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Q. Recently I had heartburn that was painful but not devastating. This doesn’t happen to me often, so I had no antacids. Instead, I planned to wait until the burning stopped on its own.
I took a sip (no more than a tablespoon) of pickle juice (from sweet pickle sandwich slices) and to my amazement the pain went away INSTANTLY and didn’t recur. A week or so later, I got heartburn again. This time, the only pickles in the house were dill spears, but once again, a small sip of juice gave me immediate lasting relief.
I’ve only tried this twice, but I’ll never reach for antacids again if I can get some pickle juice. I’ve never heard of this before.
Once could be a fluke, but twice? Have you ever heard of this?
A. Pickle juice seems like the last thing you would want to swallow if you had heartburn. Nevertheless, we have heard from many readers that vinegar, the main ingredient in pickle juice, helps ease indigestion. Here is just one story:
“I am extremely skeptical of alternative medicine and home remedies, perhaps because I taught human physiology for 25 years. Nevertheless, after having little success with drugs, I tried apple cider vinegar in water for my acid reflux. It has been much more effective than any of the standard medications.”
PATRICK
PORTLAND,OR
Just started getting upper gastric issues – GERD? or something. I’ve never had it before and I don’t like taking meds except for vitamins. Lately the discomfort would wake me up at night. I tried antacid tablets like tums but they didn’t do much. I read about trying to rebalance the bacteria in my digestive tract and bought some sauerkraut, yogurt (greek honey), kosher pickles, and already had some apple cider vinegar at home. Results – sauerkraut – haven’t tried quite yet, yogurt – feels ok (digestive tract feels calmer), pickles – WINNER!, apple cider vinegar tablespoon – not so great. Want to still try lemon juice but in the mean time KOSHER PICKLES ARE A WINNER.
Maxine
Pennsylvania
After reading about pickle juice for acid reflux I was skeptical , but after trying it I am happy to say that such a simple thing has great results. I intend to continue.
dawn
I just tried the pickle juice and it made it worse for about 5 min and so I drank a half glass of baking soda and water on top of it and it all stopped. Have had it for 5 straight weeks. I have taken every med there is and it only stops for about an hr. At a time during the day and then it’s back. Sometimes I can’t even walk down the hall and it starts. Never had it like this in my life. Anybody got any other ideas. I’m not into DRs. It’s all pills and money.
Dawn R
Tennessee
1TBS of baking soda in 8oz. of water. See if that heps!!
Ray
waterloo, ont
I had been taking a prescription heart burn pill for years. It took years to learn of the serious side effects. I now take a tablespoon of unpasteurized apple cider vinegar in a third of a glass of water, with a sweetener, if needed, twice a day, about one hour before a meal. Only with good effects. If heartburn persists, add a pinch of baking soda.
Ian
Vancouver, Canada
I stumbled on this remedy just recently and am amazed by the effects of pickle juice. Recently I’ve had an acidic stomach and heartburn due to inactivity. I haven’t been moving as much because of a recent knee surgery. I had been suffering badly. Waking up in the middle of the night with bile in my throat, nausea, etc. Miserable times.
I love pickles and just happened to pick up some from the grocery store because of a craving. After I binged on some that evening I noticed that my sour stomach was subsiding. I thought maybe it was naturally going away until I realized it was probably the pickles. I went to Google the idea, and sure enough, there it was in full glory. Reports of people curing acid reflux with pickle juice, brine, or vinegar. Who would have thought?
Anyway, I’m very happy with this discovery because I just love pickles!
dawn
just tried this.
Joyce
Pa
Great stuff pickle juice. It’s also good for leg cramps too. Just a few sips and within seconds cramps are gone. Stomach acid (reflux) gone with just a few sips. A pickle a day keeps the acid at bay. ;-)
Steve
PA
I have found that Kosher Garlic Dill Pickles (BaTampte brand does not contain vinegar) works like a charm!
Steph
New York
I have some sort of GI virus resulting in heartburn so bad I felt as though my esophagus was filled with boiling water. I tried eating 4 slices of dill pickle and it is GONE. Tagamet actually aggravated it.
Amanda
Michigan
I have 2 kids an 8 year old and a ten month old, while they were sleeping along with my husband I developed hurt burn, couldn’t wake them up and I don’t drive, looked at all the home remedies, I didn’t have any of that stuff at home, then I seen something about pickle juice, which I love! So I took a few gulps and now I’m ready to go to sleep finally!!!
Jon
(It seems 2 b the vinegar) I’m suffer from bad heartburn and also a pickle fanatic which is probably the reason why I haven’t had the burn n a while bcuz I keep pickles. No pickles at this moment though and I’m burning. After reading comments hear I wondered if the main ingredient in brine may b the thing that does it. So just drank a cap full of vinegar and after about 8 seconds of burn from drinking it a soothing effect came over my throat and the burn in chest and stomach simply subsided! It was white distilled btw. Others have said apple cider, I’m sure they’ll all most likely do the trick.
pat
ca
So happy to have read these posts–gives me hope. What a miserable condition this gerd is. I am grateful to be reminded that it is a low acidic stomach creating our distress. I ate a pickle this AM and will keep this up.
Louella
Ohio
Pickle juice or pickles help with acid reflux and have been doing for serveral years now. Used to use Nexium and the pickle juice I think works better and is more natural for you.
Ama
Pittsburgh
When I was younger, my brother, sister, and I used to go to a skating rink in Princeton, WV. They had a “baby bottle contest” where they mixed the most “horrid” concoction and you had to drink it out of a baby bottle. First person to do so wins. The drink’s main ingredient was brine, plain and simple dill “pickle juice”. For me, it canceled out the other flavors and I was a champ. I mention this because throughout the years, I have still enjoyed the occasional glass of brine. One day, I was flat out CRAVING it but I had acid tearing up my throat. Well, cravings do NOT tend to go away on their own. No, they have to be satisfied somehow. One sip. That’s all it took. ONE, and the acid fizzled away and my throat felt SO much better. I told my mom and she was astonished. I did manage to talk her into eating a pickle the next time she had heartburn, though. Works like a charm.
Janet
Wyoming
I’ve dealt with chronic (near constant) heartburn or acid indigestion for more than 10 years. It started when I was about 5 months along with my 10 year old daughter. I have tried antacids and changing diet, resting after meals, and fasting dinner, all to no avail. Then last week I tried dill pickle juice, and felt instant, real relief! First a tablespoon, then another about an hour later. Have also used it a couple more times in the past week, in a preventative (paranoid?) sense. I have not felt this good in 10 years. It is amazing to be able to bend over without getting incredibly sick, and experiencing burning pain. Thank you all!
BAM
Grove City, OH
Pickle juice… who’d a thought! I tried this after hearing that it helped someone else with similar acid reflux, hiatal hernia issues. One night not long after hearing about pickle juice, I woke up feeling as though I was going to get sick, which is a common symptom for me, so I went to the fridge for pickle juice to see if it would work. I poured a couple teaspoons in a medicine cup and as soon as I begin drinking, I felt cool and soothing relief as it ran down my esophagus. Pickle juice is truly amazing!
I stopped taking my acid reflux medicine several weeks ago, but I’ve occasionally used pickle juice to ease my symptoms and it really does work. I’ve also experienced another change in my symptoms since stopping the Rx. I finally have formed stool without all that yucky mucous. Something I haven’t had for years.
Anonymous ma
Australia
Hi,
I have had really bad reflux at night for a few years. Every time I have dairy there is a problem, so I take the tablets again.
The only thing that will stop the burning is pickle vinegar. I have tried everything, but this is the only thing works. I get so bad that I cough non stop and have an asthma attack every time.
The last time I had this problem, I saw a new Doctor and took a breath test called the Helicobacter pylori test. I had never heard of this test before. When the test came back, it was positive. This bacteria can cause serious problems, even cancer. To fix the problem I have been given a triple dose of antibiotics for 1 week, then I will take another test in 6-8 weeks. If it is still there, I’ll have to take another dose of different antibiotics for 1 week. From what I have read on the internet, millions people in the world have this problem which can be caused by this bad bacteria. Everyone out there if you have a problem, take the test, if you don’t have it do what you always do and try vinegar. Good luck!!
Shae G.
I have been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia. Hospitalized due to bile spilling out of my mouth, severe pain, lump in throat, you name it. Thats not even the worst part. I am deathly allergic to all stomach medications. Full on anaphylactic shock. I almost died when I was 22 because of Prevacid. They tried me on different class of medications in the hospital. Allergic. Tums? I get hives. Rolaids. Don’t work. The other day I was craving pickles, so badly that I was almost in tears. Then I thought, this would be the worst thing for me to eat. But I NEEDED one. So I ate it and it was like heaven opened up and angels started to sing!!! No more lump in my throat and the pit of acid inside of my body went away. It works for a couple of hours bit I don’t mind. I love pickles. I am going to try the tbsp of Apple cider vinegar soon though. My boyfriend won’t even hug me because of the pickle smell.
Alan
Australia
Were you waking up in the morning with bad breath and a phlemy throat. I suffer from GERD and also diverticulitis. I remember taking medication for hellicobactor and felt total sick in the stomach the whole time. Kind regards, Alan
Shae G.
I have been diagnosed with a hiatal hernia. Hospitalized due to bile spilling out of my mouth, severe pain, lump in throat, you name it. Thats not even the worst part. I am deathly allergic to all stomach medications. Full on anaphylactic shock. I almost died when I was 22 because of Prevacid. They tried me on different class of medications in the hospital. Allergic. Tums? I get hives. Rolaids. Don’t work. The other day I was craving pickles, so badly that I was almost in tears. Then I thought, this would be the worst thing for me to eat. But I NEEDED one. So I ate it and it was like heaven opened up and angels started to sing!!! No more lump in my throat and the pit of acid inside of my body went away. It works for a couple of hours but I don’t mind. I love pickles. I am going to try the tbsp of Apple cider vinegar soon though. My boyfriend won’t even hug me because of the pickle smell.
Rainbow
hello!!! if you get this I would love to hear more of your GAPS diet experience! ! I want to begin this way of eating for myself…but I’m too exhausted to even try to make the ferments and bone broth etc :(… would love some advice! !
Jenn
I’ve had heartburn problems for years. It felt like a sword going from my chest to my back or from back to chest- either way, very painful. I’d been taking Donatol for years- it is very expensive and (for me) not a great alternative to take every day.
My mom told me she had read that a teaspoon or two of pickle juice may help. I’ve never been a “home remedy” person, but tried it. Amazing!!!! It worked wonderfully about 99% of the time. After all the years of prescriptions and over the counter meds- I was amazed and thrilled at how well the pickle juice worked. I don’t know what other people have used, but for me the Kosher Dill type worked so well.
I take other meds for other health problems, so I am grateful to find a natural remedy for heartburn- I really didn’t want to start another prescription. I wish all you other heartburn sufferers the best! Good luck and God bless :)
Alexandre G
The main reason why Pickles, Sauerkraut and Apple Vinegar Works is because your stomach does not contain enough acid to digest the food properly. The Stress is the main reason of Too High Or Too Low Stomach Acid. You can take Acid Supplement called Betaine HCL With pepsin if you have too low stomach acid OR you take anti acid if you have too much stomach acid.
CJ
OMG – I’m amazed. I’m pregnant and suffering with heartburn. Woke at 5 am and took a Zantac. At 11 am I tried Tums. At 2pm I had another Zantac. At 4:30 more Tums. The heartburn persisted – just varying in intensity. I ended up here after frantic googling and where I finally found a new suggestion. I went to the store got pickles. The heartburn was gone within minutes. Oh I hope this is not a fluke. Especially since I love pickles and have been craving them.
Anon
It’s not the vinegar, it’s the dill! I once had debilitating, painful gas. I steeped my dill seeds for the garden in some hot water and made a tea. I immediately began to pass the gas. Turns out, dill is always used in baby’s gripe water and good colic soothing tonics.
Randy
I am buying pickles. Been suffering with severe iindigestion.
BG
December 2013 I had my gallbladder removed. It’s been a month now, and everyday I have acid reflux. My niece said she drinks pickle juice. I googled this, and found your site. This is day 2 of me drinking pickle juice, and thanks to Clausen I have been heartburn free. With no gallbladder, not sure if this will be a lifetime problem or not. At least I know there will always be pickles out there.
LW
I have been taking antacids for about five years and have always been concerned with prolonged use, but if I don’t, every 24 hours I’m am very sick and in extreme pain. I just had a ham sandwich with mustard and a pickle as a side and suddenly remembered that I had not yet taken my pill and began to panic. To my surprise there are no symptoms! Someone mentioned yesterday something about eating a pickle for heartburn. In the back of my mind I thought that it certainly couldn’t work for me and would likely make matters worse. I searched the inet and found this sight and am elated! So, I am more than willing to experiment with this new remedy and see how far I get with it. Ordinarily I would be very sick right now but I feel great! It’s unbelieveable!s I am so thankful for everyone’s input. I’ll keep you posted.If it continues to work it truly is a Godsend. Take care :-)
JCS
Both of my pregnancies brought heartburn and oddly enough I found that if I ate a pickle it would go away!
Even now I will keep pickle on hand for heartburn relief!!
slippery elm lover
I found that most interesting and amazing at the same time. I would have thought the opposite would have been true :)
I’ve used slippery elm for my heart burn and it’s worked on me.
Jo
I have suffered with acid reflux most of my adult life and have taken numerous prescriptions over the years. Several months ago, I discovered these really great baby dill pickles and seem to crave them, especially when experiencing burning/gas problems. I get immediate relief from these pickles and the juice. My prescription days for this health problem are over. Plus, I love the pickles.
Jean
It would probably be the vinegar of the pickles that helped. Most of us need a little more acid in our stomach when we suffer from heartburn, so this helps.
Limiting the foods that give the heartburn/acid reflux also makes a difference. Tomatoes are one most people have problems with.
K K
I was diagnosed with H pylori which causes stomach ulcers last Friday. I have very bad and painful gas and heartburn….. sometimes it feels like I’m having a heart attack! Night time and sleeping are nearly impossible! I tried drinking apple cider vinegar mixed with water, it was nasty….. I just sip on pickle juice and it helps with the reflux and the nausea…..
mel
Pickle juice and mustard works wonders. No more expensive doc visits or antacids that do not work.
Skyeyesteve
A teaspoon of vinegar (white or cider) instantly cures hiccuups (have used it personaly and seen it work on others, have never seen it fail). I have often wondered how effective it would be on heartburn as it’s cause is similar. I do not get heartburn often but will try the next time that I do.
abc
An instant, easy remedy for my heartburn (only had it once) was half a mouthful of ginger ale pop. the heartburn was gone instantly. I only had to drink about half a mouthful of it for it to work. It might be the carbonation in the pop that worked – so if someone could try other carbonated beverages (ie pepsi, carbonated water, etc.) it would be interesting to hear if they work.
ED
Apple (any) and Honey with sea salt helps my anti-acid reflux. If I have an attack, I take 1 teaspoon of honey with warm water. The relief is fast. It’s good also to use the blender with the apples and a little bit of apple juice or water and put half teaspoon of honey with ice.
JF
I heard that, in addition to needing the proper balance of bioflora in the gut, we lose the ability to create stomach acid as we age so that the problems described above are actually a result of insufficient stomach acid, not too much. That would be why drinking vinegar, and the like, provides comfort. I also heard taking Betaine HCl increases stomach acid and provides similar relief. Anyone know anything about the Betaine thing?
Phyllis
I to have been using a shot size class of apple cider vinegar with water every morning before breakfast and have not had any of my usual symptons of Gerd.
vrgnia
Please sign me up to receive any additional information. My husband has GERD and in addition he just had a Whipple operation. He has been told he will be on Prilosec for life.
Sybil
In fact, vinegar, although an acid when you ingest it, does not stay that way. Weak acids like the acetic acid in vinegar, and the acids in most fruits and especially lemons, contain lots of minerals which are basic, along with their weak acid part. The weak acid part combines with water and is converted into carbonic acid which then breaks apart into carbon dioxide and water. You breathe out the carbon dioxide and pass the water out through your kidneys. The minerals remain behind to replenish deficient minerals so in fact these weak acids in the end, alkalize your body by supplying more minerals to it.
JS
I’ve been using dill pickle juice for indigestion and queasy stomach for about 50 years. No one suggested that I do this – it was just what I wanted when I didn’t feel good. It works great for motion sickness also. I always take dill pickles when I go out in a boat.
JL
Your remedy may be effective, but vinegar, an acid, does not neutralize acid.
Carlee P.
All the comments that have come in so far refer to eliminating the symptoms. From my experience, you can actually get rid of the problem so that you don’t need to continually treat symptoms. It is possible to heal the digestive tract by eating a special diet of foods with natural probiotic organisms them and foods that actually heal the gut. After 17 years of problems it really blew my mind that within a few days the symptoms have gone even though I’ve eaten rich and sugar-laden foods relatively late into the night, but have no re-occurring symptoms.
Buck V.
As a kid, my family made sauerkraut from scratch in 70 gallon crocks. When I got hungry for a snack, I used to lift the wooden lid, scrape the brim away and get a big paddle of the kraut. To this day I like cold kraut over heated and I do drink from the Clausen jar now and then to help the indigestion.
John.G.
I have been living with GERD (reflux) for several years and tried several remedies, both commercial and natural. I found that adding some crushed garlic to whatever I am having for supper totally removes the symptoms, which usually set in about 4 hours after eating, and I can rest well. If for some reason I cannot take garlic, I can always fall back on the old standby – a teaspoonful of baking soda in water.
Hy T.
Sauerkraut is much better/I use it vs. ulcer: I am cured now .
Carlee P.
For the last 17 years I have had terrible indigestion at night. Often I would have to sit up for several hours late at night, sleep on a wedge (very uncomfortable) or take Prilosec in order not to wake up in the middle of the night with such an acid stomach that I would end up vomiting. Most mornings I would awake holding my hurting stomach. I have tried lots of things over the years from very expensive and supposedly potent, probiotic supplements to Swedish bitters. For two years I was on the Macrobiotic diet. For the last 3 years I have been on a raw food diet. Nothing really kept my stomach from turning acid at night other than skipping dinner or eating ridiculously early.
Recently I heard Dr. Natasha Campbell McBride being interviewed and decided to glean what I could from her book, “Gut and Psychology Syndrome”. Within a couple of days of adding some of her delicious fermented and cultured food recipes (using raw antibiotic free milk and fresh vegetables) to my diet, I was cured!
Apparently all I needed to do was to eat unadulterated foods that would vastly improve my gut flora! Commercially made pickle juice adds good bacteria to the gut, but it is probably good to actually change the balance of good bacteria to the bad bacteria and heal the gut by making naturally fermented and cultured foods a regular part of your diet. She also suggests foods that are good for healing an already damaged gut, like antibiotic free, local eggs. This has been a miracle for me!!!
DS
I have read that it takes stomach acid to close the valve at the bottom of the esophagus, and the reflux is from insufficient acid. The apple cider vinegar works for me too. Digestive enzymes after a meal and probiotics beforehand also help.
betty
My dad’s (born 1911) favorite remedy, in fact his only remedy, was a mixture of water, soda and vinegar. He would take a glass an eighth full of vinegar, add water to make half a glass, then quickly stir in about a tsp of soda. Of course it frothed and he drank it immediately while it was frothing. Cured his condition every time. Hmmmm, I haven’t tried it since an adult, I must do that. Then maybe I can know what I am talking about.
Mary
A teaspoon of saurkraut will stop my indigestion –
Cherry
Swallowing a teaspoon of mustard will also cure heartburn. Mustard has vinegar in it, too. The vinegar in these foods neutralizes the acid. Taking a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar will also do the trick but it’s not as tasty as mustard or pickle juice. :)
Don’t bother with antacid pills they are a waste of money.