Acid Reflux Herbs – an Alternative Medicine
April 21, 2010
In this time and age when technology is at a rapid pace, it is quite surprising that alternative herbal medicine can outweigh the traditional drug-based medicines. This is true in the cure for acid reflux or heartburn, where various acid reflux herb cures are more popular than the drugs.
Whereas acid reflux herb cures as alternative medicine still need further analysis and the dosage is a mere guessing game. A lot of people prefer them over the traditional drugs. People seem to overlook the fact that drug medications have undergone extensive research. These include various tests and scientific researches to avoid any adverse reactions when consumed by the patient.
Traditional medicines include antacids, H2 inhibitors, bismuth subsalicylate and Proton pump inhibitors as against medicinal herbs for acid reflux. Herbal medicines are as simple as the herbs they contain.
Here are some popular herbs that are proven to cure acid reflux. Though considered as natural or organic, a doctor’s recommendation is still needed before trying any of these acid reflux herb medicines:
1. Ginger- Known to cure acid reflux due to its anti-inflammatory ingredients; you can boil fresh ginger and drink it similar to tea or you can sprinkle ginger powder on your food.
2. Liquorice or licorice- This is a legume found in most parts of Asia and southern Europe. This is used in soft drinks and candies as flavoring due to its sweet aftertaste. Since ancient times, this is also used as an effective expectorant.
3. Black pepper- Helps in the digestion of food hence, best for people suffering from acid reflux.
4. Aloe Vera or Medicinal Aloe- Aloe Vera gel is commercially used as ingredients in beverages, desserts and yogurts. Further medical evaluation is still needed regarding its healing properties for heartburn.
5. Slippery elm or red elm- Used in North America for centuries as herbal medicine in the treatment of ulcers, skin inflammation, wounds, burns and boils. As a nutritional food, it is similar to oatmeal and can easily be digested by people with intestinal problems or gastritis. However, extensive scientific research is still needed for its medical properties.
6. Bladder wrack- This is an algae in the form of seaweeds found on the shores of British Isles. Commonly used as ingredients of over-the-counter drugs for heartburn and components in nutritional supplements.
As in any form of medication whether acid reflux herb cure or drug based, medical consultation is still a must. This is due to the fact that limited medical research was spent on it. It is known to happen that expecting too much of herbal medical power results to complications rather good results.
There are acid reflux herbs already in the market and commercially distributed by reputable drug companies. These herbal medications now come in the form of capsule, tablet or drops. Their main purpose is to soothe and relieve the stomach lining as well as to strengthen the whole digestive system. Accordingly, taking this herbal cures does not need to be in daily dosages just to be effective.
Nevertheless to be really effective, there is also a need to change your eating habits and your diet. Regardless of the type of medication you decide on, your road to recovery also requires discipline. Treatments include rehabilitation, hence acid reflux herb medicines will only succeed if you watch what you eat.
Alvin Hopkinson is a leading health researcher in the area of natural remedies and acid reflux treatment. Discover how you can get rid of your heartburn for good using proven and effective acid reflux natural remedies, all without using harmful medications or drugs. Visit his site now at http://www.refluxremoval.com
Alvin Hopkinson
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/acid-reflux-herbs-an-alternative-medicine-703743.html
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8 Responses to “Acid Reflux Herbs – an Alternative Medicine”
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Acid Reflux!?
I suffer from Acid Reflux. I am always looking for alternative medicines besides over the counter. Has anyone had experience with this and what herbs or vitamins do you take if any?
How about some baking soda in water. Not sure of the amounts, but you could find it online I’m sure. I’ve also heard fresh mint is good..perhaps a cup of tea with fresh mint. Good luck.
References :
Prilosec OTC…IT WORKS !!!
References :
Why do people buy into these ‘new diseases’?
Acid Refux is NOT a disease, it’s a term coined by the greedy medical industry to get more of your valuable money, not to mention, making you think there’s permanently something wrong with you.
Acid Reflux is INDIGESTION, pure and simple. Everyone gets it.
There’s many reasons people get indigestion: eating spicy food and drinking lots of liquids; laying down right after eating; being pregnant, especially in later trimesters squeezes the stomach closer to the esophagus; eating too many sweets or anything that disagrees with your system. On and on.
Taking calcium supplements or drinking a small amount of milk or eating cheese, if your body can tolerate dairy, is a quick remedy. Antacids are based on calcium…Tums, etc.
Baking soda is loaded with sodium, salt and not healthy for the body.
The French, well known for their overindulgence in foods and fancy desserts would have cheese as a last course.
Just remember to limit liquids and not lay down after you eat.
References :
Prilosec, Nexium, Pepcid, etc. can KILL YOU! So it’s good that you are avoiding these dangerous drugs.
I would like to suggest an excellent book by Sherry Rogers, M.D. called: "No More Heartburn". She explains the many causes of acid reflux and how to properly treat the causes. (She will also explain why my first sentence is true.)
The book is available at Amazon.com or from the publisher at 1-800-846-6687. I highly recommend this book.
Best wishes and good luck.
References :
One of the previous responders hit the nail on the head with many of the causes.
Long term resolutions: Some of the simplest ways to avoid/relieve the burn is to not eat when you’re not hungry, don’t drink when you’re not thirsty (in other words don’t do either to excess), sit up well when you’re eating, and do it mindfully (take time to stop and chew and enjoy what you are eating).
I recommend not eating later than 7pm, and taking the bulk of your water in between meals and not during. Many heartburn cases are the cries of dehydration, while for others it is acid at the wrong time – if you drink too much fluid during the meal you’re dousing the "flames" when they need to be on to digest your food properly! Believe it or not, yes, indigestion is often produced by *too little* lack of hydrochloric acid which causes the food and acids to build up and backup into your throat.
Lastly, consider the suggestion another answerer wrote on baking soda – while I might not suggest it per se in your case, the reason many use it is because it relieves acid, or alkalizes the body. Consider consuming foods which do this and getting PH strips to monitor your acid/alkaline balance. It will not only help heartburn, but help avoid many other ilnesses as well.
Short term: As for the late night pain, I find strong peppermint tea combined with sleeping partially elevated to be useful (yes, there are arguments about peppermint because it relaxes the system, but it is a great digestive aid that helps numb the pain – works well over several days if the issue is too little acid). I’d suggest a product called Pleo alkala for PH care, and bitters, such as dandelion root to help increase acid production prior to your meals.
References :
Susan Weed’s Newsletters on Herbal Solutions for Acid Reflux:
http://www.healing-wise.com
Life experience, treatments and Pleo products discovered:
http://www.healingclinic.net
Dr. J strikes again. As a chiropractor I think he extends his expertise just a bit.
Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) (Prilosec, et al) are a very safe class of medications and have over the last few years become available over the counter in a dose half of that usually prescribed. It is possible to kill yourself by drinking too much water, so yes there is always potential that someone got hurt taking these medications. I can personally say that I have prescribed these medications hundreds of times and have NEVER had a patient come back to me with an adverse reaction…this is an extremely good track record despite it being ancedotal.
Acid reflux is not entirely benign. In addition to it being very uncomfortable to many people it can have complications. One is esophogeal or gastric bleeding that can lead to serious blood loss and at minimum chronic anemia. The other is a condition called Barrett’s Esophogus which is a pre-cursor to esophogeal cancer. Therefore there are good reasons to treat the problem.
Alternative medications include Zantec et al also over the counter and treat GERD in a different way than the PPI’s. This class of medications (H2 blockers) also have a very safe track record.
Your question was about herbs. I am not sure I have much in that vein but here are some non-pharmacological means you can try.
Eat at least 4 hours before you lay down or go to bed.
Prop (the legs of) the head of your bed up with a couple bricks.
Check out the site below which can give you information about foods that are safe and other that will exacerbate the problem.
Avoid cigarettes and alcohol.
I hope this is helpful. Good luck.
References :
http://heartburn.about.com/cs/dietfood/a/heartburnfoods1.htm
apple cider vinagre tablets- it works instantly
its caused by food allergies
get a hair analysis to know what’s goin on
http://www.gseradicator.com
References :
http://www.gseradicator.com