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Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) refers to a condition in which there is a back flow of the stomach acid into the esophagus (food pipe) resulting in heartburn (burning sensation felt behind the sternum also called retrosternal burning).
Homeopathy is a renowned system of healing that offers a very magnificent and gentle treatment for cases of GERD and acid reflux. Homeopathic medicines are natural remedies that aid safe and quick relief in GERD symptoms. These helps in GERD by correcting the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) dysfunction and restoring acid balance in the stomach thereby bringing substantial relief in the symptoms like heartburn, burping, nausea, and difficult swallowing. The reliance on antacids and PPI (Proton pump inhibitors) that can cause side effects if used for an extended duration can be brought down to minimum with the use of these natural remedies without any adverse effects.
Homeopathy can treat GERD from its root
Homeopathy acts deeply, and not superficially, to treat health issues. It is much more than simply offering symptomatic relief. It goes to the root cause of a problem and treats it from its origin. Likewise, homeopathic treatment can treat GERD from its core. Its recurrences can also be prevented if certain dietary and lifestyle precautions are taken simultaneously.
Effective for both acute and chronic cases
Homeopathy brings great results in both acute and chronic cases of GERD. Though the time to show improvement varies as per chronicity, in acute cases, it assures to bring prompt symptom relief and resolve the condition quickly. In chronic cases, it works to reduce the intensity and frequency of GERD symptoms gradually along with targeting the root cause for a permanent cure.
Homeopathy can prevent GERD complications
Long-term GERD may also lead to several complications. But, with the help of a timely course of natural homeopathic remedies for the prescribed duration, one can also avoid its complications like esophagitis, and ulcers in the esophagus.
Zero side effects
Homeopathy treats GERD without any risk of any side effects. Even with long term use of homeopathic remedies no harmful effects follow. This is due to the fact that homeopathic remedies are natural and do not contain any toxins or chemicals.
Top 7 Homeopathic Medicines for Acid Reflux, Heartburn, and GERD
The top medicines that are used to treat GERD are Iris Versicolor, Robinia, Natrum Phos, Carbo Veg, Nux Vomica, Arsenic Album, and Pulsatilla.
1. Iris Versicolor – For Sour, Bitter Belching and Heartburn
Iris Versicolor is a natural medicine for treating GERD. It is prepared from a plant commonly named ‘blue flag.’ The natural order of this plant is Iridaceae. Sour, bitter belching is the key feature to use this medicine. Vomiting of sour bitter fluid that burns the throat, vomiting with weakness, a smarting, burning sensation in the throat, and heartburn are the key symptoms. There may be burning distress and pains in the epigastric region (the part above the stomach) at frequent intervals. Constant nausea may be present with these symptoms.
There is excessive indigestion, and the food is vomited after an hour or so of eating a meal. Iris Versicolor is also a well-indicated medicine for a headache arising with acidity.
When to use Iris Versicolor?
This medicine is recommended for GERD with sour, bitter belchings (burps), heartburn and sour vomiting.
How to use Iris Versicolor?
This medicine can be taken in 30C power once or twice a day.
2. Robinia – When Acidity Symptoms Worsen At Night
Robinia is a top listed medicine for treating GERD. Robinia is prepared from a plant named ‘yellow locust.’ The natural order of this plant is Leguminosae. The key indication to use this medicine in GERD is the worsening of acidity symptoms at night time. There is intense heartburn, constant sour belching, and sour vomiting due to the regurgitation of acid from the stomach. As the symptoms tend to get worse at night time these can cause sleeplessness.
When to use Robinia?
This medicine is well indicated when acidity symptoms like heartburn, sour burps get worse at night time.
How to use Robinia?
It is advised to use Robinia 30 C twice or thrice a day
3. Natrum Phos – For Heartburn and Difficult Swallowing
Natrum Phos is another prominently indicated medicine for GERD treatment. It is useful when heartburn is attended with difficulty swallowing. Other symptoms include sour belching, waterbrash, and vomiting of sour fluid or cheesy, curdled masses. A lump sensation in the throat may also be present, along with a loss of appetite.
When to use Natrum Phos?
Natrum Phos can be opted for managing GERD with heartburn along with difficulty in swallowing.
How to use Natrum Phos?
Natrum Phos can be administered in 6X potency three to four times a day.
4. Carbo Veg – For Bloating and Heartburn
Carbo Veg is an excellent medicine for GERD treatment. It is useful when there is bloating along with heartburn. Sour, offensive belching that gets worse after drinking or eating, a burning sensation in the throat, and difficulty in swallowing are other symptoms. Even the simplest of foods tend to trigger the condition.
When to use Carbo Veg?
This medicine is suitable when abdominal bloating attends complaint of heartburn even from eating the simplest kind of food.
How to use Carbo Veg?
Carbo Veg 30C can be taken twice or thrice a day as per symptom intensity.
5. Nux Vomica – For Acidity from spicy food, coffee, alcohol
Nux Vomica is a highly effective medicine in general for managing several gastric issues including acidity from spicy food, coffee, and alcohol. In cases needing it burning in the throat, heartburn and sour belching occurs. It may be accompanied by a cough. Nux Vomica is one of the best-indicated medicines for a gastric cough that gets worse at night time and prevents sleep. Vomiting usually appears from coughing. The throat is sore and raw, and swallowing may be painful.
When to use Nux Vomica?
Nux Vomica can be considered when acidity is worse from the intake of spicy food, coffee, or alcohol.
How to use Nux Vomica?
It is recommended to take Nux Vomica at 30 C power once or twice a day
6. Arsenic Album – For Burning Pain in Throat
Arsenic Album is a medicine for GERD that is accompanied by a burning pain in the throat. The burning gets worse upon swallowing. Swallowing is difficult and painful. Other symptoms include regurgitation of acrid matter, water brash, heartburn, intense nausea, and weakness. Arsenic Album is also a well indicated medicine for inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis).
When to use Arsenic Album?
This medicine can be selected to manage burning pain in the throat along with painful and difficult swallowing.
How to use Arsenic Album?
Though it can be used in both low to high potencies, in the beginning, it is advised to take it in 30C potency once or twice a day.
7. Pulsatilla Nigricans – For Acid Reflux from Fatty Food
Pulsatilla Nigricans is a natural medicine prepared from a plant named ‘windflower.’ The natural order of this plant is Ranunculaceae. It is used in cases of GERD where consumption of fatty food worsens the complaint. Greasy, fatty foods like creams, pastries, and ice creams trigger acid reflux. The symptoms include heartburn and water brash. Belching of food, bitter taste in the mouth, nausea, and a sensation of lumping in the throat may be present.
When to use Pulsatilla Nigricans?
It is an ideal medicine for cases of acidity that worsens from eating fatty food like creams, pastries, ice creams.
How to use Pulsatilla Nigricans?
In the beginning, one may start with its 30C potency once a day. After close observation of symptoms, higher potencies can be considered if need arises, under a homeopathic physician’s supervision.
Main Cause of Heartburn
To understand GERD, one will have to first understand how our esophagus (food pipe) and stomach handle food and acid. As the food reaches the lower end of the food pipe, a circular muscle (the LES or lower esophageal sphincter) present around the food pipe opens up and allows the food to enter the stomach. Once it enters the stomach, this muscle closes the lower end of the food pipe. This behaves like a one-way valve stopping the food and the acid in the stomach from moving back into the esophagus. In Gerd, this valve relaxes abnormally or weakens, so the stomach acid flows back up into your esophagus very frequently, causing repeated attacks of heartburn.
GERD: Symptoms
– Heartburn, which is a burning sensation in the chest behind the breastbone. It gets worse after eating, lying down, and bending.
– Burning in the throat
– Chest pain
– Sour, bitter belching or water brash (sudden flow of saliva due to indigestion) from regurgitation of food or sour liquid
– Sour taste in the mouth
– Difficulty in swallowing
– Sensation of a lump in the throat
– Bad breath
– Feeling of Abdominal bloating
– Cough
– Laryngitis
– Worsening of asthmatic complaint
Risk Factors: GERD
The risk factors for GERD include obesity, hiatus hernia (bulging of the upper part of the stomach through the hiatus opening in the diaphragm), smoking, pregnancy, strenuous exercise right after eating a meal, heavy exercise with a focus on the core muscles of the abdomen, exercises that involve hanging upside down or bending, and weightlifting.
Factors that can Trigger or Worsen GERD Symptoms
It firstly includes certain food and drinks such as fatty foods, fried food, chocolates, spicy food, tomatoes, garlic, onions, and citrus fruits, carbonated drinks, caffeinated drinks, and alcohol which are known to worsen GERD symptoms. The other reason could be taking medications such as NSAIDs, antibiotics (such as tetracycline), pain relievers (such as ibuprofen and aspirin), birth control pills, and iron supplements. Other factors may include stress, late-night eating, eating food in large quantities, and immediately lying down after eating food.
Complications/ Long-term Effects of GERD
Long-standing uncontrolled or untreated GERD carries a risk of developing certain complications. These include inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis), ulcers/erosions in the esophagus, and stricture of the esophagus from a scar that causes narrowing of the esophagus. A serious complication of GERD is Barrett’s esophagus in which the squamous type of cells present in the lining of the esophagus change from squamous type to columnar epithelial type which is considered a precancerous condition.
Managing Acid Reflux and GERD
Some tips that can help minimize acid reflux and manage GERD include:
1. Drinking More Water
2. Avoiding Smoking and Alcohol
3. Eating Small, Regular Meals
4. Regular Exercising
5. Minimizing use of certain medications like NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and hormone replacement drugs
6. Taking dinner early
7. Avoiding Overeating
8. Maintaining a Healthy Weight
9. Keeping head slightly elevated while sleeping
10. Stress Management
11. Foods to Avoid: These include animal products and dairy products, caffeinated drinks like coffee, tea, and carbonated drinks. allergy-causing foods like gluten, certain nuts, or synthetic ingredients, fatty foods, overly spicy foods, tomatoes, and chocolates.
What would you recommend for silent reflux…? very few symptoms and the stomach contents travel up even into the sinuses and lungs in the form of gas.
Dear Dr.
I was diagnosed with barret’s esophagus 10 months ago and have been prescribed Nexium 40mg . I have never actually experienced any reflux but my gastroenterologist says that even though I cannot feel anything I am still having reflux. I believe that long term use of Nexium is detrimental to ones health ie kidney disease, osteoporosis heart disease etc. Could you please recommend something else as an alternative.
Dear Dr.
I take this opportunity to thank you for providing the opportunity to take advice from you.
I was diagnosed with H pylori +ve 2 months ago however last week stool test showed it was negative. I have been on Dexilant 60 mg 1 daily since then. However after this negative test i still feel reflux with throat tightness continually so the Dr advised to continue dexilant for another 2 months. I want you to advise me based on the above condition to help me feel better.
Would appreciate your kind advices.
Regards
DEAR DICTOR IAM SUFFERING BY HIATUS HERNIA FROM FEW MONTH.GASTROENTROLOGYST GAVE ME PPI PENTA PRAZOL FOR 45DAYS.THAT HAS BEEN COMPLETED.BUT I AM FEELING PAIN IN MY CHEST AFTER HOLE DAY WORK AT EVENING AND AFTER TAKING FOOD.ALSO THERE IS A FEELING LIKE SOMETHING IS BLOCKED IN MY CHEST CAVITY.I TOLD TO DOCTOR ,HE PRSCRIBED ME SUCRALFATE SUSPENSSION SYRRUP.BUT NOT GATTING ANY GOOD RESULT.PLEASE SUGEST ME ANY GOOD HOMEO PATHY MEDICINE WITH THE DOSE FOR THIS PROBLEM.THANK YOU.
Oct7,2019. Hello Dr. I have GERD. Which should I take and is it safe to take stuff together at the same time. Are there side effects also. Please tell me what I can take at once or all together.Thanks! Please send in formation to: eddieainc@aol.com
suffering from G E R D particularly swalloing solid food
Please suggest medicine
Dear Doctor,
I feel many belching after taking food, low appetite, mild burning sensations in throat and oesophageal region and some time problem in swelling food and mild heaviness in chest . I have done with endoscopy showing mild H.pylori positive and has taken full treatment of combination of medicines for 14 days followed by anta acid management for three months but still the mild problem is existing . I shall prefer to take homeopathy medicine right now I am taking Carbo vegetabilis 200 TDS and Nux vomica at night.
I shall highly appreciate you for suggesting homeopathy medicine please.
kind regards.
Dear sir
I am suffering with LPR for the last two months.I have symptoms like irritation in throat,too much sticky thick mucus ,something stuck in throat,feeling full after eating,burping.I have done with endoscopy and H pylori is positive & moderate gastritis .I am taking antacid for last two months .i have done with lagrangoscopy also then doctor said that u have LPR pls suggest some medicine
Thanking you
Dear Sir,
Please suggest me good medicine in Homeopathy for esophagitis/stricture of the esophagus/inflammation in esophagus. When I take allopathic medicine, I am getting relief. I am from Guntur,AP. There good medical shops in Homeopathy in Guntur. I will consult them if you suggest medicine. Please help Sir.
hi im 26 year old..my lower Esophageal sphincter is weak and lose.i have lax les?very serious condition ?please kuch batayen?\
My gallbladder stands removed. I was having GERD and was taking Pentocid L. Then mild depression started so that I had to stop it.
Then doctor prescribed Zeo cool. It resulted in breast pain sinus etc.
Now I am taking barely grass. There considerable improvement.
However I have mild pain near right kidney at the back and sometimes below the heart and backside. While taking bath some time there is uneasiness in the upper portion of the stomach
There is mucous in the throat in the morning. Winter it is very bad. I can’t face real winter.
Quality of life is getting deteriorated. Lack of energy.
How to improve my system
Kindly advice
I am suffering from bloating of lower abdomen and cannot bear clothing around the waist ie cannot tolerate wearin pant however loose it may be. There is no perceptible problem in upper abdomen. The gas is incarcerated and the condtion is always present and the only solace is the night time when I sleep. The allopathic gastro enterologist has done colonoscopy 8 years ago and diagnosed as Intestinal colic/Irritable bowel syndrome. a homeopath has tried China 200 and 1M, Lycopodium 200 and 1M also. There is some relief for some time but the problem is recurring. Due to unbearable discomfort recently I consulted the old allopathic doctor and he prescribed Pantocid-L (for GERD) , probiotics, prebiotics and nonabsorbing antibiotic-REFAXIMIN to fight bad bacteria in the GUT. I got immediate relief and using the medicines at present. I think this relief may be temporary and may recur when the medicines are stopped. This difficulty is existing since teenage. Kindly advise homeo medicines for permanent relief
Hello Sivaprasad, along with China and Lycopodium, medicines like Asafoetida and Raphanus may also be considered in your case. A thorough consultation with a homeopath is required to determine the potency and dosage of the medicines. The correct remedies can help resolve your problem over a period of time.
Hello, since you have mentioned a number of concerns, a proper case analysis is required to determine the constitutional homeopathic remedy. This can help treat most of your symptoms at a given time. For best results, frequent follow-ups with a homeopath are needed.
dear doctoe
last six month suffering from GERD find out Hiatus hernina Grade A
all atime feeling throat sore and tight and irritate .when eating time also feeling tight.
2 months takn allopathy medicine . but not cure.
please advise sir it will complete cure
my lax les ?
Hello, my daughter has 1:2mm stones in gallbladder, from 5months can it cure permanent in homeopathy without any diet and surgery.
My present problem is that I am suffering from sevear acidity problem. I have to take allopathic medicine to control the problem.
Hello Amar, homeopathic remedies like Carbo Veg, Lycopodium, Rubinia, and Natrum Phos are gastric remedies that work well in most cases of acidity-related complaints. You may start homeopathic treatment for long-term relief along with allopathic medicines (as required).
Am suffering from gerd with the ulcer felt inside the stomach with pains and also neck pain with throat sore. I am always having headache and sometimes I feel the pain inside my whole body from the head through the throat to chest heaviness and pains in the stomach with constant fever.
I have had gerd for several years. Generally avoid trigger foods and sleep on adjustable bed with head raised about 65 degrees. Still have heartburn, even while taking a walk. Eat mostly organic & little meat. I am 74 yo female, 5’6″, 100 lbs. When my naturopathic doctor uses ultrasound, he always says the LES is wide open. Do you know of any treatment that can make the spincter close after eating or at least sometimes?
Sir I am a patient of gerd for the last 30 years & now I feel a lot of pain while walking in the throat region please prescribe me with some effective medicine to relieve me of likely erosions which have taken place in my throat region because of gerd
I am 59 years of age suffering from severe hurtburn (GERD) from the last 3 years, and taking nexium 40 regularly, after taking this medicine I have no problem, but I want to go with permant remedies with homeopathy , please suggest the medicines who can control my problem permanently, I am really thankful to you. Thanks
I am a 50 year old women (Height 5ft inches Weight 66 Kgs ) and have been diagnosed with GERD. I had my gall bladder operated in 1994. At present I experience a discomfort around my throat upper abdomen almost always.
Am on Pantocid since long but not helping.
Although I do not vomit , I am always under a feeling of discomfort and a flatulence tendency and bloating.
Kindly advice.
Hi Doctor,
I am suffering from gas, acidity, indigestion and irregular bowel ling from a very long time. Heaviness of upper belly, burning of stomach and throat throughout the day. I have made endoscopy and found that early gastro-erosion inside the stomach. I have taken plenty of medicine like sucralfate syrup,omeprazole, rebeprazole in homoeopathy nux, argentum nit, belledona , hydrastis, lyco but the condition is running unchanged. Head remains hot. hair falling out. Hotness under and root of the ears. maximum perspiration. hotness and stiffness inside the eyes. pain around the eyes.Sensation of convultion inside the head specially back of the head , at the joint of back head and back neck. Plz help.I am 39 yrs old.