Owu Stanley
Stomach ulcers, also called peptic or gastric ulcers, are
open sores that develop in the lining of the stomach; it can as well occur in the upper part of the intestine. Stomach ulcers occur when the lining of the stomach or upper
intestine gets irritated by the harmful effects of stomach acid.
THE CAUSE:
This can happen due to several factors such as
- infection with the bacterium
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) THE
MOST COMMON CAUSE.
- overuse of painkillers, such as aspirin
- excessive use of nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen
- excessive alcohol consumption
- physical injury
- radiation therapy
and burns
SYMPTOMS:
Due to the amount of acid present in the stomach, when
ulcers occur, they are often extremely painful.
So, the most common symptom of a stomach ulcer is a burning sensation or pain in
the area between your chest and belly button. The pain can last for a few
minutes to several hours, depending on the severity of the ulcer. Other
symptoms include poor appetite, bloating, heartburn, indigestion, belching,
nausea, vomiting and weight loss.
REMEDIES:
Stomach ulcers are often treated
with antibiotics or medications to reduce, block, or neutralize stomach acid.
There are also natural home remedies you can use to help ease the symptoms of a
stomach ulcer and help it heal. Generally, natural remedies focus on strengthening and protecting the stomach
lining against acids.
Note: The best practice is to consult a doctor before using the
home remedies in order to ensure long-term relief.
10 home remedies for stomach ulcers.
1.
Cabbage
When it comes to ulcer treatment in
particular, one lactic acid food stands out above the rest: cabbage juice. Cabbage
is a great remedy for a stomach ulcer. Being a lactic acid food, cabbage helps
produce an amino acid that stimulates blood flow to the stomach lining. This in
turn helps strengthen the stomach lining and heal the ulcer.
In addition, cabbage contains a good
amount of vitamin C, which has been found to be particularly beneficial
for patients with H. pylori infections. Also, experiments indicate that fresh
carrot juice contains an anti-peptic ulcer factor (vitamin U).
- Cut one half of a raw head of
cabbage and two carrots into small pieces and put them in a blender to
extract the juice.
- Drink one-half cup of this juice
before each meal and at bedtime.
- Repeat daily for a few weeks.
Be sure to use fresh juice each time.
2.
Bananas
The sitoindosides in dried, unripe
bananas increase mucus in the digestive tract, which provides a strong
protective coating to help prevent and heal ulcers. Unripe bananas also promote
cell growth in the intestinal tract.
For stomach ulcer treatment, both ripe
and unripe bananas are very effective. There are certain antibacterial
compounds in bananas that inhibit the growth of ulcer-causing H. pylori.
Bananas also protect the system by
wiping out the acidity of gastric juices. This helps reduce inflammation and
also strengthens the stomach lining.
- To treat an ulcer, eat at least
three ripe bananas a day. If you do not like eating bananas, you can make
banana milkshakes.
- Alternatively, peel two or three
bananas and cut them into thin slices. Put the slices in the sun until they
become dry. Grind the dried banana pieces into a fine powder. Mix together
two tablespoons of this powder and one tablespoon of honey. Take this
mixture three times a day for about a week.
3.
Cayenne Pepper
Surprisingly, cayenne pepper is another
very effective remedy for treating stomach ulcers. According to a review
published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, the
compound capsaicin present in cayenne pepper inhibits the secretion of
stomach acids, boosts the production of alkali, and stimulates mucus
secretions and gastric mucosal blood flow, thereby preventing and healing
ulcers.
- Mix one-eighth teaspoon of cayenne
pepper in a glass of warm water. Drink it twice a day for the first two to
three days. Gradually increase the amount of cayenne pepper up to
one-quarter-teaspoon twice daily for the rest of the week.
- Alternatively, take cayenne
capsules that you can buy at health food stores. Take three capsules a day
immediately after meals for one week.
- You can also add a pinch of
cayenne pepper to soups, meats and other savory dishes.
4.
Coconut
Coconut is very good for people
suffering from stomach ulcers because of its antibacterial qualities. It kills
the bacteria that cause ulcers. Moreover, coconut milk and coconut water have
anti-ulcer properties.
- Drink a few cups of fresh
coconut milk or tender coconut water daily. Also, eat the kernel
of the tender coconut. Follow this treatment for at least one week to get
positive results.
- Alternatively, take one tablespoon
of coconut oil in the morning and another at night for one week. As
coconut oil is mainly composed of medium-chain fatty acids, it can be
easily digested.
5.
Licorice
Several studies suggest that licorice
works effectively for treating and preventing stomach ulcers. It helps the
stomach and intestines produce more protective mucus that forms a coating over
the stomach lining. This in turn eases the pain from ulcers and speeds up the
healing process.
- Mix one-half teaspoon of licorice
root powder in one cup of water. Cover it and let it sit overnight. The
next morning, add one cup of cooked broken white rice (a grade of rice
consisting of grains broken during the milling process) into this infusion
and eat it. Repeat daily for one week to get positive results.
- Another option is to drink
licorice tea two or three times a day for one week.
- Alternatively, you can chew and
then swallow two or three deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) tablets three
times a day for about a week. You can easily find these 380 mg tablets in
health food stores.
6.
Fenugreek
Fenugreek is known for its powerful
healing properties and health benefits. You can use it to treat stomach ulcers
also. Being rich in a mucilaginous compound, fenugreek protects the stomach’s
lining by coating it like mucus, thereby facilitating the process
of healing.
Procedures:
- Boil one teaspoon of fenugreek
seeds in two cups of water. Strain and drink it after adding a little
honey to it.
- Another option is to consume one
teaspoon of fenugreek seed powder along with milk.
- Alternatively, you can boil one
cup of fenugreek leaves, add a little honey, and eat it twice a day.
Follow any of these remedies twice
daily for about a week.
7. Honey
Honey is simply sweet, it is highly
beneficial. Depending on the plant it’s derived from, honey can contain up to
200 elements, including polyphenols and other antioxidants. Honey
is a powerful antibacterial and has been shown to inhibit H. pylori growth hence, raw honey
has potent healing properties that help a lot in the treatment of stomach
ulcers. As long as you have normal blood sugar levels, you can enjoy honey as you would any
sweetener, with the bonus of soothing your ulcers.
Procedure: Take two tablespoons of raw honey
daily, early in the morning on an empty stomach. It will help cleanse the
bowel, strengthen the stomach lining, and prevent and treat stomach ulcers.
8. Garlic
Garlic also helps treat stomach ulcers. It is highly recommend for cooking. Research on its preventive
and therapeutic benefits continues to grow. It now appears that garlic can keep
levels of the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacterium in check. Researchers
at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle discovered that garlic
exhibits specific antimicrobial activity against H. pylori without
entirely eliminating the strain.
Procedures: Simply take two to three crushed
garlic cloves followed by a glass of water during the day. Do this on a daily
basis to ease inflammation in the stomach and prevent stomach ulcers.
9.
Slippery Elm
Slippery elm is another good remedy for
stomach ulcers. The inner bark of the slippery elm contains a good amount of
mucilage that soothes
and calms inflammation and pain. Plus, the mucilage helps remove excess
fats in the intestines.
Procedures:
- Take the inner bark of the
slippery elm and grind it into a powder.
- Mix one teaspoon of this powder in
one cup of warm water.
- Drink this mixture three times a
day for one week.
10.
Wood Apple
Leaves
of wood apple, also known as bael, is also very useful in the treatment of
stomach ulcers. The tannins present in the leaves help protect the stomach
against damage from secretion of excess acid. Juice extracted from wood apple
fruit also helps reduce pain and inflammation due to its mucilage content.
Procedures:
- Soak two to three wood apple
leaves in one cup of water in a copper vessel overnight.
- The next morning, strain the
mixture and drink it on an empty stomach.
- Follow this treatment daily for a
few weeks.
For mild to moderate stomach ulcers,
these remedies will give you positive results within one week. However, if you
suffer from acute stomach ulcers, it is highly recommended to consult your
physician.
.
What to Avoid
Some foods can make ulcers worse,
while some provide a preventive and healing effect. Greasy and acidic foods are
most likely to irritate your stomach, as are spicy foods.
To reduce ulcer pain, avoid:
- coffee,
including decaf
- carbonated
beverages
- chilis and
hot peppers
- processed
foods
- salty red
meats
- deep fried
foods
ENDING NOTE!
It can take some time, teamwork,
and determination to find the right treatment for your ulcers, but don’t give
up hope: Ulcers can be cured. In addition to a treatment plan agreed upon by
you and your doctor, you can incorporate natural approaches that can give you
some relief and accelerate healing. Adding plenty of fresh fruits and
vegetables to your diet and reducing alcohol intake will almost certainly get
you on the road to health.
