Looking for herbal acid reflux remedy

[midnight armadillo]

Ok, I take Nexium for acid reflux, caused by carrying around a few extra pounds. Losing that is a work in progress (down 4 lbs since New year's), but I gotta get off this drug. My company just voted in a new health care plan that'll save the company a ton of money at the expense of slightly higher out-of-pocket costs for us workers.

But, Nexium isn't covered at all under the new HMO. I know this from past experience. I'm tired of the side effects anyway - headaches, digestive upset - and want to find something a) cheaper and b) resonably effective until this problem goes away. No way I'm paying $100+ a month for this drug. Canadian importation is a possibility...

So, what are the good herbal remedies? I've read that orange peel extract can work, anyone have any experience with this? Chowing down mounds of Tums is a possibility, but an unpleasant one.

[stellanoir]

1. ginger, mint, & licorice

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

2. Great name for a rock band

"Herbal Acid Reflux"

[kick-ass-bob]

3. Herbal aloe drink.

If you PM me, I can get you some info on it.

[MADem]

4. OK, I heard this on the telly last night...

...it probably will not SOLVE your problem, but they said it can help. Chew GUM after dinner, they said. Apparently the saliva created by gum chewing neutralizes the acids that cause the reflux. I guess if you chewed ginger and licorice gum, that would kill two birds, or the acid anyway, with one stone.

[Festivito]

5. Add more vinegar to the diet.

I forgot the explaination. It was on DU, not long ago. Try searching the Lounge or Meeting Room for acid reflux or vinegar and Tums.

I'm sorry to add this in light of everyone else having something else to suggest.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

6. a tablespoon or 2 of applecider vinager

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

9. YEP...this is the best recommendation

Cider vinegar is a great ph neutralizer.
Staying away from sugar will help as well.

[Shredr]

12. Really?

But isn't vinegar acidic? And isn't acid the problem? How does it work? (I'll give it a try -- I too suffer)

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

14. If you google cider vinegar, it explains the manner in which

vinegar works to balance PH

[Red State Rebel]

7. Prilosec OTC has saved my life!

That stuff works wonders.

[musiclawyer]

8. First thing

..... alkalinize your body. Acid reflux is a symptom of a greater digestive malady, probably caused by what you've been putting in your mouth over the years. Drugs will just make it worse over time..... Cut way down or eliminate any acid forming foods: coffee, animal protein, sugar(man made or not), and refined grains( cold cereal, bread, pasta, bagels, crackers etc) for several weeks. Just eat whole grains (ezekial bread, unprocessed oatmeal etc), vegetables(preferably raw) and fruit. Sip lemon water(preferably organic lemons) throughout the day. This takes discipline. But if you want this problem gone forever, you'll do it. You'll lose weight very fast too. After you get your body's PH back in balance, see a professional alternative health care practicioner to learn in detail how to eat. Western doctors don't know how to deal with the underlying problem.

[Shredr]

13. Animal proteins form acids?

I had no idea.

Also, what is ezekial bread?

[DemGa]

10. I had devastating heartburn that went away completely

when I stopped eating meat 16yrs. ago. Could be a factor for other people, just a thought.

[WeRQ4U]

11. Tablespoon of regular baking soda dissolved in warm water.

Works instantly

[radwriter0555]

15. Green tea is a marvelous solution to acid stomach. 4 cups per day

is the rule.

Your entire body will benefit as well.