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Peptic ulcer treatment with herbal medicine

Ulcers of the stomach are also known as GRAHINI in ayurveda. Ulcer is nothing but a breach on the skin’s surface or on lining of the membrane of any organ like the stomach. Ulcers do not heal quickly. The people who get affected with the vatika type of constitution or those people in whom vata is the predominant dosha are more prone to be affected by the ulcers of the stomach. Ulcers are of different types and they are caused when there is an imbalance in any of the tridoshas. First, lets know all about peptic ulcer. The Ayurvedic term for peptic ulcer is Parinam shool, is a disorder caused by the Agni bhootha. Any ulcer in the digestive system is called as peptic ulcer. This includes both the duodenal and gastric ulcers. However, you need not worry because there are many ayurvedic treatments for peptic ulcer.
Ayurvedic treatment
Ayurvedic treatment for peptic ulcer is aimed at two things: They are: (1) To reduce the quantity of digestive fluids produced in the stomach. (2) To neutralize the digestive acids
Ayurvedic cure for ulcer if the stomach:
Shatavari ghrita, Amalaki ghrita, Shankha bhasma, Mahashankha vati and Sukumara ghrita are the main five medicines prescribed for the ulcer of the stomach.
Mahashankha ghrita & sukumara ghrita: The primary ingredient of the first two mentioned medications, viz., Shatavari ghritta and Amalaki ghrita is medicated ghee. The others three medicines i.e. Shankha bhasma, Mahashankha vati and Sukumara ghrita also have a considerable portion of the medicated ghee; but other ingredients are also required by them in considerable amount.
Shankha bhasma : Shankha bhasma is prescribed mainly for colic pain due to the ulcer.
The dose: The patient is given half a teaspoonful of this powder thrice daily. After taking the powder, hot water should be taken compulsorily.
Mahashankha vati: For patients suffering from acute colic pain, the medicine Mahashankha vati is prescribed. It is a concentrated form of Shankha bhasma. The word vati means that it is available in the form of pill or tablet and not in the powder form.
The dose: The patient should be given two tablets thrice daily. If the intensity and frequency of colic pain is intense and frequent, the dose can be increased gradually according to the need and maximum up to four times.
In this also, the patient is prescribed to drink a cup of warm water immediately after taking this tablet.
Uses: It reduces the colic pain intensity and also helps in digestion.
Sukumara ghrita: Sukumara ghrita is the most common medicine prescribed in Ayurveda. Castor oil and pure ghee (prepared from only cow’s milk) are two major ingredients of Sukumara Ghrita.
The dose: Two teaspoonfuls of Sukumara Ghrita mixed with a cup of warm milk should be given to the patient. This should be taken on empty stomach.
Alternative: Sukumara Ghrita can also be mixed with hot water if the patient cannot take milk.
Ayurvedic treatments and tips for peptic ulcer
Drink more water. Eat more banana and plantain.  Drink juices of raw vegetables like cabbage .Take Avipatrika Churna regularly. Amalpitanthak Loh, Leela Vilas ras and Chanderkala Ras are good medicines for peptic ulcer. Sukhumara Ghrita is widely prescribed for peptic ulcer. Take small meals frequently. Drink cold milk. Take barley, papal, paraval prepared with honey.
Ayurvedic Remedies
Ayurveda offers a wide range of drugs for this condition. One of the safest drugs that can be used regularly is Avipattikara Churna available in powder form. It is digestive, anti-flatulent and antacid. Regular use promotes ulcer healing by arresting excessive secretions of irritating acid and juices in the digestive system and throws out the unwanted toxins from the GI Tract through Virechana i.e., purgation.
There are other herbo-mineral and gold compounds like Swarna Sutha Sekhara Rasa etc., which are specifically indicated for this disorder. But they should be tried under the care of an Ayurvedic physician.
Vomitab tablet (charak), 1 tablet thrice daily before meals for 3 months cures ulcers completely.
Alsarex tablet (charak) in the dose of 1 to 21 tablets thrice daily is very good in curing acidity and peptic ulcer.
Kamdudha Ras (with pearls) taken 125mg thrice daily is another useful remedy.
Besides these, Leelavilas Ras, Chanderkala Ras, Amalpithantak Loh are other useful medicines.
Ayurvedic home remedies
Here are some Ayurvedic and herbal remedies for peptic ulcer: Eat more banana and plantain, Drink cold milk , Drink more water, Drink juices of raw vegetables like cabbage, Take small meals frequently (do not overeat), Take the decoction made of pipal, barley, and parval with honey and gur.
Peptic ulcer, causes, symptoms and unani treatment
A peptic ulcer is the result of hyperacidity, which is caused by an increase in the hydrochloric acid in the stomach. This strong acid, secreted by the cells lining the stomach, erodes the inner lining of the stomach. Dietetic indiscretion such as overeating, taking of heavy meals or highly spiced foods, coffee, alcohol, and smoking are the main factors contributing to this condition.
Causes: There are several reasons of peptic ulcers. The major causes include excess intake of alcohol, smoking, unhealthy and stressful life style. Excess consumption of junk food, untimely food eating habit also led to peptic ulcer. Acidity and food poisoning may also lead to peptic ulcers. Other causes for peptic ulcer include cancer, side effects of certain medicines, etc.
Other causes are the ingestion of certain drugs, food poisoning, certain infections, gout, emotional disturbances, stress, and nervous tension
Unani Treatment
In Unani system of medicine plants, animals as well as mineral origin drugs are being used clinically for the treatment of this disease without any side effect. These are time tested, centuries old, safe for use and cost effective. However, there is a need to maintain their purity, quality and safety by subjecting to scientific validation. Unani physicians recommended the following steps for the treatment of peptic ulcer.
1. Use of easily digestable food, 2. Avoid of corrosive drugs, 3. Use of astringent drugs for binding effect of ulcers, 4. Qurs Tabasheer, Qurs Mulaiyn, 5. Samagh arbi in case of oesophageal ulcer, 6. Desiccant and cictrizent drugs are effective after complete clearing of slough from ulcers, 7. Jawarish Zanjabeel
Some of single drus as follows: Khulanjan (Alpinia galangal wild), Khatmi (Althaea rosea linn), Alwa (Aloe barbadensis mill), Gaozban (Anchusa strignosa), Adrak (Zingiber officinale), Kalonji (Nigella sativa Linn), Asgand (Withania somnifera), Kutki (Picorhiza kurroa), Kela (Musa paradisiacal), Heel kalan (Amomum subulatum), Heel khurd (Elettaria cardamomum), Jaiphal (Myristica fragrans), Neem (Azadirachta indica) etc
Herbal remedies
Banana: Bananais one of the most effective home remedies fur the treatment of a peptic ulcer. This fruit is said to contain an unidentified compound, perhaps jokingly called vitamin U (against ulcers). Banana neutralises the over-acidity of the gastric juices and reduces the irritation of the ulcer by coating the lining of the stomach. Patients who are in an advanced state of the disease should take a diet consisting only of two bananas with a glass of milk, three or four times a day.
Wood Apple: An infusion of the leaves of wood apple is another effective remedy for this disease. Fifteen grams of leaves should be soaked overnight in 250 ml of water. In the morning this water should be strained and taken as a drink. The pain and discomfort will be relieved when this treatment is continued for a few weeks. Bael leaves are rich in tannins which reduce inflammation and help in the healing of ulcers. The bael fruit taken in the form of a beverage also has great healing properties on account of its mucilage content. This substance forms a coating on the stomach mucosa and thus helps in the healing of ulcers.
Lime: Lime is valuable in peptic ulcers. The citric acid in this fruit, together with the mineral salts present in the juice, help in digestion.
Cabbage: Cabbage is regarded as another useful home remedy for a peptic ulcer: 250 gm should be boiled in 500 ml of water till it is reduced to half; this water should be allowed to cool, and taken twice daily. The juice extracted from raw cabbage is also a valuable medicine for a peptic ulcer. However, as this juice is very strong, it should be taken in combination with carrot juice, in quantities of 125 ml each.
Fenugreek Seeds: A tea made from fenugreek seeds is yet another useful remedy for peptic ulcers. The seeds, when moistened with water, are slightly mucilaginous. The tea helps in the healing of ulcers as the mild coating of mucilaginous material deposited by fenugreek, passes through the stomach and intestines, providing protective shell for the ulcers.
Drumstick: The leaves of the kalyana murangal tree, which is a variety of drumstick found in South India, have also proved helpful in the healing of ulcers. Ten grams of the leaves of this tree should be ground into a paste, mixed with half a cup of yoghurt, and taken daily.
Vegetable Juices: The juices of raw vegetables, particularly carrot and cabbage, are beneficial in the treatment of peptic ulcers. Carrot juice may be taken either alone or in combination with spinach, or beet and cucumber. The formula proportions in case of the first combination are 300 ml of carrot juice and 200 ml of spinach juice; and in case of the second combination, 300 ml of carrot juice and 100 ml each of beet and cucumber juice to make 500 ml of juice.
Almond Milk: Milk prepared from blanched almonds in a blender is very useful as a treatment for peptic ulcers. It binds the excess of acid in the stomach and supplies high quality protein.
Goat's Milk: Goat's milk is also highly beneficial in the treatment of this disease. It actually helps to heal peptic ulcers. For better results, a glass of goat's milk should be taken in a raw state, three times daily.
Home Remedies
Alternative Names: Peptic Ulcers, Gastric Ulcers, Some of the home remedies of the stomach ulcers are: Milk - Milk can help to cure stomach ulcers. You must take at least 2 or three glass of milk daily. Hog Wood - You may eat 5 gm powder of hog wood daily. This will help to cure peptic ulcer fast. Cayenne Pepper - This one is a good spice for the treatment of gastric ulcer. You may take one-eighth teaspoon of cayenne pepper in a glass of water twice daily.
Cabbage and Carrot : Another good remedy is a raw cabbage. To make for eating, take out a juice of it. You can also mix in it it some carrots in your juicer to make it go down easier! Drink half a cup of the juice before each meal and at bed time.
Don't take too many Pain Relievers - Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen - though they may be very popular otherwise, but must be avoided by a patient suffering from peptic ulcers.
Avoid Smoking and Drinking Alcohol - you should avoid smoking and drinking alcohol, as it may interfere in the healing process.
Comfrey - Drink comfrey tea or liquid acidophilus culture often to help heal intestinal and stomach ulcers.
Similarly, wood apple ( bael ) is also very useful. Take few bael leaves and keep it into water overnight. Drain the mixture and take this 2-3 times a day.
Fenugreek (methi) seeds: Take 2-3 tablespoon of fenugreek (methi) seeds and boil it in a glass ofwater. Add little amount of soil to it. Allow the mixture to boil till it become half of its constituent. Take this mixture 2-3 times a day, until the ulcer is not cured completely.
Some other good herbal remedies
Bansalochan, Aloe Vera Juice., Chandan., Goldenseal., Lime., Marsh mellow Root., Vegetable Juice , Almond Milk , Barley Wate, Red Raspberry. Sage. White Oak Bark. Propolis Capsules. Licorice Root. Wild Yam.
The writer is assistant journal editor at The Independent (Health and Medicine Journal "Stethoscope") and can be reached at miahfaiz@dhaka.net