You suffer acid reflux when your lower esophageal sphincter--a valve between your stomach and esophagus--opens but does not close properly, causing your stomach contents rise into your esophagus. When this occurs, your digestive juices---called acids---come up with your food, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. You have a more serious condition, called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), when you have acid reflux more than twice a week. While no herbal remedies are proven in treating GERD or reversing damage that GERD causes your esophagus, marshmallow, slippery elm, chamomile and licorice can provide some relief from acid reflux symptoms when combined with a doctor's care, advises the Mayo Clinic.
Marshmallow
Marshmallow has been used medicinally since the time of the ancient Egyptians. Its leaves and root have mucilage. When this gummy substance is mixed with water, it reduces irritation because it forms a gel that can coat your stomach and throat, according to University of Maryland Medical Center. Dried leaves are used in tinctures, infusions and fluid extracts. Roots are available peeled, dried, or in dry or fluid extracts, capsules, tinctures and cough syrups. This herb has no reported side effects. Marshmallow may slow absorption of drugs or other herbs because it coats your stomach lining. To counter this issue, UMMC advises you take marshmallow several hours prior to taking your medications or other herbs.
Slippery Elm
Slippery elm also contains mucilage. It can soothe your intestines, stomach, throat and mouth. This herb also spurs reflux stimulation of your gastrointestinal tract's nerve endings, which leads to increased mucus secretion, according to UMMC. You will find slippery elm available in tablet, lozenge and capsule form. Its finely powdered bark also is used to make extracts and teas. Slippery elm does not have any serious side effects. However, it can slow absorption of drugs or other herbs because it coats your digestive tract.
Chamomile
Chamomile use also dates back to the time of the ancient Egyptians. It's used for gastrointestinal conditions, anxiety and sleeplessness, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. It is also purported to reduce inflammation and muscle spasms and speed wound healing, according to UMMC. Chamomile's flowering tops are used to make capsules, teas, tablets and liquid extracts. NCCAM warns that some people are allergic to chamomile. You're most likely to have an allergic reaction if you are allergic to plants in the daisy family, such as chrysanthemums, ragweed or marigolds. Talk to a doctor before using chamomile if you take sedatives, blood-thinning medicines, birth control pills, fexofenadine or statins because this herb may interact with them, according to UMMC.
Licorice
Licorice has a long history of use as a demulcent, or soothing and coating agent, and as an expectorant to rid mucous from your respiratory tract. If you are treating acid reflux, you need to avoid licorice with the active ingredient called glycyrrhiza. Instead, seek deglycyrrhizinated licorice, advises UMMC. Licorice products are made from the plant's dried root. You can find it in tablet, tea, capsule and liquid extract form. You should not take licorice longer than a month to six weeks. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, UMMC advises you not to use licorice at all. Also avoid it if you have a heart condition, high blood pressure, suffer fluid retention, are diabetic, or have kidney or liver disease. Do not use it with diuretics, ACE inhibitors, insulin or drugs for diabetes, corticosteroids, digoxin, MAO inhibitors or oral contraceptives.
References
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Heartburn, Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER), and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Mayo Clinic: GERD Alternative Medicine
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Marshmallow
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Slippery Elm
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Licorice
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