Are there natural ulcer remedies?

Dear Reader,  

Ulcers can be a real pain in the gut! These digestive devils happen when your stomach acid starts to eat away at your stomach lining, which can cause burning and indigestion. They’re usually treated with antibiotics and medications that reduce stomach acid and strengthen the stomach lining. This treatment can be supplemented with herbs and plants that promote stomach healing—including cabbage, ginger, licorice, honey, and garlic. However, natural remedies alone aren’t usually enough to fully heal an ulcer.   

What are stomach ulcers and what usually causes them?  

Stomach ulcers happen when stomach acid begins to erode the stomach’s digestive lining. If you have a stomach ulcer, you might feel a burning sensation, like something’s eating away at you—because it is! This burning is often accompanied by indigestion, which is a feeling of fullness, even long after you’ve eaten or just after you start eating. Some people also experience bloating, gas pain, nausea, vomiting, belching, and heartburn.  

Majority of stomach ulcers are caused by a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). H pylori is a common bacterial infection that can erode the stomach lining. NSAIDs are over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and aspirin. These pills might be pain heroes in some instances, but they can also be stomach villains. If taken too often, they can irritate the stomach lining and break down some of its protective barriers. Less commonly, ulcers can be caused by severe stress and other bacterial or fungal infections. If you already have an ulcer, smoking, alcohol use, and spicy or acidic foods can make it worse. 

How are ulcers usually treated? 

Health care professionals usually treat an ulcer with a combination of medications that reduce stomach acid and protect and strengthen the stomach lining. Ulcers can only go away if you address their root cause. So, if your ulcer is caused by a bacterial infection, you’ll need antibiotics to send the bacteria packing.  

What are natural remedies for ulcers?  

You’re not the first person to consider natural remedies to help soothe the gut’s burning issues. Some plants and herbs that might help with ulcers include:  

• Foods with antibacterial properties that could target H Pylori infection, such as cabbage juice, ginger, honey, garlic, and turmeric.  
• Foods or supplements that might reduce stomach acid, such as papaya and chili pepper (yes, really!). 
• Plants and herbs that might promote mucus secretion in the stomach and strengthen the stomach lining, such as licorice and fenugreek. 

List adapted from Healthline  

Although these plants could help put your stomach on the mend, these natural remedies usually can't replace medical treatment. If an ulcer isn’t treated properly, it can eventually cause a hole to form through your intestinal wall, which is a medical emergency. It can also put you at a greater risk for stomach cancer. 

Consulting with a health care professional can help you better understand how to incorporate natural remedies into a broader treatment plan. 

What are some considerations when choosing herbs and supplements?  

If you’re searching for your natural remedies on a store shelf, you might want to keep in mind that in the United States (US), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t regulate dietary supplements. That means companies might use ingredients that aren’t listed on their label or use unverifiable claims to advertise their products.  

To be a smart and informed supplement shopper, consider:  

• Discussing supplement use with a health care professional or pharmacist, who can help you understand how they could interact with other medications you are taking. 
• Checking whether the products are independently tested or certified by organizations like National Science Foundation (NSF), U.S. Pharmacopeia, or ConsumerLab.com. 
• Researching the manufacturer’s reputation. 
• Confirming whether the manufacturer follows Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP). 

List adapted from VeryWell Health   

A stomach with ulcers might feel like it’s on fire, but a combination of medical intervention and natural remedies can help put out the flames. Best of luck soothing the burn.