Do Essential Oils Work For Acid Reflux?

Essential oils have been used for many years to treat a wide variety of conditions, and recent evidence has found that certain essential oils - namely lavender, ginger and peppermint - could be effective in relieving acid reflux, as well. 

Understanding acid reflux

Acid reflux can be a painful experience for sufferers, and occurs due to stomach acid traveling up into the esophagus, causing irritation. Acid reflux occurs most commonly in relation to food and drink; common triggers include spicy foods, highly acidic foods, caffeine, and foods high in fat. The position of the body while eating or immediately after can make acid reflux more likely, too. It often causes a sore throat, tight chest, cramps and heartburn.

What are essential oils?

Put simply, essential oils are the oil extracts from different plants and flowers, containing the very ‘essence’ of the plant itself, including scent and sometimes taste. Essential oils are usually pure – naturally cold-pressed and contain no other added ingredients. 

Best essential oils to relieve acid reflux

Tests have revealed that some of these ever-popular natural compounds may be helpful to sufferers of acid reflux, speeding up symptom relief. Some oils thought to be useful to acid reflux sufferers are:

Peppermint essential oil

Extracted from the leaves and flowers of peppermint plants, peppermint oil has become one of the most popular essential oils for medical use. It’s often applied to the skin to relieve joint pain, muscle pain, itching and headaches, but has also been found to relieve upset stomach and nausea associated with acid reflux when used in aromatherapy. 

Ginger essential oil

Collected from the rhizome of a ginger plant, research has found this particular oil to have anti-inflammatory benefits. It’s most often used during aromatherapy, with it’s warm, spicy scent said to relieve nausea, heartburn, and other gastrointestinal problems.

Lavender essential oil

Distilled from the flowers of lavender plants, this oil has long been one of the most popular. It’s thought to be one of the most effective oils in relieving stress, either through aromatherapy or direct application onto the skin, and is often used to treat anxiety, insomnia and even menstrual cramps. Stress can often trigger symptoms of acid reflux, so giving lavender essential oil may be worth a try.

How to use essential oils in acid reflux treatment

If you wish to put essential oils to the test during an acid reflux episode, the best way to do it is to inhale the scents of the oils – either from a diffuser or simply directly out of the bottle. A few drops in a diffuser should be enough for you to notice a considerable difference after a little while. You may also rub it directly on your chest and stomach, just be sure to dilute it first with water to be safe.

Other natural ways to reduce acid reflux symptoms

• There are, of course, a few different natural remedies for acid reflux that you can try out if essential oils don’t do the job for you. These remedies include:Swallowing a teaspoon of diluted apple cider vinegar
• Chewing sugar-free gum
• Following up your meal with a banana
• Drinking a small amount of baking soda dissolved into water

Remember not to try out too many methods of reducing acid reflux simultaneously, as this could make it worse. If your symptoms don’t improve with natural remedies, the next course of action is to speak with a doctor.

Why Omeprazole (Generic Prilosec) is your best treatment option for acid reflux

With moderate to severe cases of acid reflux, making simple lifestyle and dietary changes may not be enough to curb your symptoms. The good news? Prescription drug Omeprazole has been proven to be incredibly effective treatment, alleviating all symptoms!

Take control of your treatment by speaking with one of our online doctors today. They can help you discuss your best course of action, including prescription medication Omeprazole.

The best part? Omeprazole works the same as brand name acid reflux medications—at a fraction of the cost! It works by reducing stomach acid, effectively preventing recurring episodes of acid reflux. Plus, most adults, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, can safely take Omeprazole.

Schedule a virtual doctor’s appointment, today.

Get help for your acid reflux, today!

Acid reflux is incredibly bothersome & inconvenient. While diet & lifestyle changes may help, your best option to treat acid reflux is to speak with a doctor.

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