Are you experiencing random stomach cramps and nausea? Are they triggered when you consume certain foods? There may be a high chance that you might be suffering from a peptic ulcer. In medical terms, stomach ulcers
are also known as peptic ulcers or gastric ulcers. These are painful sores that occur on the inner lining of your stomach. However, they are not only limited to the stomach, but they could also spread to the small intestines if they get severe.
Gastric ulcers, or stomach ulcers, developed in the lining of the stomach. They are very common, affecting between 2.4–6.1%(1) of the population.
Stomach ulcers occur mostly when the mucus protecting your stomach from the intestinal juices is tarnished, causing the stomach acids to erode the tissues lining your intestines and stomach.
Causes of gastric ulcers could include:
- An infection caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria.
- Long-Term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or aspirin could also cause/worsen the gastric ulcers present in the stomach.
- Other common causes include smoking, excess alcohol consumption, and irregular eating patterns.
Some people believe in the myth that stress or spicy food can also cause an ulcer. However, that is not the case. These do not cause ulcers, but they can worsen the condition by increasing stomach acid production.
Conventionally, anti-ulcer treatment relies on medications that can cause side effects like headaches, diarrhea, dizziness, and nausea. However, if you suffer from a peptic ulcer, its recommended that you try these naturopathic remedies and control and cure your peptic ulcer.
[Also Read: Home Remedies for Mouth Ulcer ]
How to cure Stomach Ulcers Naturally
CURE 1: Foods for Stomach Ulcers
Foods for Ulcer, Weird isn’t it? Yes, foods could actually prevent/cure Stomach Ulcer. One could say the primary culprit in the case of stomach ulcers could be narrowed down to food and food habits. Eating certain foods such as foods that contain nitrates could fuel your infection. However, eating certain foods could also help you prevent and even cure your stomach ulcer.
1 Flavonoids
Foods rich in flavonoids fights against the H. pylori bacteria that causes stomach ulcer. Some examples of foods rich in flavonoids are Legumes, red grapes, broccoli, kale, soybeans, apples, berries, and tea. Flavonoids are also referred to as bioflavonoids.
Why Does it Work?
Flavonoids are gastro-protective compounds (1) that help in defending the lining of the stomach. They form a layer over the stomach lining and thereby inhibit the acid from reacting with the stomach lining. Furthermore, this process helps in keeping ulcers at bay and for the ulcers already present, quickens the process of healing. There are studies (2) that have been conducted on the subject of the efficacy of these foods for stomach ulcers, they have been able to conclude that these foods actually have an effect and help in curing stomach ulcers.
How to Use?
The above-listed fruits/vegetables and beverages are some of the few foods that consist of high amounts of flavonoids. Consuming them could not only help you prevent/cure ulcers but also helps in providing a balanced diet to your body. You could integrate them initially into your breakfast, and once you see the changes in your body, you can integrate at least one fruit or vegetable in all the meals of your day.
How Much to Use?
As these are healthy fruits, and vegetables they aren’t any dietary restrictions on consuming them. Furthermore, According to the Linus Pauling Institute (3), these foods bear no side effects even if consumed daily. Hence, there isn’t any certain dosage you need to follow. However, it is recommended that you consult with your dietician/physician for a better understanding of how much you should consume to keep this disease at bay.
[Also Read: Reduce Stomach Acid Naturally]
2) Honey for Ulcers
Honey is far from just being a sweetener; this ancient condiment bears several medicinal benefits. It has been used in curing several gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory disorders, weight loss, including stomach ulcers.
Why Does it Work?
Honey is a well-known antioxidant that has been used for ages now. It is even recorded in the Egyptian history about its health benefits. Honey primarily functions by inhibiting the formation of wounds and ulcers (4). Not only that it also promotes the healing of wounds including ulcers.
Additionally, there has been extensive research (5) conducted on the antibacterial properties of honey, and it was concluded that honey was an effective antibacterial agent and it could fight against the bacteria, H.pylori.
How to Use?
Well, it is a very straightforward procedure to consume honey, one of the easiest ways would be to directly consume a tablespoon of honey from the jar. However, a much more efficient way to consume it would be to prepare this drink.
How Much to Use?
You should consume this drink at least twice a day, preferably in the morning and in the night. It is recommended that you do it on an empty stomach. However, it is to be noted that if you are suffering from hyperglycemia or from sugar level spikes in your blood, it is recommended that you consult with your doctor/physician before using this remedy.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 glass warm water
- A pinch of cinnamon
Procedure:
- Heat a glass of water, let it rest for a few minutes. Test the warmth by sipping on it a little, if it is an optimum temperature for you.
- Add honey and cinnamon powder and stir well.
- Consume this drink.
[Also Read: Home Remedies to Cure Gastric Ulcer]
3) Garlic (Allium Sepa)
Garlic is already an established food that bears several medicinal benefits. It is used for almost every disease, from treating a cold to a digestive disorder, including stomach ulcers. Garlic is considered to be the queen of traditional medicine, owing to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agents.
Why Does it Work?
Garlic consists of allicin, an active compound that is antibacterial and antimicrobial. This compound when comes in contact with pathogens inhibits the growth of bacteria, by attacking the components of the bacteria.
In a recent study conducted by Avicenna Journal Of Phytomedicine (6) (AJP), it was observed that ingesting garlic (in any form including raw), had a significant effect on the bacteria that was growing in the inner lining of the stomach. In three days, there was a significant reduction in the bacterial growth and inflammation in the site of the infection.
How to Use?
Ideally, it is recommended that you directly crush 2-3 cloves of garlic and directly consume it with water, throughout the day. However, it does leave a distaste in the mouth. You could also crush the garlic or slice it into finely chopped pieces and add it to your salads and dishes. It is to be noted that you need to stick to 2-3 cloves per day and that you either need to crush or chop it finely, so you help in the release of allicin.
However, if you are any kind of blood thinners such as wayfaring. It is recommended that you consult with your doctor/physician before you start using this regimen.
How Much to Use?
It is recommended that you stick to 2-3 cloves of garlic per day. You could have one for every meal. If you consume above this limit, it could cause a severe reaction as garlic is acidic and could cause more harm than help. Hence it is advised that you adhere to this dosage.
CURE 2: Natural Treatments
There are several treatments that are available in your home and in your kitchen that could be used for instant relief. However, these remedies, in the long run, will not be able to provide the desired results.
1. Aloe Vera ( Aloe Vera)
Aloe vera is a medicinal plant that is used in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food industries extensively. Its antibacterial and skin-healing properties make it the best natural treatment that you could use to treat your stomach ulcer.
Why Does it Work?
Aloe vera is a quite effective anti-inflammatory agent that is used for alleviating the symptoms that are caused by the stomach ulcer. In the retrospective of all the natural remedies, aloe vera is considered as one of the effective ones to cure a stomach ulcer. They were several studies conducted on this subject and in one it (7) was seen that 12 patients that were suffering from a stomach ulcer had been put on aloe vera regimen and in a matter of few days their ulcer reduced significantly.
How to Use?
It is ideally recommended that you use the leaves of the plant. Scoop the gel out of 2-3 leaves from the plant and consume it in small quantities after mixing it in water with honey. However, one of the best ways to use it is to drink organic aloe vera juice, a cup a day.
It is to be noted that people who are allergic to garlic and onion are prone to have an allergy to aloe vera. Ideally, it is recommended that you conduct a patch test where you rub a dime-sized aloe vera on your skin, if you don’t develop any rashes within 24 hours you are good to go.
How Much to Use?
It is recommended that you drink the juice for about a week, 300ml every day to help you keep the ulcers at bay.
[Also Read; Aloe Vera for Constipation]
2. Probiotics
Probiotics are bacteria, that if ingested, are beneficial to one’s health. Probiotics could basically be defined as the “good bacteria,” and primarily it helps in the functionality of the digestive system and is mostly seen in the intestine and the colon of the body.
Why Does it Work?
Probiotics are living microorganisms that are present in the digestive tract and help in the digestion process, although there is a certain ambiguity in the process of how it could help with ulcers. However, there has been a myriad of studies that have been conducted on the same subject.
It is hypothesized that probiotics seem to stimulate the production of mucus by the intestinal wall thereby helping in the protection of the stomach lining by coating it.
It is also observed that they also promote the formation of new blood vessels (8), which could help in the easy transport of the healing compounds to the site and accelerate the healing.
Probiotics not only play a direct role in preventing H. pylori infections (9), but these beneficial bacteria also enhance the efficacy of conventional treatment by 150%, all while reducing diarrhea and other antibiotic-side effects up to 47% (10)
How to Use?
Probiotics can be taken orally, and these help increase the numbers of Lactobacilli and other healthy bacteria in the stomach and preventing stomach ulcers. Supplementation is one of the best ways to increase the probiotic bacteria in your gut. However, it is also to be noted that probiotic-rich foods such as yogurt, kefir, and curd tend to provide less colony-forming units (CFU)per portion than supplements, yet they are worth adding to your diet nonetheless.
How Much to Use?
The dose required for maximum benefits is still under strict scrutiny by the medical community. However, that said, most of the studies report benefits of probiotics while taking 200 million to 2 billion colony-forming units (CFU) for 2–16 weeks.(11)
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[Read: Diet Plans for Stomach Ulcers]
3. Capsaicin
Capsaicin is an active chemical component that is primarily seen in chili peppers. It was considered an irritant for humans. However, contrary to the belief, capsaicin could help you cure/prevent stomach ulcer.
Why Does it Work?
In recent research, it was seen that they cause more benefits than harm. This compound is more likely to help you get rid of your ulcer rather than causing them. Capsaicin is observed to reduce stomach acid production and enhance blood flow to the stomach lining (12). These two factors are essential for the healing of your ulcer naturally. It is also observed that this compound stimulates the secretion of mucus by the stomach (13) and thereby protecting the ulcer and aiding in the healing of the ulcer.
How to Use?
Capsaicin supplementation is very simple and could be followed by just using them right from the container. Although it is strictly advised that you check with your doctor/physician before you do so.
[Read: Probiotics for Gastritis]
How Much to Use?
Ideally, it is recommended that you stick to the dosage available on the container. However, before doing so, it is recommended that you consult with your physician if you could adhere to this regimen.
CURE 3: Herbs for Stomach Ulcer
Herbs are naturally occurring substances which originated from plants or plant derivatives. They have shown immense potential in curing a lot of diseases effectively including peptic ulcers, gastritis, and digestive disorders. Herbal remedies are easily accessible and don’t bear any kind of side effects.
1. Green Tea (Camellia Sinensis)
This tea has been used since generations in Asia and parts of Japan. It is extracted from the same plant that produces oolong tea, black tea, and white tea. The distinguishing feature is how the leaves are treated. They are instantly dried and made into a powder to prevent oxidation of the leaves.
Why Does it Work?
Green tea consists of several antioxidants that basically flood the bloodstream when ingested into the body breaks down into a compound called epigallocatechin gallate (14) (EGCG).
This compound exhibits anti-ulcer activities and helps in accelerating the healing of stomach ulcers as it forms a protective layer over the ulcer and helps in providing time for healing the ulcer.
How to Use?
Green tea is available in many different formulations, including capsules, powders, tinctures, and teas. You could choose any of them that appeals to you. However, it is advised that you consult with your physician/doctor before you start using this regimen.
How Much to Use?
It is recommended that you start with a low dose like 2 cups a day when you feel the symptoms are arising. You could then increase the dosage as suited. However, before doing so, it is recommended that you consult with your physician whether you could adhere to this regimen.
2. Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
This root has been used since generations in Asia and parts of Japan to treat several health conditions. It is a member of the pea and bean family (Leguminosae/Fabaceae). Its scientific name is taken from the Greek for ‘sweet root.’
Why Does it Work?
Licorice root has a healing effect on the inner lining of your intestine. It enhances the secretion of the stomach mucus and thereby prevents the formation of ulcers (15). It can also help treat existing ulcers as it is consists of high amounts of flavonoids (16), thereby restricting the growth of bacteria in the infection site.
[Read: Best Foods That Can Treat Ulcers]
How to Use?
Licorice is available in many different formulations, including capsules, powders, tinctures, and teas. You could choose any of them that appeals to you. However, one of the easiest ways to consume it is using it in the form of tea. Add one to two teaspoons of licorice tea to a cup of water.
Ingredients:
- 1-2 teaspoons licorice tea
- 1 warm cup water
- 1 tablespoon Honey
Procedure:
- Boil water in a saucepan and let it simmer for 5 minutes and to this add the licorice tea powder.
- Strain the solution and allow the tea to cool a bit.
- Add a tablespoon of honey and drink it up!
How Much to Use?
It is recommended that you start with 2-3 cups a day when you feel the symptoms arising. You could then increase the dosage as suited, however before doing so it is recommended that you consult with your physician before adhering to this regimen.
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3. Dandelion (Taraxacum)
Dandelion is a common herb. Since ages, people have used the shoot and the root to make medicine which was used to treat a myriad of physical ailments, including cancer, liver disease, and digestive disorders. Dandelion conventionally is now used in salad, and in soups, wine, and teas.
Why Does it Work?
Dandelion has active chemical compounds that are powerful anti-inflammatory agents (17). When ingested, they alleviate the swelling present in the stomach lining, thereby helping in the reduction of the severity of stomach ulcers. Additionally, it is also known to accelerate the healing of the ulcers.
How to Use?
Dandelion is available in many different formulations, including capsules, powders, tinctures, and teas. You could choose any of them that appeals to you. However, one of the easiest ways to consume it is by using it in the form of tea. Add one to two teaspoons of dandelion tea powder to a cup of water to gain the complete benefits of this tea.
Ingredients:
-
- 1-2 teaspoons of dandelion tea
- 1 cup of warm water
- 1 tablespoon Honey
Procedure:
-
- Boil water in a saucepan and let it simmer for 5 minutes and to this add the dandelion tea powder.
- Strain the solution and allow the tea to cool a bit.
- Add a tablespoon of honey and drink it up!
How Much to Use?
It is recommended that you start with 2-3 cups a day when you feel the symptoms arising. You could then increase the dosage as suited. However, before doing so, it is recommended that you consult with your physician, to know if you could adhere to this regimen.
CURE 4: Supplements & Home Remedies for Stomach ulcer
Home remedies and supplements, in this case, go hand in hand. Home remedies could provide instant relief from the pain and the symptoms. However, using the supplements on a long term basis could not only cure your stomach ulcer, but it could also promote digestive health, thereby preventing the occurrence of an ulcer.
1. Baking Soda combined with Apple Cider Vinegar
The amalgamation of sodium bicarbonate and fermented apple solution may rather sound eccentric for a few. However, these proponents individually bear several health benefits that could help you cure and control your stomach ulcer.
Why Does it Work?
Baking soda, chemically referred to as sodium bicarbonate is a white alkaline powder that has proven its potential in curing several health conditions including stomach ulcers. In ulcers, it is commonly noticed that the stomach is completely filled with stomach acids and the inner lining of the wall is corroded due to acid.
When baking soda comes in contact with the acid, it neutralizes the acid, and as a by-product of this reaction, water is released. This is the first step, as the acid gets converted, the bacteria are then exposed, and apple cider vinegar that is a proven antimicrobial agent acts on the h pylori bacteria, and thereby prevents and cures stomach ulcers. Although there haven’t been any studies that have concluded on these claims, however, there are several anecdotes that claim the efficacy of this solution.
[Read: Home Remedies to Cure Gastric Ulcer]
How Much to Use?
It is ideally recommended that you drink this once a day for at least a week. It is recommended that you check the improvements in health later.
How to Use?
Ingredients:
-
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 glass warm water
- Honey to taste
Procedure:
-
- Mix one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and half a teaspoon of baking soda with a glass of warm water, note that the solution will start to fizz, which is normal.
- Once the fizz settles down, add some honey to this mixture and drink it right away.
[Also Read: Health Benefits & Uses of Baking Soda]
2. Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a kind of natural fat-soluble vitamin. It can protect the oxidized substances and decrease the production of peroxidized lipid inside the human body which causes gastric ulcer and some other physical problems to be cured. It is abundantly contained in vegetables, nuts, lean meat, eggs, spinach, and cabbage. As vitamin is not produced in the body, it is usually supplemented or acquired by eating a balanced diet.
Why Does it Work?
Vitamin E is a proven supplementation that can help the body in several ways, and that includes prevention and control of peptic ulcers. However, they aren’t several studies on the efficacy of the supplement on peptic ulcer. However, there was one study that was conducted on rats, to test the effect of vitamin E for peptic ulcer. It was noticed that vitamin E helps in the formation of an extra layer on the ulcer and helps in the provision of healing time for the ulcer. Additionally, Vitamin E also restrains the growth of Helicobacter pylori, thereby preventing the recurrence of an ulcer.
How to Use?
Vitamin E supplementation is very simple and could be followed by just using them right from the container. Although it is strictly advised that you check with your doctor/physician before you do so.
How Much to Use?
Ideally, it is recommended that you stick to a 400mg dose daily that is divided into two doses throughout the day. However, before doing so, it is recommended that you consult your physician before adhering to this regimen.
3. Mastic
Mastic is a resinous exudate obtained from the stem and the main leaves of Pistacia Lentiscus. It is used as a food ingredient in the Mediterranean region. Clinically, mastic has been effective in the treatment of benign gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers.
Why Does it Work?
Mastic might help reduce stomach acid and may protect the lining of the stomach and intestine. Mastic also contains a fragrant oil which could freshen the breath. In vitro, mastic has the ability to fight bacteria and fungi. In a study (18) conducted, it was observed that mastic gum was a viable and inexpensive option to deal with peptic ulcers, it has proven its efficacy over a period of 7 days.
How to Use?
Mastic gum is available in many different formulations, including capsules, powders, tinctures, and teas. You could choose any of them that appeals to you. However, it is advised that you consult with your physician/doctor before you start using this regimen.
How Much to Use?
Ideally, it is recommended that you stick to a 350mg dose daily, for a week, and then check the developments in the condition. However, before doing so, it is recommended that you consult with your physician if you could adhere to this regimen.
[Read: Herbs That Heal Ulcers]
Prevention
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- It is recommended that you limit your alcohol intake and keep it minimum. Also, when suffering from an ulcer, it is also advised that you abstain from drinking while suffering from an ulcer.
- Quit smoking, no middle ground on this one. It is strictly advised that you refrain from smoking.
- Limit/ stop the consumption of anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) like aspirin and ibuprofen.
- Wash your hands regularly to avoid infections that may trigger ulcers.
- Follow a well-balanced diet, not only does it improve your health, but also helps you improve the condition of your ulcer.
Foods to Eat & Avoid with Stomach Ulcer
| Foods to Eat | Foods to Avoid |
| Cauliflower | Coffee |
| Cabbage | Chocolate |
| Radishes | Alcohol |
| Apples | Acidic foods, such as citrus and tomatoes |
| Blueberries | Caffeine in any form |
| Raspberries | |
| Blackberries | |
| Strawberries | |
| cherries | |
| bell peppers | |
| carrots | |
| broccoli | |
| leafy greens, such as kale and spinach |
It is highly recommended that you begin treatment as soon as there is an onset of stomach ulcers. If left untreated, they can cause internal bleeding and may progress to become life-threatening. While mild to moderate ulcers can be healed with the remedies listed above, severe cases need medical attention.
