Oftentimes any symptoms of reflux are treated with stomach acid-blocking agents, when in fact, oftentimes, more acid is what is needed by the stomach. 

Have your patient complete a simple burp test, taking ¼ tsp of baking soda in 8 oz of cold water first thing in the morning and time how long it takes for the first eructation. Repeat this practice daily for five days to ensure that your observation is a trend.

Online explanation: “Burp test”

Greater than 5 minutes to first burp: likely hypochlorhydric. The clinical aim is to increase the patient’s stomach acid naturally to encourage the proper closure of the lower esophageal sphincter.

Canadian Bitters plus Apple Cider Vinegar

1 teaspoon, about 30 minutes before each meal

A first of its kind, this unique and powerful formula offers a combination of key digestive herbs plus apple cider vinegar and a touch of honey all in a de-alcoholized formula. It effectively relieves immediate digestive issues. Canadian Bitters plus Apple Cider Vinegar helps establish stronger, more efficient digestion for the long-term without continuous use, unlike enzymes and probiotics that require constant supplementation as temporary solutions.

  • Relieves digestive discomfort: soothes uncomfortable digestive issues such as heartburn, indigestion, constipation, bloating, and gas
  • Optimizes nutrient absorption: contains a unique spectrum of herbs that optimize nutrient absorption, critical to many bodily systems, including a strong immune system, and helps reduce sugar cravings
  • Re-train your digestive system: trains and supports your digestive system long-term so you do not need to keep taking it, and enhances overall wellness
  • Non-habit-forming like other laxative-heavy bitters formulas, for peace of mind

Ingredients: 

  • Cardamon: an aromatic digestive especially effective for sluggish digestion, colic, and flatulence
  • Gentian, artichoke, burdock, black walnut, and dandelion: cooling bitter
  • Ginger and turmeric: pungent, warming digestive herb

Cautions and Warnings: Consult a healthcare practitioner if symptoms persist or worsen, if you are breastfeeding, or if you have liver or gallbladder diseases, and/or intestinal obstruction.

Contraindications: Do not use if you have acute stomach irritation, inflammation, and stomach or duodenal ulcers. Do not use if you are pregnant.

2-5 minutes to first burp: normal to low acid. Digestive support without as much acid supplementation.

Canadian Bitters

1/2 teaspoon, about 30 minutes before each meal 

  • Provides soothing relief of uncomfortable digestive symptoms such as heartburn, indigestion, constipation, bloating, and gas
  • Provides a unique spectrum of herbs with bitter compounds that optimize nutrient absorption, critical to many bodily systems, including a strong immune system, and helps reduce sugar cravings
  • Helps retrain the body’s digestive system, encouraging it to function more efficiently on-going instead of merely providing a temporary solution
  • Is non-habit-forming, like other laxative-heavy bitters formulas or some over-the-counter options

Medicinal Ingredients:

  • Globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus, leaf)
  • Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale, whole plant)
  • Gentian (Gentiana lutea, root)
  • Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla, flower)
  • Turmeric (Curcuma longa, rhizome)
  • Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum, fruit)
  • Burdock (Arctium lappa, root)
  • Black walnut (Juglans nigra, fruit hull)
  • Ginger (Zingiber officinale, rhizome)
  • Non-medicinal ingredients: Distilled water, Certified Organic alcohol, Certified Organic vegetable glycerine

Cautions and Warnings: Consult a healthcare practitioner if symptoms persist or worsen, if you are breastfeeding, or if you have liver or gallbladder diseases, and/or intestinal obstruction.

Contraindications: Do not use if you have acute stomach irritation, inflammation, and stomach or duodenal ulcers. Do not use if you are pregnant.

First burp less than 2 minutes: possibly hypochlorhydria/high stomach acid. Aim to decrease and regulate the overproduction of acid, and soothe irritated tissues with demulcent herbs. As symptoms improve, repeat the Burp test, you may gradually want to transition to Canadian bitters as above.

Acidux

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon, three times per day 

Acidux tincture formula helps relieve inflammatory conditions of the digestive system, including heartburn and indigestion. It’s a synergistic combination hinged on the antacid, anti-inflammatory action of calendula and meadowsweet, with stomach-settling action of chamomile, licorice, and ginger. It includes soothingly demulcent marshmallow. Use our Acidux formula to treat acid reflux, heartburn, and indigestion. 

Medicinal Ingredients:

  • Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria, flowering top)
  • Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla, flower)
  • Calendula (Calendula officinalis, flower)
  • Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis, root)
  • Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra, root and stolon)
  • Ginger (Zingiber officinale, rhizome)
  • Non-medicinal ingredients: Distilled water, Certified Organic alcohol, Certified Organic vegetable glycerine.

Cautions and Warnings: Consult a healthcare practitioner before use: if you are breastfeeding; if you have a liver disorder; if you are on blood thinners. Consult a healthcare practitioner if symptoms worsen or persist.

Contraindications: Do not take: if you are pregnant; if you are taking thiazide diuretics, cardiac glycosides, corticosteroids, stimulant laxatives or other medications that may aggravate electrolyte imbalance; if you have hypokalemia, high blood pressure, or a kidney or cardiovascular disorder; if you are allergic to plants of the Asteraceae/Compositae/Daisy family; if you are sensitive to salicylates.

Disclaimer

The Fullscript Integrative Medical Advisory team has developed or collected these protocols from practitioners and supplier partners to help health care practitioners make decisions when building treatment plans. By adding this protocol to your Fullscript template library, you understand and accept that the recommendations in the protocol are for initial guidance and may not be appropriate for every patient.

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