Need a reflux remedy that is easy and totally natural? Read on for the details but don’t be put off by how simple this solution is. It works so give it a try!
Acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is at epidemic levels today. Not only do many adults suffer from it, but children and even infants frequently do as well in ever increasing numbers.
According to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons:
The term gastroesophageal reflux describes the movement (or reflux) of stomach contents back up into the esophagus, the muscular tube that extends from the neck to the abdomen and connects the back of the throat to the stomach. Because the stomach manufactures acid as an aid to digestion, this phenomenon is often referred to as acid reflux. Most people experience acid reflux from time to time as heartburn, a burning sensation below the breast bone that occurs after eating or at night. When the frequency of acid reflux is much greater than normal, or complications develop as a result of acid reflux, the condition is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD.
Now that we know what reflux or GERD actually is, let’s examine what causes this chronic and sometimes debilitating condition and how to resolve it without dependence on drugs.
Contrary to conventional thought, it is not too much stomach acid that is causing the discomfort. In fact, according to Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride MD, the nexus of the problem is too little stomach acid which causes the food that is consumed to sit and putrefy in the stomach instead of being immediately and properly broken down by hydrochloric acid produced by the digestive glands.
This putrification process generates a secondary acidic environment. This is the acid that people experience as reflux, but the truth of the matter is that if the stomach produced adequate acid to begin with to digest food properly, acid reflux would never occur in the first place!
The uncomfortable result of this secondary acid in the stomach is that the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) gets paralyzed, allowing both acid and partially digested food to flow back up into the esophagus. Hence the acid in the back of the throat and the related discomfort.
While the putrefication of the food in the stomach from a lack of hydrochloric acid itself generates an acidic environment, it’s not the kind we need for digesting food optimally in order for us to be nourished by it. Toxins are generated and the surrounding tissue is affected and ultimately damaged – especially the sphincter which opens and closes to allow passage of food from the esophagus to the stomach.
Of course this cannot be a good thing on a long-term basis and it’s only natural that complications would develop over time, the worst being esophageal cancer.
Besides the typical burning in the throat sensation, acid reflux sufferers also typically experience slow digestion which makes metabolism very inefficient. A healthy digestive system uses about 30% of the body’s energy on a daily basis. As a result, any major reduction in its capacity will tire you out quickly.
Sleepy after meals anyone?
So what’s to be done? According to lectures by Dr. Campbell-McBride MD, a natural reflux remedy is available that is actually ridiculously simple.
Help the stomach produce more natural acid to prevent the problematic, secondary acid from occurring!
Whatever you do, don’t suppress the stomach’s efforts by shutting down what little beneficial acid it is producing with TUMS, a purple pill, or any other medication – over the counter or otherwise.
Reflux medications are a monster cash cow for the drug companies, but it’s at the expense of the long-term health of the consumer, even if there is some short-term relief because there is less secondary, putrified acid to be refluxed up the esophagus. The toxins are still being produced and the damage is still being done to your sphincter.
Reflux Remedy: Cabbage to Encourage Normal Stomach Function
Your natural production of stomach acid can be stimulated and enhanced easily, safely and cost-effectively with cabbage.
Yes – cabbage!
Cabbage is a reflux remedy as it naturally stimulates the production of hydrochloric acid (HCL) to permit digestion to proceed normally without a secondary wave of acid from paralyzing the sphincter and causing putrifying stomach contents to erupt back into the throat.
You can juice it and drink some before eating or make yourself some good old coleslaw (you know, the kind grandma used to make – or at least someone in your ancestry if you go back far enough). Or, here it comes, just eat some traditionally fermented sauerkraut. Not the canned or jarred stuff on the shelf at the supermarket.
Cabbage and particularly fermented cabbage, aka sauerkraut, is a reflux remedy that is about as simple as you can get!
Sauerkraut, especially, is treasured traditional tucker in various parts of Europe. And now I understand why.
How to Put Cabbage to Work as a Natural Reflux Remedy Every Day
In order to have a comfortable digestive experience all day long, start the morning by eating a quarter cup or so of sauerkraut or plain shredded cabbage five minutes before your meal.
Dr. Natasha’s orders!
Just be sure that first meal is a good one, such as soaked porridge, eggs fried in butter with some cooked veggies or fruit on the side and maybe a little homemade broth for good measure.
If you still have symptoms later despite the cabbage/sauerkraut preventative, try this simple eggshell and apple cider vinegar remedy. One teaspoon in an 8 ounce glass of filtered water helps alleviate symptoms.
If you’re eating processed cereals with skim milk, pop-tarts or doughnuts for breakfast, forget about the cabbage, sauerkraut, or apple cider vinegar as nothing natural is going to help much. Just take your purple pills.
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
Sarah Pope has been a Health and Nutrition Educator since 2002. Her work is dedicated to helping families effectively incorporate the principles of ancestral diets within the modern household. She is a sought after lecturer around the world for conferences, summits, and podcasts.
Her work has been covered by major media including USA Today, ABC, NBC, and many others.
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Haha! Thanks for the last paragraph. Made me laugh out loud.
I seem to be seeing more recommendations for eating raw goitrogenic foods lately from WAPF/real food people. Are they being disassociated with thyroid disease?
Sauerkraut consumed in small amounts on a regular basis as suggested in this article and practiced by traditional cultures is fine for healthy individuals. If someone has thyroid disease, it is best to consult with a practitioner about consumption of cruciferous vegetables as this may prove problematic.
I spoke to my doctor about this (she’s a forward thinker like us) and she said with her thyroid patients she has seen NO difference in their recovery whether they were eating goitrogenic foods or not.
Interesting … thank you for sharing that!
Ummmm… What are goitrogenic foods?
Uggg, please tell me there is another food besides cabbage or sauerkraut? Both of these foods I dislike. I can eat cabbage finely chopped and cooked in a crockpot all day but that’s about it. I have suffered from GERD as long as I can remember, as does my mother, and her mother. Neither of them eat well, but I have learned to and yet, I still suffer.
Hi Erica, I have found homemade from raw cultured buttermilk to work for me. I started drinking it last year before learning about fermenting (which I now do saurkraut, Kimchee, corn relish, okra, pickles salsa and even pica from the islands.) My advice is go to the shopping list section on this blog and buy Nourishing Traditions I am certain you will find ferments to your liking in that book. Best of health to you!
Thank you Sarah, I love this article. About a year ago I started to have occasional reflux. I bought some Betaine HCI capsules to take before dinner. It definitely helped. Co-incidentally I began eating more cultured foods about 6 months ago including home made sauerkraut about twice a week. After a few weeks I instictively felt I didn’t need the capsules any more and I haven’t had a problem since.
I enjoy your blog and videos very much so thank you for your hard work. I am in Bendigo, Australia.
I had suffered from heartburn for decades until about three years ago when I read about the positive effect fresh lemons could bring heartburn sufferers. I have been cutting lemons in quarters and squeezing one per eight glass at least twice a day and have not had heartburn since. If I go out on the road and or forget to have them on the weekends I get an attack, so I am a firm believer of this natural remedy. But, since I love cabbage and coleslaw and my wife makes her own home made fermented sauerkraut I now have other alternatives to supplement my lemon regimen. Thanks!
May I have your recipe for the fermented sauerkraut, please?
I used to have HORRIBLE acid reflux. As long as I don’t eat wheat, it’s completely gone! Wheat was my culprit. I do love Bubbe’s sauerkraut and try to eat a little nearly every day! 🙂
Is consuming apple cider vinegar before meals the same concept? Between this and a digestive enzyme my sons acid reflux has greatly improved.
I mentioned this in another comment, but for whatever it’s worth, we’ve found kombucha to be much tastier than apple cider vinegar, and equally or more effective.
Can you also give this to babies suffering from reflux? I can imagine that they can’t eat the cabbage or any sauerkraut. So maybe just the jus?
I realize reflux and heartburn aren’t necessarily the same thing, but for whatever it’s worth, we’ve recently found kombucha a simple and tasty alternative heartburn treatment. I have the testimony of two very pregnant women in their early thirties, and one nine year old boy. 🙂
I’ve struggled with bad heartburn for 17 years. Tried Omeprazole, but eventually I saw that it stopped working and it all just got worse. I got off of it. I started juicing cabbage and celery. That did help, but was trouble, and not tasty. I found a an all-natural product called Gastrazyme (I’m not affiliated with it.). It has the extract from cabbage that heals the stomach lining and helps heartburn. It has helped tremendously. I too HAVE to stay off wheat and most highly-processed foods, even if they’re gluten-free, or I get an acute attack. I might try to add some real sauerkraut in as well. Thanks for the post. I’m sure it will help many.
I too had the same thing as you , the purple pill wasn’t working so I ordered some gastrazyme and have found complete relieve. I can’t believe how much this pill has helped me. I ordered mine on amazon. I’m not an any way affiliated with these companies, just want people to know there’s help out there others than the purple pills.
What dosage are you using with Gastrazyme?
I have found that Wildbrine makes a good sauerkraut. I generally buy it by the case and keep it on hand. It does help with stomach issues.
http://www.wildbrine.com
I drink aloe Vera juice and I add aloe from the plant to my carrot juices for this problem.
Stay away from dairy, colas and all processed foods, eat more raw fruit/vegetables and drink more (filtered) water.
Aloe Vera juice and DCL did not help me at all. I’ve been taking 1/2 tsp of Apple cider vinegar diluted with water every day (not an easy swallow). It has really helped. I also take a tsp of manuka honey before bed and drink camomile tea.
I’m not a cabbage fan. But, if the ACV stops working, I’ll try that next.
1 to 2 tsps of ACV, not a half tsp. Apologies.
Here, here! I ditched the “purple pill” years and years ago. I’m taking 1/2 Tbsp of Apple Cider Vinegar in about an 1/4 cup of water before meals, along with a supplement with ox bile and pancreatin (not a life-long supplement; just till digestion recovers). Also eating some kraut and pickles here and there too.
For sure, when heartburn comes out of nowhere, if I can just push aside the brainwashing about “too much acid” and drink more ACV, it immediately goes away!!
can someone tell me if I can take the ACV in pill form for this. I want to get off the omeprazole but last time I tried I was in major pain and seriously found it hard to eat anything or sleep for that matter.
Thanks, Ted
Love the end! Don’t you think most people who have this issue are eating junk?
I used to drink and use drugs, heroin, pot, speed, smoked very heavily and ate very poorly. I got GERD pretty bad. The pill took it away. Now that I take care of myself and eat really healthy, don’t smoke etc. I find it hard to get off these pill because when I stop taking them I get a very painful condition. Last time I could barely function because of the pain. So I really am looking for a healthy solution. Unfortunately there is a lot of advice on columns like this but no one really seems to be able to answer simple questions or knows for sure. I would like to take the ACV in pill form to try and get off the pill but no one responds to tell me if this is a good solution. Thanks, Ted ted619 at gmail.com
Kylie Bailey
I’ll have to try this! I’m 38 weeks pregnant & have horrible horrible problems with this!! Nothing helps more than 15 minutes. I eat healthy & avoid “triggers” but everything even water is a trigger now (not everyone with this problem eats junk!). Thanks for the info!
it makes them feel better to put other people down. Sad
Does anyone know of a good way to make a cabbage dish for a toddler? Is the cabbage more affective when not cooked? I’m concerned that she will get gassy as she doesn’t do well with broccoli and will wake-up in the middle of the night with gas. She was a ‘happy reflux baby’ and I’m still under the impression that she is still affected by this as she doesn’t sleep well at night. Thanks, for the article!
Does it have the same effect if you cook the cabbage? I don’t care for raw cabbage, but I love it cooked.
So what exactly causes this low acid condition. Ive had GERD for 25 years & had ups and downs with it, its a lot better since ive been paleo, about 10 months now.
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