Home Remedies for Stomach Ulcers: Natural Ways to Soothe and Heal

If you have a stomach ulcer, natural remedies might be able to help you. Some foods and supplements could fight the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers. Remember, talk to your doctor before trying anything new. But adding certain home remedies to your daily life might bring you relief and help you heal without medicine.

Stomach ulcers, which are also called gastric ulcers, are like open sores in your stomach’s lining. The main reason people get them is a germ called Helicobacter pylori, or H. pylori. Learning about natural ways to help can let you take better care of your stomach ulcer. It may also boost your gut health in general.

Understanding Stomach Ulcers

Stomach ulcers, also called peptic ulcers, are sores in the stomach or first part of the small intestine. They’re painful and can affect your digestion. It’s important to treat them.

What Are Stomach Ulcers?

Stomach ulcers are open sores on the stomach’s inner lining or upper small intestine. They form when the protective mucus layer is damaged. This damage lets stomach acid hurt the tissue below.

Causes of Stomach Ulcers

H. pylori, a bacterium, is the main reason for stomach ulcers. It weakens the stomach and duodenum lining. This lets stomach acid harm these areas. Other causes include using NSAIDs long-term, and conditions like Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

About 1 in 10 Americans will get peptic ulcers. Usually, duodenal ulcers are more than stomach ulcers. The H. pylori bacterium is found in over 90% of duodenal ulcers and around 80% of stomach ulcers.

Older people are more likely to get stomach ulcers. If you have type A blood, your risk of getting cancerous stomach ulcers is higher. On the other hand, those with type O blood tend to get duodenal ulcers more.

Not treating stomach ulcers can cause dangerous problems. These include internal bleeding, stomach or intestinal wall holes, and a higher stomach cancer risk. It’s very vital to seek medical help and follow your doctor’s advice for treatment.

Symptoms of Stomach Ulcers

A common symptom of a stomach ulcer is a burning pain in the stomach. It happens between meals or at night when your stomach is empty. You might feel bloated, nauseous, or have heartburn too. Some people might lose weight, feel tired, or find it hard to swallow.

If you have these symptoms, see a doctor right away. They can find out what’s wrong and help you feel better. It’s really important to treat stomach ulcers early to avoid more serious problems.

• Burning pain in the abdomen, often between meals or at night
• Bloating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Indigestion and heartburn
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Difficulty swallowing

Bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), taking certain pain meds, and drinking too much alcohol can cause stomach ulcers. Smoking, stress, and other health issues can lead to ulcers too.

If you think you have a stomach ulcer, don’t wait. Get help from a doctor or nurse. They can do tests like an endoscopy to check if you have an ulcer. Then, they’ll give you medicine and tips to feel better and heal.

Flavonoids: Powerful Antioxidants for Ulcer Healing

Looking for a natural way to heal stomach ulcers? Flavonoids are key. They’re plant antioxidants well-known for helping the stomach lining.

Study after study shows flavonoids reduce inflammation. They protect the stomach and heal ulcers.

Foods Rich in Flavonoids

Thankfully, you can find flavonoids in everyday foods. Here are some top choices for healing stomach ulcers:

• Soybeans and legumes
• Red grapes and berries
• Kale, broccoli, and other cruciferous vegetables
• Apples and citrus fruits
• Green and black teas

Eating foods high in flavonoids helps your stomach heal. Yet, too many flavonoids can affect blood clotting. Always check with your doctor first.

Using flavonoids is a great step for naturally treating stomach ulcers. A diet packed with these foods helps your gut stay healthy.

Aloe Vera: A Soothing Remedy for Ulcers

If you struggle with stomach ulcers, aloe vera might help. This plant is famous for healing sunburns. But, it can also ease the pain of ulcers.

A study from 2016 shows aloe vera helps heal ulcers faster. It’s cheap and easy to get. You can mix fresh aloe vera gel with water or milk. Or, try aloe vera juice.

Aloe vera soothes by reducing inflammation and aiding stomach lining repair. It also protects the stomach from harmful acid. This acid causes many ulcers.

For ulcer care, use aloe vera this way:

• Take 2-3 tablespoons of fresh aloe vera gel daily, mixed with water or milk.
• Or, drink a small glass of aloe vera juice found in health food stores every day.
• Put aloe vera gel on the stomach area for direct relief, if you can.

Yet, always talk to your doctor before using aloe vera. This is especially important if you take medicines or have health issues. Using aloe vera with other ulcer treatments, like antibiotics, might be the best way to get better.

Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice: A Sweet Solution

If you have stomach ulcers, you might consider deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL). This type of licorice has its sweet part taken out. This makes it safer for those who worry about the risks of regular licorice.

Licorice root has shown some good signs for ulcers. For example, when aspirin had licorice, rat ulcers reduced by half. In another study, 22 of 100 people’s ulcers were gone after 6 weeks of using licorice root extract.

DGL is good for stomach ulcers because it does two important things. It helps the stomach make more protective mucus. And, it stops the growth of Helicobacter pylori, the usual ulcer cause.

But, we still need more research on DGL. Yet, some have felt better by using DGL or by gargling with it. Always talk to your doctor before trying DGL. It could mix badly with some drugs.

Even though licorice looks helpful, it’s not the main treatment for ulcers. Always work with your doctor and use it with your other treatments. Together, you might find help from this sweet remedy for your ulcer problem.

Probiotics: Restoring Gut Balance

Probiotics are great for dealing with stomach ulcers. These good bacteria and yeasts help fix your gut. A healthy gut is key to stopping and healing ulcers.

Probiotic-Rich Foods and Supplements

Eating foods full of probiotics is a smart move for your gut. You can add yogurt, kefir, kombucha, miso, and kimchi to your meals. Or, you can choose quality supplements with strains like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. They work well for managing ulcers.

Studies show probiotics do a lot to help stomach ulcers. They stop Helicobacter pylori from growing. This bacteria causes ulcers. Probiotics also cut down on swelling and help the stomach lining heal.

By adding good bacteria back into your gut, probiotics do more than you think. They boost your gut’s health overall. Plus, they help your ulcers heal naturally.

Honey: A Natural Antimicrobial

If you have a stomach ulcer, honey can help you. It’s not just tasty. Honey can calm your tummy and make you feel better because of its special powers.

Honey can fight harmful germs, like the ones that cause ulcers. It has around 200 good things your body likes, like polyphenols and antioxidants. You can eat honey if your blood sugar is okay. Add it to your food and drinks for a sweet boost.

Honey fights different bacteria too, like Vibrio cholerae and Staphylococcus aureus. Different honeys work better against some bacteria. For example, Manuka honey is very strong.

Manuka honey is extra special. It has a strong germ-fighting part called MGO. Good Manuka honey has a UMF™ rating of 10+ to be super good for you.

Next time your tummy hurts, try honey. It can make you feel better and help you heal. Honey is a natural friend for your stomach.

Cranberry: Fighting H. Pylori

Stomach ulcers can be very painful, but cranberries are a natural help. Studies show they can fight the bad H. pylori bacteria, a main cause of ulcers.

Cranberries are loaded with good stuff like antioxidants. They have things that stop H. pylori from sticking to your stomach. This keeps the bacteria from causing trouble.

In a study, people who drank cranberry juice twice daily did better against H. pylori. They were three times more likely to avoid the bacteria. In another test, more people had bad breath tests for H. pylori when they drank cranberry juice.

Adding cranberries to your diet could help fight off ulcers. You can drink cranberry juice, eat fresh or dried cranberries, or take supplements. Just ask your doctor first.

Cranberries are great for fighting H. pylori and keeping your gut healthy. Adding this fruit to your meals might lower your ulcer risk. Plus, it could help ease your stomach troubles.

Home Remedies for stomach ulcers

There are many home remedies that could help your stomach ulcers feel better. Use turmeric, ginger, licorice, and more. These herbs and spices can lower ulcer symptoms and help them heal.

Turmeric has curcumin that fights inflammation and acts as an antioxidant. Ginger kills bacteria and protects your stomach. It helps you heal from damage caused by infections and certain medicines.

Licorice can calm your stomach and make your ulcer go away. Indian gooseberry, kutki, and harad are also good for healing stomach ulcers.

These home treatments help, but you still need to see your doctor. They will help you use these with any medicine you’re taking. It’s always best to ask your doctor before trying new remedies. This is especially important if you take prescription drugs.

Changing your diet can also make a big difference. Eat more foods with flavonoids like berries, apples, and guava. Probiotic foods are good too. Think yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut. They all help your stomach heal.

Mixing homemade and doctor-recommended treatments works best. This way, you can treat the cause of your ulcers. Don’t forget, your health and safety come first when choosing how to fight your stomach ulcers.

Fruits, Vegetables, and Whole Grains: Polyphenol Powerhouses

A diet full of fruits, veggies, and whole grains can help fight stomach ulcers. These foods are rich in polyphenols. Polyphenols are antioxidants that protect against ulcers.

They are in many fruits and veggies. Polyphenols fight inflammation and germs. You can find them in foods like dried rosemary, flaxseed, dark chocolate, berries, and black olives.

Eating more polyphenol-rich foods can naturally help heal ulcers. Fruits and veggies also have fiber. This helps your stomach feel better.

Whole grains are good for ulcers too. They add fiber and have vitamins and minerals. This helps the healing process.

Focus on eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This will help your body heal from ulcers and reduce their symptoms.

Polyphenol-Rich Foods for Ulcer Healing

• Berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries)
• Apples
• Grapes
• Pomegranates
• Green leafy vegetables (spinach, kale, collard greens)
• Brightly colored vegetables (carrots, bell peppers, tomatoes)
• Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts)
• Whole grains (whole-grain bread, oats, quinoa, millet, sorghum)
• Dried rosemary
• Flaxseed
• Dark chocolate
• Black olives

Eat a balanced diet with these foods. It’s a great way to naturally help heal ulcers.

Foods to Limit or Avoid with Ulcers

If you’re dealing with stomach ulcers, your diet matters a lot. Some foods make the pain worse and slow down healing. By avoiding these foods, your stomach can heal better.

Coffee and drinks with caffeine are not good if you have ulcers. They make your stomach produce more acid, often making you feel worse. Stay away from carbonated and alcoholic drinks too. They can make heartburn and pain in your stomach get stronger.

Eating spicy foods, like chilies and hot peppers, can be risky if you have ulcers. They may not cause ulcers but can make the pain worse for some. Try not to eat too much processed, salty, or deep-fried foods. They can bother your stomach and slow down healing.

Acidic foods, such as citrus fruits and tomatoes, bother some people with ulcers. If they make you feel bad, it’s best to cut them out for a while. Pay attention to how your stomach feels after eating them.

Even though chocolate is good for you, it might not be good if you have ulcers. Try to avoid it until your ulcer is completely healed.

Everyone is different, so food that bothers you might not bother someone else with ulcers. Be mindful of what you eat and how it makes you feel. The right food choices can help your ulcer feel better and heal.

Keep to a diet that is good for your ulcer by eating whole, healthy foods. Ask your doctor how you can have a diet that helps you heal the best.

Combining Natural Remedies with Medical Treatment

Natural remedies can help your stomach heal. But, it’s key to talk a lot with your doctor too. They might need to give you medicines like proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and antibiotics. These drugs fight the cause of your ulcer, like an H. pylori infection or using painkillers for a long time.

Prescription Medications for Ulcers

Doctors often us medicines to treat stomach ulcers. These include:

• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs): They are drugs like omeprazole, esomeprazole, and pantoprazole. They lower stomach acid. This lets the ulcer get better.
• Antibiotics: These are for ulcers caused by H. pylori. A mix of antibiotics, like amoxicillin and clarithromycin, kills the bacteria.
• H2 receptor antagonists: Medicines such as ranitidine and famotidine also cut down stomach acid. That helps heal the ulcer too.

Pairing natural ways with these medicines can do a lot. Eating better, using herbal treatments, and changing how you live can help your ulcer heal.

Finding Quick Relief for Ulcer Pain

Feeling the burn from stomach ulcers is hard. Over-the-counter antacids might help for a bit, but they don’t fix everything. Using natural cures along with what your doctor says can give longer relief and help heal.

Aloe vera, honey, and chamomile are great for easing ulcer pain. Aloe vera can calm down swelling. Honey fights off bad bacteria. And chamomile makes you feel calm, lessening stress that makes ulcers worse.

It is really important to work with your doctor on a plan. This plan should deal with your ulcer’s symptoms and what caused it. By listening to your doctor and using natural help, you can get fast relief from ulcer pain and help healing.

Source Links

• https://www.healthline.com/health/natural-home-remedies-ulcers – The Best Natural and Home Remedies for Ulcers
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322740 – 9 natural and home remedies for ulcers
• https://pharmeasy.in/blog/home-remedies-for-stomach-ulcers/ – Natural Home Remedies For Stomach Ulcers – PharmEasy Blog
• https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/understanding-ulcers-basic-information – The Basics of Peptic Ulcers