Ginger Root Capsules For Acid Reflux

Ginger is a common remedy for certain digestive woes, and it's particularly effective for those with motion sickness and regnant women. Unfortunately, however, there's no evidence that ginger pills will do anything for acid reflux; there are other options available to you if you suffer from heartburn, however.

Acid Reflux

Your stomach cells secrete a very strong acid that you use to help break down the nutrient molecules in your food. While the stomach lining is quite tough and handles contact with the acid without difficulty, your esophagus is much more sensitive. Some individuals tend to experience acid reflux, which is stomach acid that backs up through the cardiac sphincter -- a ring of muscle -- and enters the esophagus, leading to heartburn.

Ginger

The reason ginger is an effective home remedy for certain digestive tract discomforts is that it confuses the brain, explain Drs. Penny Le Couteur and Jay Bureson in their book "Napoleon's Buttons." The molecule in ginger that gives you the sensation of heat actually binds to pain receptors. The brain can't process this signal and the sensation of nausea at the same time. As such, ginger is quite effective against nausea.

Ginger Capsules and Reflux

Unfortunately, there's no scientific evidence to suggest that ginger pills have any effect on acid reflux, either to reduce the discomfort or to reduce the likelihood of experiencing the reflux in the first place. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that ginger has been used historically to treat reflux and other digestive discomforts, but there's no scientific research to back up these claims. There's no harm in trying ginger pills for your acid reflux as long as you discuss it with your doctor first, however.

Effective Treatments

If you experience acid reflux, the first thing you can try is to avoid foods that seem to trigger your symptoms. Failing that as a solution, over-the-counter antacid medications often work well for mild and infrequent cases, explains MayoClinic.com. There are also non-prescription drugs that can reduce the amount of stomach acid you produce, which will decrease symptoms. Severe cases of acid reflux may require seeing your doctor for stronger medications.