What Helps GERD

Licorice Root also known as Glycyrrhiza glabra is a flowering perennial herb of the Fabacea family native to Western Asia and southern Europe. Cultivated in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, it has been used medicinally and as a flavoring agent by the Ancient Assyrian, Egyptian, Chinese and Indian cultures. With over 300 compounds, Licorice has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral properties used to treat digestive problems, menopausal symptoms, cough, and bacterial and viral infections.

Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice Root, also known as DGL, is a form of Licorice Root without the active compound, Glcyrrhizin, which has been linked to serious side effects.

Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice Root, or DGL, may help GERD by improving symptoms of gastric and intestinal irritation by soothing and protecting gastric mucosa.

Ginger is a tropical, green-purple, flowering plant from the Zingiberaceae family closely related to cardamom and turmeric. The oily resin from its rhizome contains many biochemic compounds including gingerol regarded for its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It has been widely used throughout ancient Sanskrit, Chinese, Greek, Roman, and Arabic history for its medical properties treating ailments like colds and nausea.

While traditionally used as a home remedy for gastric ailments, whether Ginger may help GERD is inconclusive.

Aloe Vera or Aloe barbadensis miller is a succulent plant native to the Arabian Peninsula. The name Aloe is derived from the Arabic word alloeh meaning shiny bitter substance as its fleshy leaves contain a bitter yellow sap. Uses include skin care, digestion and topical antiseptic, and it can be traced back 6,000 years to Egyptian stone carvings.

Aloe Vera may help GERD by reducing the frequency of symptoms.

Melatonin is a hormone produced in the brain’s pineal gland. It works with your body’s circadian rhythm, as well as, regulates body temperature, blood pressure and hormone levels. Production naturally decreases with age. Melatonin is commonly used as a treatment for sleep disorders including jet lag and insomnia.

Sleep deprivation has been shown to worsen GERD symptoms by enhancing pain sensitivity, Melatonin may help decrease the intensity of symptoms by raising pain thresholds.

Peppermint also known as Mentha x piperita is a hybrid cross between watermint and spearmint. Native to Europe and the Middle East, the plant has been used for medicinal purposes since Ancient Egypt. First cultivated in England in the 17th century, Peppermint is named from Greek mythology and has been revered for its antibacterial properties, as a digestive aid, muscle relaxer, and stimulant.

Peppermint has not been shown to help relieve GERD symptoms, in many cases it has been proven to worsen symptoms by relaxing the sphincter muscle between the stomach and esophagus, allowing stomach acids to flow back into the esophagus.