Which Herbs Are Good For Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux, commonly called "heartburn," occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus instead of staying the stomach, causing a burning sensation in the chest and throat. The medical term for chronic heartburn is gastrointestinal reflux disease, or "GERD," which can be caused by many different factors like being obese, being pregnant, eating a high-fat diet, having a hiatal hernia, taking certain medications or having certain diseases. Several different herbs can help to relieve acid reflux and are generally safe to take on a regular basis.

Licorice

Taking licorice is effective at treating stomach and duodenal ulcers, as well as relieving acid reflux. Licorice is helpful especially in a chewable form of deglycyrrhizinated licorice, or DGL, form, and a licorice-like synthetic drug is equally effective as cimetidine, a commonly-prescribed medication for GERD, according to the University of Michigan Health System. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends taking 250 to 500mg of DGL extract three times daily, one hour before or two hours after meals, to treat acid reflux and stomach damage.

Aloe Vera

One of aloe vera's traditional uses is to treat acid reflux, says the University of Michigan Health System. Aloe is considered a "digestive demulcent," or a soothing agent, the University of Michigan says. Aloe's juice and gel made from the inner leaves are used to sooth digestive tract irritations, according to the Herb Growing & Marketing Network. The Network cites a study in which 12 patients with peptic ulcers experienced total healing of their stomach lesions after taking aloe. The University of Michigan recommends taking 2 tbsp. of aloe gel per day to treat acid reflux.

Bladderwrack

Like aloe, bladderwrack is also considered a digestive demulcent and is used to relieve heartburn or acid reflux. In fact, the alginic acid derived from bladderwrack is used in the medication known as Gaviscon, which is taken to treat acid reflux, says the University of Michigan Health System. To treat acid reflux, the University of Michigan advises taking 5 to 10g of dried bladderwrack in capsules three times daily, eating the herb whole or drinking a tea three times per day that is made from 1 tsp. of bladderwrack herb steeped in 1 cup of hot water for at least 10 minutes.

Slippery Elm

A tea made from the inner bark of slippery elm has been used traditionally to treat digestive problems, says the Herb Growing & Marketing Network. The mucilage contained in slippery elm "acts as a barrier against the damaging effects of acid on the esophagus" in people with acid reflux, explains the University of Michigan Health System. Slippery elm may also have an anti-inflammatory effect in the stomach and intestines. The University of Michigan recommends taking 800 to 1,000mg of dried inner bark in tablets or capsules three to four times daily, or ½ to 2g, or ¼ to 1 tsp., of bark steeped in 1 cup of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes, taken three or four times daily. The tincture can be taken at a dosage of 1 tsp., three times daily.

Marshmallow

Like slippery elm, marshmallow's active constituent is also mucilage, which soothes and protects irritated mucous membranes and relieves acid reflux, says the University of Michigan Health System. The root of the marshmallow herb "counters excess stomach acid, peptic ulceration and gastritis," notes the Herb Growing & Marketing Network. To relieve heartburn, the University of Michigan advises taking marshmallow as a tea by steeping 2 to 3 tsp. of the root or leaves in 1 cup of water, taken three to five times daily. Herbal extracts in capsules or tablets containing 5 to 6g of marshmallow can be taken once daily, or 1 to 3 tsp. of marshmallow tincture can be taken three times per day.