A stomach ulcer can cause a burning pain that comes and goes for weeks, and it is often worst at night. Home measures will not heal an ulcer, but they can make the pain easier to live with while your treatment works. Here are ten that are supported by medical guidance, followed by an honest look at popular natural remedies.
The short answer
- Only medical treatment heals a stomach ulcer. Most are caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria or by anti-inflammatory painkillers.
- For quick relief, an antacid eases the pain but does not heal the ulcer.
- For pain at night, eat your evening meal 3 to 4 hours before bed and avoid alcohol and coffee in the evening.
- Honey, ginger, garlic, turmeric and probiotics have not been shown to cure ulcers in people.
Ten ways to relieve stomach ulcer pain at home
1. Get the ulcer treated
This comes first because nothing else on the list heals an ulcer. If H. pylori is the cause, you will need antibiotics together with medicine that reduces stomach acid. If painkillers are the cause, your doctor will review them and prescribe acid-reducing medicine.
2. Use an antacid for quick relief
Antacids neutralise stomach acid and can relieve the pain quickly. They do not heal the ulcer, so treat them as a short-term help and not as the treatment. They are sold in pharmacies without a prescription. Ask your pharmacist which one suits you, especially if you take other medicines.
3. Check your painkillers
Anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen and aspirin are one of the two main causes of ulcers, and they can stop one from healing. If you take them regularly, ask your doctor whether paracetamol would work for you instead. Do not stop prescribed aspirin without speaking to your doctor first.
4. Eat smaller meals
Large meals can bring on the pain. Smaller meals, eaten more often, are usually easier to manage.
5. Eat your evening meal earlier
Have your last meal 3 to 4 hours before you go to bed. This is one of the simplest things you can do for pain at night.
6. Cut back on your trigger foods
Coffee, spicy food, fatty food and chocolate are common triggers. They do not cause ulcers, but they can make the symptoms worse. See our guide to foods to avoid with a stomach ulcer for more detail.
7. Limit or avoid alcohol
Alcohol irritates the lining of the stomach and increases stomach acid. Too much of it can wear away the protective lining.
8. Stop smoking
Smoking harms the stomach lining and increases stomach acid. Quitting lowers the risk of ulcers and helps them heal.
9. Manage stress
Stress does not cause ulcers, but it can make the symptoms worse. Exercise, time with friends, deep breathing and writing things down are all worth trying.
10. Finish your medicine and go back for a check
Take the full course of antibiotics, even when you feel better. Stopping early can leave some bacteria alive and make them harder to treat. Your doctor may test you again at least 4 weeks after you finish, to confirm the infection has gone.
What helps ulcer pain at night?
Ulcer pain is often worse at night and between meals. Three things help most: eating your evening meal 3 to 4 hours before bed, avoiding alcohol and coffee in the evening, and keeping an antacid nearby if your pharmacist or doctor has said it is safe for you. If the pain wakes you most nights, tell your doctor. It may mean your treatment needs to change.
Do natural remedies work?
Many websites list honey, ginger, garlic, turmeric and other natural products as ulcer cures. None of them has been shown to heal ulcers in people, and none replaces antibiotics or acid-reducing medicine. Most of the research so far comes from laboratory and animal studies. Some of these products also have side effects that matter if you have an ulcer.
| Remedy | What we know | Take care |
|---|---|---|
| Probiotics (yoghurt, supplements) | Generally safe for healthy people. Not proven to heal ulcers. | Riskier for people who are seriously ill or have a weak immune system |
| Ginger | Mostly studied for nausea, not ulcers | Can cause heartburn and stomach discomfort |
| Garlic | No good evidence that it treats ulcers | Supplements may increase bleeding risk, especially with aspirin or blood thinners |
| Turmeric | Not enough evidence for any health use | Can cause acid reflux and stomach upset |
| Licorice | Unclear whether it helps digestive symptoms | Large amounts can affect the heart and blood pressure. Unsafe in large amounts in pregnancy |
| Honey, chamomile, aloe vera, plantain | Early research only, mostly from laboratory or animal studies | Speak to your doctor before using supplements |
Eating these as normal foods is fine for most people. The concern is with supplements and large amounts, and with relying on them in place of treatment.
Is garlic or ginger good for an ulcer?
Neither has been shown to treat ulcers. You can eat both as part of normal meals if they do not bring on your symptoms. Ginger can cause heartburn in some people. Garlic supplements may increase the risk of bleeding, so avoid them if you take aspirin or blood-thinning medicine, unless your doctor agrees.
When to get urgent medical help
Go to your nearest emergency unit or call an ambulance if you:
- vomit bright red blood, or vomit something that looks like coffee grounds
- pass black, sticky or bloody stools
- have severe stomach pain
- have a stomach that is tender to touch
- have sudden chest pain
This article is general information and does not replace advice from your own doctor. If you think you have a stomach ulcer, make an appointment with your GP.
Medically reviewed by the ASAIPA clinical team.
