Your stomach acid helps digest your food. This stomach acid is very strong – the same acidity as battery acid. While the stomach can handle this, the more sensitive esophagus cannot. When the stomach sphincter is too weak, stomach acid regurgitates up into the esophagus, and causes a burning sensation called Heartburn. While occasional heartburn is common, more frequent, ongoing heartburn may be Acid Reflux, or GERD. Symptoms of acid reflux include burning chest pain, sour taste in the mouth, difficulty swallowing, belching, hoarseness, and sometimes breathing difficulties. Acid Reflux symptoms are worse from lying down or bending over.
Acid Reflux may be caused by a poor diet with too much citrus, certain spices, and fatty or irritating foods. Check with your doctor as some medications promote acid reflux. Smoking, alcohol, coffee, and other foods will make Acid Reflux symptoms worse.
Doctor’s treatment for acid reflux usually entails antacids and proton pump inhibitors that stop or slow down stomach acid, which may cause nutritional deficiencies and contribute to osteoporosis and immune dysfunction. They especially reduce B vitamins, iron and calcium.
The goal from a natural perspective to help Acid Reflux is to first relieve symptoms with natural remedies, and then correct the dietary imbalances. Start with a diet of fresh fruits and vegetables and mild meats such as chicken, turkey and fish, then add cell salts, homeopathy, and herbs to correct the underlying causes of acid reflux. Additionally, it is important to address stressful conditions in a person’s life.
Herbs for Acid Reflux
Herbs are plants valued for their specific strengthening/ tonifying properties.
DGL (De-glycerized licorice) – provides symptomatic relief
Slippery elm – for use with DGL for fast symptom relief
Calendula tincture – for inflammation, tightening and repairing tissues, and lymphatic improvement
Cell Salts to Help Acid Reflux
To make a cell salt solution, put up to 10 tablets of each cell salt in a 16- to 24-ounce bottle; fill with water and swirl to dissolve tablets. Sip throughout the day.
#8 Mag phos 6X – muscular spasms of the stomach
#10 Nat phos 6X – normalize pH, over-acidity
#11 Nat sulph 6X – pancreas, liver support
Acid Reflux Homeopathic Remedies
Homeopathic remedies are non-toxic natural medicines safe for everyone including infants and pregnant or nursing women. You may use 6X, 30X, 6C or 30C potencies.
Calcerea carb – frequent acid reflux with sour belching or vomiting; loud belching; stomach cramps. Person is a workaholic; doesn’t like bad news.
Nux vomica – feels like food won’t digest; worse from alcohol. Sour taste and nausea in mornings. For irritable, angry people that work too hard and play too hard; desire stimulants.
Pulsatilla – stomach feels heavy; gassy, belching, bad food or bitter taste in mouth; can’t eat greasy or fatty foods. Fears of being alone or disappointing people; cries easily.
Source: Dave’s Healing Notes
