H. pylori is a type of bacteria that can infect the stomach and is a major cause of ulcers and stomach cancer. Over half the world’s population is estimated to be infected with H. pylori, with infection rates higher in developing countries. Many people infected with H. pylori do not experience any symptoms at first. Still, the infection can lead to serious complications over time if left untreated.
Conventional treatments for H. pylori include antibiotics combined with acid-suppressing medications. While these can be effective in eradicating the bacteria, they also come with possible side effects and the risk of antibiotic resistance. Research has identified some organic herbs that may help kill off the bacteria.
Symptoms of H. Pylori infection
Most people with H. pylori infection do not experience any symptoms. However, some people may develop symptoms such as:
- Abdominal pain: An H. pylori infection can cause dull or burning abdominal pain, especially in the upper abdomen. This pain may be aggravated by an empty stomach or relieved after eating.
- Nausea: H. pylori infection may also cause nausea and upset stomach, which is often associated with abdominal pain. Nausea may be mild or severe.
- Vomiting: Some people with an H. pylori infection may experience projectile vomiting with traces of blood. This is especially true if the infection is causing an ulcer.
- Loss of appetite: Some people with H. pylori infection experience loss of appetite due to pain, nausea, or vomiting. This can lead to unwanted weight loss.
- Bloating: Bloating and gassiness are other symptoms that people with H. pylori infection might experience.
- Belching: Some individuals exhibit excessive belching along with the infection.
- Weight loss: People with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite due to the infection are also likely to experience unexplained weight loss.
- Fatigue: Some people experience weakness and fatigue due to the infection as the body struggles to cope with it.
Conventional treatments for H. Pylori
Conventional treatments for H. pylori include antibiotics and acid-suppressing medications. Some commonly prescribed medications include:
- Antibiotics: The most frequently used antibiotics are clarithromycin, amoxicillin, metronidazole, tetracycline, and levofloxacin. These antibiotics are usually given in combination with other drugs to eradicate H. pylori infection.
- Acid suppressors: Acid-suppressing drugs like proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and H2 blockers are given in combination with antibiotics to inhibit acid production in the stomach and promote healing. Omeprazole, esomeprazole and lansoprazole are some of the PPIs used for this purpose.
These medications are usually administered for up to two weeks and are highly effective. However, there are some concerns associated with their use:
- Diarrhea: Antibiotics may disrupt the normal gut flora and lead to diarrhea in some individuals.
- Nausea: Nausea is another common side effect of antibiotics and PPIs, making treatment compliance difficult.
- Vomiting: Some people may experience vomiting due to these medications.
- Headache and dizziness: Serious side effects like headaches and dizziness have been reported with some antibiotics like metronidazole.
- Rash: Skin rashes may occur in individuals sensitive to certain antibiotics or PPIs.
- Recurrence of infection: Due to increasing antibiotic resistance, there are also concerns that the infection can recur after antibiotic treatment.
For these reasons, more people are seeking h pylori treatment natural alternatives to treat the infection.
5 Herbs that can help kill H. Pylori naturally
Some herbs have shown promising antibacterial activity against H. pylori in test tubes and animal studies. Some of the top herbs include:
Garlic:
Garlic (Allium sativum) has a long history of use in traditional medicines to eradicate various infections. Garlic exhibits antibacterial activity against gram-negative bacteria like H. pylori due to compounds like allicin and ajoene. Studies show that garlic supplementation helps eradicate H. pylori in people suffering from peptic ulcers. The typical dosage is 2-5 grams of fresh raw garlic per day. However, to gain the optimal antibacterial benefits of garlic, it should be finely chopped or crushed before eating.
Ginger:
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is another traditionally revered spice that possesses antibacterial activity against numerous pathogens, including H. pylori. The antibacterial effects are attributed to the bioactive compounds such as gingerols and shogaols in ginger. Several clinical studies indicate that ginger supplementation helps relieve H. pylori infection and associated symptoms like dyspepsia. The recommended daily dosage is 1-3 grams of dried ginger powder. Ginger root can be steeped as a hot tea or grated into various dishes for best results.
Turmeric:
The golden spice turmeric (Curcuma longa) contains antimicrobial curcuminoids, which inhibit the growth and urease activity of H. pylori. Turmeric extract works synergistically with some antibiotics like clarithromycin to suppress H. pylori and promote healing stomach ulcers and gastritis. Supplementing with turmeric or consuming turmeric in the diet may assist in combating chronic H. pylori infection. The suggested dosage of standardized turmeric extract is 1000 mg twice a day. However, increasing dietary intake of turmeric powder to 1-3 grams daily may also provide therapeutic benefits for treating h pylori.
Cranberry:
Cranberry fruit and juice contain a unique combination of antioxidant compounds, such as proanthocyanidins and flavonoids, which inhibit bacterial growth. Cranberry juice shows bacteriostatic as well as bactericidal activity against H. pylori by combating biofilm formation and the bacteria’s gene expression. Dosages ranging from 250 to 500 ml of unsweetened cranberry juice daily may help suppress the growth of H. pylori infection in the stomach lining. The juice should be taken regularly for at least 1-3 months to achieve optimal benefit.
Mastic gum:
Mastic gum or Pistacia lentiscus’ is a resin derived from the mastic tree native to countries like Greece and Turkey. The traditional use of mastic gum involves chewing it to stimulate digestion and treat stomach illnesses. Research suggests that mastic gum resins contain antioxidant phenolic compounds that inhibit H. pylori and exhibit gastroprotective effects. The usual therapeutic dosage of mastic gum is 1-2 grams daily for a period of 2-6 weeks. However, supplementing longer-term may be necessary to achieve persistently lower levels of H. pylori infection.
How to use these herbs to treat H. Pylori
While most herbs and spices discussed above can be easily incorporated into meals daily through a healthy diet, a more targeted approach is required for treating chronic H. pylori infection. These herbs can be used in various supplemental forms to maximize their effectiveness:
Supplements:
Standardized supplements containing therapeutic concentrations of oregano, cranberry, mastic gum, and turmeric may, when taken as directed, eradicate H. pylori. These supplements should ideally be enteric coated to bypass stomach acidity. Combining appropriate H. pylori-fighting supplements is more potent than a single-ingredient remedy.
Teas:
Commercial herbal teas containing ginger, turmeric, cranberry extracts, and mastic gum are now available. These specially formulated, stomach-soothing teas deliver antibacterial phytonutrients in a more bioavailable form. Drinking medicinal tea 2-3 times a day can help relieve infection symptoms and prevent recurrence.
Tinctures:
Herbal tinctures made using garlic cloves, oregano leaves, ginger root, or whole turmeric rhizomes in an alcohol base exhibit enhanced antimicrobial potency. To maximize benefit, 10-30 drops of antibacterial tincture diluted in water or fruit juice should be consumed 30-60 minutes before meals. However, tinctures containing mastic gum resins or cranberry extracts would be ineffective.
Capsules:
In capsule form, highly concentrated extracts of oregano, ginger, turmeric or cranberry ensure more accurate dosing and easy consumption. Unlike with other products, no special preparation or addition to food/drinks is required. As a complementary supplement, mastic gum capsules help strengthen the stomach lining against inflammation caused by H. pylori infection. Combining a couple of relevant antibacterial and tissue-healing capsules supports an integrative, safe strategy against this stubborn bacterium.
Conclusion
In an age of ever-increasing antibiotic resistance, herbs, and medicinal foods provide promising alternatives to combat chronic and difficult-to-treat infections like H. pylori. Natural antibacterial agents found in garlic, ginger, turmeric, cranberry, and mastic have been traditionally used to promote gastrointestinal health for ages. When used prudently and persistently, these herbal remedies help eradicate H. pylori colonization linked to dyspepsia, ulcers, and stomach cancer.
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