Acid Reflux: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a condition where stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus, causing heartburn, discomfort, and potential damage to the esophagus.

This occurs when the ring of muscle at the end of the esophagus, called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), relaxes or becomes weakened, allowing stomach acid to flow back up. Causes of acid reflux include overeating, lying down after eating, consuming spicy or fatty foods, and certain medications.

If left untreated, acid reflux can lead to complications such as esophagitis, strictures, and even esophageal cancer. To alleviate acid reflux, herbal remedies such as slippery elm, licorice root, and ginger can be used. These herbs can be consumed as teas, capsules, or added to food.

However, it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking medications, as they can interact with other treatments and exacerbate health issues.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of acid reflux, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of acid reflux?

The main causes of acid reflux are often attributed to a combination of lifestyle, dietary, and anatomical factors.

Overeating or consuming large, heavy meals can put pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), causing stomach acid to flow back up into the esophagus. Additionally, obesity, which is often associated with increased abdominal pressure, is a significant risk factor for acid reflux. Other contributing factors include smoking, which can relax the LES and reduce saliva production, and eating trigger foods such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, and chocolate, which can irritate the esophagus and worsen symptoms.

Furthermore, certain medical conditions, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia, can also contribute to acid reflux by disrupting the normal functioning of the LES.

• Overeating: Overeating is the most common cause of acid reflux because it puts pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter, causing it to relax and allowing stomach acid to flow back up into the esophagus.
• Obesity: Obesity is a leading cause of acid reflux due to the increased pressure on the stomach and the lower esophageal sphincter, which can cause the sphincter to relax and allow stomach acid to flow back up into the esophagus.
• Smoking: Smoking is a common cause of acid reflux because it damages the lower esophageal sphincter and reduces saliva production, which helps to neutralize stomach acid and prevent it from flowing back up into the esophagus.
• Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes, particularly those experienced during pregnancy, can cause acid reflux due to the increased levels of progesterone, which relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter and allows stomach acid to flow back up into the esophagus.
• Genetic Predisposition: Genetic predisposition is a common cause of acid reflux because some people are born with a weakened lower esophageal sphincter or other anatomical abnormalities that can cause stomach acid to flow back up into the esophagus.
• Food Triggers: Certain food triggers, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, chocolate, and spicy foods, can cause acid reflux by relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter and increasing stomach acid production.
• Coffee Consumption: Coffee consumption is a common cause of acid reflux because it relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter and increases stomach acid production, allowing stomach acid to flow back up into the esophagus.
• High-Fat Diet: A high-fat diet can cause acid reflux because it takes longer to digest and puts pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter, causing it to relax and allow stomach acid to flow back up into the esophagus.
• Stress: Stress is a common cause of acid reflux because it can cause the lower esophageal sphincter to relax and allow stomach acid to flow back up into the esophagus, and it can also stimulate the production of stomach acid.
• Age: Age is a common cause of acid reflux because the lower esophageal sphincter weakens with age, allowing stomach acid to flow back up into the esophagus.
• Certain Medications: Certain medications, such as sedatives, antidepressants, and antihistamines, can cause acid reflux by relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter and increasing stomach acid production.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for acid reflux?

The main medicinal herbs used for acid reflux are Glycyrrhiza glabra, Zingiber officinale, Foeniculum vulgare, Aloe barbadensis, Mentha x piperita, Zanthoxylum bungeanum, Curcuma longa, Ginkgo biloba, Cinchona officinalis, Cinnamomum verum.

Glycyrrhiza glabra's licorice root has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe the esophagus and reduce inflammation. Zingiber officinale's ginger exhibits anti-inflammatory compounds that help alleviate symptoms of acid reflux by inhibiting prostaglandin production and improving digestion. Foeniculum vulgare's fennel seeds have carminative effects that relieve bloating and gas, while Aloe barbadensis's aloe vera gel has mucilaginous properties that protect the esophagus from acid damage.

Additionally, Curcuma longa's turmeric contains curcumin that reduces inflammation and promotes healing, while Cinchona officinalis's cinchona bark reduces gastric acid production and alleviates acid reflux symptoms.

• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra, or licorice root, helps with acid reflux by reducing inflammation in the esophagus and promoting the healing of esophageal mucosa, while its flavonoids also have antioxidant properties that protect against oxidative stress caused by acid reflux.
• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale, or ginger, helps with acid reflux by reducing inflammation in the digestive tract and alleviating symptoms such as nausea and vomiting associated with acid reflux.
• Foeniculum vulgare: Foeniculum vulgare, or fennel, helps with acid reflux by relaxing the muscles in the digestive tract and reducing inflammation in the esophagus, thereby alleviating symptoms of acid reflux such as heartburn and regurgitation.
• Aloe barbadensis: Aloe barbadensis, or aloe vera, helps with acid reflux by reducing inflammation in the esophagus and promoting the healing of esophageal mucosa, while its anti-inflammatory compounds also alleviate symptoms such as heartburn and regurgitation associated with acid reflux.
• Mentha x piperita: Mentha x piperita, or peppermint, helps with acid reflux by relaxing the muscles in the digestive tract and reducing inflammation in the esophagus, thereby alleviating symptoms of acid reflux such as heartburn and regurgitation.
• Zanthoxylum bungeanum: Zanthoxylum bungeanum, or Sichuan pepper, helps with acid reflux by stimulating digestion and reducing inflammation in the digestive tract, while its bioactive compounds also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that protect against oxidative stress caused by acid reflux.
• Curcuma longa: Curcuma longa, or turmeric, helps with acid reflux by reducing inflammation in the digestive tract and promoting the healing of esophageal mucosa, while its bioactive compound curcumin also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that protect against oxidative stress caused by acid reflux.
• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba, or ginkgo, does not have a direct mechanism for treating acid reflux, but its flavonoids may have antioxidant properties that protect against oxidative stress caused by acid reflux.
• Cinchona officinalis: Cinchona officinalis, or cinchona, does not have a direct mechanism for treating acid reflux, but its alkaloids may have anti-inflammatory properties that reduce inflammation in the esophagus.
• Cinnamomum verum: Cinnamomum verum, or cinnamon, helps with acid reflux by reducing inflammation in the digestive tract and promoting the healing of esophageal mucosa, while its bioactive compounds also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that protect against oxidative stress caused by acid reflux.

What are the main herbal preparations used for acid reflux?

The main herbal preparations used for acid reflux are Decoction, Tincture, Capsule, Gel, Lozenge, Suppository, Salve, Powder, Licorice Root Capsules, Ointment.

Decoction is a liquid herbal extract made by boiling herbs in water, useful for soothing stomach inflammation and reducing acid production, often using herbs like Licorice root, Ginger, and Fennel. Tincture is a concentrated liquid extract made from herbs like Aloe Vera and Slippery Elm, taken internally to calm inflammation and protect the esophageal mucosa. Capsules and Licorice Root Capsules are oral dosages of dried and powdered herbs, providing anti-inflammatory properties and soothing the esophageal mucosa.

Ointments and Salves can be applied topically to the chest to relieve heartburn symptoms, while Gels and Lozenges can be used to neutralize stomach acid and provide quick relief from symptoms, and Suppositories can be inserted to provide targeted relief to the affected area, reducing acid reflux.

• Decoction: A decoction of herbs like Zingiber officinale, which contains gingerols and shogaols, helps with acid reflux by reducing inflammation and increasing the production of mucus to protect the esophagus from acid damage.
• Tincture: A tincture of herbs like Glycyrrhiza glabra, which contains glycyrrhizin, helps with acid reflux by reducing inflammation and relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter to prevent acid reflux.
• Capsule: A capsule of herbs like Iberis amara, which contains iberin, helps with acid reflux by reducing inflammation and improving the functioning of the lower esophageal sphincter to prevent acid reflux.
• Gel: A gel of herbs like Aloe vera, which contains aloin and aloe-emodin, helps with acid reflux by reducing inflammation and protecting the mucous membranes from acid damage.
• Lozenge: A lozenge of herbs like Glycyrrhiza glabra, which contains glycyrrhizin, helps with acid reflux by providing quick relief from heartburn and acid reflux through local anesthetic and soothing properties.
• Suppository: A suppository of herbs like Plantago lanceolata, which contains aucubin, helps with acid reflux by reducing inflammation and improving the functioning of the lower esophageal sphincter to prevent acid reflux.
• Salve: A salve of herbs like Calendula officinalis, which contains triterpenoids, helps with acid reflux by reducing inflammation and protecting the mucous membranes from acid damage.
• Powder: A powder of herbs like Zingiber officinale, which contains gingerols and shogaols, helps with acid reflux by reducing inflammation and increasing the production of mucus to protect the esophagus from acid damage.
• Licorice Root Capsules: Licorice root capsules, which contain glycyrrhizin, help with acid reflux by reducing inflammation and relaxing the lower esophageal sphincter to prevent acid reflux.
• Ointment: An ointment of herbs like Aloe vera, which contains aloin and aloe-emodin, helps with acid reflux by reducing inflammation and protecting the mucous membranes from acid damage.