24 Home Remedies For GERD Pain In Children & Adults

Updated: 11/21/2019

You feel uneasy, nauseous, and very uncomfortable. Your stomach is currently on fire.  Well, the symptoms above prove that you are down with a classic case of GERD or heartburn. For GERD, appropriate medical advice is highly recommended in this case. However, before taking a deep look at home remedies for GERD pain in children and adults, you should obtain some necessary information about this problem first. After that, you can deal with it the right way.

What Is GERD?

GERD stands for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, is a fairly common disease that accounts for approximately 30-40% of the adult population^[1].

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is also known as reflux esophagitis, is the phenomenon of gastric fluids such as HCl, pepsin, bile secretion, etc. reflux from time to time or often into the esophagus. These fluids stimulate the mucosal esophagus, causing symptoms and complications of the disease^[2] [3].

What Are Common Causes Of GERD?

• Stress:

Stress is negative emotions, such as anxiety, sadness, stress, depression, frustration, etc.

In today’s modern life, stress is so popular that it is considered “an essential part of life.” But stress is the leading cause of gastroesophageal reflux disease or can be known as a scientific name “GERD”.

Western medicine research has shown that both increases acid secretion and causes the stomach to become full and the valve separating the stomach and esophagus to widen frequently. Consequently, acid, gastrointestinal fluid and food quickly ejaculate from the stomach up to the esophagus, even up to the throat and mouth^[4].

• Peptic Ulcer, Duodenal Ulcer:

When the stomach has been damaged by ulcers, it will lose its function and become more irritated. When the food is consumed, it will produce more acid reflux, which is more likely to return to the esophagus. In addition, the amount of food is stagnated by slow digestion increases the pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter, which causes abnormal opening and closure. Hence, Gastric juice, HCl acid, even bile may go up to the esophageal tube^[5].

• Congenital Factors:

Congenital disabilities of organs or organs related to the stomach and gastrointestinal tract such as lower esophageal sphincter, a gastric ulcer, diaphragmatic hernia, etc. may also lead to GERD In young children, gastroesophageal reflux is usually thought to be normal physiology with typical symptoms of vomiting. This symptom will diminish as your child grows older and will eventually disappear in adulthood.

• Other Causes Of GERD

Related factors such as accident, medication effects, etc. People who are overweight and pressure on the stomach and esophageal sphincter may also increase the risk of GERD disease because weight puts pressure on the stomach and lowers esophageal sphincter causing them to weaken, so stomach acid and other substances may reflux.

• Poor Digestion Function:

Just like when the stomach is ulcerated, if the digestive function is weakened, the food will also be stagnant and quickly move back to the esophagus, mouth.

• Non-Scientific Eating Habits:

This is the main cause and most common cause of GERD disease as well as making the disease more serious. Some bad habits affect the stomach like eating more at night, overeating, eating fast food, frying fried foods, greasy foods and spicy hot spices, which they all increase the pressure on the stomach, stimulating the production of many acids that cause GERD and make the disease more complicated. In addition, smoking is also the same. Gastric reflux due to nicotine in cigarettes promotes the body to release HCl and pepsin, those are gastric abrasives and gastrointestinal irritation causing a GERD^[6].

What Are Symptoms Of GERD?

• Eruct: Eruct after eating is normal physiology of the stomach, but if you suffer from frequent eruct, even if you are hungry or not eating anything, think about the possibility of having GERD
• Sour Heartburn: Heartburn is a burning sensation from the stomach or lower chest, spread to the neck, sometimes spread to the lower throat, ear, accompanied by a sour taste in the mouth. Sour heartburn is caused by gastroesophageal reflux of the esophagus, acid or bile in the gastric mucosa, which is in contact with the esophagus causing a burning, burning sensation.
• Heartburn: This is the most common symptom in the morning after brushing. Waking up is the time when the stomach is empty, the force of contraction is very strong, which may push the gastric juice up the throat, making a feeling of heartburn. The brushing increases the stimulation, so it is easier to induce vomiting. Yellow, acidic water that patients vomit is the acid in the gastric juice.
• Nausea, Vomiting
• Nausea and vomiting are very common symptoms and usually occur when over-saturated, lying right after eating, or not elevated head while sleeping. Reflux into the esophagus is not only acidic but also food, so the person feels nauseous and vomiting. Patients are also more nauseous than healthy people when they are sick, fever or have motion sickness
• Chest Pain
• Symptoms of chest pain in GERD are described as tightness in the chest, pressure, through the back and arm, so it is easy to mistake for heart disease.
• Difficulty Swallowing: The phenomenon of gastroesophageal reflux repeats over time will cause specific damage to the esophagus. Acid reflux may cause swelling of the lower esophagus, which narrows the esophagus and causes difficulty for swallowing.
• Lots Of Saliva

More saliva secretion in the mouth is also a notable symptom of gastric acid reflux. In essence, this is another form of heartburn. When the patient has this symptom, he or she will have the same nervous condition and the reflective state as when vomiting.

• Sore Throat, Cough

Gastric acid escaping to the esophagus will cause inflammation of the larynx, causing hoarseness.

Unlike colds, sore throats, or coughs due to stomach acid reflux may become chronic, may turn long into asthma.

If the phenomenon occurs after eating or not accompanied with other symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, this is most likely a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

• Bitter Mouth

The feeling of bitterness in patients with reflux of the stomach is caused by bile.

Gastric reflux into the esophagus can carry a small amount of bile, causing the patient to feel bitter.

Who Are Likely To Be Infected With GERD?

People at high risk for GERD are people:

• Fat
• Herniation
• Pregnancy
• Smoking
• Dry mouth
• Asthma
• Diabetes
• Slow digestion of the stomach
• Tissue disturbances of connective tissue disorders, such as scleroderma
• Zollinger syndrome – Ellison: is a condition caused by the formation of one or more tumors in the pancreas or duodenum, called gastrinoma, which secretes large amounts of gastrin-inducing gastric acid that produce too much acid leading to stomach ulcers.

When To See A Doctor?

You should call your doctor or go to the hospital if you have symptoms like chest pain or feel difficult to breathe. Also, you should tell your doctor if these symptoms often appear or show signs of worse. Mental and pathological conditions may be different in many people. You must remember to talk to your doctor about the best diagnostic and treatment options available and suitable for you.

There, you have discovered some information about GERD, it is time to find out what the best natural remedies for GERD are.

If you want to know about home remedies for other diseases, do not skip our Home Remedies Page.

Top 24 Effective Home Remedies For GERD Among Children And Adults

There is no science-based evidence for the following homemade recipes. The recipes we've focused on are traditional home remedies, so always consult your doctor and check out your health condition regularly to know if a remedy is working for you.

1. Turmeric

Treating GERD with fresh turmeric brings excellent effect. Medical researchers have also concluded that turmeric contains active ingredients that support the digestive tract as well as promote the contraction and nonproduction of acid. Curcumin substance in turmeric helps prevent inflammation, inhibits the causes of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms^[7]. Additionally, we must refer to the high antioxidant properties of turmeric, which help remove the toxic substances in the body. How to apply turmeric as one of the home remedies for GERD:

Method 1: Turmeric Juice

• Rinse the fresh turmeric
• Peel off the turmeric’s skin
• Grind turmeric to get the paste
• Filter the paste to collect turmeric juice

Method 2: Turmeric And Honey

Honey and turmeric contain a lot of different medicinal properties, but they have the same things, such as helping to strengthen the body, increase the resistance, have anti-inflammatory, healing wound bleeding, etc. It is because of the outstanding features, these two components are often combined and applied to make people more beautiful, treat GERD, and also gastric ulcer cause gastric bleeding^[8].

How to cure gastric reflux with turmeric and honey is very simple.

• Put three tablespoons of turmeric powder
• Add one tablespoon of honey together with 100ml of warm water
• Stir the mixture
• Drink this mixture before meals twice per day
• Consistently use about two months you will get the results you desire

Caution:

Although turmeric may heal wounds and they are also a component of blood circulation, anti-inflammation swelling, and acid concentration of gastric juice due to alkaline, is effective in treating GERD, some notes should be taken into consideration before taking advantage of this method:

• Patients may feel hot in their body, so they need to drink tea or eat vegetables to avoid this unwanted condition
• This measure is safety for the majority of people, but children, pregnant women, or older people who are suffering from many other diseases should be consulted by a doctor before taking the method.
• During the treatment of GERD with honey and turmeric, you need to avoid animal fat, soft foods, and hot spices such as pepper. Do not use stimulants that are harmful to health, such as beer, alcohol, tobacco. It is necessary to have a reasonable resting diet, do not let stress interfere with your life, which will make stomach pain worse.

2. Ginger

Ginger is still known today as a spice that improves the flavor of the dish, or eliminates the unwanted smell in foods, reduces the potential harmful ingredients in the food. In practice, however, its uses do not stop there, it also serves as a valuable drug in the treatment of various diseases. The best known and most widely known method is that ginger is crushed to make ginger tea to treat gastric reflux esophagus (GERD) very effectively^[9].

Method 1: Ginger Tea

You can make ginger tea in the following way:

• Peel off the ginger’s skin
• Wash through and through with water
• Grate/crush fresh ginger and mix it with plain water
• Boil it up and allow it to steep for 10 minutes
• Add a teaspoon of honey or sugar (depend on your favorite flavor) to the beverage before consuming it
• Let the tea cool down a bit and drink.
• Take the drink three times per day after meals

Caution:

• For those who drink ginger tea for the first time, they will feel a little hard to drink, so you should drink slowly to feel the excellent taste that ginger tea brings. The effect that comes from this tea is extremely good with the GERD disease.
• You should not add too much ginger and sugar. Because ginger is very spicy and you cannot drink. When it comes to sugar, the sweetness of sugar will result in losing the pleasant aroma of ginger tea.
• Limit the use of ginger tea at night

To the patients who will be under surgery or anesthesia, ginger tea should be avoided because ginger tea may cause reactions with anesthetic drugs and lead to unfortunate consequences.

• Pregnant or breastfeeding women: Women in this stage should not drink ginger tea as it is considered to be bad for the fetal sex hormone and may even cause uterine contractions leading to bleeding or prematurely born. If you use ginger tea during these times, you must consult your doctor.
• If you are suffering from diseases like intestinal disease, gallbladder problems, and diabetes, consuming lots of ginger tea is also harmful because it may cause abnormally low blood sugar.

Method 2: Ginger Pickled Vinegar

One more way you can use is to soak ginger with vinegar to suppress rapid reflux.

What you need to do is:

• Ginger is washed clean and clear
• Cut into thin slices into a glass of the jar
• Pour rice vinegar and soak for 5-7 days and then take out
• When using, take three slices of ginger pickled vinegar, which will help reduce the symptoms of heartburn, abdominal dyspepsia

3. Aloe Vera

Fortunately, many studies have found that aloe vera is one of the natural ingredients that may reverse acid in the stomach. The oily substance found in aloe vera is an excellent choice for those who are suffering from digestive fatigue.

Aloe vera contains anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, anti-ulcer, antioxidant, and diuretic properties. Therefore, it is effective in treating digestive problems as well as many other stomach diseases. Anthraquinone is found in aloe to aid digestion and prevent acid. The polysaccharides component of aloe vera helps to restore damaged skin cells. And glucomannans help balance the digestive system disturbed by acid reflux^[10].

In addition, the oily substance in aloe vera cleans the toxins from the digestive tract and improves the function of the kidneys, liver, and gallbladder. How to use aloe vera as one of the effective home remedies for GERD is described as follows:

Method 1: Aloe Vera Juice

• Take one fresh leaf from aloe vera plant
• Wash the aloe vera leaf through and through
• Cut into pieces of about 5 cm long for easy peeling of the green skin outside the aloe
• The white meat inside is very viscous, you wash with water
• Cut white meat into small pieces to eat
• Put aloe vera boil into a pot of boiling water, boil for 1-2 minutes and then pick out, drop right into the bowl of ice
• Add honey or sugar and then enjoy the drink

Method 2: Aloe Vera Mixture

• Cut off one fresh leaf from aloe vera plant
• Wash the aloe vera leaf through and through
• Slit it to draw out the gel inside
• Mix 2 to 3 tablespoons of lemon oil and two tablespoons of guava juice to form a mixture aloe vera
• You can do more and store in the refrigerator all day, or you can add ice to make the mixture easier to drink.
• Consistently drink within seven days, gastroesophageal reflux disease will be gone completely

4. Apple Cider Vinegar

In some cases, GERD is caused by a lack of acidic rather than excess acidic. So, in those cases, high-acid foods are beneficial to your stomach^[11].

When experiencing reflux stomach, you can try to drink 15ml of apple cider vinegar, mix with about 177ml to 236ml of water and drink before eating or before lying. Try this method from 2 to 3 times a day. Remember to use only once a day, do not overuse apple cider because vinegar contains acid, which will cause stomach erosion and ulcer formation if used too much.

5. Baking Soda

Those who are suffering from GERD to the extent of loss of sleep are expected to find simple treatment, regain a healthy life. In many natural remedies such as turmeric, honey as usual, today we want to mention material in the kitchen, which is baking soda powder. Baking soda is a natural food in the kitchen of many homes, not only used as food, but baking soda is also used in a variety of tips such as mouthwash, masks for beautiful skin, etc.

If you have not heard of these treatment tips, please find out how the use of baking soda powder to treat GERD, which many people take advantage of effective treatment as a home remedy.

In the treatment of GERD, baking soda is effective against acidic substances that help neutralize gastric acid, reducing the acid in the stomach, thereby limiting reflux of the stomach. Therefore, using baking soda properly will help to improve the symptoms of peptic ulcer pain, and reduce the symptoms, especially the heartburn^[12] [13]. Moreover, using baking soda properly will help to improve the symptoms caused by GERD very well.

In addition, the baking soda itself, when interfering with acid, releasing CO2, which softens other foods, reduces gastric irritation.

To use baking soda as one of the home remedies for GERD, you can apply in several ways:

Method 1: Dilute Baking Soda

• Use 1/2 teaspoon baking soda mixed with 1 cup warm water about 300ml
• Drink after eating for one hour
• Repeatedly drinking about twice will immediately reduce the pain of fast stomach pain
• This method not only reduces pain but also actively reduces belching, abdominal pain, dyspepsia

Method 2: Mix Baking Soda With Honey And Flour

• Honey 20ml
• Put 20ml honey in a small saucepan, simmer until the color is golden
• Add 50g flour and six tablespoons of baking soda flour until the bubbles are dissolved
• Turn off the stove to cool
• Mold the mixture into small balls
• Drink before the meal 30 minutes, the disease will disappear

6. Dill

This is another must-try home treatment in this list of home remedies for GERD. Dill is not only known as one of the spices in the daily diet of many people, but it also considered an herb in nature having many useful functions. The plant is used in many Chinese herbal remedies and treatment of intestinal gas (flatulence) is very useful^[14].

It is an excellent remedy to overcome the symptoms of stomach pain and flatulence. How to use? There are many ways to take advantage of dill as the followings. Choose the most suitable way for your treatment:

• Add a few teaspoons of ground dill to grilled vegetables or boiled vegetables
• Mix the dill with chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper to make the burger seasoning
• Add some dill to mayonnaise spreading on bread
• Or you can also use dill tea for drinking every day

Pour 1 cup of boiling water in 1-2 teaspoons of dill seeds. Cover for five minutes. Then filter and squeeze to collect dill juice. It is possible to add fresh orange peels to enhance the taste of tea when drinking.

7. Eat Bananas Or Apples

Eating some ripe bananas helps you prevent yourself from being infected with acid reflux^[15]. Similarly, the apple also contains the same constituents and benefits so you can use the alternative to overcome the condition and prevent the symptoms of gastric reflux effectively^[16].

8. Cabbage

Cabbage is a vegetable with high nutritional value and may heal and beautify^[20]. How to use cabbage as one of the home remedies for GERD:

• Take the outside leaves of cabbage
• Rinse with water through and through
• Boil leaves with water
• Pick out to dry
• Grind to make a paste
• Filter juice (do not add water), you can use a blender to grind also
• Usually, 1kg of cabbage leaves can be squeezed into 500ml of cabbage juice.
• Every day drink 1000ml of cabbage juice
• Divide into several times
• You can add sugar or salt according to your preferences for easier drinking.

Caution: Cabbage contains a small amount of goitrin. This substance has an antioxidant effect but may cause thyroid. Therefore, people with thyroid disorders should not eat cabbage because otherwise, they will cause thyroid or goiter enlargement. For these people, they should eat cabbage in a moderate amount, before eating should cut the leaves, soak and then chopped, about 10-15 minutes before processing, then goitrin will decompose.

9. Papaya

Papaya has many essential characteristics, such as sweet taste, coolness, heat effect, and it may detoxify the body. According to medicine, ripened papaya contains proteolytic protein, which acts to break down proteins in the digestive system into amino acids. Hence, papaya helps support the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease effectively. In addition, papaya also contains Enzyme papain, which helps digest foods rich in starch and fat more efficiently^[21]. In ripened papaya there is also potassium, which provides the stomach with beneficial bacteria, prevents bad effects on the intestinal wall and repels dyspeptic symptoms and gastroesophageal reflux disease syndrome^[22].

10. Beans

The beans contain high amounts of fiber, the amino acids needed by the body so patients with reflux should take advantage of^[23] [24]. However, some beans, such as soybeans, peas, green beans, black beans, etc. contain complex carbohydrates, which may lead to flatulence. One tip to limit this is to soak the dried peas overnight to soften the seed before use. You do not necessarily abstain these types completely, but should eat in small amounts to gradually adapt to the body.

11. Avoid Foods That Stimulate The Stomach And Increase Excessive Acid

If you frequently suffer from GERD, you may notice an increase in the symptoms of the disease when you eat certain foods. Try to cut down on the following foods to experience a significant reduction in acid reflux:

• Sour Foods: Not be exposed to high-acid fruits such as tangerines, pickles, mangos, vinegar, lemon, etc. These fruits are not good for the stomach because it increases the amount of acid in the stomach, which is more likely to cause inflammation, stomach ulcers and GERD^[25] [18].
• Coffee, Cigarettes Or Alcohol Or Stimulants: These substances reduce the esophagus’s protective factor, leading to more severe gastroesophageal reflux, which also results in increased cortisol secretion^[18] [26].
• Give Up Eating Spicy Hot Drinks: carbonated beverages, carbonated mineral water, peppers, onion, garlic, mint, etc.^[18]
• Abstain From Greasy, Fatty Foods: High-fat foods cause indigestionand increased pressure on the stomach. Stomach tumors increase pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter. The longer the digestion of food, the slower the hollowing of the food, the more likely it is to reverse the reflux^[27].
• Chocolate: The ingredients in chocolate are milk and fat, which makes the reflux worse. The substance called methyl xanthine in chocolate will lower esophageal sphincter, causing GERD^[18].

12. Split Meals During The Day

Separating your diet into many meals during the day will help your digestive system to function more efficiently, avoid stomach pressure, and regulate acid levels more consistently. It is essential to schedule reasonable meals, not to get hungry.

13. Do Not Take A Short Break After Eating

Allow gravity to support digestive activity by not eating too close to bedtime, and remember to wait at least 3 hours after eating, before you go to sleep or take a nap.

14. Lose Excess Weight

Obesity is one of the causes of acid reflux^[28] [29]. In obese people, the amount of fat that is concentrated in the abdomen affects the esophageal sphincter’s activity and simultaneously puts pressure on the stomach and esophagus and causes acid reflux. Reasonable diet and regular exercise may eliminate the symptoms without further treatment.

15. Avoid Alcohol And Caffeine

Alcohol and caffeine loosen the sphincter that controls the flow of the esophagus into the stomach (the lower esophagus), allowing the acid to flow back into the esophagus. Do not drink alcohol or coffee, especially before going to bed, will help relieve the symptoms of GERD.

16. Quit Smoking

Cigarette smoking hinders the digestive system and may damage the lining of the esophagus, resulting in reflux disease^[30]. Even if you cannot quit smoking, it is essential to limit smoking as much as possible.

17. Choose The Suitable Costume For Yourself

Too tight clothing compresses the internal organs and may limit the course of the digestive system. Choose for yourself comfortable, elastic outfits. If you are required to wear rigid outfits, try to change it as soon as you can by wearing comfortable outfits at home.

18. Raise The Bed Height

To be more specific, raise the head and upper body to 15-20 cm. The impact of gravity is essential for gastric reflux, especially in cases of overweight – obesity. If the upper body of your esophagus is higher than the stomach, it will limit reflux acid up.

19. Vitamin D Supplementation

Vitamin D helps prevent your esophagus from being destroyed by stomach acid, as it produces some peptides that will eliminate any infection. Not only do outdoor foods spend more time in the sun to get natural vitamin D, but you should also consider taking vitamin D supplements^[31].

20. Drink Water

This is the simplest anti-reflux that you can apply. Water is not only good for the skin but also helps purify the body and balances excess acid in the stomach.

Take a cup of warm water immediately when you experience symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux. If not, you should also drink a glass of water after each meal for 30 minutes to cleanse the digestive system and stimulate the taste. However, do not drink too much water during meals, as this is the time when the body needs acid in the stomach to digest. If drinking water at this time the digestive system will be impeded and you may have stomach upsets, and food is not digestible.

These home remedies we have mentioned above may help you reduce the symptoms of GERD. Choose some of them and alternate them in your treating to see how effective they are.

However, all content provided is for informational & educational purposes. We recommend you consult a healthcare professional to determine which method is appropriate for you and to avoid the side effects when applying these methods. In addition, asking for healthcare professional’s advice may help you know that you have to take medicine or not, especially for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women.

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