Certain foods, herbs, and supplements may help your body fight the bacteria that are commonly responsible for causing stomach ulcers.
Gastric ulcers, or stomach ulcers, are sores that develop in the lining of the stomach.
They can be caused by various factors that disrupt the balance of your stomach’s environment. The most common is an infection caused by the Helicobacter pylori bacteria.
Other common causes include excess alcohol consumption, smoking, and the overuse of anti-inflammatory medications, such as aspirin and ibuprofen.
Conventional anti-ulcer treatment typically relies on medications that can cause negative side effects like headaches and diarrhea. For this reason, interest in alternative remedies has steadily risen and has been fueled by both medical professionals and individuals with ulcers alike.
It’s important to know that home remedies should not replace medical treatments for ulcers, but can work to ease symptoms alongside doctor-recommended treatment.
Here are 9 home remedies that may treat stomach ulcers.
Cabbage is a popular natural ulcer remedy. It’s
However, more research is needed to determine the exact effects of cabbage juice on ulcer recovery.
Licorice is a spice native to Asia and the Mediterranean region. It comes from the dried root of the Glycyrrhiza glabra plant and is a popular traditional herbal medicine used to treat many conditions.
Some studies report that licorice root
For instance, licorice may stimulate the stomach and intestines to
However, further reserach is needed to understand how much dried licorice root someone would need to consume to experience the same beneficial effects.
Dried licorice root should not be confused with licorice-flavored sweets or candy. Licorice candy is unlikely to produce the same effects and is generally very high in sugar.
Honey is an antioxidant-rich food linked to a variety of health benefits. It may help prevent the formation and promote the healing of many wounds, including ulcers.
Moreover, scientists believe that honey’s antibacterial properties may help treat H. pylori, one of the most common causes of stomach ulcers.
Garlic is another food with antimicrobial and antibacterial properties.
This means it may help reduce bacterial activity in the stomach lining of people with a H. Pylori infection.
Turmeric is a South Asian spice used in many Indian dishes. It’s easily recognizable by its rich yellow color.
Curcumin, turmeric’s active ingredient, has been attributed to many medicinal properties.
It appears to have immense therapeutic potential, especially in preventing damage caused by H. pylori infections. It may also help increase mucus secretion, effectively protecting the stomach’s lining against irritants.
Mastic is a resin obtained from the Pistacia lentiscus tree, more commonly known as the mastic tree. Other common names for mastic include Arabic gum, Yemen gum, and tears of Chios.
When chewed, this resin softens into a white opaque gum with a pine-like flavor.
Mastic has long been used in ancient medicine to treat various gut disorders, including stomach ulcers and Crohn’s disease.
A 2023 review found that mastic may be an effective natural ulcer remedy and help to reduce associated symptoms like inflammation.
Mastic can be found at most health food stores either as a gum or powdered supplement.
There’s a popular notion that eating chili peppers too often or in large quantities may cause stomach ulcers.
In fact, people who have ulcers are often advised to limit their consumption of chili peppers or to avoid them completely.
However, recent research shows that these peppers are unlikely to cause ulcers and may actually help get rid of them.
That’s because chili peppers contain capsaicin, an active ingredient that appears to reduce stomach acid production and enhance blood flow to the stomach lining. Both of these factors are thought to help prevent or heal ulcers.
The capsaicin found in chili peppers may also help increase mucus production, which can coat the stomach lining and protect it from injury.
Aloe vera is a plant widely used in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food industries. It is commonly known for its antibacterial and skin-healing properties.
Interestingly, aloe vera may also be an effective remedy against stomach ulcers.
A 2024 review showed that aloe vera may help reduce the amount of stomach acid in people with ulcers.
Aloe vera intake is considered generally safe and the above studies show some promising results. However, more studies in humans are needed.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that offer an array of health effects. Their benefits range from improving the health of your mind to the health of your gut, including its ability to prevent and treat ulcers.
Although the way this works is still being investigated, probiotics seem to stimulate the production of mucus, which protects the stomach lining by coating it.
Probiotics can be found in the form of supplements, as well as through certain foods.
Probiotic-rich foods include:
- pickled vegetables
- tempeh
- miso
- kefir
- kimchi
- sauerkraut
- kombucha
Stomach ulcers are a relatively common and irritating medical condition.
The natural remedies listed above may help prevent the development of stomach ulcers and facilitate their healing. In some cases, they may even improve the effectiveness of conventional treatment and reduce the severity of its side effects.
It’s important to note that in most cases, it remains unclear whether these natural remedies are as effective as conventional treatment.
It’s important for people who have ulcers to speak with a healthcare professional before self-medicating.