Stomach ulcers are a common cause for experiencing chronic stomach pain. The most common cause of ulcers is Helicobacter pylori which is a type of bacteria that thrive in your digestive tract. It also attacks the stomach lining and easily acclimates to the acidic environment of the stomach. If left untreated, it can thwart your immune system, leading to a variety of stomach problems.

In addition to H. pylori, another cause of stomach ulcers is baby aspirin. Taking proper amounts of aspirin alone won't cause an ulcer. However, if you frequently use it at high doses, it may lead to ulcers.

Anti-ulcer treatments rely on medications. Unfortunately, these synthetic drugs can also cause headaches and diarrhea, thus more and more people suffering from this condition are opting for an ulcer treatment at home.

Top 3 Stomach Ulcer Treatments at Home

1. Fruit

• Apples

Apples have antacid properties thanks to their pectin and glycine contents that act as natural antacids. They don't just soothe stomach pain, but they can also combat heartburn.

• Berries

Berries are high in antioxidants which are known to alleviate peptic ulcers. The flavonoids found in berries can relieve H. pylori infections and combat growth of the bacterium. Specific berries particularly useful to consume when fighting stomach ulcers include blackberries and cranberries.

• Coconut

Any form of coconut is useful for treating stomach ulcers. Coconut has antibacterial characteristics that exterminate harmful organisms causing problems in the stomach which is one of the reasons why drinking coconut milk and water can relieve pain associated with ulcers.

• Bananas

Whether ripe or unripe, bananas can help treat stomach ulcers. They have antibacterial properties that halt the growth of H. pylori which cause ulcers. Bananas are also effective in treating inflammation by reducing the acidity of gastric juices. Apart from alleviating inflammation, bananas are also useful in strengthening the stomach lining as well.

2. Vegetables

• **Cabbage **

Cabbage contains lactic acid that can help in amino acid production. It triggers proper blood flow and helps protect the stomach lining, thereby aiding in the healing of ulcers. Pair it with carrot juice, and you will have a powerful stomach ulcer treatment. Furthermore, this vegetable has a high amount of vitamin C which is useful if you have H. pylori infections.

• **Broccoli **

Opt for broccoli whenever you get a chance because this vegetable contains sulforaphane which offers antibacterial effects on H. pylori. People who consume 70 grams of broccoli per day are found to have a lower risk of developing stomach infections, but you need to eat broccoli regularly in order to get the most out of the potential benefits broccoli has for relieving ulcers.

• **Garlic **

Garlic is known to have both antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. In animal studies, researchers found that garlic consumption could hasten recovery from ulcers and reduce the chances of developing stomach ulcers in the first place. Furthermore, human and animal studies both suggested that garlic extracts could prevent the growth of the ulcer-causing bacteria known as H. pylori. Eating at least two cloves of garlic a day is shown to reduce bacterial activity in the stomach, and it is especially useful in patients with H. pylori infections.

• Licorice

Some studies suggest that licorice root can treat and prevent stomach ulcers. It does so by producing more mucus that protects the stomach lining. As a result, it alleviates ulcer pain while also hastening the healing process.

3. Probiotics

• Yogurt

As a probiotic, yogurt has a high amount of good bacteria, Lactobacillus acidophilus specifically. Yogurt helps maintain a healthy balance of good and bad bacteria. As a result, it can directly treat H. pylori infections. Yogurt consumption can also alleviate some of the side effects of treating an ulcer with antibiotics.

• Kimchi

Kimchi has therapeutic effects against stomach ulcers that are a result of an H. pylori infection. Studies showed it has an antagonistic activity in the growth of Lactobacillus bacteria, and because of that, it halts the growth of this harmful pathogen.

• Miso

Miso is a fermented vegetable that contains good bacteria. Researchers discovered that people who eat miso soup regularly are less prone to developing gastric cancer. They are also less inclined to suffer from other stomach disorders including gastric ulcers and gastritis. This fermented soup contains high amounts of digestive enzymes and also protects the stomach lining.

Although these home remedies for stomach ulcers are effective in alleviating stomach ulcer symptoms, you must consult with your physician if your symptoms persist or increase in severity.

Steer Clear of These Things

1. Caffeinated Foods

Chocolate and coffee are the types of foods containing caffeine that you want to avoid if you have a stomach ulcer because they will only make your ulcer worse. Some people with ulcers experience stomach irritation even after drinking decaffeinated coffee.

2. Salty Foods

Researchers at the Uniformed University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD states that individuals who consume high levels of salt develop more serious stomach issues than those who don't eat a lot of salty foods.

3. Fatty Foods

If you have stomach ulcers, you should try low-fat alternatives or avoid fatty foods altogether. Such foods can trigger the production of hydrochloric acid in your stomach, and as a result, any stomach pain may become worse.

When You Need to see a Doctor

Most patients can recover from a stomach ulcer simply by avoiding foods that trigger ulcers while consuming a healthy diet at the same time. However, if your pain and other symptoms persist, you need to consult with your physician in order to rule out other serious medical conditions.

Summary

Oftentimes, stomach ulcers can be treated by using a stomach ulcer treatment at home. The natural treatments mentioned above may prevent worsening of stomach ulcers, and they also speed up healing. However, if your symptoms don't improve, you should consider consulting your physician. To adequately understand how stomach ulcers begin and how to heal them naturally, here's a video to watch for more information: