Acid reflux or heartburn is a commonly experienced digestive complaint. It involves stomach acid flowing back up into the esophagus.
Symptoms of acid reflux include a a sour or acidic backwash taste in the mouth, chest pain, and a burning feeling in the chest or below the sternum. Belching, nausea, sore throat, and chronic coughing may also be experienced as well.
Ongoing acid reflux is also a symptom experienced by some people dealing with long COVID-related gastrointestinal problems.
The good news – great news – is that acid reflux is very treatable with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.
Research on Acupuncture for GERD/Acid Reflux
- A 2017 randomized controlled trial in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology showed that 4 weeks of acupuncture treatment significantly improved symptoms in patients with refractory GERD compared to a sham acupuncture control group.
- Research published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine suggested that acupuncture may help regulate esophageal motility and reduce acid reflux episodes by affecting vagal nerve function.
Research on Chinese Herbal Medicine for GERD/Acid Reflux
- A 2018 systematic review in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine examined several herbal formulas, finding that preparations containing herbs like Pinellia ternata (Ban Xia), Poria cocos (Fu Ling), and licorice root (Gan Cao) showed promising results for GERD symptom relief.
- A formula called “Banxia Xie Xin Tang” has been studied in multiple trials, with research suggesting it can help reduce reflux symptoms and improve esophageal function.
- Studies on the herb Rou Gui (cinnamon) have shown benefits for strengthening lower esophageal sphincter pressure, which is often compromised in GERD patients.
Conclusion
Untreated or chronic acid reflux can lead to inflammation of the esophagus, esophageal strictures, asthma, and changes in the tissue lining of the esophagus that can increase the risk of developing esophageal cancer.
We don’t want that stomach acid going up into the esophagus – we want it going down. Stomach acid is powerful stuff.
Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole, Nexium, and Prevacid can help to manage the symptoms, but they don’t get at the underlying root causes. Notable research has looked at the association between longterm PPI use and increased dementia risk.
Dietary considerations and some lifestyle changes may also be recommendation as well. But the great news is that acid reflux is very treatable with acupuncture and Chinese medicine.
Research Links
Dickman R, et al. (2017). “Effect of acupuncture versus sham acupuncture on symptoms in patients with refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): A randomized controlled trial.” Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 32(12), pp. 1936-1941.
Dickman R, et al. (2017). “Effect of acupuncture versus sham acupuncture on symptoms in patients with refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): A randomized controlled trial.” Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 32(12), pp. 1936-1941.
Dai Y, et al. (2018). “Traditional Chinese Medicine for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease: A systematic review.” Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 38(2), pp. 175-185.
Chen JDZ, et al. (2017).Efficacy of modified Banxia Xiexin Tang for refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 37(3), pp. 346-353.
Zhang X, et al. (2019). “Effects of Cinnamomum cassia (Rou Gui) on lower esophageal sphincter function in an animal model of GERD.” Phytomedicine, 62, pp. 152935.
