Natural Remedies for Ulcers

An ulcer isn't something you just have to live with... and antacids could make it worse!

Learn about natural health remedies for ulcers - address the causes and soothe the symptoms...

If you are in pain from an ulcer, you really need relief from your symptoms…

Natural remedies for ulcers are your best option …

Natural remedies are gentle, without worrying side effects - and are actually very effective!

Always remember to consult your healthcare provider before taking any decisions regarding your health.

Understanding Ulcers…

• An ulcer is simply an open sore that does not heal.
• An ulcer can also be on the skin, or in the mouth. But most people associate the word ‘ulcer’ with sores and pain in the stomach and digestive tract.
• The ulcers are actually caused by too much stomach acid - that is, the acid/enzyme in the stomach which is meant to help with digestion – called ‘pepsin’.
• Because of this, they are often known as ’peptic ulcers’ - it just means the ulcer is caused by too much pepsin/peptic acid.
• Where there is too much of this digestive acid, it actually ‘digests’ some of the stomach lining - (or lining of the digestive tract) – causing a small hole or sore - an ‘ulcer’.
• Peptic ulcers can occur:
  • in the stomach (also known as gastric ulcers)
  • in the duodenum (the small intestine)
  • in the esophagus (food pipe, just above the stomach)

Symptoms of Ulcers

• Peptic ulcers cause a severe burning pain, usually quite high up, just where your ribs meet.
• The pain usually occurs about 2 hours after a meal.
• If the pain lessens after eating a small amount of food, it may be a duodenal ulcer.
• The pain from a duodenal ulcer is usually worst mid morning and around 2-3 hours after sleeping.
• Ulcers can also cause vomiting.
• They may also bleed - causing blood in the vomit and black pooh.
• In severe cases an ulcer may perforate or rupture causing very severe pain and illness.
• Always consult a doctor if you are in severe pain, or at all worried.
• Most ulcers do heal within 4 to 8 weeks, but can recur, especially if you don’t pay attention to the possible causes and advised lifestyle changes.

Causes and Natural Remedies for Ulcers

Often, this means avoiding the triggers you might identify, as having caused your ulcer…

This will mean that your ulcer is far less likely to recur in the future – it will also heal faster.

In the meantime, there are also lots of natural remedies for ulcers, that will give instant relief.

But first, lets deal with avoiding the causes…

• Avoid:
  • coffee and tea
  • alcohol
  • cola
  • large meals – eat little and often instead
  • junk food, sugar and refined carbohydrates – things like pastries, cakes, white bread etc
  • spicy foods
  • acidic foods
  • smoking
  • aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and other anti-inflammatories
• Relax and avoid stress
• Take regular exercise
• Get enough sleep
• Eat a healthy diet including plenty of fiber
• Ensure that you don’t have a deficiency of Vitamin A or E
• Check you don’t have any food allergies
• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and food allergies and intolerances can all be identfied in this one easy, affordable test - it's the test I used to kick start my own recovery from M.E.

If you have an esophageal ulcer, check out the page for a natural remedy for acid reflux, and acid reflux causes - this will have most likely been the cause of your esophageal ulcer.

As well as these avoidance remedies for ulcers, there are also herbs and natural treatments you can use to heal your ulcer, and relieve your symptoms…

Problems with Conventional Ulcer Remedies

• Antacids are the most common remedy for ulcers.
• There is no doubt that antacids are effective - but usually only for a short time…
• In the long term using antacids may actually cause more stomach acid, and make your symptoms worse.
• Long term use of antacids may also cause:
  • kidney stones
  • calcium deficiencies
  • headache
  • co-ordination problems
  • poor concentration
• Other drugs for ulcers may cause:
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • headaches
  • confusion
  • sexual problems
  • digestive problems
  • skin problems
• It is quite common for ulcers to be accompanied by a bacteria in the stomach. Antibiotics are effective in treating this bacteria, but over use can lead to a shortage of healthy bacteria (‘good bacteria’) in the gut – which leads to its own problems…!
• If possible, natural remedies for ulcers are just as effective in the short term – and ultimately, far more effective in the long term…
• Natural remedies for ulcers are gentler on the body – and don’t have the troublesome side effects of conventional treatments, above.

Choose Your Natural Remedy for a Stomach Ulcer

Liquorice

• The best natural remedy for a stomach ulcer has got to be Liquorice!
• Liquorice aids healing, and strengthens the stomach’s own protection against excess acid.
• It may even help against the bacteria associated with ulcers – Heliobacter pylori.
• Use DGL liquorice (deglycyrrhizinated), rather than ‘whole’ liquorice.
• Make a tea with:
  • 1 teaspoon of dried root, in a cupful of hot water
  • Steep for 10 minutes
  • Strain and drink a cupful, 3 times a day, before meals
• A tincture can also be tried – or the tablets can be chewed.
• Caution:
  • DGL liquorice is better tolerated than ‘whole’ liquorice, by people with high blood pressure, or heart problems.
  • Do not take ‘whole’ liquorice for longer than 6 weeks
  • Do not take ‘whole’ liquorice if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Do not take ‘whole’ liquorice if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or problems with your heart, liver, kidney or thyroid
  • DGL liquorice may cause diarrhea in some people

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Camomile

• Camomile is another of the most effective natural remedies for ulcers.
• Camomile helps heal inflammation.
• It is very good at easing any stress or anxiety which may be an underlying cause.
• Make a tea with:
  • 1-2 teaspoons of dried herb in a cupful of hot water
  • Steep for 10 minutes
  • Drink up to 6 cups per day
• Alternatively, take Camomile as a tincture.

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Calendula

• Calendula (Marigold) is one of the best natural remedies for ulcers that bleed.
• Take it as a tincture
• Or, make a tea. Use:
  • 1-2 teaspoons of the dried flowers in a cupful of hot water
  • Steep for 10 minutes and drink up to 6 cups per day

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Marshmallow Root

• This is a very soothing natural remedy for a stomach ulcer.
• It helps to protect and repair the stomach lining – and to heal and soothe the ulcer.
• A tea can be taken – but tincture or capsules are perhaps a better choice. (The tea doesn’t taste very nice!)
• Caution: Consult your doctor if you are also taking other medicines

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Slippery Elm or Common Mallow

• These are both very effective natural remedies for ulcers.
• Both are very soothing and protect and heal the stomach lining.
• For either herb, make a tea using:
  • 1-2 teaspoons of dried bark, in a cupful of hot water
  • Steep for 10 minutes
  • Strain and drink up to 6 cups per day
• You can also buy both herbs as a tincture.

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Plantain

• Plantain is very good at healing and soothing wounds, which is why it is used for ulcers.
• It also stops inflammation and bleeding and acts against bacteria.
• Take a tincture or make a tea:
  • Use 1-2 teaspoons of dried herb in a cupful of hot water
  • Steep for 10 minutes
  • Drink up to 4 cups per day

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Special Tea to Soothe Ulcers

• This is a great ulcer soothing tea:
  • Make a dried herbal mixture with equal amounts of:
    • dried camomile flowers
    • dried calendula flowers
    • dried meadowsweet
    • powdered slippery elm bark
  • Use a tablespoon of the herbal mix in a cupful of hot water
  • Steep for 10 minutes and strain
  • Drink it hot or cold throughout the day

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Acupuncture

• Acupuncture is often recommended as a natural remedy for a stomach ulcer.
• Acupuncture works by treating energy blockages within the body, and is reported to be very beneficial for some people.
• Repeat visits are usually advised.

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Peptic ulcers can be very painful, but natural remedies for ulcers are actually very effective.

This is especially so, when combined with lifestyle changes, avoiding the triggers and possible causes of your ulcer.

Within no time, I am sure you will find yourself free from pain, and making the most of your life again…

Don’t forget to also check the page on natural remedy for acid reflux. This will be very helpful, if you suffer from an esophageal ulcer - or may make sure that you never develop one in the first place…!

Return to the main page for holistic remedies for stomach and digestive problems, to find more natural health solutions that will help your digestive system return to a balanced and healthy state.

What works for you?

Do you have any tips and experiences in finding natural remedies for ulcers, to share? Tell us about your experiences...

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