Top 18 Most Effective Herbal Remedies for Stomach Ailments

Soursop leaves are known for their ability to promote blood circulation, reduce swelling, alleviate pain, and invigorate the blood. You can brew soursop leaves or its roots to make a tea that can replace regular drinking water.

The main advantage of using soursop leaves to treat stomach issues is that it utilizes a readily available natural remedy, offering an affordable solution without worrying about side effects.

Wild tea is a plant predominantly found in the mountainous regions of the North, particularly in Cao Bang, and is a relatively new herbal remedy. It helps neutralize stomach acid, promotes healing of stomach ulcers, and eliminates H. pylori bacteria. In the highlands of North-West Vietnam, it is commonly used to treat conditions such as gastric ulcers and inflammation caused by H. pylori infection.

The Xang Se plant, also known as the five-color leaves, is a member of the Thap But grass family. This plant is effective in eliminating H. pylori bacteria and treating gastric, duodenal, and colonic ulcers. To use it, you can brew fresh or dried leaves to make a tea.

Usage of Xang Se leaves for stomach ailments:

1. For dried leaves: Use 40-60 leaves to brew a tea to drink instead of regular tea.
2. For fresh leaves: Simply chew 5-6 leaves with a pinch of salt, and repeat 2-3 times a day.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, wild pepper leaves are sour in taste, neutral in nature, and have detoxifying, digestive, anti-inflammatory, and blood circulation-promoting properties. They are commonly used to treat conditions like stomach pain, dysentery, and indigestion. The wild pepper plant is widespread in the northern regions of Vietnam, making it easy to use the leaves as a natural remedy for stomach problems.

How to prepare wild pepper leaves for stomach treatment: Prepare 20-30 fresh leaves, wash thoroughly, crush them, filter out the juice, and boil the liquid to drink once a day. After about 30 days, you will notice significant improvement in your stomach condition.

Fresh ginger is often regarded as a universal remedy due to its numerous beneficial properties. Experts state that ginger contains two key compounds, shogaol and gingerol, which have excellent anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. Fresh sugarcane, on the other hand, is packed with vitamins and effectively neutralizes stomach acids.

Preparation: Take 1 fresh ginger root and 3-4 stalks of sugarcane, extract their juice, and drink the mixture. It’s recommended to consume this ginger-sugarcane juice once each morning. With consistent use over about a month, symptoms such as heartburn, nausea, and abdominal pain will significantly improve.

Although it may seem unusual, young banyan leaves are actually a highly effective traditional remedy. These leaves contain compounds like phytosterols, tannins, saponins, and flavonoids, which help reduce acid secretion and promote healing of stomach ulcers. When using banyan leaves for treatment, be sure to select young leaves, as they are much richer in active compounds compared to older ones.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, guava leaves have astringent properties, a warm nature, and are effective in reducing swelling, toning the stomach, and improving digestion. Additionally, guava leaves are rich in anti-inflammatory and antibacterial compounds like pyrogallic tannins, maslinic acid, and beta-sitosterol. Meanwhile, brown rice is a great source of fiber that helps neutralize stomach acids, protect ulcer sites, and improve digestive function.

Preparation: Take a small handful of guava leaves, roast them lightly with 50g of brown rice, and simmer with 600ml of water. Let it cook on low heat until only 300ml remains, then strain and drink before meals. This remedy is particularly beneficial for individuals suffering from diarrhea, bloating, or indigestion.

Upon closer inspection, you'll find that perilla leaves are commonly used in products designed to treat digestive issues. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, perilla leaves have a warm, spicy nature, making them suitable for those suffering from nausea, bloating, digestive disturbances, and stomach ulcers.

Preparation: Dry about 1kg of perilla leaves for later use. Every morning, steep a handful of the dried leaves to make tea, replenishing the water each day. This remedy can also be beneficial for individuals dealing with insomnia, diabetes, or high blood pressure.

In the realm of natural remedies for stomach ulcers, betel leaves are indispensable. This widely recognized climbing plant has remarkable antibacterial properties that help treat gastric ulcers. Betel leaves not only soothe toothaches and joint pains but also contain tannins, a compound that combats bacteria, reduces inflammation, and alleviates swelling. Additionally, it helps control acid reflux and eradicates Helicobacter pylori bacteria in the stomach.

How to use: Select fresh betel leaves, wash them thoroughly, and let them dry. Chew the leaves slowly and swallow the juice, discarding the residue. It’s most effective when chewed at the onset of acid reflux symptoms. This simple method provides surprising relief after just 2-3 uses.

Turmeric – one of the most popular natural remedies for stomach ulcers, is not only a common spice in Vietnamese cuisine but also offers numerous health benefits. The active compound curcumin in turmeric effectively aids in treating stomach pain symptoms.

How to use:

• Turmeric Extract with Warm Water: This is a simple and quick method. Mix 2-3 teaspoons of turmeric powder with warm water. Drink it 15-20 minutes before meals to allow the turmeric to absorb and relieve pain caused by inflammation. For best results, drink this twice a day, in the morning and evening, before meals, for a month.
• Turmeric with Honey: Honey is known for its miraculous properties, especially for skin and health. It aids in healing ulcers, repairing damage, and preventing the growth of Helicobacter pylori bacteria. Mix pure honey with turmeric extract, then dilute with warm water. It's best to drink this mixture in the morning before meals.
• Alternatively, you can prepare turmeric and honey in pill form for easy storage. Take 3-5 pills per serving, and the stomach pain symptoms will gradually subside and become less frequent.

Both traditional medicine and modern science acknowledge the healing properties of Heartleaf. It contains carotenoids, sterols, flavonoids, and essential minerals, which contribute to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as its ability to help heal stomach damage.

• Method 1: Use 7-9 fresh Heartleaf leaves, wash them thoroughly, and chew them 2-3 times a day.
• Method 2: Use 8-10 grams of dried Heartleaf leaves and boil them to extract the juice. Drink this 2-3 times a day.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Dandelion (also known as Bao or Mac leaves) has a bitter-sweet taste and cool properties, making it effective in clearing heat, detoxifying the body, and treating conditions like skin boils, ulcers, as well as stomach and liver inflammation. For stomach ulcers, a remedy involving Dandelion can be made by combining 20g of Dandelion, 15g of Khôi leaves, and 10g of Khổ Sâm leaves. Boil them with 300ml of water for 15 minutes, then strain. Add sugar for taste if desired. Drink one serving a day for 10 days, with a 3-day break between cycles until symptoms improve.

Eclipta Prostrata, commonly known as False Daisy or ‘Nhọ Nồi,’ contains active compounds like tannin, carotene, flavonoids, and wedelolactone. These components work effectively to cool the body, detoxify, stop bleeding, and promote wound healing. This makes the leaves of Eclipta Prostrata a popular remedy for stomach ulcers. Here are some ways to use it:

Methods:

• Method 1: Wash a handful of Eclipta Prostrata leaves, blend them with a little water, then strain to drink daily.
• Method 2: Combine Eclipta Prostrata leaves with licorice, Bạch Cập, and apple, wash them thoroughly, then boil with about 1 liter of water until 300ml remains. Drink this solution in two doses: after lunch and dinner, 30 minutes post-meal. For best results, continue for two weeks.

Magnificent Wood is a traditional Vietnamese remedy for stomach pain. Its components contain active ingredients that promote the healing of stomach ulcers, accelerate wound recovery, reduce stagnation, and effectively alleviate pain. As a result, Magnificent Wood is widely used to treat joint pain, digestive issues, diarrhea, and particularly stomach ulcers.

The bark of the Magnificent Wood tree, found at the joint of the stem and root, is commonly used as an ingredient in remedies for stomach pain.

The Burn Plant, also known as ‘Eternal Life Plant’ or ‘Living Forever,’ is widely used for treating burns, but few realize its benefits in treating stomach ulcers. This plant contains numerous compounds proven to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and healing properties. By following the correct usage method daily, this natural remedy can deliver impressive results in healing stomach issues.

When using the Burn Plant for stomach ulcers, it is beneficial to combine it with other common plants, such as kohlrabi. Kohlrabi is rich in fiber, vitamins, water, and minerals. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, these plants are believed to cleanse the kidneys and blood, stimulate digestion, and improve overall health. Together, they make an effective treatment for stomach ulcers.

To prepare, wash the kohlrabi and Burn Plant thoroughly. Peel the kohlrabi and allow both ingredients to dry before blending them together. Extract the juice and drink it regularly. For optimal results, consume one glass daily. This remedy may also help prevent diseases such as colon cancer, breast cancer, and improve stomach health.

The Golden Sword Plant, also known as the Basket Plant, contains various beneficial bioactive compounds like steroids, flavonoids, and numerous trace minerals that promote health. Notably, it has flavonoids, which are known for their pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, blood circulation-enhancing, and wound-healing properties.

Although no scientific research has yet confirmed its efficacy in treating stomach issues, this plant has been a popular folk remedy for stomach pain for many years, and countless people have found relief from their ailments through its use. Thus, the Golden Sword Plant remains a familiar and trusted natural remedy in daily life.

The Nightshade Plant, scientifically known as Oldenlandia eapitellata Kuntezee, is well-regarded for its impressive ulcer-healing abilities. Traditionally, it has been used to alleviate stomach pain, neutralize stomach acid, reduce acid reflux, and promote the healing of ulcers. In the 1960s, Lang Son Hospital was the first to conduct research on this plant and apply it as a remedy for stomach ailments. Today, the Nightshade Plant is widely used across the country as an effective herbal treatment for stomach disorders.

The Purple Healer Plant, scientifically known as Ardisia sylvestris Pitard, belongs to the primrose family. The medicinal part of the plant is its leaves. There are two types of this plant: the white healer and the purple healer, both of which are commonly used in traditional medicine for treating stomach ailments. However, the purple variety is preferred for its stronger therapeutic properties.

The leaves of the Purple Healer are known for their ability to neutralize stomach acid, reduce acid secretion, heal ulcers, and effectively treat gastritis and duodenal conditions.

Preparation: Use a handful of fresh purple healer leaves or 20 grams of dried leaves, boil them in water, and drink the resulting decoction daily.