Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH, is a freelance health writer with over a decade of experience working as a registered nurse in a variety of clinical settings.

Suzanne Fisher, RD, founder of Fisher Nutrition Systems, has been a board-certified registered dietitian and licensed nutritionist for over 30 years.

A stomach ulcer is a sore on the lining of your stomach or small intestine (duodenum ). This sore usually causes pain and burning in the abdomen. This pain can come and go and may last for hours at a time. 

Stomach ulcers occur when the acids that your body uses to digest food lead to damage to the stomach or duodenum walls. This can be caused by the infection H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori) or the long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). Certain foods and stress can exacerbate the development of ulcers and associated pain.

This article will describe natural and home remedies used to treat ulcers and foods to limit or avoid if you have an ulcer. 

There are several options for natural remedies that may help to prevent or improve stomach ulcers. 

Flavonoids are naturally found in fruits, vegetables, and other plant products with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. They may improve the inflammation associated with ulcers and protect the lining of the stomach wall from NSAID damage.  

Stomach ulcers can cause inflammation in the wall of the stomach or small intestine, which leads to pain and difficulty eating. Aloe vera helps to coat the lining of the stomach and has been found to have anti-inflammatory effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Researchers also found that aloe vera improved inflammation symptoms in individuals with ulcerative colitis.  

Probiotics are live microorganisms made up of bacteria and yeast. They are known as good bacteria that can keep your gut healthy. A study found that when combined with traditional triple therapy, probiotics improved the treatment of peptic ulcers and reduced the risk of treatment side effects. Triple therapy for ulcers includes amoxicillin, a proton pump inhibitor medication, and Biaxin (clarithromycin).  

Ginger is a spice that has been used to improve stomach upset for years. A study examined the effects of ginger on inflammatory bowel disease and found that it was able to target inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract and block damage. It also promoted healing factors in the gut.

Ginger has also been shown to be effective in preventing gastric ulcers caused by H. pylori, stress, alcohol, and NSAIDs.

Turmeric is a member of the ginger family and is a popular health supplement. Curcumin, the main component of turmeric, has been found to protect against inflammation. It may have a preventive effect on gastric ulcer disease. While more research is needed, the initial findings are promising.  

Chamomile is a daisy-like herb that is used for a variety of ailments. Chamomile has been found to ease inflammation in the digestive tract and can help treat mild ulcerative colitis.  

Licorice has been found to inhibit H. pylori activity in the gut. This may help to prevent the formation of ulcers due to this type of bacteria. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice has the glycyrrhizic acid removed and tends to cause fewer side effects.

You may have tried honey to relieve cold symptoms in the past, but it can do so much more. Studies have found that honey has both antimicrobial and antifungal properties, which means it can fight bacteria and fungus in the body. It also has antiviral and antioxidant properties. Honey has been used to treat inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases.  

Garlic has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. A study found that taking a garlic supplement can inhibit H. pylori colonization in the digestive tract, which helps prevent stomach ulcers. Garlic also reduces inflammation in the body.

Mastic gum is a natural resin produced by trees that grow on the Greek island of Chios. Mastic has antioxidant properties and aids in immune system regulation. It is used in alternative medicine to treat inflammatory bowel disease and ulcers.

Ulcers need to be treated, or they will continue to worsen. Medications are considered the first-line therapy to treat stomach ulcers because they can heal them while lowering the risk of complications like bleeding. Traditional triple therapy for ulcer management includes a proton pump inhibitor, amoxicillin, and Biaxin (clarithromycin) for seven to 10 days.  

Medications for stomach ulcers include:

When a stomach ulcer goes untreated, it can start to bleed, and this can quickly become a medical emergency. When this happens, you may require surgery to repair the stomach damage. Fortunately, surgery for ulcers is not common because the other treatments are so effective.  

Your diet can greatly affect your risk of stomach ulcers. Smoking, drinking alcohol, and late-night snacking have all been associated with an increased risk of ulcers. Milk used to be a treatment for ulcers but is no longer recommended.  

When you have an ulcer, it is important to avoid foods that can worsen it or cause increased pain. Common examples include:

To help your ulcer heal, include fresh, healthy foods in your diet. In addition to taking your prescription medications from your healthcare provider, incorporate the following foods into your day:

Coffee has long been believed to make ulcers worse. Because coffee is acidic, it may exacerbate the pain caused by an ulcer. Talk with your healthcare provider about coffee and ask if there is a safe amount to enjoy while the ulcer heals. 

Certain lifestyle factors can affect your risk of stomach ulcers. To prevent ulcers in the future, start making these lifestyle changes today:

Stomach ulcers are painful and can significantly affect your quality of life. Coping strategies to help you manage chronic ulcers include:

Ulcers are painful sores in the lining of the stomach caused by stomach acid. Typical treatments for ulcers include medications but talk with your healthcare provider about incorporating home remedies (honey, ginger, chamomile, probiotics, and more) into your plan.

If you have ever experienced a stomach ulcer, you know how painful it is. If you suspect that you have an ulcer, talk with your healthcare provider as soon as possible. The longer an ulcer goes untreated, the worse it becomes.

While stress has not been found to directly cause stomach ulcers, it can exacerbate them. It also raises the risk of experiencing an ulcer. This may be because of unhealthy coping mechanisms like smoking or drinking alcohol. 

When you have a stomach ulcer, it is important to stop all use of NSAIDs. Ask your healthcare provider if it is safe for you to take Tylenol (acetaminophen) for the pain. 

The fastest way to cure a stomach ulcer is to see your healthcare provider right away. Starting the appropriate treatment regimen will help heal the ulcer and alleviate the pain as soon as possible. 

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By Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH Carrie Madormo, RN, MPH, is a health writer with over a decade of experience working as a registered nurse. She has practiced in a variety of settings including pediatrics, oncology, chronic pain, and public health.

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