Herbal remedies for acid reflux are attractive to many people because they don’t have the side effects that over-the-counter and prescription medications do. Side effects from medications can range from unpleasant (constipation, diarrhea) to dangerous (dizziness, reactions with other medications).

If herbal/natural remedies are what you are looking for, here are some to try:

Improving digestion to relieve acid reflux

These herbs can be taken before meals as a tincture to improve your digestion:

• Chamomile, Matricaria recutita
• Barberry, Berheris vulgaris
• Meadowsweet, Filipendula ulmaria
• Dandelion root

Relieving inflammation caused by acid reflux

Eating deglycyrrhizinated licorice before a meal can help to heal and soothe the inflamed tissue in your esophagus. Other herbs you might want to try:

• Marshmallow root, Althaea officinalis L.
• Slippery elm, Ulmus fulva
• Plantain
• Rice bran oil, gamma-oryzanol

These herbs add to the healing properties of the deglycyrrhizinated licorice and help neutralize stomach acid.

Other foods to try

Try out some of these foods if acid reflux is a problem for you. As always, there are disagreements over what works and what doesn’t. Milk and peppermint have been reported to both cause and relieve heartburn. Everyone is different, so keep track of your results to see what works best for you.

• Aloe Vera juice can soothe your insides in the same way it soothes your skin
• Drinking milk can counteract the acid in your stomach to stop the pain
• Apples naturally stop acid and have the added benefit of fiber. There’s truth in that old saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away!” Make sure you eat the peel, too
• Chewing on rhubarb can bring relief almost immediately
• You probably already have fennel seeds in your kitchen. Use 2-3 teaspoons to make a cup of tea
• Pineapple and papaya (juice and fruit) help to soothe the stomach
• Eating a banana each day can work as a preventative measure
• Eating a teaspoon of mustard also helps some people

Helpful vitamins for acid reflux

Taking B vitamins is long-term and does not work immediately. Calcium carbonate is found in antacids and can provide immediate relief.

• Vitamin B1: take in the morning with an empty stomach
• Vitamin B5: take with B1 for severe, reoccurring heartburn
• Calcium carbonate
• Choline: take with B1 and B5

Between meals

Drinking green tea between meals can help to relieve your acid reflux. Green tea has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as wound-healing properties.

Relieve episodic heartburn safely and naturally.

Sources:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FKA/is_6_67/ai_n13810151
http://www.best-health-tips.com/2007/12/heartburn-remedies-a-couple-of-natural-heartburn-remedies-you-could-use/
http://www.best-health-tips.com/2007/11/there-is-no-need-to-buy-expensive-medicines-to-cure-heartburn/
http://www.home-herb-garden.com/heartburn.html