Pancreatin

I take Prilosec every day for reflux problems. Recently I was told that I could wean myself off the Prilosec in time by using Pancreatin along with some Barley powder and papaya. Do you have any information on Pancreatin since I cannot find it in my books and friend told me that this was not a good thing to be taking without doctor's advice.

Siegfried Gursche, in "Encyclopedia of Natural Healing" (Alive Publishers, Canada, (800) 663-6580 or Natural Life Publishing Inc., U.S. (800) 663-6513), states that Pancreatin is an enzyme derived from animal pancreas that works on the small intestine. It is taken with food to aid in the digestion of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, helping to stop adverse food reactions, or on an empty stomach to reduce pain and inflammation. It is not generally used by herbalists.
For a herbal approach to reflux problems, please go to our website at www.richters.com, and then go to the "Q&A" area and search for "reflux".