Herbal Remedies
Ginger can help if nausea is one of your symptoms, while chamomile can calm irritation in the digestive tract and improve your sleep. Licorice coats the esophagus and stomach and protects against irritation.
Other, less common, herbal remedies include:
- Catnip
- Fennel
- Marshmallow root
- Papaya tea
- Crow dipper
- Poria mushroom
- Citrus unshiu peel
How Safe Are Herbal Remedies for GERD?
Herbal remedies, like medications, can have adverse effects and may interfere with other medications. Therefore, it’s essential to speak with your doctor before trying a herbal remedy.
“Herbal remedies lack FDA approval and oversight and have limited scientific data to support their overall efficacy,” says Carolyn Newberry, MD, a gastroenterologist at New York Presbyterian (NYP) Hospital / Weill Cornell Medical Center.
“While these remedies may be safe to try, you can’t tell how effective they will be, as the potency of such products is not regulated. Individual factors may also affect how useful the treatment is.”
“Licorice can have an effect on blood pressure and heart rhythms at high dosages and can interact with specific prescription medications including insulin, steroids, laxatives, and blood pressure medications,” warns Dr. Newberry.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Breathing Exercises
Acupuncture
The overall effectiveness of both treatments was similar, but those receiving acupuncture had better scores when it came to quality of life and anxiety than the other group.
The researchers believe acupuncture may improve a “heart-stomach” connection, which regulates gastrointestinal hormones. The improved hormonal balance, they suggest, would improve the function of the lower esophageal sphincter, inhibiting reflux.
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