Home Remedies for Treating Ulcers

Ulcers, more specifically peptic ulcers, are painful lesions or erosions found inside the stomach or intestines. Peptic ulcers are commonly caused by bacteria known as helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) as well as by the prolonged use of aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

The symptoms of ulcers include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and weight loss. Ulcers are painful conditions that can give rise to serious complications. It is important to treat them right away.

If you are not too keen about using prescribed drugs, try some home remedies for ulcers.

Home Remedies

Eat smaller and more frequent meals. This ensures that there is always food in your digestive tract. Gastric juices usually attack the digestive tract lining when there is no food being digested, thereby leading to the formation of ulcers.
Eat more bananas. Bananas have antibacterial properties that inhibit the growth of H. pylori. Bananas also thicken the walls of the stomach and increase mucus production. Thus, bananas help build a better and stronger barrier between the stomach lining and the gastric juices and acids.
Eating a couple of crushed garlic cloves can also help fight H. pylori bacteria. Garlic is known for its antibacterial properties.
Increase your intake of fiber-rich foods. Fiber promotes healthy and efficient functioning of the digestive tract. Fiber-rich foods that you can add to your diet include apples, beans, raspberries, figs and chickpeas.
Take cayenne pepper capsules instead of over-the-counter antacids. Cayenne pepper capsules are popularly used in Europe for treating ulcers. Studies show that it soothes the mucosal linings of the stomach. Take them with meals for the most therapeutic benefits.
Studies show that licorice helps heal ulcers in the digestive tract. Licorice does not reduce the quantity of stomach acids but decreases their ability to damage the stomach lining. You can take licorice capsules or tea. You can also eat licorice candy, provided it contains real licorice. How would you know? Check to see if it has the words "licorice mass" on the label -- that is real licorice candy. However, avoid the temptation to eat more than an ounce of licorice candy every day. Overdosing on licorice has potentially serious side effects.