Natural Treatment for Ulcers

This information is not intended to replace appropriate professional advice.  Please check labels and consult your pharmacist if you take prescription medications.

The most common causes of stomach (peptic) and duodenal ulcers are inflammation due to long term stress upsetting body chemistry, over the counter pain killers such as aspirin or ibuprofen, poor nutrient intake, and H. pylori infection. 

You can make immediate changes to your diet and begin the healing process:

• Drink 7-10 glasses of room temperature filtered or spring water. 
• Consume a diet that is 75-80% alkaline.  Acidity leads to inflammation.
• Switch up to organic foods.  Pesticides and chemicals exacerbate ulceration.
• Make fresh vegetables, fruits, beans, legumes, raw seeds and nuts the mainstays of your diet.  Meats and grains are acid forming so consume them in moderation.
• Have heavy protein no later than noon to ensure digestion of amino acids. 
• Avoid eating late in the evening.  Have a cup of broth or herbal tea instead. 
• Fermented coconut kefir is very healing for the gut.  Start with a small amount to assess how well it is tolerated.
• 1-3 tbsp of hemp, chia or ground flax provides fiber and essential fatty acids.
• Minimize caffeine – 1 or 2 cups of black coffee is okay if it causes no irritation.

What needs to go:

• Eliminate fatty, fried,  processed foods, alcohol, refined flour, and white sugar.
• Stop eating when satiated, a little before you are full.  Overeating slows digestion and puts a strain on the digestive system.
• Minimize use of pain relievers.  As your body heals and inflammation is under control you should be able to eliminate these chemicals all together.
• Smoking significantly increases the risk of developing ulcers.

This is the regimen we most frequently suggest for overcoming deficiencies:

• Bio-Strath is a fermented whole food tonic that provides B complex vitamins and a multitude of vital nutrients.  It relieves stress, improves digestion, and corrects pH.
• Vitamin D 8,000 IU for one month then reduce to the upper limit of 4,000 IU – reduces inflammation, boosts the immune system, assists in absorption of alkalizing calcium.
• Calcium/Magnesium/K2 combo – alkaline, anti-inflammatory, reduces anxiety.
• Essential fatty acids – play an important role in modulating inflammation.  May be obtained by consuming fish 3-5 times weekly or daily use of flax or hemp oils.
• Probiotics – intermittent use improves healthy gut flora and strengthens immunity.

Special Care For Short Term or Intermittent Use

One or more of the following will give temporary relief while your new diet and supplements initiate healing:

• Manuka honey – a sweet way to address ulceration. Make it your sweetener of choice during the healing process.
• DGL is a chewable form of licorice that can be taken before meals to protect open ulcers from acid exposure.  Use until the ulcer is fully healed.
• Slippery elm bark powder mixed with water and manuka forms a healing mucilage that coats and protects ulcerated tissue.  Slippery elm neutralizes acid build up.
• Whole leaf aloe vera juice is well known for its ability to sooth ulceration.
• Chamomile tea decreases stress and calms inflammation.
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Identify stressors in your life and minimize or eliminate them if you can, or accept them if you can’t.  Make your peace of mind your No. 1 priority.

Henry David Thoreau said “Our life is frittered away by detail…. Simplify, simplify”.

Have fun gradually and systematically bringing your affairs under your control.

Enjoy time outdoors each day.  Breathe deeply.  Exhale thoroughly.  The Earth is continuously emitting a healing ionic field. 

*Revised February 2023