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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.
Madam,I am an 60 yr old patient having GERD since 12 yrs.In endoscopy an year back,been diagnosed with stricture.Frequent heartburn occurances.Off and on on pentaperazole & homeopathy for relief.Lost brother due to cancer of oesophagus.I lead an active life,90 kgs,disciplined food intake.Pl advice homeopathic medication.Col Pk Singh,Retd.
I need to consult you online for my years old acid reflux & migrane issues. I am 59 years old, male.
I am currently experienceing chest pain and gurgling behind the sternum since beginning this flu virus Dec. 26, 2021. Prior to that for a few weeks my cooking started to have an off taste like sourness in my mouth. The sour taste is brought on by any amount of salt no matter how little. It has not improved with homeopathic remedy calc carb 200ch.
Am I done now? When will I be receiving a reply?
Yours sincerely,
Lia
I am currently experienceing chest pain and gurgling behind the sternum since beginning this flu virus Dec. 26, 2021. Prior to that for a few weeks my cooking started to have an off taste like sourness in my mouth. The sour taste is brought on by any amount of salt no matter how little. It has not improved with homeopathic remedy calc carb 200ch.
Hi sir, my wife has facing a gastric problem in since last two years,she had 32years old.we have considered a gynacalogist they check the enduscopy,and colonoscopy test are done,but they say that nothing to worry about in the test reports,but I have faceing the gastric pain,it starts with stomach with back pain and chest pain, could you please tell me how to relief in this problem.
I have taken homeopathy medicine for four months but no improvement, my throat pain is getting worse heaviness at the head cramp in the joints of arm snd tingling
Sent you an Email on the Email Id you mentioned
My age is 58years. I am Diabetic patient and taking regular medication. Janumet 50/500mg for one time a day. My body weight is 60 kg. I am suffering from GERD for late more than one year. Allopathic medicine could not relieve me. I am non smoker, non alcoholic. Sometimes eating fish ,egg etc as non veg item. Sir,kindly suggest me for homeopathy treatment or specific medicine.
I am suffering from GERD from last 7 years and that has narrowed the esophagus. I take nexium 2 every alternative day and am regular in eating dinner early. Though I don’t have major issue but taking nexium reduces b12. I want to get treated for this reflux.
Hi Dr Kaur, I got diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus and hiatia hernia on August this year. My throat and voice is hoarse. I cut out rice,corn,and wheat. I really dont know what to eat. I stayvawsy fromnacidic and spicy food that’s what my GI adviced. The GI put me pepcid 40mg and on omeprazole 40mg 2 a day plus sucralfate up to 4x a day. He told me to ONLy take the omeprazole if I really need to. Then he told me to stop the pepcid. I haven’t take the omeprazole for a week now. But my voice is getting more hoarse my throat hurts and swallowing and breathing is becoming a concern. I really dont knowcwhatvto eat and I feel I’m lacking nutrients. What can I do to soothe my throat and heal my esophagus and get rid of all gastric issues and hiatia hernia naturally? Thank you for your time. I’m 42 and weight 165 now and am 5’7. Thank you for your time Dr Kaur
Have you read “The Acid Watchers Diet”? Check and see if this would help. Plus you need to chew your food 50 million times before you swallow! Blessings!
Hello Dr. Sharma:
I am your patient and I am suffering from GERD/LPR ( acid reflux), with exhibiting symptoms of post-nasal drip/excess mucous, hoarseness in voice and breathing difficulty. I don’t burp, no chest pain, no heartburn. I have difficulty speaking. Along with that I have lot of Gas/Bloating (IBS).
I was instructed by Dr. Kaur to take Nat Phos and Arsenic Alba. Just wanted to confirm that am I in the right path or do you recommend anything else.
Thanks,
Tapas Chandra
New York
My mother has been suffering from this condition. Upon endoscopy gastritis with h pylori was diagnosed. Has been on anti biotic course twice. The most worry some part is food regurge when she wake up in morning . She feel like its blood spitting up in pieces with blood. General fatigue and bloating accompany .. please suggest. Comorbids hypo thyroid with subtotal thyroidectomy and diabetic. Excision of uterus some 10 years ago. Thanks
Dear Doctor Sharma,
I have acid reflux and gerd, I am now on omprazzole. I had trouble swallowing and a lump sensation in throat and a feeling food was stuck..I have chronic anxiety and panic attacks. The worse symptom is an extremely dry month and very little saliva..I am seeing a homeopath in the uk. I have been taking the remedy for a week.. If you have any advice I would be grateful. Thank you christine dennison
Good day Dr.
I really need help, as I’ve been diagnosed of gerd, for 2years now. It causes me shortness of breathe, occasional fatigue, low energy level, belching sometimes, pains at the top of my back,and a whole lot of .
Please, I’ll appreciate if you can help me.
Thanks
Dear Dr. Sharma.
I am 66. I have GERD for more than two years. First I contacted a Gastroenterologist. He prescribed Pandaprazole. This tablets helps only when it is taken and I felt that taking Pandaprazole for a long time will have adverse effects. so I stopped it.I tried GAS GAN three time s a day It was good for me. But one doctor said, taking that for a long period will have adverse effects. Then I contacted a hHmoeo Medical Practitioner. and his medicines were okay for the stomach problem. But recently I had a lump feeling in the throat and then a breathing problem. O contacted another Pulonologit. I am under his treatment for one week. And he asked me to take an x-ray of the chest. The doctor told me that my lungs has elasticity problem. In between I took Aspedosperma 20 drops two times and I felt better. i am going to see the Pulmonologist this Thursday. naturally he will ask me to continue the medicine. But I would like to take homoeo medicine. But Homoeo doctors keeps us in abeyance. They do not tell the names of the medicine. So help me what to do.
Respected Doctor Sharma
Past several months i am having
Heartburn
Burning in the throat
Belching every 5/10 mts and sometimes accompanied with reflux of food though miniscule
Frequent farting
I am vegeterian finishing dinner by 6.30 pm. Take plenty of fruits and raita having cucumber, onion , green chillies and tomato. I dont take Alchohol nor i smoke . viz have a simple lifestyle. Still unable to fathom why i am having this issue. Tried allopathic medicines but not effective
Could you kindly suggest Hoemeopathy medicine
Hi Sharma ,
I am Ramu. I have gerd from 6months with the following symptoms.
Sour taste in the mouth after meals
Excess salivation
Throat burn surround by oily throat
Slight difficult to swallow when I drink water
Chest swelling is there
I have no clue what I am suffering from? I need a Dr to actually understand my symptoms and my DIET and thru bloodwork or other scientific method determine what I am dealing with? Maybe I have food allergies? Maybe I need that tested? I am not interested in any medicines which rules out 90% of the doctors in my plan. Thoughts on who I can actually meet with and get tested?
I am a neither smoker nor alcoholic but has been suffering from GERD and have to take allopathy antacid regular ly .Burning throat,acid reflux regular in the morning after passing stool.Pl. advise
Dr Dr Sharma,
I am writing to you to seek help for a friend of mine who is suffering from GERB. He does not speak English at all , so i will have to write to you and translate to him what you are suggesting. He is 50 years of age he is suffering for a long time – since he was a teenager and eventually he developed BARRETT’S syndrome. He receives nexium daily for the last years. I have to mention that he has his spleen removed some 20 years ago and he has no other health problems.
I so hope that you can help my friend.
With kind regards from Greece.
Kostandis
Dr. Sharma,
I was recently diagnosed with “silent reflux”. Basically, I have no symptoms of acid reflux, with exception of the sensation of having a lump in my throat all of the time and constantly hawking to “clear” the throat, dysphagia and hoarseness. I saw an ENT and he did a nasolarygoscopy to see into my throat. The voicebox was inflamed and pretty angry, hence the sensation of a lump in my throat.
I took a couple of homeopathy courses when I lived in Germany, so I’m not completely clueless about how to search for remedies, however I’ve been searching for a remedy for a while, but everything suggests remedies for full on GERD. Should I try Phos, or is there something else you can suggest?
Symptoms increase at night, upon lying; worse in morning; entire throat area, but seems worse on left side; no impact from hot or cold; hawking seems to temporarily ease sensation
Hi Dr Sharma,
I was diagnosed with gerd about 3 years ago. The diagnosis was done via endoscppy and it said episatritis grade b. I took the antacids and other meds for a couple of months, things became better and I stopped the meds and continued life as it was. Alcohol consumption started again and typical high fat foods. Things triggered again after some time. Went back to meds. Again ok back to the same lifestyle. During the lockdown had lot of alcohol and one day felt severe heartburn. Since then haven’t touched it. It’s been 6 months now. I started with allopathic meds for 2 months but was mentally not sure to take so many tablets so I left. Tried ayurvedic for 2 months. It was ok. Finally resorted to homeopathy since past 3 months. It’s been helping me, heartburn was minimal over time. Some aches and pain in ribs happened over time mostly left side. Recently I have started feeling the food and water travelling down. I don’t feel it’s sticking but I can feel it moving down to the stomach. I mostly feel it in the subxiphoid area just at the end of the sternum. I am worrying if its serious now? Am getting an endoscopy done. What do you advise?