Diet Supplements For A Gastric Ulcer

Certain dietary supplements may be helpful in treating your gastric, or stomach, ulcers. According to the Family Doctor website, ulcers are sores on the lining of your gastrointestinal tract. Ulcers on the lining of your stomach are known as gastric ulcers. Gastric ulcers may signal a serious underlying health problem. Before taking dietary supplements to help treat your gastric ulcers, talk with your doctor about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.

Echinacea

Echinacea, also known Echinacea angustifolia, is an herb that may be helpful in treating your gastric ulcer. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, echinacea, a member of the aster family, is a perennial herb native to the American Midwest that has been used to help treat many health problems, including infections, wounds, skin problems, colds and flu. The root of the plant has a sweet and pungent taste and cooling, drying and stimulating tendencies. The roots, seeds and flowers of the plant are used for medicinal purposes. Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," states that echinacea is an anti-microbial anti-inflammatory and immune system modulator that decreases inflammatory allergic reactions to certain food allergies and stimulates healing of gastric problems, including ulcers.

Geranium

Dr. William A. Mitchell Jr., a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Plant Medicine in Practice," states that the high tannin content of this herb makes it an effective astringent for gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers. An astringent is a substance that causes the contraction of tissues. According to Tilgner, geranium, also known as Geranium maculatum, is helpful in treating red, engorged and inflamed tissues and has a stimulating and toning effect on your gastric mucosa, which are the mucus membranes lining of your stomach. Germanium, notes Tilgner, is a styptic that helps decrease passive bleeding. Geranium is a perennial plant that grows throughout certain parts of North America and Europe. Geranium thrives in low-lying areas, has an astringent taste and possesses drying tendencies. Practitioners of botanical medicine use the root of this plant medicinally.

Goldenseal

Goldenseal, or Hydrastis canadensis, is a small perennial herb with jagged leaves, small flowers and raspberry-like fruit. Goldenseal, a member of the buttercup family, grows in rich, shady soil in the northern United States and southeastern Ontario. Goldenseal has a bitter, astringent taste and cooling and drying tendencies. The root of the plant is used to help treat many health conditions, including gastric ulcers. Ed Smith, an herbalist and author of the book "Therapeutic Herb Manual," states that goldenseal may be helpful in treating subacute and chronic inflammation of your mucus membranes and chronic ulcerations of your gastrointestinal system. Tilgner notes that goldenseal is a styptic that helps decrease passive bleeding and is helpful in treating inflamed and engorged tissues. Due to over-harvesting, most goldenseal is now grown on farms in the United States.