Natural Healing For Stomach Ulcers
When surveying why people visit the doctor, the most common answer is a constantly upset stomach. A person who is angry or emotional all the time is more likely to also have a sour stomach. In addition to a distressed mental state, a poor diet can also cause your digestion to be less than optimal. Given the percentage of processed food we consume, it is likely that many of our diets would not be considered healthy. On top of this, we all use antibiotics more frequently than we used to. Antibiotics cure infections but they also deprive our bodies of the bacteria that keep our intestines healthy.
Most people will try the usual cures for ulcers which include medication you can buy at the drugstore or what your doctor prescribes. That is exactly what I did first but nothing he advised me to take seemed to make any difference. My stomach still hurt and I felt I had no energy. In the past I used herbal remedies, so I decided to begin reviewing what alternative solutions were available. I used a combination that I found on the internet and in some of my reference books. I have to say I got relief from many of the symptoms as did many others who used these cures. Following are the natural remedies that were the most effective for me.
Cabbage is one of those foods that cause many people to have gas but cabbage juice is actually a very effective cure for stomach ulcers. The reason is that cabbage has a high concentration of an amino acid called L-Glutamine. L-Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the human body and is involved in many metabolic processes. L-Glutamine is also an important source of fuel for enterocytes (intestinal cells) and therefore helps strengthen the intestinal lining. If you don’t want to take the time to boil cabbage to get the juice, take L-glutamine capsules.
Aloe, or Aloe Vera, is a prickly, gray-green succulent native to Africa but cultivated around the world. You are probably familiar with its use to heal burns. You may not know though that Aloe Vera juice taken internally soothes peptic-ulcer inflammation. Studies show that Aloe Vera juice heals ulcers so well that researchers recommend it over the anti-ulcer drug cimetidine (Tagamet). Aloe Vera juice is easy to find at health food stores and the grocery store. It comes in liquid form and in gel form. I find the liquid form much easier to swallow and the liquid form can be mixed with other juices or drinks to make the taste more pleasant.
Red pepper or rather the ingredient in cayenne pepper called capsaicin is recommended by many naturopaths as a remedy for stomach ulcers. Capsaicin was originally thought to increase acid production in the stomach. It has been found though that it does not increase acid secretion but actually decreases it. Capsaicin also stimulates alkali, mucus secretions and particularly gastric mucosal blood flow which help in prevention and healing of ulcers. Some people simply dissolve cayenne pepper in water and drink it while others take it in the capsule form. You do not taste or feel any heat in your mouth when you use the capsule. You may experience a warm feeling in your stomach though.
Conventional medicine offers antacids and natural medicine offers herbs that bring down the level of acid in your stomach. Licorice, chamomile, cinnamon, marshmallow, slippery elm, calendula and agrimony are one that is usually recommended. I have always been a huge fan of chamomile for an upset stomach and also used it in the beginning to try to reduce ulcer pain. Chamomile has antispasmodic properties, meaning it helps relax muscle contractions, especially in the smooth muscles that make up the intestines. However, as with many natural remedies there is a caution. People who have been prescribed blood-thinning medications such as Coumadin, heparin, Plavix, Ticlid or Trental should consult their doctor before use. Chamomile will interact with these drugs.
Marti Wescoff has been researching and using natural cures for the past 20 years. Her website Curepure.com is a great resources for learning about natural remedies. Marti follows many of the teachings of Dr. Oz . Learn more about Foods That Help With Digestion Free reprint avaialable from: Natural Healing For Stomach Ulcers.