Peptic Ulcers or Stomach Ulcers are small holes in the lining of the stomach or gastrointestinal tract causing a lot of burning sensation in the abdomen. It is also accompanied with pain on the upper abdomen or below the breast bone.
This is a very common condition of the stomach caused primarily due to excess drinking and smoking, eating heavy foods for prolonged periods, spicy foods, raw street foods or stress. The gnawing in the stomach usually continues and lasts for about half an hour up to three hours. The burning causes a lot of discomfort and therefore as a primary step, all the things that cause or trigger the sensation should be shunned immediately.
In addition following a non or less spicy diet, inclusive of a lot of fruits, juices, salads and green and leafy vegetables should be followed.There are various over the counter medications that can relieve the sensation immediately. And in extreme cases where the ulcers bleed or cause extreme inconvenience, surgery can also be conducted.
However, the most common health precaution one should take is by controlling the diet and using home remedies to keep the stomach fit. For those whom ulcers are a recurring and frequent affair, here are some common and easy tips to treat the ulcers and it is advisable to continue the healthy habits to prevent the frequency and severity of ulcer outbreak.
Effective Remedies For Peptic Ulcers
Honey
Raw honey has shown healing and ayurvedic properties for peptic ulcers. Most commonly, honey is suggested for mouth ulcers by direct application using clean fingers. However for stomach ulcers, dilute 2 teaspoons of honey in a small quantity of water and drink, followed by a glassful of water immediately.
For many, who like the taste of honey, you can dissolve honey in glassful of water and drink. It is advisable not to drink honey mixed with milk, as milk is good for the protein content it has, but harmful for peptic ulcers given its calcium content.
Cabbage Juice
Cabbage in raw form, salads, dry cabbage remedies or cabbage juice can heal peptic ulcers in less than 10 days. To consume, juice a portion of cabbage and drink immediately. Repeat this at least thrice a day for immediate benefits.
Raw cabbage juice should be taken a few minutes before meals and before bedtime to heal peptic ulcers in less than 2 weeks. Also, when raw cabbage is eaten in salads, avoid making it too spicy, use mild herbs and oils for flavoring instead.
Brown Rice Water
Brown rice when boiled leaves behind a hazy solution which is beneficial to heal stomach lining. It is also rich in vitamin E that makes the lining strong. Besides this, water of brown rice prevents excess acid formation in the stomach and avoids ulcers.
To use, boil brown rice with sufficient water thoroughly. Now, take the water in a bowl, add seasoning and drink warm. Make sure that the seasoning is not very spicy and the soup should not be very hot, to prevent harming the stomach and food pipe linings.
Green Vegetable Soup
Use vegetables like alfalfa, broccoli, spinach and green tomatoes to make a healthy and rich soup. Green vegetables have soothing effect on mucous membranes that line the stomach and the duodenum and are also helpful in healing bleeding ulcers.
One bowl of healthy soup before lunch and dinner should be taken to ease digestion by healing injured tissues. Here again, care should be taken that the soup should be at room temperature or lukewarm. You can also have vegetable or animal stock as a supplement, as soups are light on stomach.
Raw and Ripe Bananas
Eat 2-3 bananas to heal peptic ulcers. These ease the digestion process and therefore are light on the stomach. You can also cook raw bananas by making its thick slices and boiling it first. Then peel of the banana skin and using very limited oil cook it with spices and seasoning.
This can be eaten as it is or with brown rice or bread in meals. Antibacterial property of banana prevents the growth of the bacteria in the stomach lining and improves digestion. Bananas are easily digestible and filling and also reduce the burning sensation in stomach.
Garlic
Garlic has a strong flavor but has manifold healing properties. It is antibacterial, light on the stomach and also a good healer for the damaged stomach linings. H.pylori, the premium cause of peptic ulcers can be fought by consuming foods with strong garlic flavor. For more benefits, crush a clove of raw garlic and consume.
This should be done at least twice in a day. If it is difficult for someone to tolerate the strong taste, drink water immediately to swallow the clove for better healing. It is also necessary to include lots of fiber and fresh vegetables in the diet for the stomach to heal faster.
Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper also has very strong flavor and smell and usually takes a couple of doses for many to get used to its effect. Cayenne pepper is used to soothe the pain and burning caused by peptic ulcers. To consume, at the beginning take 1/8th of a teaspoon of pepper with a glassful of water and gradually increase the dosage to a quarter teaspoon.
This should be taken thrice a day after major meals. Also make sure you eat sufficient small meals a day instead of 3-4 full meals in order to prevent gastric acid formation. Small meals are also helpful as they do not stress the stomach.
Increase Water Intake
Peptic ulcers can also be caused due to insufficient water intake. Water helps cleans the system and facilitates better digestion. Most of the times, peptic ulcers are caused due to very spicy foods, smoking and drinking which disturbs the normal functioning of the stomach.
Thus in addition to limiting or avoiding these, a lot of water helps to normalize the stomach. Water also detoxifies the body of harmful chemicals that are a premium cause for ulcers. You can also drink juices, barley water, lime juice etc to supplement fluid intake.
Caution: Please use Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.