The Herbs That Promote Digestive Function Against Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

By Kyle J. Norton

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as gastro oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), gastric reflux disease, or acid reflux disease, is a chronic condition charaterized by liquid stomach acid refluxing back up from the stomach into the esophagus, causing heartburn. 

According to the study of “Updated guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.” by DeVault KR, Castell DO; American College of Gastroenterology, GERD is defined as symptoms or mucosal damage produced by the abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. 

Most common symptoms are burning sensation in your chest (heartburn), chest pain, regurgitation of food or sour liquid and sensation of a lump in your throat.  

In severe case, people with GERD may experience symptoms of difficulty swallowing, lump in the throat asthma,… and chronic cough.
 

According to the Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, GERD may also facilitate symptoms of chest pain, similar to those with noncardiac chest pain (NCCP)(5).

The causes of GERD are not fully understood. However, some researchers suggested that obesity, poor diet, lack of physical activity, consumption of tobacco and alcohol, and respiratory diseases are associated to prevalent risk of the diseases(6).
 

Properly manage diet such as two meals a day with intake of only fluids in between, whenever the patient feels hungry or thirsty, is a useful dietary regimen for the management of GERD(7) and avoid foods and beverages that trigger GERD symptoms(8).

Use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may be effective but long term application may cause severe side effects. 

Types of food to prevent and treat Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
1. Peppermint 
According to the study of the review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of peppermint tea (Mentha piperita L.).” by McKay DL, Blumberg JB. posted in PubMed, in vitro, peppermint has significant antimicrobial and antiviral activities, strong antioxidant and antitumor actions, and some antiallergenic potential.

 Animal model studies demonstrate a relaxation effect on gastrointestinal (GI) tissue, analgesic and anesthetic effects in the central and peripheral nervous system.

However, human studies of peppermint leaf are limited and clinical trials of peppermint tea are absent. 

Adverse reactions to peppermint tea have not been reported, although caution has been urged for peppermint oil therapy in patients with GI reflux, hiatal hernia or kidney stones(1).

2. Ginger 
Gingerole, is also known as gingerol, a phytochemical of Flavonoids (polyphenols) found in fresh ginger and in variety of other plants. 

Ginger has been used for thousands of years to enhance the function of digestive system and treat stomach distress including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and in digestion, acid reflux, motion sickness, dyspepsia, etc. due to its due to its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and analgesic properties. 

According to the study of ” Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) and the gingerols inhibit the growth of Cag A+ strains of Helicobacter pylori”, methanol extract of ginger rhizome inhibited the growth of all 19 strains in vitro with a minimum inhibitory concentration range of 6.25-50 micrograms/ml. 

One fraction of the crude extract, containing the gingerols, was active and inhibited the growth of all HP strains with an MIC range of 0.78 to 12.5 micrograms/ml and with significant activity against the CagA+ strains(2). 

Other research of [6]-gingerol, [8]-gingerol, [10]-gingerol, and [6]-shogaol. and it effects in nausea and vomiting found that the efficiency of ginger in reducing nausea and vomiting may be based on a weak inhibitory effect of gingerols and shogaols at cholinergic M (3) receptors and serotonergic 5-HT (3) receptors. 

Serotonergic 5-HT (4) receptors, which play a role in gastroduodenal motility, appear not to be involved in the action of these compound.(3)

3. Aloe Vera Juice
According to the study described in article of “Effect Of Orally Consumed Aloe Vera Juice On Gastrointestinal Function in Normal Humans”,  by Jeffrey Bland, Ph.D. (Linus Pauling Institute of Science & Medicine) involved ten healthy subjects – five men (median age: 42; standard deviation: 14 years), and five women (median age: 32; standard deviation: 5 years), Aloe vera juice injection promoted proper gastrointestinal function through  regulating gastrointestinal pH and improved gastrointestinal motility, increased stool specific gravity, and reduced populations of certain fecal micro-organisms, including yeast(4). 

4. Mastic gum 
According to the article of “Strategies to Protect Against Potential Bone-Destroying Effects”By Chris D. Meletis, ND, while much of the research on mastic gum revolves around its ability to support the health of patients with ulcers and the ability to inhibit the bacteria H. pylori,  has been equally useful in patients with GERD and acid reflux(4).

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Author Biography
Kyle J. Norton(Scholar, Master of Nutrition), all right reserved.
Health article writer and researcher; Over 10.000 articles and research papers have been written and published on line, including world wide health, ezine articles, article base, healthblogs, selfgrowth, best before it’s news, the karate GB daily, etc.,.
Named TOP 50 MEDICAL ESSAYS FOR ARTISTS & AUTHORS TO READ by Disilgold.com Named 50 of the best health Tweeters Canada – Huffington Post
Nominated for shorty award over last 4 years
Some articles have been used as references in medical research, such as international journal Pharma and Bio science, ISSN 0975-6299.

Sources
(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16767798 
(2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14666666
(3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21305447 
(4) http://www.desertharvest.com/physicians/documents/DH127.pdf

(5) Comparison of central and intraesophageal factors between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients and those with GERD-related noncardiac chest pain by Shapiro M1, Simantov R, Yair M, Leitman M, Blatt A, Scapa E, Broide E(PubMed)

(6) Epidemiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease, by Rubenstein JH1, Chen JW(PubMed)

(7) An old dietary regimen as a new lifestyle change for Gastro esophageal refluxdisease: A pilot study by Randhawa MA1, Mahfouz SA2, Selim NA2, Yar T3, Gillessen A(PubMed)

(8) Management of gastroesophageal reflux disease: lifestyle modification and alternative approaches by Eherer A1(PubMed)