Hi - For the acid reflux, the IBS diet will generally be appropriate for helping this problem too, as it's low fat and avoids red meat, dairy, greasy foods, coffee, and is careful with acidic foods (such as citrus fruits and cooked tomatoes) and alcohol - all of which can worsen GERD. However, you'll also want to be especially careful to avoid any foods with "hot" chili spices such as cayenne, jalapeno, habanero, etc. These contain capsicain, which can trigger reflux. Other herbs and spices in general are likely to be beneficial to digestion, though, so you don't need to stick to bland foods. Aside from ginger, fennel, anise, and chamomile, you might also try slippery elm. Slippery elm is a soothing herb derived from the inner bark of the tree bearing the same name. It's ideal for treating heartburn and GERD because it coats and protects mucous membranes inflamed by stomach acid. It can be taken as soon as reflux occurs or on a regular basis to help prevent its onset. You can find the herb in powder form and sprinkle it onto your food or you can use the powder to make a tea by adding one teaspoon to a cup of boiling water. Slippery elm lozenges are also available.Make sure that you're eating small meals frequently instead of large ones, and don't eat or drink anything for an hour or so before bedtime. Try to be gently active right after a meal - definitely don't lay down, and try to move around a bit instead of just sitting down.If the Zantac isn't working as well as it should, I'd ask your doc about this. It may not be the best choice for you, or the dosage may need to be adjusted.Best,Heather
