Ulcers that develop in the stomach are known as gastric or peptic ulcers. These sores are generally quite painful and the pain is felt immediately after eating something. It lasts for about an hour to an hour and a half, this is the time it normally takes to digest food, and then it goes away. Due to peptic ulcers, the person is afraid to eat anything and there is a high chance that he may become malnourished.

There are two types of peptic ulcer problems in humans: acute and chronic ulcers. Acute peptic ulcers can arise suddenly in the digestive tract. His pains are much more severe and are felt immediately whenever any spicy or gassy food is eaten. These types of ulcers often cause nausea and vomiting. The other type of ulcers, chronic ulcer, is a long-lasting condition that cannot be easily treated. They cause continuous pain every time any type of food is ingested. Burning sensation is common, leading to nausea and vomiting.

Peptic ulcers are a digestive problem; therefore, they are caused by the vice of pitta. Specifically, when the body’s digestive fire, known as agni, is stale, peptic ulcers can occur. Ayurvedic treatment of peptic ulcers tries to reduce agni by pacifying the pitta dosha.

(1) Useful Herbs in Treating Peptic Ulcers

– Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum)

Black nightshade, commonly known as sunberry or wonder cherry, is effective in treating peptic ulcers. The raw juice of its leaves is administered separately or along with other beneficial juices.

– Indian Gooseberry (Emblica officinalis)

The Indian gooseberry is known as amalaki in Ayurvedic medicine. It is the richest source of vitamin C, that is, of ascorbic acid. Due to its high vitamin C content, amalaki can absorb all the excess stomach acids. It also has laxative properties that help clear the stomach. Amalaki is an important ingredient in Triphala choorna which is taken for all kinds of digestive complaints.

– Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Licorice is very effective in treating stomach ulcers. Soothes irritation of the inner lining of the stomach caused by excess acids. Its root is taken, dried and then soaked overnight in water. It is taken as an infusion with rice porridge. This is such an effective treatment that it is also used in conventional allopathic medicine.

(2) Dietary Treatments for Peptic Ulcers

Since peptic ulcers are caused by the vice of pitta, the intention of the diet should be to pacify pitta. In other words, the entire digestive system of the body must be regularized and toxins must be eliminated.

The following dietary guidelines should be remembered when peptic ulcers occur:

– Eat easy-to-digest meals and stick to a fixed eating schedule. Don’t eat at different times every day.

– Avoid spicy foods, acidic foods and hot foods that irritate the stomach.

– Old basmati rice is easy for peptic ulcers, as are foods like milk, ghee and butter.

– Among fruits, oranges, raspberries, plums and melons are good.

– Among vegetables, broccoli, asparagus, lettuce and alfalfa sprouts are beneficial.

(3) Ayurvedic Treatments for Peptic Ulcers

Shatavari tablets are usually prescribed in cases of peptic ulcers. These tablets have better effects if taken together with amalaki. Other medicines prescribed for ulcers are Vajraksha powder, along with mineral enhancing preparations such as Amalapittantaka lauha and Dhatri lauha. These last drugs are prescribed if there is loss of minerals from the body due to digestive discomfort.

In case of excruciating pain, Shankha bhasma is prescribed as the medicine of choice. This is the same bhasma that is also prescribed for intestinal ulcers. It is given in hot water in amounts of half a teaspoon in a cup of water. The dosage is two or three times a day depending on the severity of the pain. If the pain still does not subside the Mahashankha bhasma, a more concentrated form of the Shankha bhasma is given.

(4) Home Remedies for Peptic Ulcers

– Cut some fresh amalaki and remove the seeds. Dry them by heating them in an open cast iron skillet. Use low heat so that black soot forms and the amalaki turns into black colored charcoal. It cannot be crushed into a powder. Mix this powder with some sugar and psyllium husk. Store this mixture in a glass jar. This mixture should be taken in doses of one teaspoon three times a day. This mixture reduces the acid content of the stomach and helps to heal the ulcer. It is also a laxative to remove toxic waste from the stomach.

– Take a little anise in the amount of one teaspoon. Put it in a cup of water.

and boil it. When it reaches the boiling point, turn off the heat and keep it covered.

in the evening. In the morning, she filters the mixture and take it with honey. That is

a good medicine to reduce gas problems and indigestion related to peptic ulcers.