Home Remedies for Stomach Ulcers

Table of Contents:

• Introduction

• What exactly are stomach ulcers?

• Causes and risk factors of stomach ulcers

• Home Remedies for Stomach Ulcer Pain

• Natural Remedies for Stomach Ulcers

• Home Made Indian Remedies for Stomach Ulcers

• Best Home Remedy for Stomach Ulcer

• Tips in the Management of Stomach Ulcers

• When to Seek Professional Assistance

• Take-Home Points

• FAQs

Introduction

Also referred to as peptic ulcers, stomach ulcers refer to painful sores that mostly occur on the lining of the stomach. These painful sores can trigger a lot of discomfort and distress, which can significantly impact your quality of life.

In most cases of stomach ulcers, a person may require medical intervention to effectively manage their symptoms. Nevertheless, there are some home remedies for stomach ulcers that can effectively help in the management and aid the healing process.

In this blog, we are going to look into some of the home remedies that can help in alleviating the symptoms and promote the recovery process for someone experiencing stomach ulcers.

What exactly are stomach ulcers?

Stomach ulcers refer to painful sores that are normally located on the inner lining of the stomach. These ulcers normally develop when the protective mucus layer of the stomach becomes damaged or depleted.  Depletion of this layer allows stomach acid to carry away the underlying tissues.

Some of the most common causes of stomach ulcer include Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, extensive or prolonged use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), smoking, and excessive consumption of alcohol.

Causes and risk factors of stomach ulcers

There are many causes of stomach ulcers, which include:

• H. pylori infection: This bacterium is one of the major causes of stomach ulcers. Apart from weakening the stomach’s protective mucus layer, it also triggers an increase in acid production.

• Prolonged use of NASIDs: Extended use of certain medications like aspirin and ibuprofen has been linked with the formation of stomach ulcers. This is attributed to their irritating effects on the stomach lining.

• Excessive production of stomach acid: Certain medical conditions such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome can trigger excessive production of acid in the stomach. The acid may deplete the protective mucus layer in the stomach leading to the development of ulcers.

Some of the risk factors for stomach ulcers include:

• Excessive alcohol consumption: Consuming alcohol in large quantities can cause irritation on the stomach lining. It may also erode the protective layer and make a person more susceptible to stomach ulcers.

• Smoking: Smoking adverse effects goes beyond the lungs. It increases stomach acid production and may significantly alter the effectiveness of the stomach’s protective lining, leading to ulcers.

• Stress: There is no evidence to show that stress alone can lead to the formation of stomach ulcers. However, stress can worsen the symptoms associated with stomach ulcers and slow down the recovery process.

• Unhealthy diet: Consumption of very spicy foods or taking caffeinated drinks may irritate and erode the stomach lining and make a person more prone to ulcers. This can also worsen the ulcers symptoms.

Home Remedies for Stomach Ulcer Pain

There are various home remedies for stomach ulcer pain that can significantly help in the alleviation of symptoms and promote the recovery process. They include:

1.   Honey

Due to its antibacterial properties, honey is one of the best home remedies for ulcer in the stomach that can combat infections caused by H. pylori. Taking a tablespoon of honey on a daily basis may promote the healing process and offer relief from ulcer pain.

2.   Bananas

Bananas happen to be one of the best home remedies for stomach ulcer pain which is readily available in Indian and beyond. Bananas contain certain compounds that help to counteract depleted mucus production and neutralize the adverse effects of acid in the stomach that lead to ulcers.

3.   Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties that may help to soothe the stomach lining and improve the healing process. Taking a glass of aloe vera juice regularly may also help to reduce stomach ulcer pain.

4.       Garlic

The high antibacterial properties in garlic make it effective in the management of infections caused by H. pylori bacteria. You can simply eat a few cloves of raw garlic or prepare some garlic juice regularly to reap from its potential benefits on stomach ulcers.

5.   Licorice Root

For many centuries across the globe, licorice root has been used in the treatment of digestive problems. Researchers suggest that it boosts the production of mucus in the stomach lining to shield the inner tissues against stomach acid. Drinking licorice root juice or chewing on the plant may be beneficial.

6.   Cabbage Juice

The presence of minerals and vitamins in cabbage juice makes it a potential home made remedy for stomach ulcers as it promotes healing and protects the stomach lining. Drinking a cup of cabbage juice on a daily basis may help to alleviate symptoms associated with stomach ulcers.

Natural Remedies for Stomach Ulcers

Certain natural remedies for stomach ulcers are both gentle but yet effective in the management of the painful sores. Some of the natural remedies you can try include:

• Marshmallow Root: The soothing properties in marshmallow root make it an ideal home made remedy for stomach ulcers. You can take marshmallow root regularly to get some relief from stomach pain and protect the lining.

• Probiotics: These are the beneficial bacteria that may help in the maintenance of a healthy balance in the gut. Regular consumption of foods rich in probiotics may promote the healing of stomach ulcers. Examples of probiotic-rich foods include sauerkraut, yoghurt, and kefir.

• Slippery Elm: This is a herb that creates a protective coating in the stomach lining. This helps to reduce irritation and promotes the recovery process. Slippery elm is available as a tea or as a capsule.

Home Made Indian Remedies for Stomach Ulcers

There are several Indian traditional treatment options for treating and managing stomach ulcers. Some of the most effective home made Indian remedies for stomach ulcers include:

1. Ginger

In Indian traditional medicine, ginger has been used for many centuries in the treatment of problems related to digestive health. Consuming ginger in the form of tea or adding fresh ginger to your regular meals may help to reduce or alleviate stomach ulcer symptoms.

2. Turmeric

Turmeric is loaded with a compound known as curcumin which has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. You can take turmeric tea or add turmeric to your regular meals to get some relief from stomach ulcers.

3. Indian Gooseberry

Also known as Amla, Indian gooseberry is a great source of vitamin C as well as antioxidant properties that may hasten the recovery process. You can consume fresh amia juice or dried powder to help in the management of stomach ulcers.

4. Holy Basil (Tusli)

Tusli contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can speed up the healing process of stomach ulcers. You can simply chew on fresh holy basil leaves or drink tusli tea to help in the management of stomach cancer symptoms.

5. Fenugreek Seeds

Fenugreek seeds contain high amounts of mucilage that may offer protection to the stomach lining. You can soak the fenugreek seeds overnight and take the water in the morning to reap its benefits in treating and managing stomach ulcers.

Best Home Remedy for Stomach Ulcer

When it comes to selecting the best home remedy for stomach ulcer, the determining factors lie on your personal preferences and availability. Nevertheless, combining a number of home made remedies can be effective. An example includes:

• Honey: Regular consumption of honey may help to promote the recovery process and counter the negative effects caused by H. pylori bacterium.

• Aloe Vera: Since it is loaded with anti-inflammatory properties, it is an ideal choice when it comes to home remedies for stomach ulcer pain relief. It may soothe the stomach lining and reduce pain caused by stomach ulcers.

• Probiotics: Adding foods rich in probiotics into your regular diet may help to support gut health and promote the recovery process.

Tips in the Management of Stomach Ulcers

On top of home remedies for stomach ulcer pain relief, there are certain tips you can follow to effectively manage the symptoms associated with these painful sores. They include:

1. Keep hydrated: Taking plenty of water or other healthy fluids may help in the elimination of toxins and maintain a healthy gut.

2. Consume small, frequent servings: Unlike taking three large meals in a day, consuming smaller but frequent food portions throughout the day may reduce the production of stomach acid.

3. Avoid trigger foods: Do not consume spicy, acidic or caffeinated foods that can cause irritation along the stomach lining.

4. Avoid and manage stress: Learn the various ways to cope with stress, such as yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises.

5. Quit smoking and alcoholism: We would advise against engaging in hazardous habits such as smoking or excessive alcohol use which can make stomach ulcer symptoms more pronounced.

When to Seek Professional Assistance

It is worth noting that some home made remedies for stomach ulcers may offer some relief. However, you should seek professional assistance if you experience symptoms like:

1. Bleeding: If you notice blood in stools or after vomiting, it may be an indication that you have a serious medical condition that requires the intervention of a professional healthcare provider.

2. Severe pain: If you experience intense abdominal pain that doesn’t subside with home made remedies, you may have to undergo a medical evaluation.

3. Persistent symptoms: If your symptoms persist even after using the various natural remedies for stomach ulcers, seek further evaluation and treatment from a qualified professional.

4. Unexplained weight loss: If you notice significant loss in weight that you can’t account for, let a healthcare provider investigate the cause.

Take-Home Points

Stomach ulcers may be very disturbing and painful to an extent of interfering with a person’s daily activities. The good news is that there are various home remedies and natural treatment options that may help in the management and treatment of the symptoms. Some of the best home remedies include honey, aloe vera, yoghurt, turmeric, holy basil, and more.

Adding these homemade remedies to your regular diet, along with maintaining healthy lifestyle habits can help in effective management and treatment of stomach ulcers. If your symptoms don’t improve after you try these home remedies, seek immediate intervention of a medical professional.