Acid reflux, a condition that used to be known as “indigestion,” “sour stomach” or “heartburn,” is rampant. But lately the news has been full of stories about scary side effects from the PPI (proton pump inhibitor) drugs used to combat heartburn.
That is probably why simple home remedies for this problem are so appealing. Many readers have reported that munching on a few almonds after a meal can forestall the discomfort. Others are enthusiastic about sipping persimmon punch with ginger and cinnamon. Until we received this letter, we were not aware that dandelion root tea could be helpful against GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease).
Warding Off Heartburn with Dandelion Root Tea:
Q. Dandelion root tea has helped me a lot with my acid reflux. I have used a PPI for just 14 days with a combination of apple cider vinegar diluted in warm water for immediate relief.
Decreasing my alcohol consumption and eliminating coffee made a difference, as these are huge triggers for me. But dandelion root tea seems to rid me of any heartburn issues so I’ve stopped all other remedies.
Non-Drug Approaches to Controlling Heartburn:
A. The recent news about serious side effects from long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as esomeprazole (Nexium) or lansoprazole (Prevacid) makes non-drug alternatives appealing.
Dandelion root has a reputation as benefiting digestive problems, though there is not much clinical research. The root of Taraxacum officinale (dandelion) does contain effective antimicrobial compounds (Phytotherapy Research, Apr., 2015). Dandelion root has prebiotic properties that encourage the growth of beneficial gut bacteria (Fitoterapia, Dec., 2004).
We are unsure whether these activities explain the good results you experience, however. Dandelion root tea does not appear to carry much risk, so it is worth a try. If you do try it, be sure to let us know how well it works for you. People interested in other non-drug approaches to handling heartburn may also want to read our Guide to Digestive Disorders.
