Suffering From Gastroesophageal Reflux? Try These Miraculous Remedies

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After eating, some individuals experience a sudden onset of vomiting and heartburn, accompanied by chest discomfort when lying down. Additionally, they may wake up with a bitter or sour taste in their mouths. This constellation of symptoms is indicative of gastroesophageal reflux.

Gastroesophageal reflux or GERD, commonly referred to as “heartburn,” can significantly impact an individual’s ability to eat and sleep well. Left untreated for an extended period GERD can increase the risk of esophageal cancer.

Below are some remedies and a recipe to help ease the condition.

3 Acupoints to Alleviate GERD

Massaging three acupuncture points can relieve and prevent the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux.

Neiguan acoupoint. The Epoch Times

Spirit Gate (Shenmen) acupoint. The Epoch Times

Zusanli acoupoint. The Epoch Times

To massage these three points, use your thumbs to press and rub, 10 strokes each time, alternating between the three points in turn.

The Neiguan (PC 6) can help with heart-related issues, while the Spirit Gate (HT 7) calms the heart and mind. Together with Zusanli (ST 36), which is effective for treating “stomach colds,” these acupressure points can improve and prevent gastroesophageal reflux.

Contrary to popular belief, most people who experience “heartburn” due to acid reflux suffer from what are known in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as stomach “colds,” thus stimulating the Zusanli (ST 36) acupressure point can “warm” the stomach and improve digestion.

Eat 3 Regular Meals Daily, and Avoid Eating Within 3 Hours of Bedtime

A proper diet is the solution for GERD. This involves eating three meals regularly and in appropriate portions while avoiding overeating or going hungry for long periods.

“Rationing” refers to consuming food in line with your regular portion. Occasionally, friends gather for buffets as they offer a wide variety of dishes and unrestricted servings, which can lead leading to overeating.

I have held talks at numerous events, and on many occasions, the organizers have treated me to lavish buffets. However, I tend only to consume a small amount of food. Although the organizers may feel they have spent a significant amount of effort and money on the meal, I try only to eat what I can manage without overindulging. In essence, I prioritize moderation and do not let myself overeat.

Limiting your intake of sweet, iced, and fried foods is important to maintain a healthy diet. These foods are commonly consumed by those who need more discipline in their eating habits. If you crave these foods when hungry, consider sharing a portion to reduce your intake and satisfy your hunger. Additionally, drinking a cup of sour plum soup after consuming these types of foods can aid in their digestion.

‘Pork Belly Four Gods Soup’ Strengthens Spleen, Stomach, and Aids Digestion

The “Pork Belly Four Gods Soup” is a well-known soup recipe in Taiwan. Traditional Chinese medicine believes in “complementing the shape with the form.” Therefore, a pig’s stomach is used to treat stomach ailments, while a pig’s heart is used to treat heart problems. This makes using the pig for healing particularly intriguing.

To make Pork Belly Four Gods Soup, you'll need half a pork belly and poria, Gordon Euryale seed, lotus seed, yam, and Job’s-tear. The recipe for the Four Gods soup typically includes all of these ingredients, but adding Job’s-tear makes it unique.

This soup is especially beneficial for improving digestion, as Job’s tear, which is soft, yet firm helps break down tough foods in the stomach. While boiled pork belly can be difficult to digest on its own, the combination of Job’s-tear and Four Gods Soup helps it to break down quickly.

Ingredients:

• Half a pork belly
• 25 grams poria
• 60 grams Gordon Euryale seed
• 60 grams lotus seed
• 30 grams yam
• 30 grams job’s-tear

Directions:

• Clean all ingredients.
• Put all ingredients into a pot of water. Bring to a boil, and turn the heat to low, for 40 minutes.
• Serve when the soup cools down.

Another good food for the stomach is cabbage, also called headed cabbage, which contains a stomach-strengthening component that can help improve or prevent gastric and duodenal ulcers when consumed cooked. However, it is not advisable to eat cabbage in its raw form.

Mindful Eating

An additional point to consider is to eat mindfully and slowly. The pace of modern life can be overwhelming, with many people working overtime, staying up late, and experiencing high levels of stress. For those with demanding schedules and who are used to multitasking while eating, meals may be rushed and only last around ten minutes.

However, this lifestyle can be improved by prioritizing a mindful and relaxed mealtime, separate from work and other distractions. Eating while distracted and anxious can negatively affect digestion as the body may not produce enough digestive juices, leading to difficulty properly digesting food and decreased productivity at work.

Get to Sleep Before 11 p.m.

In TCM, the body is believed to have 12 major meridians, which follow a specific path and schedule. Each of the 12 Chinese hours of the day—two hours long in modern times—corresponds to one of these meridians. It is believed that during each hour, the qi (vital energy) and blood flow through the corresponding meridian is particularly active, leading to increased activity in the internal organs governed by that meridian.

According to TCM, the time between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. is significant for the biliary meridian and between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. for the liver meridian. Staying up late during this time can cause harm to the liver and gallbladder, which are closely related to the stomach. In TCM’s five elements theory, the liver is considered a wood element, while the stomach is considered earth. If the liver is damaged, it can negatively affect the spleen and stomach, and proper digestion in the stomach relies on the assistance of bile.

It is recommended to avoid eating anything, including snacks, at least three hours before going to bed. This can greatly improve gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and aid in weight loss, allowing you to accomplish two goals simultaneously.

*Some of the herbs mentioned in this article may be unfamiliar, but they are generally available in Asian supermarkets.

Note: Because different people have different physiques, it is recommended to consult your doctor or TCM experts.