Acid reflux and GERD are one of the most common digestive discomforts that people deal with on a daily basis. A 2014 systemic review showed that, “The range of GERD prevalence estimates was 18.1%-27.8% in North America, 8.8%-25.9% in Europe, 2.5%-7.8% in East Asia, 8.7%-33.1% in the Middle East,11.6% in Australia and 23.0% in South America.“ 1 Unfortunately, the common solution offered by most allopathic doctors is to prescribe proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or H2 (stomach acid) receptor blocking medications which is like slapping a bandaid on the problem instead of healing the cause of the diagnosis.
What is acid reflux and GERD?
Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid travels back up your esophagus, typically after you eat or drink. GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) occurs when you are experiencing acid reflux much more frequently, as often as two or more times per week.2 Some common symptoms include a burning sensation in your throat, heartburn, indigestion, acidic taste in your mouth and/or nausea.
Why is stomach acid important?
Stomach acid, also known as hydrochloric acid or HCI, is one of the most important parts of your digestive system. HCI production is triggered the moment food enters your mouth or you smell dinner coming out of the oven. After swallowing your food, stomach acid begins working hard to breakdown proteins, killing bacteria and sending messages to your pancreas to release enzymes for further digestion. Without stomach acid your food would just sit in your stomach fermenting, causing you to potentially be deficient in protein, magnesium, iron and vitamin B12.3
Why pharmaceutical medications don’t help solve the problem
When doctors diagnose GERD or acid reflux they may prescribe over the counter antacids such as Tums (bicarbonate), Zantac (H2 receptor blocker) or prilosec (PPI proton pump inhibitor). These medicines will eliminate the stomach acid, causing your discomforts and leave you with a breeding ground for bacteria growth in the stomach and malnutrition due to the body’s inability to breakdown nutrients properly. It is important for overall health, to focus on the underlying issues and lifestyle choices contributing to health problems instead of taking a pill to only stop the symptoms.
Testing your pH levels
Acid reflux is typically caused by the body producing too much or too little stomach acid and/or eating triggering foods. The body’s pH scale ranges from 0-14, with 0 being strongly acidic. Our body likes to stay in the neutral range between 6.8-7.4 to maintain a healthy alkaline/acid balance. When our bodies are too acidic it creates a breeding ground for bacteria, cancer and illness. Testing your pH levels at different times of the day is a great way to see what your average levels are. You can purchase pH litmus strips from your local health food store or by ordering online. The test is done by spitting saliva on the paper or spitting in a cup, in which you dip the paper in. The results are available within seconds. Record the pH results in your food journal.
Lifestyle & Nutrition Tips for Relief
Our health always starts with nutrition. Look at the foods you are eating before your acid reflux symptoms begin. Some common triggering foods are acidic foods and/or drinks, coffee, cigarettes, caffeine, soda, garlic, onions, chocolate, fried foods, spicy foods and peppers.4 Everyone’s body reacts differently so you may be triggered by some or all of these foods. Keeping a food journal of everything you eat each day is a great way to narrow down which foods you should avoid. Helpful lifestyle changes include chewing slowly, eating smaller meals and sitting upright after meals. Making these changes in your day to day life can significantly reduce your GERD or acid reflux symptoms and potentially eliminate your need for medications to manage your discomfort.
10 Herbs for Acid Reflux or GERD
Medicinal herbs for stomach acid issues mostly include digestive bitters, demulcent herbs and herbs with anti-acid actions. Herbal bitters help your digestive system organs function at the top of their game so that your body can properly breakdown your food, remove toxins, and absorb nutrients. Bitter herbs also have several other herbal actions to help soothe nausea, indigestion, stomach spasms and gas pain associated with acid reflux and GERD. Demulcent herbs have mucilage properties that help coat the stomach and throat with a protective film to help stop digestive discomfort before, or after it begins. Here are 10 herbs that you may find useful in naturally treating stomach acid issues.
DGL Licorice – Glycyrrhiza glabra
Licorice root is a sweet remedy, well known for being anti-inflammatory and demulcent. It contains glycyrrhetinic acid that can lower your estrogen levels causing a hormone imbalance. A safer alternative for longer use is DGL licorice which is made by extracting glycyrrhetinic acid. This leaves the beneficial flavanoids that help protect against ulcer formation and coats the stomach to ease irritation. This is best taken before meals because of the protective mucilage properties.
Marshmallow Root – Althaea officinalis
Marshmallow is another demulcent herb that helps coat the throat and stomach with a mucus like coating. This helps reduce discomfort and ease inflammation caused by stomach acid. Tea is the method of preparation recommended in order to activate the mucilage properties of marshmallow.5
Ginger – Zingiber officinale
Ginger is anti-inflammatory, helps reduce nausea, soothe a sore throat and gas pains. It also contains digestive enzymes that help breakdown proteins to aid in processing your food better. Tea made with fresh ginger root is recommended.5
Fennel – Foeniculum vulgare
Fennel is well known for gas and nausea relief which some people experience with heartburn. You can chew on a few seeds for near instant relief or take it by extract when needed. Fennel is also commonly recommended for babies experiencing gas or diagnosed with colic.5
Catnip – Nepeta cataria
Catnip is a helpful digestive herb for all ages. It helps calm indigestion, sore throats and gastrointestinal spasms.6 Commonly recommended for babies diagnosed with colic. Catnip is also a calming nervine herb which is helpful when you’re feeling anxiety during an acid reflux episode. Tea made from fresh catnip leaves is recommended.
Chamomile – Matricaria chamomilla
Chamomile is commonly used to help soothe you to sleep, but that’s not all this powerful herb can do. Chamomile is also a digestive bitter that can calm your stomach, help expel gas and reduce inflammation within the body. 6 Make a chamomile tea infusion to help calm your body and your mind.
Gentian – Gentiana lutea
Gentian is a bitter herb best taken before meals to help stimulate the digestive system. Due to the strong bitterness of the herb it is recommended to mix gentian with other herbs, or taken as a tincture or extract.6
Slippery Elm – Ulmus rubra
Slippery Elm is very similar to marshmallow root due to its mucilage properties. It helps soothe the digestive tract and absorb stomach acid when your acid reflux is causing you discomfort.6 Due to its slimy texture it may be difficult to ingest this as a tea infusion. You can find slippery elm in convenient capsules if that works better for you.
Meadowsweet – Filipendula ulmaria
Meadowsweet is a natural analgesic, or pain reliever, due to its salicin properties.6 Salicin is derived from meadowsweet to make the common over the counter pain reliever known as aspirin. Meadowsweet is also used as an anti-inflammatory and antacid.7 This can be taken as a tea infusion or tincture.
Papaya – Carica papaya
Papaya deserves to be mentioned on this list even though it is a fruit. Papaya contains the digestive enzyme called papain which helps breakdown high protein foods such as meat, cheese, eggs, fish, and nuts. When your digestive system is able to breakdown food more efficiently this can help reduce your risk of bloating, indigestion and inflammation. 8 This can be taken by tincture or capsules before meals.
Summary
Medicinal herbs are our allies when our bodies need assistance. By making healthy lifestyle changes and discovering the source of your symptoms, you can help improve the quality of your daily life. Masking symptoms with medications will offer you temporary comfort, but the real problem will continue to fester. Focus on a healthy diet to include plenty of water as well as fresh fruits and vegetables for optimal health.
Herbal Recipes
Throat Soothing Tea
1 Tablespoon Ginger or Marshmallow Root or Licorice Root
1 ½ Cups Water
To make a decoction, simmer the water, and your herb of choice, on the stove for 20 minutes. Strain and drink. Honey is also very helpful for sore throats and can help sweeten the tea. Drink as needed throughout the day.
Digestive Bitter Tea
1 Teaspoon Dandelion Root
1 Teaspoon Burdock Root
1 Teaspoon Yellow Dock Root
1 ½ Cups Water
To make a decoction, simmer the water and herbs on the stove for 20 minutes. Strain and drink. Drink before or after meals to help improve your digestive system.
Anti-Acid Tea
1 Tablespoon Meadowsweet
1 Cup Water
To make an infusion, pour 1 cup of boiling water over your herbs and allow it to steep for 15 minutes. Strain and drink. Sweeten your tea with honey as desired. Drink as needed 2-3 times a day
Resources
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23853213/
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heartburn/expert-answers/heartburn-gerd/faq-20057894
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20882439/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5503285/
- Body Into Balance, By Maria Noel Groves, Published in 2016
- The Modern Herbal Dispensatory, By. Thomas Easley, Published in 2016
- https://www.christopherhobbs.com/database/?details&type=herbs&name=Meadowsweet
- https://www.stauberusa.com/research-enzyme-papain/