Cause: Often caused by infection or the use of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen.

Useful Supplements: Bismuth, Glutamine, Quercetin, Vitamin A, Zinc.

Useful Herbs: Aloe vera, Chamomile, Licorice, Rhubarb

Further information: A peptic ulcer occurs when the lining of the stomach or duodenum becomes damaged, leading to a crater-like lesion. Symptoms of peptic ulcers include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and fatigue. Pain from peptic ulcer typically occurs when the stomach is empty and often awakens the person in the middle of the night. The pain is often described as gnawing or burning. Complications of peptic ulcer include bleeding (black tarry stool or vomiting of blood) and perforation.

Peptic ulcers are often caused by a bacterial infection, H. pylori. Risk factors for peptic ulcers include family history, smoking, aspirin therapy, and type O blood. Men appear to get peptic ulcers more often than women.

Treatment of peptic ulcers consists of both treatment of the associated discomfort and elimination of the H. pylori bacteria. The former is usually done via painkillers and acid lowering medication, the latter by antibiotics.

Several dietary and lifestyle changes can help prevent recurring peptic ulcers. Smoking,¹ tea,² coffee³ (even decaffeinated⁴), alcohol,⁵ aspirin,⁶ stressful situations, and all forms of caffeine should be avoided. Several small meals daily, rather than one or two large meals, are often easier on the stomach and help buffer acid.

High sugar⁷ and salt⁸ intake also appear to be associated with the occurrence of peptic ulcers. Increased fiber intake slows the movement of stomach acid toward the intestines, and may be helpful in easing problems relating to duodenal ulcers.⁹ A long-term high fiber diet can reduce the rate of recurring ulcers.¹⁰

Banana, whether in its natural form or taken as a powder, is effective in treating and easing stomach ulcers.¹¹

In some cases, stomach ulcers may be caused by food allergies.¹² If other treatments are unsuccessful, an elimination diet may provide some relief.

The following supplements and herbs may be helpful in treating peptic ulcers:

Bismuth preparations have been shown to be effective against H. pylori. In Europe, the subcitrate form is commonly used. In the U.S., the subsalycilate form (Pepto-Bismol) has been most often studied.¹³

Glutamine is an amino acid that provides energy for cells in the small intestine and stomach. Taken in a dose of 500 to 1000 mg three times daily, it may speed the healing of ulcers.¹⁴

Bioflavenoids such as Quercetin inhibit the growth of H. pylori.¹⁵ They may also help ease the pain of ulcers with their anti-inflammatory properties and its effect on histamine.¹⁶ Vitamin A may be helpful in the treatment of peptic ulcers.¹⁷

Zinc, taken in dosage up to 150 mg daily, is also helpful in treating and healing peptic ulcers.¹⁸ It should not be used by patients with Type 1 diabetes.

Aloe vera juice contains astringents which may be beneficial in peptic ulcer with bleeding complications.

The soothing effects of chamomile may be helpful in easing the discomfort associated with peptic ulcers.

Licorice root protects the stomach and duodenum from ulcers by increasing the production of mucin, which protects the stomach and intestine lining against stomach acid.¹⁹ It also appears to help fight the H. pylori bacteria.¹⁹ Licorice should not be used by patients with high blood pressure. Deglyrrizinated Licorice (DGL) is also effective, and may not have the blood pressure effects.

Rhubarb also contains astringents, and like aloe vera may be useful in cases of bleeding ulcer.

References:

¹Korman MG, Hansky J, Eaves ER, Schmidt GT. Influence of cigarette smoking on healing and relapse in duodenal ulcer disease. Gastroenterol 1983;85:871–4.
²Dubey P, Sundram KR, Nundy S. Effect of tea on gastric acid secretion. Dig Dis Sci 1984;29:202–6.
³Cohen S, Booth GH Jr. Gastric acid secretion and lower-esophageal-sphincter pressure in response to coffee and caffeine. N Engl J Med 1975;293:897–9.
⁴Feldman EJ, Isenberg JI, Grossman MI. Gastric acid and gastrin response to decaffeinated coffee and a peptone meal. JAMA 1981;246:248–50.
⁵Lenz HJ, Ferrari-Taylor J, Isenberg JI. Wine and five percent ethanol are potent stimulants of gastric acid secretion in humans. Gastroenterol 1983;85:1082–7.
⁶Allison MC, Howatson AG, Caroline MG, et al. Gastrointestinal damage associated with the use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. N Engl J Med 1992;327:749–54.
⁷Katchinski BD, Logan RFA, Edmond M, Langman MJS. Duodenal ulcer and refined carbohydrate intake: a case-control study assessing dietary fiber and refined sugar intake. Gut 1990;31:993–6.
⁸Sonnenberg A. Dietary salt and gastric ulcer. Gut 1986;27:1138–42.
⁹Grimes DS, Goddard J. Gastric emptying of wholemeal and white bread. Gut 1977;18:725–9.
¹⁰Rydning A, Berstad A, Aadland E, Odegaard B. Prophylactic effect of dietary fiber in duodenal ulcer disease. Lancet 1982;ii:736–9.
¹¹Sikka KK, Singhai CM, Vajpcyi GN. Efficacy of dried raw banana powder in the healing of peptic ulcer. J Assoc Phys India 1988;36(1):65 (abstr).
¹²Kern RA, Stewart G. Allergy in duodenal ulcer: incidence and significance of food hypersensitivities as observed in 32 patients. J Allergy 1931;3:51.
¹³Murray, Michael and Pzzorno, Joseph. Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine; 2nd ed. Prima Health: 1998. P 810-817
¹⁴Shive W, Snider RN, DuBilier B, et al. Glutamine in treatment of peptic ulcer. Texas State J Med Nov 1957:840.
¹⁵Beil W, Birkholz C, Sewing KF. Effects of flavonoids on parietal cell acid secretion, gastric mucosal prostaglandin production and Helicobacter pylori growth. Arzneim-Forsch Drug Res 1995; 45:697–700.
¹⁶Wendt P, Reiman H, et al. The use of flavonoids as inhibitors of histidine decarboxylase in gastric diseases: Experimental and clinical studies. Naunyn-Schmeidbergs Arch Pharmakol 1980; 313(Suppl):238.
¹⁷Patty I, Benedek S, Deak G, et al. Controlled trial of vitamin A therapy in gastric ulcer. Lancet 1982;ii:876 [letter].
¹⁸Frommer DJ. The healing of gastric ulcers by zinc sulphate. Med J Aust 1975;2:793.
¹⁹Goso Y, Ogata Y, Ishihara K, Hotta K. Effects of traditional herbal medicine on gastric mucin against ethanol-induced gastric injury in rats. Comp Biochem Physiol 1996; 113C:17–21.
²⁰Beil W, Birkholz W, Sewing KF. Effects of flavonoids on parietal cell acid secretion, gastric ucosal prostaglandin production and Helicobacter pylori growth. Arzneim Forsch 1995;45:697–700.