How To Holistically Heal Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is one of the most common digestive complaints in my clinic and one of the most misunderstood. While many assume it’s caused by too much stomach acid, in reality, it’s often due to a more complex combination of low stomach acid, poor motility, microbial imbalance, chronic stress , or impaired digestive function overall.

In this blog, I’ll walk you through what acid reflux actually is, why it happens, what conventional medicine may miss, and how a naturopathic approach can help you heal, gently, thoroughly, and at the root.

What Is Acid Reflux?

Acid reflux occurs when gastric acid flows upward into the oesophagus, the muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach. This happens when the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) , a muscular ring at the base of the oesophagus, fails to close properly or relaxes at the wrong time.

The oesophagus lacks the protective lining of the stomach and is therefore vulnerable to damage from stomach acid. Reflux can cause irritation, inflammation, and in more chronic cases, structural damage.

Symptoms of Acid Reflux (and GERD)

Some symptoms are familiar. Others are less obvious:

• Heartburn : Burning sensation in the chest or throat

• Regurgitation : Sour or bitter acid rising into the throat or mouth

• Dysphagia : Difficulty swallowing, often worsened by bread or dense meats

• Persistent cough , especially in the morning

• Throat clearing or post-nasal drip

• Sore throat , hoarseness, or laryngitis

• Worsening asthma symptoms

• Chest pain (sometimes mistaken for a heart attack)

• Bad breath , disrupted sleep, bloating, belching, or nausea after meals

If these symptoms occur frequently, it may be a sign of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) , a more chronic and potentially damaging form of reflux that warrants deeper attention.

When to Rule Out a Heart Attack

Because chest pain is a common symptom of both heartburn and cardiac events, please seek immediate emergency care if you experience:

• Chest pressure that lasts more than a few minutes

• Pain radiating to your jaw, arm, neck, or back

• Sudden nausea, sweating, shortness of breath, dizziness

Only medical testing can rule out cardiac causes.

What Causes Acid Reflux? (It’s Not Always Excess Acid)

The conventional view often blames too much stomach acid. But in practice, I frequently see low stomach acid as the underlying issue. Stomach acid is essential for digesting food, absorbing nutrients, and killing harmful microbes. When it's low, digestion slows, fermentation increases, and gas builds up, leading to pressure and acid being pushed up into the oesophagus.

Other common contributors include:

• Weak LES tone

• Hiatal hernia

• Delayed gastric emptying

• SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)

• Helicobacter pylori infection

• Stress and anxiety affecting digestive secretions and motility

• Processed, fatty, or spicy foods

• Caffeine, alcohol, and chocolate

• Medications : NSAIDs, blood pressure meds, antidepressants, PPIs

• Obesity or pregnancy increasing intra-abdominal pressure

• Lying down too soon after eating

How We Work with Acid Reflux in Clinic

Our naturopathic approach focuses on restoring your digestion at every level: stomach acid, bile, enzymes, gut flora, mucosal integrity, and nervous system regulation.

Step 1: Thorough Assessment

We begin with a comprehensive consultation to explore:

• Your full symptom picture

• Diet and hydration patterns

• Stress levels and nervous system tone

• Medical history and medications

• Bowel regularity and motility

• Sleep quality and meal timing

• Environmental triggers

We may recommend further investigation, such as:

• Stool or microbiome testing

• SIBO breath testing

• H. pylori testing

• Nutritional blood tests

Step 2: Personalised Treatment Plan

1. Targeted Herbal Medicine

Formulated specifically for your constitution and presentation, we may include:

• Demulcents (Slippery elm, Marshmallow root, Licorice root) to coat and soothe the oesophagus

• Anti-inflammatories (Aloe, Turmeric, Chamomile) to reduce irritation

• Bitters (Dandelion root, Gentian) to support healthy stomach acid and enzyme release

• Carminatives (Fennel, Peppermint, Dill) to relieve bloating and wind

• Adaptogens (Holy Basil, Ashwagandha) if stress is a major driver

• Hepatics (Milk thistle, Artichoke leaf) to support liver and bile flow

Your formula is hand-blended in our apothecary, using only practitioner-quality herbal extracts.

Note: Not All Supplements Are Created Equal

It’s important to remember that the form, absorption rate, and quality can vary significantly between brands and types. Consulting with a qualified professional, such as a practitioner or holistic healthcare provider, ensures that you’re selecting the most absorbable and highest quality supplements for your individual needs. They can help assess your constitution, allergies, intolerances, sensitivities, age, gender, and any medical conditions or symptoms. A professional also considers potential drug interactions and supplement ratios that may be needed based on your unique health profile. Whether it’s over-the-counter or prescription-grade supplements, the quality, effectiveness, and cost can vary widely, making it essential to have expert guidance for the best outcomes.

2. Food as Medicine

We help you identify your personal triggers and restore digestive ease with soothing, anti-inflammatory foods:

To Avoid (or minimise):

• Alcohol, caffeine, chocolate

• Citrus, tomato, garlic, onions

• Fried, fatty, or processed foods

• Spicy foods and creamy dressings

• Carbonated drinks and sugar

• Dairy, mint, and processed grains

To Embrace:

• Bone broths (rich in glutamine and collagen)

• Steamed green vegetables and artichokes

• Cucumber, aloe vera, coconut water

• Ginger and turmeric root

• Lightly fermented vegetables (if tolerated)

• Small meals, mindfully eaten and chewed well

We’ll tailor your dietary support to any co-existing conditions, such as SIBO , candida , or low stomach acid.

3. Lifestyle Guidance

• Eat upright, and remain upright for at least 30–45 minutes post-meal

• Elevate the head of your bed by 6–8 inches for night-time reflux

• Avoid tight clothing around the abdomen

• Reduce screen time at night and establish a calming bedtime routine

• Incorporate breathwork, nature walks, or gentle yoga to reduce stress

• Drink fluids between meals not during, to avoid stomach distension

Ready to Address Your Acid Reflux?

Book a Naturopathic Consultation

If you're experiencing persistent acid reflux, heartburn, indigestion, or a burning sensation after meals, it's time to move beyond simply managing symptoms.

At Apothēca by Anthia, we take a different approach. Rather than suppressing symptoms, we work with you to explore and understand the underlying causes and contributing factors , whether they stem from stress, microbial imbalance, low stomach acid, poor motility, medication use, or dietary triggers.

Through this deeper understanding, we create a bespoke treatment plan tailored to your unique needs.

Our personalised herbal tonics are thoughtfully formulated by our experienced naturopaths and may include calming demulcents, gentle bitters, anti-inflammatory, and gut-soothing herbs. These blends are designed to support gastric tone, balance stomach acid, repair mucosal integrity, and ease upper digestive discomfort.

If you're ready to begin the process of true healing, we invite you to book a naturopathic consultation .Our holistic, evidence-informed approach supports your body’s natural ability to heal using traditional herbal medicine, nutritional guidance, and lifestyle practices aligned with your constitution and way of life.

📅 Book your consultation here   
📩 Or email us at clinic@apothecabyanthia.com

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