A peptic ulcer is an open sore in an upper digestive tract. There are two types of peptic ulcers, a gastric ulcer, which forms in the lining of your stomach, and a duodenal ulcer, which forms the upper part of the small intestine.
Causes of Peptic Ulcers
- Helicobacter pylori (a bacteria that can cause a stomach infection and inflammation).
- Frequent use of aspirin, ibuprofen, and other anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Radiation therapy
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Smoking.
Symptoms of Peptic Ulcers
- Changes in appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Bloody or dark stools (melena)
- Unexplained weight loss
- Indigestion
- Chest pain.
Home remedies for peptic ulcers
Cabbage
Cabbage is a great home remedy for a peptic ulcer. Being a lactic acid food, cabbage helps to produce an amino acid that stimulates blood flow to the stomach lining. This, in turn, helps you to strengthen the stomach lining and heal the ulcer.
Cabbage generally contains a good amount of vitamin C, which has been found to be particularly beneficial for patients with H. pylori infections.
Cut one-half of a raw cabbage and along two carrots into small pieces and put them in a blender to extract the juice.
Drink one-half cup of this juice before each meal and also at the sleeping time.
Repeat daily for a few weeks. Be sure to use fresh juice each time.
Bananas
For treating peptic ulcer, both the ripe and also unripe bananas are very essential. There are certain antibacterial compounds in bananas which inhibit the growth of ulcer-causing H. pylori.
Bananas also protect the system by wiping out the acidity of gastric juices. This helps to reduce inflammation and also strengthens the stomach lining.
To treat peptic ulcer, eat at least three ripe bananas a day. If you do not like eating bananas, you can make banana milkshakes.
Alternatively, peel two or three bananas and cut them into thin pieces. Put the slices in the sun until they become dry. Grind that dried banana pieces into a fine powder. Mix together two tablespoons of this powder and one tablespoon of honey and have it directly.
Cayenne Pepper
Surprisingly, cayenne pepper is another very effective home remedy for treating peptic ulcers, the compound present in cayenne pepper inhibits the secretion of stomach acids, boosts the production of alkali, and stimulates mucus secretions and gastric mucosal blood flow, thereby preventing and healing ulcers.
Mix one-eighth teaspoon of cayenne pepper in a glass of warm water. Drink it twice a day for the first two to three days. Gradually increase the amount of cayenne pepper up to one-quarter teaspoon twice daily for the remaining or rest of the week.
You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper to soups, meats and also to other savory dishes.
Coconut
Coconut is very good and essential for who are suffering from peptic ulcers because of its antibacterial qualities. It kills the bacteria that cause ulcers. Moreover, coconut milk and coconut water have anti-ulcer properties.
Drink a few cups of fresh coconut milk or tender coconut water daily. Also, eat the kernel of the tender coconut. Follow this treatment for at least up to one week to get positive results.
Alternatively, take one tablespoon of coconut oil in the morning and another at night for one week. As coconut oil is mainly composed of the medium-chain fatty acids, it can be easily digested.
Licorice
Licorice works effectively for treating and also for preventing peptic ulcers. It helps the stomach and intestines produce more protective mucus which forms a thin coating over the stomach lining. This eases the stomach pain and speeds up the healing process.
Mix one-half teaspoon of licorice root powder in one cup of water. Cover it and let it sit overnight. The next morning, add one cup of cooked broken white rice into this mixture and eat it. Repeat this daily for one week to get positive results.
Another option is to drink licorice tea two or three times a day for one week.
This is a list of the best natural home remedies for ulcers in the stomach which can effectively help you who are suffering from the weak digestive system and particularly painful stomach with ulcers. You should also consult the doctor for ensuring long-term relief.