• Wheezing

Acid reflux symptoms can be acute or chronic. Depending on how long your acid reflux symptoms last, it may be an indicator of another underlying health concern.

Natural Remedies and Herbs for Acid Reflux 

These simple acid reflux natural remedies to help relieve painful symptoms:

• Apple Cider Vinegar - This popular acid reflux natural remedy can help balance your stomach pH, neutralize the stomach acid and relieve the acid reflux symptoms.
• Apples - To stop acid reflux, peel an apple and eat a slice whenever you feel the symptoms. Apples are a natural method for controlling acid reflux by balancing stomach acidity levels.
• Pickle Juice - Pickle juice can help provide relief for acid reflux. Many people claim that a sip of pickle juice often help them to alleviate their acid reflux symptoms.
• Baking Soda - Also known as sodium bicarbonate, baking soda can be used as an antacid to help neutralize stomach acid and provide relief from acid reflux. 
• Peanut Butter - While some people claim that peanut butter can trigger acid reflux, others has found that peanut butter is a good acid reflux natural remedy.
• Mustard - Mustard helps to lower stomach acid and prevent or treat acid reflux symptoms.

References

1. http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/gastroesophageal-reflux-disease
2. http://www.medicinenet.com/gastroesophageal_reflux_disease_gerd/article.htm
3. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/146619.php
4. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hiatal-hernia/basics/causes/con-20030640
5. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/digestive-diseases/ger-and-gerd-in-adults/Pages/symptoms-causes.aspx