Stomach ulcers are painful sores that occur in the lining of the stomach; it is also known as gastric ulcer and sometimes it can advance into peptic ulcers. Peptic ulcers are sores that affect both the stomach and intestines.

Stomach ulcers form when there is a reduction in the thick layer of mucus that protects the stomach from digestive juices and stomach acid. When this thick layer is reduced; the digestive acids eat the tissues that line the stomach and this leads to sores that cause ulcers.

With proper and immediate treatment; stomach ulcers can be cured, but when it is delayed and allowed to progress, it can be severe and cause other complications in the body.

Causes of Stomach Ulcers

There are many causes of stomach ulcers, but the two main causes of stomach ulcers are:

• Pylori; this is the microbe that causes stomach ulcers, it is known as Helicobacter pylori.
• Long-term and indiscriminate use of painkillers and non-steroidal drugs like naproxen, aspirin, and ibuprofen.

In rare cases, a medical condition called Zollinger-Elision syndrome can cause stomach ulcers; it does this by increasing the production of stomach acids and this condition is responsible for less than 1% of all ulcer cases.

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Symptoms of Gastric Stomach Ulcers

One main sign and symptom of a stomach ulcer are feeling a burning sensation or pain in the middle of the abdomen; especially between your chest and belly button. The severity of this symptom or pain depends on the severity of the ulcer and it becomes more intense when the stomach is empty and it can last for minutes to hours.

Other signs and symptoms that are peculiar to stomach ulcers are:

• Bloody vomitus or vomitus with color like coffee grounds
• Dull pain in the stomach
• Tarry or dark stools
• Weight loss
• Anemia
• Loss of appetite due to pains
• Increased pain after eating, drinking or taking antacids
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue
• Heartburn
• Feeling full too quickly
• Bloating
• Burping

Natural and Herbal Remedies for Stomach Ulcers

There are effective home remedies for stomach ulcer and they don’t give side effects; below are the top ten home treatments for this condition.

1. Fenugreek

These powerful seeds are rich in mucilaginous compounds; this helps in protecting the stomach linings by coating it with mucous. This both prevents and treats stomach ulcers.

Take fenugreek tea by boiling a tablespoon of fenugreek seeds in two cups of water; let it boil, then you strain it and drink it after adding organic honey.

If you don’t have the seeds but have access to the leaves; you can boil the leaves and eat it twice daily.

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2. Cayenne Pepper

This is an effective home remedy for stomach ulcer; its active compound capsaicin stops the secretion of stomach acids, it stimulates the production of mucus and the production of alkali. It also improves the flow of blood to the stomach and its antibacterial properties inhibit the growth and activities of H. Pylori.

Add cayenne pepper to your meals; you can buy the capsules from health stores and take it and you can also mix a teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder in a glass of warm water, drink this solution three times daily till you see improvement.

3. Cabbage

This humble vegetable is an effective remedy for stomach ulcer because it is rich in lactic acid; this lactic acid helps produce an amino acid in the body, this helps to improve the flow of blood to the stomach and this, in turn, heals the ulcer and strengthen the stomach lining.

Cabbage is also rich in vitamin C which is effective in fighting H. Pylori infections; to make it more effective, you can combine it with carrots because carrots have strong anti-ulcer properties.

Add chopped carrots and cabbage to a blender and blend till smooth; you can add water to make it easy, then sieve it and drink a half cup of this juice before each meal and at night before going to bed.  Do this daily till you see improvement and make sure you take fresh juice each time you are taking it.

4. Coconuts

They are rich in antibacterial properties; this kills the H. Pylori bacterium that is responsible for an ulcer.

Take some cups of coconut milk or coconut water daily till you gain relief. You can also take two tablespoons of coconut oil three times daily.

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5. Bananas

Both ripe and unripe bananas are effective treatment for stomach ulcers; they have antibacterial compounds that inhibit the growth of the bacterium responsible for a stomach ulcer.

They also reduce the acidity of gastric juices and inflammation; this helps to strengthen the linings of the stomach. Eat many bananas as you can.

6. Licorice

This herb helps the stomach and intestines to produce more mucus that protects the stomach lining and forms a protective coating over it. It eases pain and speeds up the healing of the sores.

Take licorice tea three times daily for at least 7 days; you can also take the tablets but make sure you get Deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL).

7. Garlic

The powerful antimicrobial properties of this herb prevent the growth and activities of H. Pylori; eat many cloves of garlic daily; you can chew them, swallow them or crush them and add it to a glass of milk and take it.

8. Probiotics

These are beneficial bacteria that are healthy to the body; they help ulcer patients recover fast, they kill H. Pylori and prevent digestive problems and disorders.

Good natural sources of probiotics are yogurt, kimchi, buttermilk kefir and all fermented foods and drinks.

9. Honey

Raw and organic honey contains an enzyme called glucose oxidase; this enzyme produces hydrogen peroxide in the body, which is harmful to a lot of bacteria including h. Pylori. It also heals the wounds in the lining of the stomach and reduces inflammation.

Take two tablespoons of honey three times daily till you see improvement.

10. Cranberry

This fruit has strong antibacterial properties; it kills H. Pylori and prevents bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder thereby preventing urinary tract infections. Take lots of cranberries and you can also drink lots of fresh cranberry juice daily.