Ulcers can affect various parts of the body. They can appear in the form of bedsores, foot ulcers, venous ulcers, anal fissures, genital ulcer, etc. The most common ulcers are mouth ulcers and stomach ulcers. Mostly, a bacterial infection is the cause of 30-40 percent of stomach ulcers, mostly prevalent among small children. Various medical treatments depend on the affected area and intensity of ulcers. But did you know of the six best home remedies that help you quickly get rid of ulcers, without any harmful effects?
Let’s check the natural remedies!
Home Remedies For Ulcers
1. Diet
A well-balanced diet is key to good health. Accordingly, you should follow an appropriate diet as a home remedy for ulcers. Avoid eating food that could contribute to your stomach acid. Replace these food items with healthy food that could help reduce your ulcer.
Avoid soda, caffeine, spicy food, processed food items, and all other foods that could aggravate stomach acids. Stay hydrated by eating organic fruits and vegetables and by drinking 6-8 glasses of water every day. You could use cabbage juice for ulcers. Cabbage juice helps to relieve ulcer, acid reflux and improves the digestive system. You could also add a small amount of beet, spinach, raw carrot, and cucumber to your cabbage juice.
An appropriate diet could work as a cure and prevention too. You should have around 4 cups of cabbage juice every day(1).
2. Chamomile Tea
You can use chamomile tea for ulcers. Scientific research advocates the use of chamomile tea as a cure for inflammation, ulcers, mouth ulcers, etc. Chamomile tea has anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties. Chamomile tea also reduces stress and works as a mild sedative. This tea could help you to get relief from the pain and irritation associated with ulcers(2).
You could prepare natural chamomile tea for ulcer using chamomile flowers. Put chamomile flowers in a mug of hot water. Cover it and let it soak for 5-10 minutes. Strain and enjoy as tea. You could rinse your mouth with chamomile to get relief from mouth sores. Alternatively, you could also take chamomile supplements in consultation with your doctor.
You could drink around 2 cups of chamomile tea in a day. Consult your doctor before trying chamomile tea as it might interfere with few medications. Pregnant women should avoid chamomile tea.
[Also Read: Natural Treatments for Stomach Ulcers]
3. Herbs
Herbs for ulcers is an effective home remedy. Natural herbs are a storehouse of anti-oxidative, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-biotic, antiseptic, and even soothing properties. Interestingly, herbs are in use for ages for several health conditions. They include some of the oldest traditional medicines. Scientific researches have further pursued the use of herbs in various types of diseases and have found some evidence regarding their benefits.
You could use herbs like red clover, wood apple leaf, garlic, ginger, mastic, tulsi leaves, and aloe vera juice for ulcers. Also preparing herbal tea by using any of the ingredients like ginger, tulsi leaves, red clover, or wood apple leaf. You could also consume roasted garlic, mastic and fenugreek seeds directly.
You could drink red clover tea or wood apple leaf tea before going to bed. Chew fenugreek seeds since they help in healing the ulcer by creating a protective mucous coating on the stomach walls and intestines. You could apply aloe vera gel or drink aloe vera juice for ulcers.
4. Licorice
Licorice is mostly grown in Greece and Turkey. It is used as a cure for many diseases since centuries. Dried licorice root is an effective home remedy for ulcers. The constituents of the dried licorice roots prevent certain enzymes from hampering the protective lining on the stomach walls. It prevents the sores which erupt due to the weakened stomach lining.
Prepare licorice root tea by infusing dried licorice root in hot water. Strain it and enjoy it as tea. The taste of this tea is slightly sweet. Alternatively, you could use apple cider vinegar for ulcers. Dilute two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with a cup of distilled water. Take it every day to help cure and prevent peptic ulcers.
You could drink 1-2 cups of licorice root tea every day. If you follow this regularly, then it might help cure your ulcer and also prevent future occurrence of ulcers. You should consult your doctor before taking licorice tea as it might interfere with certain medications. In some cases, apple cider vinegar might aggravate ulcer symptoms. So, it is better to seek the advice of experts before trying it.
[Read: Essential Oil for Ulcers]
5. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is one of the most popular essential oils. It has many curative properties. Lavender Essential oil helps to cure swelling and pain in aromatherapy. It has anti-bacterial, analgesic, antiseptic, and sedative properties. So, it is safe as an effective home remedy for ulcers.
Apply lavender oil directly on the ulcer. You could also use it in combination with coconut oil, olive oil, sweet almond oil, etc. These carrier oils help to dilute the lavender essential oil, and each oil has its unique advantages. You could also inhale lavender oil with the help of a diffuser to get relief from the pain(3).
You could apply one drop of lavender oil on the ulcer or use it after diluting it with a carrier oil. Try inhaling it for pain relief. You could even rinse with lavender oil and water to prevent mouth ulcers. Do not swallow lavender essential oil.
Other Home Remedies of Ulcers
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Reduce Stress and Alcohol
If you have an ulcer, alcohol could aggravate your ulcer and hamper its recovery. Alcohol might not cause ulcers, but it increases the risk and intensity of ulcers. It might increase the pain too. Stress does not cause mouth ulcers and peptic ulcers. However, it might aggravate your ulcer. Stress also harms the immune system.
Firstly you should quit consuming alcohol. Even a small amount of alcohol can interfere with the acids in your stomach and worsen your ulcer. Secondly, try to avoid unnecessary stress.
If you think you need help to quit alcohol, you could take the help of various ‘alcohol detox programs.’ Opt for multiple mocktails instead of drinks with alcohol content. Meditation, yoga, moderate exercise, and massage therapy could also be your ulcer home remedy.
There are many natural and effective home remedies for ulcers. Many herbs, essential oils, lifestyle changes could help cure and prevent ulcers. You should follow these home remedies for ulcers in the correct way. In all cases, it’s important to know what triggers your ulcer. Also, any medication or treatment should be tried only after a discussion with the doctor.
FAQs
1. Which are the top home remedies for an ulcer?
There are various natural home remedies for ulcers :
- Honey
- Herbs for Ulcers
- Salt Water
- Coconut oil
- Clove oil
- Tulsi leaves
- Essential oils for Ulcers
2. Which diet plays a role in treating ulcer?
Diet plays a vital role in treating ulcers. You should stop eating the food, which causes stomach acid and acts as triggers to your ulcer. Switch to a healthy diet which should include plenty of water, fruits, vegetables, cabbage juice, etc. These could not only help in curing your ulcer but also prevent future ulcers. You could also try numerous home remedies for ulcers like aloe vera, licorice root, saltwater, essential oils, honey, coconut oil, etc.
