TL;DR

  • GERD is often self-inflicted through diet and lifestyle.

  • Eat slowly, avoid fluids with meals, and don’t eat before bed.

  • DGL, aloe vera, and fresh cabbage juice may soothe and heal mucosa.

  • Persistent reflux may signal H. pylori, gallbladder issues, or low stomach acid.

  • Suppressing acid rarely addresses the root cause — finding and correcting imbalances does.

Acid-suppressing medications can provide temporary relief, but long-term use — especially PPIs — often creates bigger problems. (Click here to read about the risks of reflux drugs.) Instead of just masking symptoms, it’s better to view GERD as your body’s way of signaling that something needs to change.

GERD, or gastro-esophageal reflux disease, can often be controlled naturally through diet and lifestyle.

First Steps: Change How You Eat

Before turning to medication or even natural supplements, try these proven habits:

  • Eat slowly. Put the fork down between bites and chew food until liquid.

  • Don’t drink with meals. Fluids dilute stomach acid, slowing digestion.

  • Eat better. Limit junk food and avoid meals that are heavy on starch and protein with little fiber. Add more fruits and vegetables.

  • Avoid bedtime eating. Leave at least 3 hours between your last meal and lying down.

For most people, these changes alone bring significant relief.

Natural Substances to Soothe and Heal

If symptoms persist, some natural substances may help protect and repair the esophageal lining:

  • DGL (Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice): Studies show it heals mucosa, stimulates protective mucus, and improves circulation to esophageal tissue【1–6】.

  • Aloe vera and methylmethionine (from fresh cabbage juice). These are just to name a few, there are others. Some companies make combination products.

  • Make and drink fresh cabbage juice. You can add some carrots or apple to help the taste. Cabbage juice contains methylmethionine, which has been studied and found to give relief to people with GERD or ulcers [7–13].

When Diet and Soothing Agents Aren’t Enough

If GERD persists despite these steps, deeper issues may be at play. A doctor trained in natural healthcare can help investigate:

  • H. pylori infection: This bacterium can trigger ulcers and reflux and raises the risk of autoimmune disease if left untreated.

  • Gallbladder problems: Biliary stasis (thickened bile) can cause reflux resistant to treatment, sometimes progressing to gallstones.

  • Low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria): Contrary to popular belief, GERD often stems from too little acid, not too much. Adequate acid is needed for proper stomach emptying; without it, stomach contents push upward into the esophagus.

  • Hiatal hernia: Sometimes the stomach bulges past the esophagus, and the acid ends up in the esophagus. This can be found with imaging. Also, many chiropractors have a hands-on technique to deal with the.

Key Point

True GERD is rarely caused by “too much acid” (except in rare conditions like Zollinger-Ellison syndrome). For most, healing the gut lining, correcting underlying issues, and making lasting dietary changes works far better than simply suppressing acid.

FAQ

Q: Can GERD be controlled without medication?
Yes. Many cases improve with lifestyle changes — eating slowly, avoiding fluids with meals, and cutting out junk food.

Q: What natural remedies help GERD?
DGL licorice, aloe vera, and fresh cabbage juice (rich in methylmethionine) have been studied for their ability to soothe the esophagus and promote healing.

Q: Why do I still have reflux after changing my diet?
GERD can also be linked to H. pylori infection, gallbladder dysfunction, or low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria), which interferes with normal stomach emptying. You may need to rule out a hiatal hernia.

Q: Is GERD really caused by too much acid?
In most people, no. GERD is usually due to poor digestion or mechanical problems, not excess stomach acid.