I was shopping at my local drugstore this week, and asked the pharmacist where the Maalox was. She replied that it had been voluntarily pulled from the shelves over a month ago. The most similar product, Mylanta, had also been recalled. Since different companies make the products, it couldn’t have been a manufacturing glitch. This caused me to seriously question the safety of an over the counter drug that I have been using regularly for many years.
Armed with a bottle of Tums, I sat down to research natural remedies for stomach acid. Surprisingly, most of them can be found in your kitchen cabinets.
Apple Cider Vinegar has been found to prevent and relieve heartburn.
Sipping a mixture of one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and 4 ounces of water before meals, is thought to prevent the over production of stomach acid.
Drinking a couple of tablespoons of the vinegar has been known to neutralize stomach acid and relieve the burning sensation.
Gum: Chewing gum increases the production of saliva, which helps to neutralize the stomach acids and prevent reflux.
Bananas and apples are thought to have natural antacid effects.
Sipping chamomile tea, or ginger tea may also relieve heartburn symptoms. Ginger root capsules, or eating candied ginger are also effective.
Baking soda, mixed with water is another natural way to deal with stomach acid. Just mix ½ – 1 teaspoon in a glass of water, and drink it down. Be prepared to burp as the solution works it’s magic!
Health food stores carry papaya enzymes in pill form, which is a natural digestive aid. Papaya enzymes are also an anti-coagulant, and are not recommended for anyone with risk of stomach bleeding.
Always remember that even holistic remedies can have health risks if they are not right for you. Consulting a doctor before taking any kind of supplement, is highly recommended.
photo: Glasshouse Images
Tags: acid reflux, apple cider vinegar, apples apple cider vinegar, baking soda, bananas, chamomile tea, chewing gum, ginger root, ginger tea, health, health food stores, Maalox, Mylanta, natural antacids, natural digestive aid, natural remedies, papaya enzymes, stomach acids
Indigo jones 
April 26, 2012 at 9:49 am |
I have the opposite problem: too LITTLE stomach acid. For a while I was seeing a homeopathic doctor that prescribed hydrochloric acid pills to take with my meals. I didn’t sense any difference in my eating or my digestion, but he seemed to think that it helped.
May 15, 2012 at 5:20 pm |
Salutations…
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