Summarize:

Most natural acid reflux remedies are safe for the majority of adults. Note that some herbal remedies, however, may not be safe for children or teenagers. It’s best to try mild lifestyle changes first if you need to treat acid reflux in an adolescent. If these do not work, consult your doctor or do some thorough research before giving an adolescent an herbal remedy. For example, you should not give aloe juice to children under the age of 12 since it may cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, and cramping. Most herbal remedies and other natural treatments will be safe in moderate amounts, but too much of a good thing can quickly become bad. When using herbal supplements, check the label for dosing instructions. For any natural remedy that does not have dosage instructions readily available, do some research to find out how much you should safely be able to endure.  For instance, aloe juice can cause stomach pain and other forms of digestive upset, especially if the juice contains aloe latex. Long-term use of large amounts can also result in kidney problems.  Consuming apple cider vinegar is usually considered safe short-term, but drinking too much of it can cause low potassium levels.  High or prolonged doses of licorice root can result in headaches, fatigue, high blood pressure, heart attacks, and water retention. Do not take licorice for more than 4 to 6 weeks. If you are not currently pregnant or are not at risk of becoming pregnant, most natural remedies are likely safe for you. However, for acid reflux connected to pregnancy, always talk to your doctor before treating your symptoms to make sure you do not inadvertently harm your baby. It’s important that you do this before trying any herbal remedy, dietary fix, or lifestyle change.  Similarly, if you are currently breastfeeding, you may need to stay away from certain ingested remedies since they could get into your breastmilk and harm your baby. Most lifestyle remedies will likely be safe, though. Potentially problematic remedies for pregnant and breastfeeding women include, but are not limited to, aloe juice, apple cider vinegar, ginger, fennel, licorice, and slippery elm. In addition to pregnancy, certain medical conditions may also make herbal remedies or other natural fixes unsafe. If you have a known health concern other than acid reflux, talk to your doctor or do your research before trying any particular home cure.  Avoid aloe juice if you have diabetes, intestinal conditions, hemorrhoids, or kidney problems.  Talk to your doctor before trying apple cider vinegar if you have diabetes. While ACV may have some benefits for people with type 2 diabetes, it may do more harm than good if you have type 1 diabetes.  Ginger may cause problems if you have a bleeding disorder, a heart condition, or diabetes.  If you are allergic to celery, carrot, or mugwort, you may have an allergic reaction to fennel. You should also avoid fennel if you have a bleeding disorder or hormone-sensitive condition, like estrogen-sensitive cancers.  Licorice root may cause problems if you have heart disease, heart failure, hormone-sensitive cancers, fluid retention, hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, or low potassium. If you have an immune system disorder, you may need to avoid taking probiotic supplements.
Use herbal remedies as an adult with acid reflux. Try natural remedies in moderation. Consider natural remedies if you're not pregnant or breastfeeding. Exercise caution if you have other medical conditions.