Best Homeopathic Remedies for Acid Reflux – Causes & Cure

This blog explains the homeopathic remedies for acid reflux, its causes, symptoms, risk factors, management & best treatment plan for complete cure.

Acid reflux is also known as acid regurgitation or gastroesophageal reflux.

When the contents of the stomach move back to the mouth via the food pipe or esophagus then it is called acid reflux.

If this happens more than twice a week then the patient is said to have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

This causes a burning pain near the upper chest near the heart i.e., heartburn.

Acid reflux is a common condition. If left untreated for long, it may lead to health complications.

Acid Reflux Types (if applicable)

Acid reflux is a chronic and progressive type of disease.

Acid reflux has four stages. These are divided based on the symptom severity of acid reflux.

The treatment depends upon the stage of acid reflux.

Let’s take a look at the different stages one by one.

Mild acid reflux:

This is the first stage of acid reflux i.e., mild acid reflux.

The symptoms are mild. The patient experiences the symptoms once or twice a month.

This stage can be treated by lifestyle changes and over the counter medicines.

Moderate acid reflux:

The patient experiences daily symptoms. The symptoms do not get better with lifestyle changes and medicines.

Left untreated, acid reflux leads to inflammation in the oesophagus (food pipe).

Severe acid reflux:

At this stage, the symptoms are moderate and not better by suppressive medicines.

The lower end of the oesophagus or food pipe starts developing an erosive process.

The quality of life gets affected. There is a need for treatment by an acid reflux expert.

Precancerous acid reflux:

Untreated severe acid reflux leads to the development of precancerous lesions in the food pipe.

About 10 per cent of people who have chronic acid reflux develops stage four symptoms or precancerous acid reflux.

Acid Reflux Causes

Acid reflux is caused by the improper functioning of the muscles at the lower end of the food pipe or esophagus.

When these muscles are working properly, the lower end of the food pipe (which is attached to the stomach) relaxes and opens at the time of swallowing.

And it tightens and closes afterward.

When there is a disturbance in this natural functioning then there is an occurrence of acid reflux.

This leads to digestive juices and other contents of the stomach moving up via the food pipe.

Let’s discuss some other possible causes of acid reflux

Lying down immediately after eating meals:

This will affect the natural functioning of the esophagus and leads to acid reflux.

Frequently taking heavy meals:

Frequently taking larger meals causes distension of the stomach which can affect the tightening and closing of the lower end of the food pipe.

Hiatal hernia:

This occurs when a part of the stomach moves upwards to the chest area.

This will affect the proper functioning of the lower end of the stomach.

It will lead to the development of acid reflux symptoms.

Acid Reflux Symptoms

The main symptoms of acid reflux are the movement of the digestive juices and the contents of the stomach into the throat and the neck.

This creates a burning sensation in the throat due to the acidic nature of the digestive juices.

There is a development of a sour or bitter taste in the mouth due to acid reflux.

Let’s take a look at other symptoms of acid reflux.

Bad breath and smell from the mouth.

Difficulty in swallowing solid food.

Pain in the chest on swallowing food.

Nauseous feeling due to acid reflux.

Development of chronic cough due to irritation in the throat.

A change in voice or hoarseness.

Pain in the chest.

A sensation of a lump in the throat.

Risk Factors for Acid Reflux

There are a few risk factors for the development of acid reflux.

Let’s take a look at them one by one.

Being overweight:

Obesity increases the chances of getting affected by acid reflux.

Pregnancy:

Pregnancy leads to many changes in lifestyle, weight and eating habits which may lead to the development of acid reflux.

Frequent large meals:

People who take frequent heavy meals are at a greater risk of developing acid reflux symptoms.

Sitting or lying after meals:

People who have a habit of continuously sitting and immediately lying down after meals are more prone to suffer from acid reflux.

Eating habits:

Regularly eating deep-fried increases the risk.

Beverages:

Excessive intake of soda and coffee can increase the chances of getting affected by acid reflux.

Alcoholism and smoking:

Alcohol intake and smoking affect health negatively and make an individual more prone to acid reflux.

Medications:

Self-medication and excessive use of NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs).

Diagnosis of Acid Reflux

The doctor will take a complete medical history and ask about symptoms in detail.

The doctor may refer the patient to a gastroenterologist if the symptoms are severe.

The doctor may advise some investigations that are necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

Endoscopy:

A flexible tube attached with a tiny camera is inserted into the food pipe to evaluate the condition of the muscles.

X-ray:

An x-ray imagining of the upper oesophagus is done after swallowing barium containing solution.

Oesophageal pH monitoring:

An oesophageal pH monitoring is done to make the diagnosis of acid reflux.

Ambulatory 24 Hr pH probe:

A tube (attached with a pH sensor) is inserted into the oesophagus via the nose to determine acid exposure in the oesophagus.

The patient wears this tube for 24hours.

Acid Reflux Management

Mild symptoms can be managed by following a few lifestyle changes, tips and tricks.

Let’s discuss these tips one by one in detail.

Improve posture:

Improving posture can help in minimising the occurrence of acid reflux.

For example, sitting up straight.

Avoid tight clothing:

Patients with acid reflux should wear loose clothing.

Weight management:

Maintaining a balanced weight will help the acid reflux to recover soon.

For example, losing weight in case of obesity.

Exercise Carefully:

Doing excessive exercises that put pressure on the abdomen can lead to acid reflux symptoms.

Avoid smoking and alcohol:

Alcohol and smoking should be completely avoided to ensure fast recovery and cure of acid reflux symptoms.

Best Homeopathic Remedies for Acid Reflux

Homeopathy offers gentle and quick relief from the symptoms of acid reflux.

There are so many beneficial remedies present in homeopathy that can be prescribed according to the symptom similarity of the individual case.

Let’s discuss the top indicated remedies for acid reflux one by one in detail.

1. ROBINIA: For acid reflux with intensely sour eructations

Symptoms:

Robinia is one of the top remedies for the treatment of acid reflux in homeopathy.

The acid reflux is accompanied by a headache localised in the forehead.

The patient experiences the symptoms mostly during the night with burning pains in the stomach.

The patient complains of nausea, sour eructations or belching.

There is profuse vomiting of intensely sour fluid.

The patient feels great distension of the stomach and bowels.

This remedy also works wonders for acid reflux in children.

When these symptoms are present, Robinia is the best choice for treatment.

Potency and dosage:

Robinia 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Robinia 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.

Robinia in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.

2. NATRUM PHOS: For acid reflux with a sensation of a lump in the throat

Symptoms:

The key indication for the selection of Natrum Phos for acid reflux treatment is that the patient complains of a sensation of a lump in the throat.

The patient experiences sour eructations or belching with sour vomiting.

The taste in the mouth becomes sour and bitter. The tongue is coated with a yellow creamy material.

The patient spits mouthfuls of food in vomiting. The patient has difficulty swallowing the food.

There is a development of blisters on the tip of the tongue due to acid reflux.

Natrum Phos can relieve the symptoms of acid reflux when the symptoms match.

Potency and dosage:

Natrum Phos 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Natrum Phos 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.

Natrum Phos in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.

3. IRIS VERSICOLOR: For acid reflux with burning in the food pipe

Symptoms:

Iris versicolor is the best remedy to treat acid reflux when the patient complains of burning in the whole digestive tract.

The is burning in the throat, mouth, stomach and anus.

The vomiting is sour and sometimes contains blood.

The patient feels nauseated. There is a profuse flow of saliva in the mouth.

The patient experiences a deficient appetite. He cannot eat the food in the proper amount.

The symptoms become worse in the evening and the night.

Iris versicolor is capable of relieving these symptoms and aiding in recovery.

Potency and dosage:

Iris Versicolor 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Iris Versicolor 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.

Iris Versicolor in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.

4. CARBO VEG: For acid reflux with contractive pain in the chest and bloating

Symptoms:

Carbo veg is one of the best remedies for digestive troubles including acid reflux.

Carbo veg can relieve symptoms like sour belching or eructations with a feeling of heaviness, fullness and sleepiness.

The patient experiences the symptoms after eating and drinking. The patient feels nausea in the morning.

There is a characteristic feature of a carbo veg patient is that he feels a contractive pain in the chest with distension in the abdomen.

The chest region becomes very sensitive and painful due to acid reflux.

The digestion of the patient is also disturbed. The abdomen is distended with flatulence.

The symptoms get worse in the evening and after having fast food, butter, milk or coffee.

The symptoms are temporarily relieved by eructations.

Potency and dosage:

Carbo veg 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Carbo veg 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.

Carbo veg in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.

5. NUX VOMICA: For acid reflux with nausea in the morning after eating

Symptoms:

Nux vomica is a leading remedy for acid reflux symptoms with digestion issues.

The patient complains of sour and bitter eructations with nausea and vomiting in the morning, after eating.

There is a sensation of weight and pain in the stomach.

The chest region is bloated with a sensation as if there is pressure from stone.

The symptoms get worse several hours after eating.

There is difficult belching of gas. The patient wants to vomit but he cannot.

Potency and dosage:

Nux vomica 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Nux vomica 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.

Nux vomica in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.

6. PULSATILLA: For acid reflux due to fatty food

Symptoms:

Pulsatilla is a wonderful remedy for the treatment of acid reflux occurring from fatty food.

The patient is averse to fat food, warm food and drink.

The eructations are of the taste of food that is eaten. The mouth becomes bitter due to acid reflux.

There is flatulence with burning in the chest region.

There is indigestion after meals with tightness in the chest.

The patient cannot wear tight clothing due to the acid reflux symptoms.

The patient is thirstless. There is vomiting of food eaten long before.

The patient experiences an alteration of taste in the mouth with bad breath.

Potency and dosage:

Pulsatilla 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Pulsatilla 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.

Pulsatilla in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.

7. PHOSPHORUS: For acid reflux with stricture in the oesophagus

Symptoms:

Phosphorus is a great remedy for the treatment of acid reflux with stricture of the oesophagus.

There is a burning sensation in the chest and throat.

The patient complains of a sour taste and sour eructations after every meal.

There is a belching of large quantities of wind after eating.

The patient experiences difficulty in swallowing food with a contracted pain in the chest.

The region of the stomach is painful to touch with burning extending to the throat.

The patient throws up food by mouthfuls during vomiting.

When these symptoms are present, Phosphorus can provide quick relief to the patient.

Potency and dosage:

Phosphorus 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Phosphorus 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.

Phosphorus in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.

8. ANTIMONIUM TART: For acid reflux with nausea and pressure in the chest

Symptoms:

Antimonium tart can help patients who are having difficulty swallowing the liquid.

The patient complains of nausea, retching and vomiting, especially after food with weakness and faintness.

Nausea produces fear with pressure in the precordial region.

The patient also experiences headaches with acid reflux symptoms.

The patient desires apples, fruits and acids in general.

There is discomfort in the chest with tightness and vomiting.

Potency and dosage:

Antimonium tart 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Antimonium tart 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.

Antimonium tart in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.

9. SULPHURIC ACID: For acid reflux in alcoholics

Patients who suffer from acid reflux with extremely sour eructations can be treated with Sulphuric acid. 

The chest region burns and becomes sensitive.

The patient experiences sour eructations that sets the teeth on edge.

The patient craves alcohol. The vomiting is very sour.

The patient experiences nausea and hiccups with chilliness.

Potency and dosage:

Sulphuric acid 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Sulphuric acid 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.

Sulphuric acid in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.

10. CALCAREA CARB: For acid reflux with a persistent sour taste in the mouth

Symptoms:

Calcarea carb is a useful remedy for patients with acid reflux who have a persistent sour taste in their mouths.

There is an offensive smell from the mouth.

The patient craves indigestible things such as chalk or pencils.

The patient doesn’t like milk. There are frequent sour eructations with sour vomiting.

The patient complains of a burning sensation in the chest with loud belching.

There is a sensation of pain in the upper part of the stomach when touched.

The stomach is distended with gas.

Potency and dosage:

Calcarea carb 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Calcarea carb 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.

Calcarea carb in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.

Remember that homeopathic remedies should be prescribed based on individual symptoms and characteristics. It’s crucial to consult with a qualified homeopath for proper evaluation and personalized treatment. Homeopathy focuses on treating the whole person, so a detailed case study is necessary to select the most appropriate remedy for this condition.

Homeopathic medicines should be taken only when prescribed by a homeopathic physician. Self-medication may aggravate the original conditions.