Acid Reflux Herbs

Herbs have been used to treat acid reflux, heartburn, indigestion and GERD for thousands of years in civilizations spanning the globe. These herbs have been proven to be highly successful at reducing the pain and suffering of the patients that have these conditions.

In addition, double blind medical studies have been conducted on many of the most popular herbs utilized in this field and there therapeutic effecti veness has been confirmed by these research projects. The "Acid Reflux Diet" supplies the most comprehensive list of these herbs ever developed.

It lists each herb by name, and supplies its history, therapeutic uses and recommended dosage. When these highly beneficial herbs are combined with the proper foods that do not cause the patient to suffer, but have the exact opposite affect the dishes created with this combination are turned into super powerful healing meals that allow the patient to quickly end the agony caused by acid reflux, heartburn and GERD.

A) History - Among the most notable and well-studied carminatives are peppermint, fennel, and caraway. The peppermint herb is a hybridof water mint and spearmint and was first discovered in 1750 in London , England . Peppermint is now grown throughout the U.S. and Europe. The leaves and stems of peppermint have relatively high oil content and are the part of the plant used medicinally.

B) Therapeutic Uses – Double-blind trials have shown that combinations of peppermint and caraway oil and a combination of peppermint, fennel, caraway, and wormwood have been found to reduce gas and cramping in people with indigestion . Commonly used for digestive assistance , peppermint (Mentha piperita) as oil can be used topically or ingested to relieve many ailments like gastritis, irritable bowl syndrome, motion sickness, cramps, and many other conditions.

C) Recommended Dosage - Generally, 3–5 drops of natural essential oils or 3–5 ml of tincture of any of these herbs, taken in water two to three times per day before meals, can be helpful. Alternately, a tea can be made by grinding 2–3 teaspoons of the seeds of fennel or caraway or the leaves of peppermint, and then simmering them in a cup of water (covered) for ten minutes. Drink three or more cups per day just after meals.

A) History - Licorice root has an impressive list of well documented uses and is probably one of the most over-looked of all herbal remedies. Licorice is a variable perennial with downy stems and pinnate leaves, with pale blue to violet flowers. Chinese ranked licorice as "superior", which means it could be used over a long period of time with no toxic effect, it has been used by the Chinese for more than 5,000 years. Its roots have tremendous therapeutic properties. The Greeks used licorice as thirst quencher and to relieve swelling caused by water retention .

B) Therapeutic Uses – Licorice protects the mucous membranes lining the digestive tract by increasing the production of mucin, a compound that protects against the adverse effects of stomach acid and various harmful substances. The extract of licorice root that is most often used by people with indigestion is known as deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL). Glycyrrhizin, which occurs naturally in licorice root, has cortisone-like effects and can cause high blood pressure, water retention, and other problems in some people. It is said to accelerate the healing of peptic ulcers and is used in cases of adreno-corticoid insufficiency. To treat stomach ulcer licorice stimulates the body's defenses to prevent the formation of ulcers, it is more effective than antacids. According to studies there is a 91% success in the treatment of stomach ulcer by using licorice. Treatments should be continued for 8 to 16 weeks, depending on how fast or slow the recovery of the patient. Licorice should be taken 20 to 30 minutes before meals in order for it to be more effective in the treatment of ulcer, licorice will act as a lining in the stomach, to help protect it.

C) Recommended Dosage - When the glycyrrhizin is removed to form DGL, the licorice root retains its beneficial effects against indigestion , while the risk of side effects is greatly reduced. The usual suggested amount of DGL is one or two chewable tablets (250–500 mg per tablet), chewed and swallowed 15 minutes before meals and one to two hours before bedtime.