Ulcers are tricky little beasts. They creep up quietly—maybe just a little burn after coffee, a gnawing pain that flares up when your stomach’s empty, or a dull ache you chalk up to stress. But left unchecked, they can dig deep and make life miserable. And while modern medicine offers relief—PPIs, antacids, antibiotics—the side effects or long-term risks of these treatments can leave folks wondering: Is there a gentler way to heal?
Well, yes. In fact, plants have been whispering their healing secrets for thousands of years. And some of the best herbs for ulcers are ones your grandma might’ve grown in her garden, or sipped as tea on a rainy afternoon.
Let’s dig in, not just with data, but with heart. Because healing isn’t just about science—it’s about stories, sensations, and those odd little rituals that ground us.
Medicinal Herbs for Ulcers
Comparison of Herbs for Ulcers at a Glance
| Herb | Key Benefit | How It Works | Best Form | Bonus Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licorice (DGL) | Soothes & protects stomach lining | Enhances mucus production, protects tissues | DGL lozenges | Use 15–20 min before meals |
| Slippery Elm | Coats and calms irritation | Mucilage forms a protective layer | Powdered bark in water | Mix into tea or warm water |
| Marshmallow Root | Softens inflamed tissue | Demulcent, high mucilage content | Tea or tincture | Excellent with honey |
| Turmeric | Reduces inflammation & bacteria | Sip slowly, best on an empty stomach | Capsule or golden milk | Pair with black pepper for absorption |
| Chamomile | Relieves pain & spasms | Soothes & protects the stomach lining | Tea | Add warm oat milk for extra comfort |
| Cabbage Juice | Speeds mucosal healing | Rich in glutamine and vitamin U | Fresh juice | Calms the nervous system, anti-inflammatory |
| Mastic Gum | Kills H. pylori, supports digestion | Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory | Capsule or resin gum | Chew resin for breath & gut health |
1. Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Ever chewed on a piece of black licorice as a kid and instantly regretted it? Yeah, same. But the root itself—especially in its deglycyrrhizinated form (DGL)—is a powerhouse when it comes to ulcers.
DGL helps coat and soothe the stomach lining, encouraging the body to regenerate its mucosal wall. It doesn’t neutralize stomach acid like antacids; instead, it works like a loving shield, protecting the tissue so it can repair itself.
I used to keep DGL lozenges in my glove box, popping one before a long drive or stressful meeting. They taste earthy, not sweet, but there’s something oddly comforting about the ritual.
How to use: DGL lozenges 15–20 minutes before meals.
2. Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra)
Imagine mixing a bit of ground tree bark into warm water and watching it turn into a silky, mucilaginous goo. Weird? Maybe. But incredibly soothing for ulcers? Absolutely.
Slippery elm forms a protective layer over the stomach and intestinal lining. It doesn’t just reduce irritation—it creates a calm, nurturing environment for healing to begin. Kind of like a warm blanket for your gut.
Bonus: It can help with acid reflux, too.
How to use: Mix 1 tsp powdered slippery elm bark into warm water or tea, 1–3 times daily.
3. Marshmallow Root (Althaea officinalis)
Nope, not the s’mores kind. Real marshmallow root is a demulcent, meaning it helps soften and soothe irritated tissue. It’s got that same mucilage magic as slippery elm, only with a gentler touch.
I had a friend who swore by marshmallow root tea during ulcer flare-ups. She described it like “drinking warm silk.” Honestly, that’s not far off.
How to use: Steep 1–2 tsp dried root in hot water for 10–15 minutes. Drink up to 3 cups daily.
4. Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
Ah, turmeric—the golden child of the herbal world. It’s been used in Ayurvedic medicine for millennia, and modern science has caught up, showing curcumin (its active compound) has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial powers.
Turmeric helps reduce the inflammation associated with ulcers and might even fight H. pylori, the bacteria behind most peptic ulcers.
But don’t go chugging turmeric powder straight from the jar. It’s fat-soluble and needs black pepper (piperine) for proper absorption.
How to use: Golden milk, turmeric capsules with piperine, or turmeric tea.
5. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
You probably know chamomile as a sleepytime tea. But did you know it’s also got serious ulcer-healing chops?
Chamomile has anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, and mild sedative effects—basically a triple win for an anxious belly. It also helps reduce acidity and calms down an overstimulated digestive tract.
I once brewed chamomile with a bit of honey and warm oat milk when my stomach felt like it was chewing itself alive. Within twenty minutes, I felt like I’d been hugged from the inside.
How to use: Tea made from dried chamomile flowers, 2–3 times daily.
6. Cabbage (Brassica oleracea)
Okay, not technically an herb—but hear me out. Cabbage juice is old-school ulcer therapy. Clinical studies in the 1950s showed that fresh cabbage juice helped ulcers heal faster than standard treatments at the time.
It’s rich in glutamine and vitamin U (aka S-methylmethionine), which both help rebuild the stomach lining.
Fair warning: drinking cabbage juice isn’t exactly a treat. It’s pungent, slightly sulfurous, and best taken in small sips. But hey, healing isn’t always pretty.
How to use: ½ cup of fresh cabbage juice, 2–3 times daily on an empty stomach.
7. Mastic Gum (Pistacia lentiscus)
This one’s a hidden gem from the Mediterranean. Mastic gum is a resin from a type of pistachio tree, used for centuries to soothe the gut and freshen the breath.
Modern studies show it can kill H. pylori and reduce symptoms of gastritis and ulcers. It’s especially good for people dealing with upper stomach pain that feels like it lives under the breastbone.
I once tried chewing the resin straight—it’s like pine-flavored chewing gum with a twist of ancient forest. Oddly satisfying.
How to use: Mastic gum capsules or chewable resin, 500–1000 mg per day.
But Wait… What About Diet?
Herbs are powerful allies, but if you’re slamming back triple espressos and spicy ramen at midnight, no amount of licorice root’s gonna save you. Pair your herbal plan with smart choices—think bland, nourishing foods (oatmeal, bone broth, bananas), stress reduction, and sleep.
And for heaven’s sake, don’t self-diagnose a bleeding ulcer. If you’re dealing with sharp, persistent pain, black stools, or vomiting, see a doctor ASAP.
Article Sources:
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- PubMed Central (PMC): Glycyrrhiza glabra and its effect on gastric mucosa
- National Institutes of Health: Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future
- Phytotherapy Research Journal: Slippery elm and marshmallow in gastrointestinal health
- World Journal of Gastroenterology: Curcumin and its effects on gastric ulcers
- Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine: Cabbage juice therapy in peptic ulcer patients
- Journal of Ethnopharmacology: Mastic gum as anti-H. pylori agent