Herbal remedies for gastroesophageal reflux disease
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Herbal Remedies for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Key Approaches and Evidence
Herbal Medicines for GERD Symptom Relief and Mechanisms
Herbal remedies have been widely explored for managing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), offering multiple mechanisms of action beyond traditional acid suppression. Many herbs work by reducing inflammation, protecting the esophageal lining, and improving the function of the lower esophageal sphincter. For example, demulcents like Ceratonia siliqua (carob), Ulmus rubra (slippery elm), Althaea officinalis (marshmallow), and Aloe vera can soothe and heal acid-damaged tissues, while inflammation modulators such as deglycyrrhizinated licorice, Calendula officinalis (calendula), Curcuma longa (turmeric), Zingiber officinale (ginger), and Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) may help with tissue repair and symptom control 12.
Effectiveness of Specific Herbal Formulations and Traditional Medicines
Several clinical studies and reviews highlight the effectiveness of specific herbal formulations. Pinellia ternata, often used in traditional Chinese medicine, has shown significant improvement in GERD symptoms and lower recurrence rates compared to control groups, although more high-quality studies are needed 36. In Korean medicine clinics, herbs like Pinelliae Tuber, Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (fresh ginger), and Poria Sclerotium were most frequently prescribed, with patients experiencing significant symptom improvement and minimal adverse events .
Traditional herbal therapies such as Jianpi therapy and Ligan Hewei therapy, either alone or combined with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), have demonstrated high clinical efficacy and improvement in acid regurgitation and heartburn in adults with GERD . The Hewei Jiangni Decoction (HWJND), a Chinese herbal formula, was found to be noninferior to omeprazole for non-erosive reflux disease (NERD), improving symptoms like heartburn, regurgitation, and sleep disturbance, and enhancing quality of life . Similarly, poly-herbal formulations from Persian medicine, such as the Mastic pill (Habb-e-Mastaki), have shown significant reductions in reflux and heartburn severity when used alongside omeprazole .
Herbal Remedies for Refractory and Non-Erosive GERD
Herbal medicines have also shown promise for patients with NERD or those who do not respond well to PPIs. Rikkunshito and Tongjlang, multicomponent herbal preparations, have demonstrated therapeutic effects in cases where conventional treatments were less effective . Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials confirm that herbal medicines can improve clinical efficacy, reduce recurrence rates, and enhance quality of life in NERD patients, with no severe adverse effects reported .
Safety and Research Considerations for Herbal GERD Treatments
Most studies report that herbal remedies for GERD are generally safe, with few adverse events. However, the quality of evidence varies, and more rigorous, well-designed clinical trials are needed to confirm the effectiveness and safety of these treatments 2469. Guidelines for clinical trials with herbal medicinal products for GERD emphasize the need for standardized outcome measures, safety monitoring, and high methodological quality .
Conclusion
Herbal remedies offer a promising complementary or alternative approach for managing GERD, with evidence supporting their effectiveness in symptom relief, tissue healing, and quality of life improvement. Commonly used herbs include carob, slippery elm, marshmallow, aloe, licorice, ginger, and various traditional Chinese and Persian formulations. While current research is encouraging, further high-quality clinical studies are necessary to fully establish their role and ensure safe, effective use in GERD management.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic