How to Treat Stomach Ulcers: Are Natural Remedies Beneficial?

Stomach ulcers can cause intense pain and should be treated immediately. Currently, most stomach ulcer conditions are thought to be caused by the H. Pylori bacteria, not by spicy foods, stress, or acid. Doctors may prescribe antibiotics to treat ulcers. However, you can reduce symptoms and heal ulcers through proper diet and lifestyle changes.

Eat Foods Rich in Antioxidants. Free radicals in the stomach can damage the stomach lining, making ulcers worse. Antioxidants are known to neutralize harmful free radicals. Therefore, you should consume more antioxidant-rich foods, including:

• Coffee (especially Espresso)
• Red Wine
• Pomegranate Juice
• Grape Juice
• Green Tea
• Barley
• Barley Sprouts
• Beans and Lentils
• Nuts (walnuts, peanuts, hazelnuts, almonds, ...)
• Chocolate
• Berries (blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, strawberries, ...)
• Some Spices (including clove, five-spice powder, cinnamon)
• Some Herbs (including mint, oregano, basil, sage, rosemary)
• Tomato-based Foods (sauces, sun-dried tomatoes)

Discover foods rich in flavonoids. Flavonoids are found in various plants and are defined as organic compounds that provide biological pigmentation. They also help protect against free radicals and safeguard the stomach lining in a manner similar to antioxidants. Some foods high in flavonoids include:

• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Peaches
• Apples
• Oranges
• Tomatoes
• Celery
• Black beans
• Black tea, green tea, and oolong tea
• Beer

Drink cabbage juice. While not a common drink, cabbage juice is remarkably effective in healing stomach ulcers. Cabbage is rich in beneficial bacteria that produce lactic acid, which is essential for fighting and eliminating ulcer-causing bacteria.

• It is recommended to drink 50 ml of cabbage juice twice daily on an empty stomach.
• You can either use a juicer at home to make fresh cabbage juice or purchase ready-made juice from health food stores.

Consume products made from cranberries. Cranberries help fight H. Pylori bacteria. Studies have shown that cranberry juice can prevent harmful bacteria from sticking to the stomach lining.

• You can drink cranberry juice, eat fresh cranberries, or take cranberry supplements (available at pharmacies and vitamin shops).

Eat white sweet potatoes. Research has shown that white sweet potatoes contain compounds that are effective in wound healing. Eating white sweet potatoes aids in the healing of ulcers. These can be found at markets and supermarkets and can be prepared in various ways, including steaming and baking.

Consume more honey. Research and traditional medicine both demonstrate that honey is a powerful natural antibiotic. Therefore, honey can help combat H. pylori bacteria that cause stomach ulcers. You can take a few spoonfuls of honey daily to help treat ulcers.

Using licorice supplements. Licorice roots have antibacterial properties that are beneficial for treating Helicobacter Pylori infections, making them useful in the treatment of ulcers. Licorice extracts are available in supermarkets, pharmacies, and health food stores.

• Consult with your doctor before using licorice and follow the recommended dosage, as high doses can cause side effects such as high blood pressure and low potassium levels.

Eating more bananas. Research suggests that bananas help protect the stomach lining, thereby alleviating symptoms of gastritis. While they don’t heal ulcers, bananas can significantly reduce symptoms.

• Dried, unripe bananas can be beneficial, while ripe bananas may not have as positive an effect.

Using oil instead of butter. It's recommended to use olive oil when cooking dishes like eggs or vegetables. Olive oil contains healthy fats that are more easily processed by the body compared to animal fats found in butter.

• Alternatively, you can cook with coconut oil, rice bran oil, sesame oil, or castor oil.

Adopting a low-sodium diet. A low-sodium diet focuses on foods that are low in fiber and easy to digest, which are gentle on the stomach and less likely to irritate ulcers. It's advisable to consult with a doctor to determine whether a low-sodium diet is beneficial in ulcer treatment and how long it should be followed. Foods that can be included in a low-sodium diet are:

• Low-fat dairy products (milk, yogurt, etc.)
• Cooked, canned, or frozen vegetables without added spices
• Fruit and vegetable juices
• Applesauce
• Breakfast cereals
• Lean meats like boiled chicken or grilled fish without seasoning
• Peanut butter
• Tofu

Avoid alcoholic beverages. While some alcoholic drinks like wine may offer health benefits, alcohol irritates the stomach lining. When suffering from ulcers caused by H. pylori bacteria, alcohol only worsens the condition.

Do not drink milk to soothe ulcers. Drinking milk may temporarily coat the stomach, reducing ulcer pain. However, milk also stimulates the production of more stomach acid, which exacerbates symptoms.

Avoid spicy foods. While spicy foods do not directly cause ulcers, they can increase pain when ulcers are present. It is best to avoid spicy foods (e.g., chili, hot sauce) if you have or are prone to stomach ulcers.

Refrain from eating fatty foods. It is advisable to avoid fried foods, fast foods, and high-fat items. These foods are difficult to digest and can aggravate ulcer symptoms.

Do not eat garlic. People with or prone to stomach ulcers should avoid garlic, as it can irritate the stomach and contribute to ulcer development.

Quit smoking. Smoking regularly can slow down or even prevent the healing process of ulcers. If you are addicted to smoking, consult with a doctor for help quitting, which will ultimately aid in healing ulcers.

Avoid using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). NSAIDs, including Aspirin, Naproxen, and Ibuprofen, are common pain relievers, fever reducers, and anti-inflammatory drugs. However, these drugs can cause gastric ulcers in certain individuals, especially when used for long periods or at high doses. If you are taking NSAIDs to treat a condition, talk to your doctor about alternative medications, such as Acetaminophen.

Reduce stress. While research shows that stress doesn't directly cause most ulcer-related conditions, some people believe that stress can exacerbate ulcers. If you suffer from ulcers, it's recommended to avoid or reduce stress triggers to facilitate faster healing. Techniques like meditation and deep breathing are natural ways to relieve stress and aid in ulcer recovery.