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Natural herbal &
homeopathic remedies for acid reflux, GERD, heartburn, indigestion
Acid Reflux
HEALTH HERBS & NUTRITION
- REMEDIES - DIGESTIVE SYSTEM - ACID REFLUX
Acid Reflux or gastro-esophageal occurs when some of the digestive
juices normally found in your stomach back up out of the stomach
into the esophagus, the pipe between your stomach and the mouth. It
occurs when the muscular valve that controls the entry to the
stomach is weak or not working efficiently. The regurgitated juices
include hydrochloric acid that brings the burning sensation so very
characteristic of acid reflux.
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Severe burning sensation in the esophagus and even in
the mouth. The stomach has a protective lining which
these acids cannot break, but the esophagus doesn’t have
one. So, acids, especially hydrochloric acid give this
burning sensation while traveling upwards, to the extent
that you might feel you have a heart attack. |
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These sensations occur mostly when you lie down flat
immediately after the meals. |
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Chronic
inflammation of the pharynx along with cough. |
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One of the main causes is hiatus hernia, a condition in
which part of the stomach forces its way into the chest
through a weakness in the opening (a hiatus) where the
esophagus passes through the abdominal cavity. |
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Lying flat - usually, people have the tendency of lying
down flat after the meals, especially in the night after
a hard day’s work. But then the gravity helps stomach
acids go in the wrong direction. |
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Overweight people are more prone to acid reflux because
of more pressure exerted on their digestive tract. |
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This problem is also faced in pregnancy as the uterus
presses on the digestive tract as the baby grows bigger
inside. |
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Alcohol, fizzy drinks, peppermint tea, coffee and
smoking are the other usual suspects
(see Helpful
Dietary Habits below). |
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Food culprits include acidic foods such as pickles and
vinegar, fried and fatty foods, hot spicy foods, onions,
cucumber and meat extracts (see Helpful Dietary Habits
below). |
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Female hormone progesterone and certain
gall bladder
related diseases are also suspected for acid reflux. |
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Stress and
anxiety have also been attached with this
problem. |
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Wearing tight fitting clothes, especially the ones which
are tight at the waist, including belt, also cause acid
reflux. |
How to best relieve
symptoms of acid reflux involves making lifestyle changes such as avoiding
certain foods, losing weight, stopping smoking and exercising regularly. A
wide variety of over-the-counter medications such as antacids, anti-gas or
ant-flatulence drugs, oral suspension and H-2 receptor blockers are available to
provide temporary relief.
Avoid the overuse of over-the-counter medications as they may cause side
effects such as constipation and diarrhea. For more frequent and severe
episodes of acid reflux, your doctor may prescribe medications such as proton
pump inhibitors. If lifestyle changes and prescription medications fail to offer
improvement, surgery may be recommended.
Natural Remedies
Natural and holistic
treatments have been used for centuries to treat and provide symptomatic relief
for digestive problems. Homeopathic remedies are safe and effective to use
for people of all ages without unwanted side effects. Carefully selected
ingredients such as Calc phos, Carbo veg, Nat phos, Mag carb and Silicea helps
to neutralize acid in the stomach as well as cleanse and eliminate toxins from
the body and relieve symptoms of heartburn, indigestion, bloating and gas.
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Calc phos (6X) is a bio-chemic tissue
salt and a natural component of
all fluids in the body and is strongly indicated for people who suffer from
indigestion, digestive discomfort and heartburn after meals, often resulting in
anxiety and insecurity around food and health. |
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Carbo veg (6C) is well known
for its supportive capacity on digestion, including the discouragement
of common gas. This remedy also supports healthy circulation and healthy
energy levels. |
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Nat phos (6X) is known as the
‘biochemic antacid’, Nat. phos. is widely used to address digestive comfort, especially
after meals and is of great
benefit for people who tend to suffer from common indigestion and burning. |
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Mag carb (6C) is a tissue salt
that can help support muscular tissue (a
lack of magnesium in the body can result in common spasms and cramps). |
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Silicea (6X) is a cleansing
tissue salt often used to help detox and flush out the system. It can also
support healthy ph levels in the stomach. |
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Carbo veg (6C)
is well known for its supportive capacity on digestion, including the
discouragement of common gas. This remedy also supports healthy circulation
and healthy energy levels. |
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Matricaria recutita (German
Chamomile) is a medicinal herb which has been used by European naturopaths for
centuries. Its anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic and calming properties make it
an extremely effective treatment for digestive disorders. |
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Filipendula ulmaria (Meadowsweet)
is an anti-inflammatory, soothing digestive remedy which helps to protect the
digestive tract and reduce stomach acid secretions. It is also effective in
reducing the pain of digestive disorders and ulcers and is similar in structure
to the synthetic drug called acetylsalicylate, or aspirin - without the side
effects commonly associated with aspirin. |
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Sutherlandia frutescens ('Cancer
Bush' or 'Kankerbossie') is a medicinal herb exclusively found in Southern
Africa and has been used by indigenous people for thousands of years to treat
chronic and acute digestive complaints, internal cancers and as a powerful
tonic. Recent research has confirmed its adaptogenic properties. Sutherlandia
contains a number of highly active compounds, including pinitol, L-canavanine
and the amino acid, GABA. L-canavanine is a strong L-argine antagonist that has
documented anti-cancer and anti-viral activity. |
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Acid Free-Flux
Remedy for pain and burning in the
stomach, chest or throat due to
heartburn or acid indigestion.
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Gastronic Dr.
Promote healthy digestion and comfort
after meals
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Drink sparkling mineral water
or herbal teas. Adding herbs like rosemary, sage,
fennel, dill and mint to your food while cooking will
definitely help in digestion. |
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Try to eat 4-5 small meals a day instead of 1-2 large,
heavy meals. Do not eat just before going to bed and
avoid eating in a hurry. Proper chewing is very
important. |
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A healthy, fiber rich diet is extremely
important. |
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In acid reflux, the list of what not to eat is much
bigger and specific than what to eat. Certain foods and
fluids to avoid are:
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Salad vegetables like onions, radishes and cucumber hard
to digest. |
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Too much liquid, especially just after the meals,
dilutes the digestive juices. Hence, liquids in small
quantities should be taken before or during the meals
only. A glass of wine on the other hand will aid in
digestion. |
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Peppermint tea, alcohol and coffee relax the esophagus
sphincter thereby aiding in spurring of the backward
flow of food from the stomach. Alcohol also causes
stomach acidity whereas coffee causes irritation. So,
it’s a double whammy for people facing acid reflux. |
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Pectin in unripe foods makes them hard to digest whereas
high fat content in cheese slows down digestion,
especially if taken just before going to bed. |
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Fats, protein and calcium present in the milk stimulate
acid production in the stomach. Normal diet of milk is
fine but don’t take it for treating acid reflux, as is
advised by some wise people. |
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Chocolate, containing fats and caffeine is also a usual
suspect. |
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Fizzy drinks expand your stomach having the same effect
as that of overeating. Avoid them | |
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Never lie down flat on the bed immediately after the
meals. |
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Raise the head end of your bed by about 3-4 inches,
using bed blocks or bricks. Pillows over pillows won’t
help. |
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Nicotine increases the amount of gastric acids secreted.
It also loosens the valve, i.e., relaxes the sphincter.
So, don’t smoke. |
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Wear suspenders instead of a belt. This creates less
pressure on the stomach. |
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Bend on your knees if you are going down. If you bend
your stomach, you’ll compress it forcing the acids
upwards. |
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Try yoga
or some form of stress relieving exercises in
addition to the herbs mentioned above. |
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Acid Free-Flux
Remedy for pain and burning in the
stomach, chest or throat due to
heartburn or acid indigestion.
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Gastronic Dr.
Promote healthy digestion and comfort
after meals
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