Acid Reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a very common problem, which is estimated to effect from a third to half of the population. For some people it is just an annoyance, while others can experience severe pain, and if it is left untreated it can damage the lungs and esophaghus, and cause cancer in the long term. If it is causing you severe pain, then you have probably tried a number of approaches to cure it; herbal medicines may offer a new avenue to relief. If it only bothers you a little bit you may just be living with it, but if so you should remember that over the years it can cause damage, so it is best to try to treat it right away.
How Acid Reflux Occurs
Acid reflux usually flares up after you eat, when a sphincter at the top of the stomach (and the bottom of the esophagus) is either weakened, or opens when it shouldn’t, allowing stomach acid to pass from the stomach into the esophagus. As the esophagus does not have the same lining as the stomach, these acids burn the flesh, causing symptoms like heartburn, feeling like food is regurgitated, and a possibly a variety of other symptoms like hoarseness, uncomfortable fullness, or chest pain. The roots causes of acid reflux are often lifestyle, such as stress, cigarette smoking, and obesity, and certain foods can act as a trigger.
According to Tech Republic, acid reflux can lead to a condition known as esophagitis. Once this condition exists, it is usually a life long problem. Therefore, you should take natural measures to alleviate acid reflux at the first sign of the problem, regardless of how mild symptoms may be in the beginning. Do not ignore these signs before seeking some form of treatment, in order to protect the esophagus.
Possible Herbal Treatments
Two herbs which can be very helpful in treating this disease are chamomile tea and deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL). These increase the amounts of mucus on the stomach line, which helps protect the stomach. Any herb which reduced the acidity of the stomach are also helpful, as these will reduce the damage of stomach acids when they do reflux into the esophagus. Ginger and licorice are good for this. Herbs can also be used to heal the intestines of GERD suffers. Marshmallow and slippery elm can be good for this. Other herbs that can help are black pepper, Indian long pepper, or Indian gooseberry, to name a few.
One of the best herbal remedies for acid reflux is a mixture of lavender, aniseed and peppermint according to Medical Articles. These three herbs should be mixed in equal portions in a hot tea. Other helpful herbal teas include Chicory Root Tea, Ginger Root Tea, and grapefruit as well as pineapple. Home Remedies Web also recommends the use of Apple Cider Vinegar to treat acid reflux at home.
Relax and De-Stress
Finally, herbs that help you relax and de-stress can help get to the root of your acid reflux problem, at least if it is partially caused by stress. Herbs like Hawthorne berries, Chamomile, Ginseng, passion flower extract, or Kava Kava, just to name a few, can help relieve anxiety, reduce stress, or help your body cope with these things. This can be especially beneficial if combined with lifestyle changes such as quitting or cutting down on smoking, losing weight, or practicing yoga for stress. Try experimenting with a number of different strategies and listen to your body to see which is helping the most. By using herbal treatments, changing your lifestyle, and learning what foods trigger you acid reflux and avoiding them, you can bring your acid reflux under control.
People who smoke usually use tobacco to relax, but when it comes to acid reflux, this is actually a mistake. The tobacco relaxes the sphincter muscles, which are essential for preventing stomach acids from coming back up into the esophagus. Therefore, according to Health Guidance, you should avoid smoking, even for relaxation.
Sources: www.healthguidance.org, www.homeremediesweb.com, www.medinik.com, www.techrepublic.com, www.gerd.net
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