10 Home Remedies to Get Rid of Acid Reflux (GERD)

Acid reflux, often referred to as heartburn is medically known as GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease). It occurs when stomach acid rises up into the esophagus due to the failure of the valve between the stomach and the esophagus to close properly. It is characterized by pain & a burning sensation in the stomach and if it is left untreated, it can result in severe damage of the esophagus. Millions of people are affected by this problem and most of them often go for the over the counter medication. As this is a common issues for many people, companies like Westwood Wellness could be the solution to your problem of heartburn, as they know how hard it can be. As your health should be your top priority, it is important to remember that there are always people out there to help you out if you need some guidance. However, there are many ways in which you can get rid of acid reflux naturally. Below are some of the ways to treat it naturally;

 

1.) Change your eating habits & your diet and you will get rid of acid reflux

Acid reflux is sometimes caused by the food you eat and the manner in which you eat. Making a few changes on your diet as well as your eating habits will therefore help you get rid of the acid reflux. Some of the changes that you may need to make include;

• Eliminating the fatty & highly acidic foods- the digestion of fats always take a longer time than that of the other foods and therefore they stay in the stomach for a longer time and this results in the generation of higher amounts of acids. Some of the acidic foods that you should eliminate are the fried foods, citrus fruits, tomatoes etc
• Avoid eating quickly and eat smaller meals- always chew the food thoroughly and do not eat quickly. Also, avoid eating larger portions (which can make the stomach produce more acids) and instead eat smaller portions throughout the day

2.) Lifestyle changes that will help you get rid of acid reflux at home

There are some habits that can cause or worsen acid reflux. Some of them include, going to bed immediately after eating, exercising just after eating, smoking, taking excess alcohol, among others. To get rid of acid reflux, you should;

• Eat at least three hours before going to bed,
• Stay in an upright or a sitting position at least for 45 minutes after eating
• Avoid exercising immediately – you should stay for at least 1 to 2 hours after eating before exercising
• Avoid smoking- as this can weaken the lower esophageal sphincter muscles
• Avoid excessive drinking (do not exceed 1-2 drinks a day)- if you possible, do not drink at all
• If you are overweight, try to lose that extra weight (overweight people are more prone to developing acid reflux)
• When lying in bed, lie more on your left side

Herbs that can help alleviate acid reflux

 

3.) Ginger to get rid of acid reflux

Fresh ginger also provides a relief from acid reflux. This is because, it absorbs the acid in the stomach therefore helping to calm the nerves contributing to heartburn. You can take a cup of fresh ginger tea twenty minutes before taking a meal and this will not only calm your stomach but also act as an acid buffer. You can also use it as a spice in your cooking or eat it raw. You can consume it regularly so as to prevent heartburn from recurring.


 

4.) Aloe Vera juice to Get Rid of Acid Reflux

This is a popular home remedy for acid reflux. Aloe Vera juice reduces inflammation and heals the gastrointestinal tract. Taking a glass of aloe vera juice provides a calming effect from the burning sensation resulting from the heartburns.

For best results, drink ¼ cup of the juice at least 20 minutes before you take a meal. You should however be careful and do not drink too much as this can cause abdominal pain and even diarrhea.

Nuts and seeds that can effectively help you get rid of acid reflux

 

5.) Almonds to Get Rid of Acid Reflux

Chewing 3-4 almonds after a snack or a meal is also an effective way to treat acid reflux. Raw, roasted or salted ones are good (and suit the taste buds) and they should be chewed until they are reduced to a flour-like substance. This will release the oils from the nuts which are responsible for calming down the production of acids in the stomach.

 

6.) Fennel seeds to Get Rid of Acid Reflux

When you chew fennel seeds (several times a day) they will not only freshen your breath but will also control the production of stomach acid. You can also make herbal tea by adding 2 tsp of fennel seeds to 1 cup of boiling water, let it sit for 10 minutes and then filter into a cup. They will effectively give you a relief from acid reflux.

Fruits and vegetables that are effective in getting rid of acid reflux

 

7.) Banana or apple to Get Rid of Acid Reflux

Naturally, bananas contain antacids that are effective in acting as buffers against acid reflux. This is the simplest, home remedy and all you need to do is to eat one ripe banana everyday. Alternatively, you can also try one apple every day and it will relieve and/or even prevent the discomfort.

 

8.) Cabbage juice to Get Rid of Acid Reflux

Cabbage juice can also be used as a natural remedy for acid reflux. This is because, it has anti-inflammatory properties that help in alleviating not only heartburns but other digestive problems too.

All you have to do is to grind a fresh cabbage in a juicer or a blender (you can mix with 2 carrots). Drink 1/2 cup of this juice early in the morning (before you eat anything else) and it will prevent heartburn.

Other vegetable juices such as those from cucumbers, carrots, beetroots, radishes are also effective in alleviating acid reflux. This is because they reduce the production of acid by the stomach (which is the main cause of acid reflux).

Other home remedies that are effective in alleviating acid reflux

 

9.) Baking soda to Get Rid of Acid Reflux

Baking soda (i.e. sodium bicarbonate) is known to provide a quick, easy relief from heartburn resulting from acid reflux. It is a natural antacid that works within minutes. Being a base, it helps in neutralizing the stomach acid giving you a relief from the burning sensation.

All you have to do is to mix b1 tsp of baking soda in a glass of water, stir it well and then drink it. However, you should never exceed 3.5 tsp in a 24 hour period and at the same time, do not use this remedy continuously for more than a week. This is because it is high in salt and may have side effects such as nausea & swelling.

 

10.) Chewing gum to Get Rid of Acid Reflux

Chewing gum stimulates the production of saliva by the salivary glands. This saliva helps in diluting and washing away any acid that is built up in the gut therefore reducing the symptoms of GERD. In fact, a study that was recently conducted by The Journal Dental Research showed that, people with GERD experienced relief after chewing a sugar free gum for thirty minutes after a meal.

 

Conclusion:

Note that, different people respond differently to different remedies. Therefore, you should not limit yourself to only one remedy. Instead, you should try at least several of them and you will definitely find one that works for you. All these remedies are natural however, you should consult a doctor before trying them. Also, if you notice some side effects while using any of the remedies, it is advisable to stop using it. If you think your condition is more serious, you should consult a doctor immediately.