Natural scientifically proven home remedies to heal ulcer in stomach

In our last article we have discussed about natural way to eradicate bacteria including h. pylori from stomach. However killing of bacteria doesn’t always heal infection. So in this article we have decided to write about Natural scientifically proven home remedies to heal ulcer in stomach. In our earlier articles we have discussed about:

Role of stomach acid in acid reflux, heartburn and bacterial overgrowth and remedies.

Role of helicobacter pylori bacteria in growth of ulcers in stomach and further  to cancer 

Natural way to eradicate helicobacter pylori and other bacteria from stomach. 

And if you are frequently facing acidity or heartburn, you must know this 6 hidden causes of acid reflux and heartburn, natural remedies 

Natural scientifically proven home remedies to heal ulcer in stomach

Licorice (DGL)

Many people know licorice as a sweet candy. However licorice also possess medicinal value. Licorice root is from a ancient healing herb. All over the world licorice possess many varieties. Glycyrrhiza glabra as the most common and widely discussed variety of licorice. Licorice helps to reduce inflammation inside stomach as well as soothes inflamed gastric tissues and using from ancient time.

Research shows that licorice raises concentration of prostaglandins which promotes mucus secretion in stomach lining, stabilize cell membranes and stimulate new cell growth in stomach and thus leads to heal ulcer.(1)

However a substance of licorice called  glycyrrhizinic acid, has some adverse effects such as such as potassium loss, increased blood pressure by increase of fluid volume, and muscle weakness.(2) So, later a product called de glycyrrhizin licorice (DGL) is developed by removing glycyrrhizinic acid from licorice.

In a double blinded clinical trial on 54 patients as published in Gut journals, showed that DGL has extensive healing properties in duodenal ulcer with minimal side effect. (3) DGL also seems to reduce gastric mucosal i.e. mucous membrane layer of the stomach damage induced by aspirin.(4)In an article published in Natural Medicine Journal, Tina Kaczor, ND, FABNO concluded that DGL  promote the healing of ulcers and reduce ulcer-related symptoms.(5)

Clinical study demonstrated that DGL has potential in preventing recurrence of gastric ulcer and therapy is safe. (6)Researchers suggest that licorice has a low-cost, highly tolerable and with minimal side-effects in treating H. pylori infected peptic ulcer. (7) Due to low cost low profit, licorice doesn’t attract all the manufacturer.

Dosage:

Usual recommended dose for DGL is to chew between 200 and 300 milligrams up to three times daily approximately 20 minutes before a meal. It is safer to test with a smaller dose. Consult with your healthcare provider before application.

Zinc-carnosine

Zinc is an essential trace mineral involved in numerous aspects of cellular metabolism and biochemical processes. Zinc finds it’s importance in requirement for the catalytic activity of approximately 100 enzymes as well as plays a role in immune function, protein synthesis, wound healing, DNA synthesis, and cell division. It also supports normal growth and development during pregnancy, childhood, and adolescence.(8)Deficiencies have been associated with microbial infections, intestinal inflammation, delayed wound healing, and impaired immune system function.

On the other hand carnosine is amino acids a protein building block naturally produced in the body found in heart, brain and other parts. Carnosine finds its usage in prevention of aging and preventing or treating complications of diabetes such as nerve damage, eye disorders (cataracts), and kidney problems.(9)

It appears that the combination of both is 3 times more effective than each individual ingredient alone.(10)Zinc carnosine stimulated migration and production or growth of cell as well as reduced the amount of gastric and small‐intestinal injury in animal study. It possesses biological activity when assessed using several models of gut integrity and repair. Zinc carnosine is available in health food stores commercially. (11)

In a article published in Natural Medicine Journal, Tori Hudson, ND, mentioned as ” Zinc-carnosine is a unique product that appears to enhance the stomach’s mucosal defenses, providing significant improvements in gastric ulcer patients. It also supports small intestinal mucosal integrity and inhibits the inflammatory responses in H. pylori. Zinc-carnosine may be helpful in patients who do not have gastric ulcers, but have heartburn or other symptoms as a result of gastroesophageal reflux.” I have only found cautionary statements for pregnancy, nursing, or when taking prescription drugs.(10)

Dosage:

The most common dosage of zinc-carnosine used is 75 mg twice daily.(10)

However if you have very weak stomach acid, this may not work as your stomach can’t process.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera possesses antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Thus it alleviates inflammation, fight with bacterial and activity as well as promotes healing. In a study conducted on 60 patients with chronic ulcer, showed that after three month, wound healing occurred in 93.3% patients with aloe vera treated group.(12)

Aloe vera may provide a safe and effective treatment for reducing the symptoms of GERD i.e. Gastroesophageal reflux disease.(13)

Individual can consume 10-30 ml of fresh aloe vera juice daily. It is safer to test with diluted water as food may act differently to different people based upon health condition or allergic reaction. If you want buy from market choose organic free from chemical additives.

Cabbage juice

Raw cabbage juice has remarkable potential in healing peptic ulcer. In a study applied on thirteen patients with peptic ulcer, observed that fresh cabbage juice rapidly healed ulcers in patients. (14)

Individual may take one cup of cabbage juice four times in a day (max. one lit. per day). In some places people may find raw cabbage powder in organic form. Individual should test initially with smaller amount as safer way. People with thyroid hormonal problem should avoid raw cabbage due to its goitergenic component.

Also read how to reduce goitrogen and oxalate in foods. 

Things must be avoided

Cigarette smoking: individual should avoid cigarette smoking. Smoking increase bile salt reflux as well as increases irritation in stomach along with other adverse effects.

Allergic food: Food allergy can cause extremely deterioration to health including ulcer. So, individuals not only having ulcer or acid reflux should avoid foods including gluten that causes allergic reaction to their body for a better health. Food that is hard to digest can also create problem. You may read what food allergy can do to your body and major food allergens.

Many people use milk as soother to stomach. But despite of common belief today cow milk becomes a common food allergen. Major problem of cow milk comes as change of milk protein with the most commercialized milk. You can read our article whether present cow milk is bad or good for health in today.

Other inflammatory foods which can cause irritation as well inflammation inside the GI tract should be better avoided. Individual should take control over drink or beverage like caffeine, alcohol, diet soda.  Wine and beer has comparatively mild effect than other form of alcohol.

Drug like Indomethacin, NSAID, and aspirin has adverse effect in stomach, thus should not be used as over the counter drug.

Diet rich with fruits and vegetables help in reducing risk of ulcers as well as fight with free radicals and lower inflammation. Avoid chemicals, additives in food along with other inflammatory food as far as possible. Some surface cleansers are available in markets to remove chemicals/pesticides from surface of vegetables or fruits. You may try some good one for cleaning your fruits and vegetables. Find time at least 15 min in a day for physical activity like yoga, meditation or other form of exercises for managing stress along with many other benefits.

Related post

Sugar also has many negative health effects including bacterial growth as well as premature aging. We have earlier written about 9 adverse health detrimental effects of added sugar, hidden names of added sugar in food and best sugar alternatives.

Most common causes of chronic lifestyle diseases and prevention.

And continuous suppressing or neutralizing normal stomach acid can cause to indigestion, malabsorption of many nutrients and stepping towards numerous health disorders. And the reasons I have mentioned in this link. 

Individual also may take water keeping in copper container for overnight.

Disclaimer: Information provided here are generalized information for  
informational and entertainment purpose only,  not intended to provide one  
to one health consultation or replace practice of a qualified practitioner.  
Different people may have different health condition and may have different  
reaction to the same food. Hence it has been advised to consult with health  
care provider before application of any of above information

Source & references: 
1.Baker ME, Licorice and enzymes other than 11 beta-hydroxysteriod  de-
hydrogenase: An evolutionary perspective. Steriods.1994, 59:136-141 
2.Licorice abuse: time to send a warning message, ,Hesham R. Omar, Irina 
Komarova, Mohamed El-Ghonemi,Ahmed Fathy, Rania Rashad, Hany D. Abdelmalak, 
Muralidhar Reddy Yerramadha, Yaseen Ali, Engy Helal,Enrico M. 
Camporesi,Sage Journals,Volume: 3 issue: 4, page(s): 125-138, July 12, 
2012; 
3.Some experience with deglycyrrhizinated liquorice in the treatment of 
gastric and duodenal ulcers with special reference to its spasmolytic 
effect,S N Tewari and F C Trembalowicz,Gut. 1968 Feb; 9(1): 48–51
4.Effect of deglycyrrhizinated liquorice on gastric mucosal damage by 
aspirin,Rees WD, Rhodes J, Wright JE,Stamford LF, Bennett A,Scand J 
Gastroenterol. 1979;14(5):605-7 
5.Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice for Gastrointestinal Ulcers,How can something 
so good be so poorly proven?Tina Kaczor, ND, FABNO,Natural Medicine 
Journal,November 2009 Vol. 1 Issue 11 
6.Maintenance therapy: a two year comparison between Caved-S and cimetidine 
treatment in the prevention of symptomatic gastric ulcer recurrence,Morgan 
AG, Pacsoo C, McAdam WA, Gut. 1985 Jun;26(6):599-602. 
7.The healing effect of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) on Helicobacter 
pylori infected peptic ulcers,Marjan Rahnama, Davood Mehrabani, Sara 
Japoni, Majid Edjtehadi, and Mehdi Saberi Firoozi, J Res Med Sci. 2013 Jun; 
18(6): 532–533 
8.Zinc,Fact Sheet for Health Professionals,National Institute of Health 
9.https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1038/carnosine 
10.Nutrient Profile: Zinc-Carnosine,A combination of zinc and L-carnosine 
improves gastric ulcers,Tori Hudson, ND,Natural Medicine Journal,November 
2013 Vol. 5 Issue 11 
11.Zinc carnosine, a health food supplement that stabilises small bowel 
integrity and stimulates gut repair processes,A Mahmood, A J FitzGerald, T 
Marchbank, E Ntatsaki, D Murray, S Ghosh, and R J Playford, Gut. 2007 Feb; 
56(2): 168–175.  
12.Effectiveness of Aloe Vera Gel in Chronic Ulcers in Comparison with 
Conventional Treatments, Majid Avijgan,1 Asghar Kamran,2 and Amin 
Abedini,Iran J Med Sci. 2016 May; 41(3 Suppl): S30 
13.Efficacy and safety of Aloe vera syrup for the treatment of 
gastroesophageal reflux disease: a pilot randomized positive-controlled 
trial,Panahi Y, Khedmat H, Valizadegan G, Mohtashami R, Sahebkar A., 
J Tradit Chin Med. 2015 Dec;35(6):632-6 
14.Cheney G. Rapid healing of peptic ulcers in patients receiving fresh 
cabbage juice.California Medicine: 1949;70:10-14

Author: Bikramjit Konwar