Reflux—the chronic back up of acid stomach fluid into the upper digestive tract, which causes heartburn – can put a serious damper on daily life.
Medical herbalist Gabriella Clarke looks at why eating the Mediterranean way might help as well as some natural remedies which may help.
Millions of us suffer from heartburn or acid regurgitation. If the usual OTC antacids don’t bring relief, doctors often prescribe a group of drugs known as protein pump inhibitors (PPIs). Among the most widely prescribed groups of drugs in the UK, these work by helping to reduce the amount of acid in the stomach.
For people who suffer from serious problems like stomach ulcers, PPIs are the best choice of drug, but for those of us who pop them regularly and longer term, studies show we could be in for major problems down the line[1]. So is there anything we can do to help ourselves?
EAT WISELY
Diet plays a huge role in the incidence of reflux attacks; foods such as coffee, chocolate, fizzy drinks, fried foods, spicy foods and citrus fruits are all well-known triggers and are best avoided.
Some studies suggest switching to a Mediterranean diet may also help prevent acid reflux. The reason? As it is largely plant based, the stomach doesn’t seem to produce as much acid as it would to digest animal proteins. One study where subjects avoided trigger foods and adopted this way of eating showed that most were able to come off their PPI medications completely. [2]
Drinking alkaline water can help to temporarily neutralise stomach acid that has worked its way up into the oesophagus and throat. Alkaline water is available in most health food shops and some supermarkets. [3]
SUPPLEMENT IT
There are also several herbal supplements that may help to solve the problem.
Marshmallow root
This herb has a soothing and anti-inflammatory effect on the digestive tract. It coats the lining of the stomach and oesophagus which stops food causing further irritation while allowing the tissue underneath to begin the healing process. It is best not to take it at the same time as other medications as it may interfere with their absorption.
Meadowsweet
This is nature’s best antacid herb and works well with marshmallow root or slippery elm. It has a protective effect on the inner lining of the gut and promotes the healing of stomach ulcers. Meadowsweet should be avoided if you are taking warfarin or other blood thinners.
Slippery elm
The powdered bark of the slippery elm tree contains a constituent known as mucilage. It is thick and sticky and creates a coating in the throat and lining of the oesophagus, which helps protect against acid regurgitation, which can cause pain and inflammation. It is best taken as a powder mixed with water but it is also available in capsules.
Gamma oryzanol
This supplement contains rice bran oil and is used for gastritis, nausea, vomiting and hyper-acidity. It acts on the autonomic nervous system to normalise gastric secretion and has a protective effect on the stomach lining.
[1] https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/jul/04/people-taking-heartburn-drugs-could-have-higher-risk-of-death-study-claims
[2] JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017 Sep 7. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2017.1454. [Epub ahead of print]
[3] A Comparison of Alkaline Water and Mediterranean Diet vs Proton Pump Inhibition for Treatment of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux.
Zalvan CH1, Hu S2, Greenberg B3, Geliebter J
