GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is characterized by repeated reflux of acid from the stomach into the esophagus, causing pain and damage to the lining of the esophagus. Also referred to as acid reflux, GERD can lead to serious diseases including Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer if left untreated. An effective treatment for relieving GERD symptoms is using organic apple cider vinegar, according to Dr. Theodore A. Baroody, in his book, "Alkalize or Die." The vinegar helps to reestablish the pH of the stomach and allows damaged tissues to heal.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Water
Step 1
Combine 1 tbsp. of organic apple cider vinegar with 8 oz. of room temperature water. Organic vinegar is free of pesticides and other impurities that may aggravate acid reflux or permeate the bloodstream.
Step 2
Drink the mixture between meals, three times a day, suggests Dr. Baroody. If a single tablespoonful is too much vinegar to start, reduce the quantity to 1 tsp. and work up to 2 tbsp. of vinegar per glass.
Step 3
Drink a glass of the vinegar and water mixture before going to bed to help alkalize the system and reduce acidosis, which is higher during the nighttime.
Step 4
Add a small amount of raw honey to taste to sweeten the vinegar drink if needed. Raw honey is unprocessed, containing all of its minerals and nutrients.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Baking Soda and Water
Step 1
Pour 2 tbsp. organic apple cider vinegar into a tall glass.
Step 2
Add 1/2 tsp. baking soda to the apple cider vinegar, a little bit at a time. It will make the vinegar foam, according to the Earth Clinic, a website for folk and natural remedies.
Step 3
Swish the glass around a few times to mix each addition of baking soda.
Step 4
Stop adding the baking soda once the foaming in the vinegar begins to slow down. The process takes three or four minutes for the vinegar to stop sizzling and foaming. There might be a tiny bit of foam remaining on the top. Add 4 oz. to 6 oz. of water to the glass until it is about half full.
Step 5
Drink the mixture all at once to reduce acid reflux and alkalize the system. Do not add honey to this mixture. When perfectly mixed, it should taste mostly bland, almost like water, with no vinegar or salty taste from the baking soda.
Tips and Warnings
- *Organic apple cider vinegar should have the mother of vinegar in the bottle, which is cloudy sediment at the bottom of the bottle. This indicates that the vinegar is truly organic. The mother of vinegar is part of the original apple mixture used to ferment the vinegar, according to the book, the "The pH Miracle." *Use the apple cider mixture and baking soda recipe if you are unable to tolerate the apple cider vinegar and water alone. Some people find the baking soda mixture easier on the stomach. *The juice of an organic lemon or lime can be used to replace the apple cider vinegar when including the baking soda. Follow the same directions for the lemon or lime juice as with the vinegar. You may need to add up to 3/4 tsp. of baking soda if using lemon or lime due to the higher concentration of acid than in the vinegar. *Raw honey and organic apple cider vinegar are available at health food stores and in some grocery stores that carry organic foods.
- *If pain from GERD persists or worsens, stop drinking the either mixture and see a health practitioner. *These remedies are not meant to replace medical attention and are provided for educational purposes only.
Things You'll Need
- Organic apple cider vinegar
- Water
- Glass
- Measuring spoons
- Raw honey
- Baking soda
- Organic lemon or lime
References
- "Alkalize or Die"; Dr. Theodore A. Baroody; 1991
- Earth Clinic: Baking Soda and Apple Cider Vinegar
- "The pH Miracle"; Robert O. Young, Ph.D. and Shelley Redford Young; 2003
