15 Natural home remedies for stomach ulcers

Home remedies for ulcers are effective as much as you understand about the condition. It will do you no good to know about the remedies without the cause and knowledge of ulcers. Severe stomach ulcers are the sores that occur on the lining of the stomach. The primary cause of stomach ulcers is H pylori bacteria.(1,2)

According to medical research Peptic ulcers may results from the action of gastric acid or pepsin.(3)

Peptic ulcer can be excruciatingly painful and may bleed. When these sore develop in the small intestine its termed duodenal ulcer.(4)

If you have a stomach ulcer, your doctor may advise you to take an antacid or pain reliever. These medications will only offer instant relief but with no long time effects on the ulcer.(5,3)

For both instant and future prevention, you can try some home remedies to relieve the burning and pain caused by ulcer.

How can you get rid of stomach ulcers naturally without medications?

Medically, immune system is the body’s first line of defense. Medication and lifestyle changes may help in treating ulcers. Avoiding fermented foods and beverages that may irritate the lining of the stomach.

By increasing the amount of fluids consumed daily, you may relieve pain and speed the healing process. 

Doctors often prescribe antibiotics for ulcers and other digestive ailments but, here are 16 natural remedies that will help you cure ulcers at home. 

1-Flavonoids rich vegetables and fruits

Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds in plants that act as antioxidants. Flavonoids are abundant in plants, accounting for approximately 15% of the total dry weight.

A 2020 medically reviewed study found that flavonoids are effective on ulcers by inhibiting pepsin levels and activity. It also increases the secretion of bicarbonate and gastric mucous in your system.

They exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activity and health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, anti ulcer and anti-allergenic properties.(6)

 Apple, berries, broccoli, and green tea catechins, isoflavones found in soybeans, and resveratrol found in grapes all contain significant amounts of this polyphenolic compound.(7,8)

Flavonoids-rich foods support the immune system’s fight against Helicobacter pylori, acting as a gastroprotective. They protect the stomach’s mucosal lining and aid in the healing of gastric ulcers.(9,10)

While adding flavonoids in moderation has no adverse effects, excessive amounts can impair blood clotting, so consult your physician before adding it to your diet.

2-Deglycyrrhizinated licorice

Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) is a herbal extract that is commonly used to treat stomach, duodenal, and intestinal ulcers by promoting healing of the digestive tract mucous lining.(11)

DGL  is licorice without  glycyrrhizin. Glycyrrhizin is a licorice compound that can increase blood pressure and heart rate. It has the potential to lower potassium levels. 

Deglycyrrhizinated licorice is one of the most effective remedies for duodenal ulcers because it inhibits the activity and growth of H pylori and its effect on the lining of the stomach.(12)

3-Probiotics

Probiotics are living microorganisms  that are similar to beneficial microorganisms found in the digestive tract. They are mainly bacteria and help to maintain the natural flora in the stomach and intestines.(13)

Probiotics according to several peer reviewed articles, helps prevent or heal certain gut disorders.(14)

You can add probiotic supplements to your diet with probiotics dish like kimchi, which aid in the elimination of H pylori and the healing of the cankers. 

Probiotics are one of the most effective  home remedies for peptic ulcer and a variety of other ailments. Several doctors affirm that probiotics have ability to eradicate bacteria.

4- Honey

Honey is a sugary viscous food substance produced by bees. Its one of the natural antibiotics that are readily available at home. Furthermore, its one of the home remedies for stomach ulcers with several health benefits besides.

Honey has an antimicrobial effect on some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, such as “Staphylococcus aureus,” “Pseudomonas aeruginosa,” “Escherichia coli,” and “Helicobacter pylori,”. This makes it effective for treating peptic ulcers because it can relieve pain.(15,16)

Honey may help heal burns and wounds, as a preservative in musk, and as an antibacterial agent in food.

It’s as a sweetener, but it is now primarily a flavoring agent. Natural raw honey can also work as a preservative.

5- Garlic extract

Garlic extract contains allicin, which forms when you crush or chop garlic cells; and its  responsible for the distinctive smell and taste of raw garlic. Its has antibacterial properties that inhibit the growth of h pylori.

For over 2,000 years garlic has been in use to treat ulcers. Many of the beneficial effects of garlic on lesions are due to allicin.

Several medical research also pose that garlic has an  antibacterial , and anti-inflammatory effect. It also inhibit stomach acid production. 

Garlic extract can help relieve gastrointestinal symptoms caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as heartburn and stomach pain. 

Ask your doctor or pharmacist about taking garlic extract if you have a stomach ulcer. It may aid in the healing of the ulcer, but you should know that its a blood thinner and should be avoided if you are taking blood thinners drugs.

6-Cranberry

Cranberry is high in antioxidants traditionally used to treat a variety of ailments. It’s used as a dietary supplement for treating urinary tract infections (UTI), gastrointestinal disorders and cardiovascular disease.

Cranberry juice is an excellent natural treatment for canker. The juice prevents Helicobacter pylori bacteria from adhering to the gut wall and thus inhibits its growth.

Drink a half-cranberry-juice-half-water mixture before your meals meal, or drink at least two glasses per day. 

Cranberries  contain a substance called proanthocyanins, which is a powerful antioxidant   having the ability to neutralize free radicals in the body, and may also act against harmful bacteria in the stomach.

Cranberries can also help prevent urinary tract infections by preventing bacteria from adhering to the urinary bladder wall. 

To avoid stomach and intestinal problems caused by cranberries’ high sugar concentration, start with a small amount and gradually increase the amount. 

7- Mastic for stomach ulcers

Mastic is an extract from mastic tree. It is used as chewing gum, an expectorant to loosen mucus from the lungs and throat, and a demulcent to soothe minor mouth and throat irritation.

It is chewed to freshen the breath and used as a traditional remedy for stomach ailments such as sour stomach, acid indigestion, colic, diarrhea, and ulcers. 

Research shows that chewing  mastic gum can help you  get rid of H pylori bacteria and improve symptoms of peptic ulcer and intestinal inflammation. 

8-Vegetables, fruits, and grains

Eating artichokes and asparagus can help keep the gut wall strong and prevent stomach walls from corrosion.  A variety of vegetables can be used to cure duodenal ulcers.  Remember to eat herbs and spices that have healing effects. 

Vegetables for stomach ulcer include : celery, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, soybeans, turnip, radish, potatoes with skin or prunes. 

Vegetables can help relieve stomach ulcer pain. This is due to their high vitamin C content, which aids the body’s production of stomach acid.

Juicing raw vegetables is an excellent way to increase your vitamin C intake.

Fruits high in antioxidants, such as papaya, kiwifruit, pineapple, mango, guava, pomegranate, and strawberries, can also help protect against cancer.

Vitamin C is abundant in apples, pears, peaches, and grapefruit. Flavonoids in blueberries may help protect against heart disease and cancer.

Fennel heals ulcers and aids in the elimination of excess gas from the intestines. It also contains a compound that aids in the reduction of blood sugar levels. Apples can in treating an acidic stomach and alleviate the burning sensation it causes. 

Grains are beneficial to stomach ulcers because they contain insoluble fiber. . Eating insoluble fiber helps to reduce acid in the stomach and slows the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, which can help to prevent diabetes.

Barley, buckwheat, cornmeal, millet, oats, rice, and wheat are among the grains that may help in treating ulcers.

Natural home remedies for peptic ulcers and optimum health, include vegetables, fruits, and grains in your diet.

9- Polyphenols rich foods

Polyphenols are natural chemical compounds in the human diet. They are a type of polyphenol that also includes tannins, lignans, and other phenolic acids. 

Diets high in polyphenols are good for stomach ulcers because they help fight bacteria and food poisoning. 

The best polyphenol-rich foods for stomach ulcers, including rosemary, dark chocolate, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, and black olives.

These nutriments are high in antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation and protect your tummy lining from GERD reflux damage.

10- Cabbage juice

Cabbage juice can treat ulcers according to many medical researches. It contains glutamine, an anti ulcer substance that aids in the healing of an irritated gut lining.

The juice masks relieve pain and prevents the discharge of acidic digestive juices. It also has a beneficial effect on ulcer hemorrhage.

You can drink three or four glasses of fresh cabbage juice daily for three weeks

It is high in vitamin C and antioxidants, which help to prevent and heal H pylori infection, which causes peptic ulcers. 

11- Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice that has been used in India and China for centuries. It’s a spice commonly found in curries.

Turmeric contains curcumin, a chemical that has been shown in research studies to have anti-inflammation and antioxidant effects.

 It is thought to have anti-cancer properties in the body. Curcumin may also aid in the treatment of various ulcers and the prevention of cancer.

It is also used to protect the stomach wall from damage caused by certain pain medications or H. pylori infection by increasing mucus secretion and improving blood vessel functions.

12- Chili peppers

Of all the natural home remedies for stomach ulcers chili pepper is the one that causes a raise of eye brows. Many think chilis due to their taste in the mouth, cannot treat ulcers but this is not the case.

A 2014 study found that capsaicin in peppers and chili can eradicate H pylori. Pepper is one of the world’s oldest spices.  Its   indigenous to South and Central America.

Cayenne pepper can be eaten fresh, dried, powdered, or extracted. Fresh chili peppers are preferable for cooking than dried ones.

Contrary to popular belief, the study discovered that including hot chili peppers in the diet can hasten healing in patients with digestive tract disorders.

How to Use Chili Peppers for duodenal Ulcers treatments:

• Every day, take half a teaspoon of hot chili pepper paste. 

• Season your food with a few teaspoons of dry red chili powder.

• Take a pinch of cayenne pepper in a glass of water 

Capsaicin, the active ingredient in chili peppers, is an effective treatment for controlling heartburn and GERD by relaxing the muscles in the belly that cause acid reflux. 

Capsaicin stimulates the production of mucus, which acts as a protective coat for the gut, shielding it from high acidity.

13- Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera juice is high in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making it ideal for s ulcers. Its antioxidants speed up the healing of tears and irritation caused by gastric acid, as well as reduce the amount of acid produced. 

Aloe vera gel  is commonly used in cosmetics and as a food additive due to its alleged healing properties. It is commonly found in mixtures with honey, sugar, propylene glycol, and herbs. 

Aloe vera can be used to treat cuts, sunburns, scrapes, burns, insect bites, and other minor skin irritations. Furthermore, aloe vera has antibacterial properties that are vital for other skin diseases.

14-Chamomile tea

According to peer reviewed articles Chamomile tea has inflammatory effects that will help relieve the pain and treat your ulcer.

Make sure you use it when its warm and not hot or too cold. You can use raw honey to sweeten your chamomile tea.

15-Ginger

There are limited science backed articles that prove the effectiveness of ginger in treating ulcers. However, several medics pose that ginger have gastroprotective properties. Many use it to relieve ulcer pain.

Several medical tests on animals prove the curative properties on wounds and sores making ginger candidate remedy for ulcers.

Foods you should avoid if you have stomach ulcers

Its not enough to use home remedies for stomach ulcers. You should also know positive shifts in habit and diet that will enable you have the recovery.

Certain diets weaken the esophageal sphincter, allowing acidic gut content to reflux back into the esophagus, causing heartburn, indigestion, and discomfort. By avoiding these cuisines you will start your ulcer healing process. These include:

• Salted nutriments

• Acidic edibles

• Processed products

• Carbonated foodstuffs

• Deep-fried meals

• Alcoholic beverages

You should avoid overeating and eating before going to bed because they aggravate reflux symptoms and gastric ulcers. 

What causes gastric ulcers?

The best way to deal with disease is from cause to effect. Non of the best home remedies of stomach ulcers in the world will help you if you fail at the cause.

Peptic ulcers is an infection resulting from h pylori bacteria attack. It results in erosion of the stomach lining mucosa or small intestine, which occurs as a result of increased acidity in the gut, resulting in sores. 

The most common bacteria that cause ulcers is Helicobacter pylori . It acts on the inner lining of the breadbasket accelerated by the acidity of the gut contents. 

Excessive use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can cause this condition (NSAIDs). NSAIDs are drugs frequently prescribed to treat pain, fever, and inflammation. 

Smoking, uncontrolled stress, spices, and alcohol all increase the risk of duodenal ulcers by irritating the stomach lining mucosa and increasing acid production.

Chewing gums and snaking between meals links to development of ulcers. To heal ulcer you must avoid this substances.

Symptoms of peptic ulcer

Knowing the symptoms of ulcers is one of the key indicators which will guide your use of these home remedies for stomach ulcers. Below are categories according to the severity of symptoms of duodenal ulcers.

a) Mild to moderate symptoms

Fullness and a bloating sensation

• Heartburn

• Nausea

• Fatty foods intolerance

• Tummy burning pain at night or between meals

b) Complications of peptic ulcer

When you linger long with peptic ulcer without treatment, you may develop the following health complications.

Internal bleeding

Duodenal ulcer sometimes leads to bleeding. The high loss of blood may lead to anemia. In instances where it reaches this stage, an emergency precautions should be taken. You need to seek medical attention before settling for the use of remedies.

Intestinal obstruction

The ulcer hinders effective movement of food within the belly making you feel full faster.

Intestinal perforation

In severe cases, the ulcers form holes on the lining of the stomach wall. Ulcer wounds on the gut walls can lead to bacterial infection to the delicate internal organs.

Risk of gastric Cancer

According to medical research, H pylori infections increase the risk of gastric cancers. 

How to prevent peptic ulcers?

There are measures that you can adopt to help prevent ulcers. A doctor before administering medications and antibiotics will advice on healthy practices for your body. Here are some ways to prevent ulcers and obtain good health.

• Personal hygiene to avoid H pylori infection.

• Eat a healthy diet.

• Avoid pain relievers and NSAIDs. 

• Eliminate acidic servings

• Avoid fermented foods

When to see a doctor for ulcer pain

There are several ailments that may have similar symptoms as ulcers. Pain in the stomach is not sufficient to mean you are suffering from ulcer. Here is where you need to see your doctor for medical check-up for your general health condition.

After using the home remedies for stomach ulcers in vain, here are some signs that should make you see your doctor:

• Nausea and vomiting

• Vomiting red or black blood

• Weight loss

• Loss of appetite

• Bloody dark stool

• Stomach pain when hungry

When you experience these symptoms do not go for over-the-counter pain relievers.

Wrap up

This article contains relevant information that will help treat ulcers at home. In addition to all the advices from your doctor to help prevent ulcers kindly consider putting them in practice.

There is no particular medications that can cure peptic ulcers effectively. Therefore to cure gastric ulcers, you need to go the natural remedies way.  Peptic ulcer may be persistent during treatments.

The reason most people doesn’t find quick relief from natural remedies is because they continue in their previous lifestyle which was the cause of their problem. 

They add to the body substances that cause ulcers or worsen ulcer symptoms.

A duodenal ulcer requires quick action lest the wound develop into holes on the gut walls or lead to gastric cancer.

As soon as you realize ulcer symptoms see your doctor and seek treatments immediately. And seek advice on the best home remedies for stomach ulcers that you may safely use to treat your condition.