Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHome Remedies for Stomach UlcersOther TreatmentsUlcer DietLifestyle ChangesLiving With Stomach UlcersFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Home Remedies for Stomach Ulcers
Other Treatments
Ulcer Diet
Lifestyle Changes
Living With Stomach Ulcers
Frequently Asked Questions
A stomachulceris a sore on the lining of your stomach or small intestine (duodenum). This sore usually causes pain and burning in the abdomen. This pain can come and go and may last for hours at a time.
This article will describe natural and home remedies used to treat ulcers and foods to limit or avoid if you have an ulcer.
Verywell / Danie Drankwalter
There are several options for natural remedies that may help to prevent or improve stomach ulcers.
Flavonoids
Flavonoidsare naturally found in fruits, vegetables, and other plant products with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. They may improve the inflammation associated with ulcers and protect the lining of the stomach wall from NSAID damage.
Flavonoid-rich foods include:
Aloe Vera
Stomach ulcers can causeinflammationin the wall of the stomach or small intestine, which leads to pain and difficulty eating. Aloe vera helps to coat the lining of the stomach and has been found to have anti-inflammatory effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Researchers also found that aloe vera improved inflammation symptoms in individuals withulcerative colitis.
Probiotics
Probioticsare live microorganisms made up of bacteria and yeast. They are known as good bacteria that can keep your gut healthy. A study found that when combined with traditional triple therapy, probiotics improved the treatment of peptic ulcers and reduced the risk of treatment side effects.Triple therapy for ulcers includes amoxicillin, aproton pump inhibitormedication, and Biaxin (clarithromycin).
Ginger
Ginger is a spice that has been used to improve stomach upset for years. A study examined the effects of ginger oninflammatory bowel diseaseand found that it was able to target inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract and block damage. It also promoted healing factors in the gut.
Turmeric
Turmericis a member of the ginger family and is a popular health supplement. Curcumin, the main component of turmeric, has been found to protect against inflammation. It may have a preventive effect on gastric ulcer disease. While more research is needed, the initial findings are promising.
Chamomile
Chamomileis a daisy-like herb that is used for a variety of ailments. Chamomile has been found to ease inflammation in the digestive tract and can help treat mild ulcerative colitis.
Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice
Licorice has been found to inhibit H. pylori activity in the gut. This may help to prevent the formation of ulcers due to this type of bacteria.Deglycyrrhizinatedlicorice has theglycyrrhizicacid removed and tends to cause fewer side effects.
Honey
You may have tried honey to relievecold symptomsin the past, but it can do so much more. Studies have found that honey has both antimicrobial and antifungal properties, which means it can fight bacteria and fungus in the body. It also has antiviral and antioxidant properties. Honey has been used to treat inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases.
Garlic
Garlic has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. A study found that taking a garlic supplement can inhibit H. pylori colonization in the digestive tract, which helps prevent stomach ulcers. Garlic also reduces inflammation in the body.
What Is Allicin?
Mastic
Other Treatments for Stomach Ulcers
Ulcers need to be treated, or they will continue to worsen.Medications are considered the first-line therapy to treat stomach ulcers because they can heal them while lowering the risk of complications like bleeding. Traditional triple therapy for ulcer management includes a proton pump inhibitor, amoxicillin, and Biaxin (clarithromycin) for seven to 10 days.
Medications for stomach ulcers include:
Stomach Ulcer Therapeutic Endoscopy
When a stomach ulcer goes untreated, it can start to bleed, and this can quickly become a medical emergency. When this happens, you may require surgery to repair the stomach damage. Fortunately, surgery for ulcers is not common because the other treatments are so effective.
Stomach Ulcer Surgery: Everything You Need to Know
Your diet can greatly affect your risk of stomach ulcers. Smoking, drinking alcohol, and late-night snacking have all been associated with an increased risk of ulcers. Milk used to be a treatment for ulcers but is no longer recommended.
Best and Worst Foods for Stomach Ulcers
Foods to Avoid With an Ulcer
When you have an ulcer, it is important toavoid foods that can worsen itor cause increased pain. Common examples include:
Ulcer-Friendly Foods
To help your ulcer heal, include fresh, healthy foods in your diet. In addition to taking your prescription medications from your healthcare provider, incorporate the following foods into your day:
Lifestyle Changes to Help Prevent Stomach Ulcers
Certain lifestyle factors can affect your risk of stomach ulcers. To prevent ulcers in the future, start making these lifestyle changes today:
Does Nicotine Keep You Awake?
Stomach ulcers are painful and can significantly affect your quality of life. Coping strategies to help you manage chronic ulcers include:
Coping With Peptic Ulcer Disease
Summary
A Word From Verywell
If you have ever experienced a stomach ulcer, you know how painful it is. If you suspect that you have an ulcer, talk with your healthcare provider as soon as possible. The longer an ulcer goes untreated, the worse it becomes.
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhile stress has not been found to directly cause stomach ulcers, it can exacerbate them. It also raises the risk of experiencing an ulcer. This may be because of unhealthy coping mechanisms like smoking or drinking alcohol.When you have a stomach ulcer, it is important to stop all use of NSAIDs. Ask your healthcare provider if it is safe for you to take Tylenol (acetaminophen) for the pain.The fastest way to cure a stomach ulcer is to see your healthcare provider right away. Starting the appropriate treatment regimen will help heal the ulcer and alleviate the pain as soon as possible.
While stress has not been found to directly cause stomach ulcers, it can exacerbate them. It also raises the risk of experiencing an ulcer. This may be because of unhealthy coping mechanisms like smoking or drinking alcohol.
When you have a stomach ulcer, it is important to stop all use of NSAIDs. Ask your healthcare provider if it is safe for you to take Tylenol (acetaminophen) for the pain.
The fastest way to cure a stomach ulcer is to see your healthcare provider right away. Starting the appropriate treatment regimen will help heal the ulcer and alleviate the pain as soon as possible.
17 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Stomach ulcer.
Serafim C, Araruna ME, Júnior EA, Diniz M, Hiruma-Lima C, Batista L.A review of the role of flavonoids in peptic ulcer (2010-2020).Molecules. 2020;25(22):5431. doi:10.3390/molecules25225431
Waheed Janabi AH, Kamboh AA, Saeed M, et al.Flavonoid-rich foods (FRF): A promising nutraceutical approach against lifespan-shortening diseases.Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2020;23(2):140-153. doi:10.22038/IJBMS.2019.35125.8353
Triantafyllidi A, Xanthos T, Papalois A, Triantafillidis JK.Herbal and plant therapy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.Ann Gastroenterol. 2015;28(2):210-220.
Fashner J, Gitu AC.Diagnosis and treatment of peptic ulcer disease and H. pylori infection.Am Fam Physician. 2015;91(4):236-242.
Zhang M, Viennois E, Prasad M, et al.Edible ginger-derived nanoparticles: A novel therapeutic approach for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and colitis-associated cancer.Biomaterials. 2016;101:321-340. doi:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2016.06.018
Gupta SC, Patchva S, Aggarwal BB.Therapeutic roles of curcumin: lessons learned from clinical trials.AAPS J. 2013;15(1):195-218. doi:10.1208/s12248-012-9432-8
Hvas CL, Borre M, Fassov JL. [Nutrition and dietary supplement in chronic inflammatory bowel diesease].Ugeskr Laeger. 2017;179(31):V12160870.
Asha MK, Debraj D, Prashanth D, et al.In vitro anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of a flavonoid rich extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra and its probable mechanisms of action.J Ethnopharmacol. 2013;145(2):581-586. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2012.11.033
Eteraf-Oskouei T, Najafi M.Traditional and modern uses of natural honey in human diseases: a review.Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2013;16(6):731-742.
Han YM, Park JM, Jeong M, et al.Dietary, non-microbial intervention to prevent Helicobacter pylori-associated gastric diseases.Ann Transl Med. 2015;3(9):122. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2015.03.50
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for peptic ulcers.
MedlinePlus.Peptic ulcer disease - discharge.
Owczarek D, Rodacki T, Domagała-Rodacka R, Cibor D, Mach T.Diet and nutritional factors in inflammatory bowel diseases.World J Gastroenterol. 2016;22(3):895-905. doi:10.3748/wjg.v22.i3.895
Nehlig A.Effects of coffee on the gastro-intestinal tract: A narrative review and literature update.Nutrients. 2022;14(2):399. doi:10.3390/nu14020399
Deding U, Ejlskov L, Grabas MP, Nielsen BJ, Torp-pedersen C, Bøggild H.Perceived stress as a risk factor for peptic ulcers: A register-based cohort study.BMC Gastroenterol.2016;16(1):140. doi:10.1186/s12876-016-0554-9
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
