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Acid Reflux
5 Essential Oils For Stomach Ulcers
Sep 5, 2017If you have stomach ulcers, you’re probably already aware of the discomfort and pain that accompanies them. Research suggests the right essential oils for stomach ulcers can provide long-term relief. The standard treatment for stomach ulcers focuses on PPIs and double antibiotics. Hence the treatment often does more harm than good in the long run. Many drugs also worsen gastritis. On the other hand, essential oils are all-natural plant extracts. They rarely have any harmful side-effects, especially when correct dosage is given.
Steam distallation is used to extract essential oils from different parts of plants. These oils are highly concentrated, making them extra-potent. So, why should you choose essential oils to treat stomach ulcers over allopathic treatments? We’ll give you 6 good reasons.
6 Reasons To Use Essential Oils For Treating Stomach Ulcers:
- They promote a healthy balance of bacteria. Our gut is home to over 100 trillion bacteria. These bacteria help us break down the food we eat and absorb nutrition from it. They help in defending against germs and infection too. Antibiotics kill all bacteria – both good and bad. On the other hand, essential oils only target the bad bacteria causing peptic ulcers. This promotes a healthy balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut.
- They are an all natural treatment. They can soothe the pain and discomfort of stomach ulcers, without side effects.
- They also have a soothing, anti-inflammatory effect on stomach ulcers.
- Essential oils are gentle digestive aids that don’t disrupt digestive enzymes.
- They also encourage effective digestion, reducing bloating, gastritis and flatulence.
- They mildly suppress stomach acid production, which helps those suffering from hyperacidity.
5 Best Essential Oils For Stomach Ulcers
Scientists at Nestle Research Center, Switzerland have done a detailed study on essential oils for stomach ulcers. They screened 60 different commercial essential oils for their anti-H.Pylori properties. They identified 16 essential oils with strong disinfectant potential against H. pylori. Here is our pick of 5 best essential oils for stomach ulcers.
Carrot Seed Oil
Carrot Seed Oil
It is one of the most undervalued essential oils. Carrot Seed oil is distilled from the dried seeds of wild carrot plant.
Why we like it?
- It has strong antioxidant, antifungal and antibacterial properties. Carrot Seed Oil lessens the effects of pylori bacteria in the stomach. This bacteria causes ulcers and other upsets.
- As a strong flatulence-reliever, Carrot Seed Oil helps release trapped gases from the intestines. This helps relieve flatulence, bloating and other gastric distress.
- It stimulates the secretion of digestive enzymes, gastric juices, and bile. It makes motility of the intestines more effective too.
Keep in mind
- Carrot Seed Oil is not suited for those who have epilepsy. Because it can potentially trigger overstimulation.
- It’s also not safe for use during pregnancy.
- Topical use of carrot seed oil increases skin sensitivity. Choose to apply it at night, or stay indoors after application. It’s also recommended to keep skin covered for 72 hours post application.
- Never apply pure carrot seed essential oil to skin without mixing into carrier oil. Olive or coconut oil are good examples of carrier oils.
- Overdose may cause vomiting and convulsions. Always consult a natural holistic practitioner before using any essential oil.
Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil
Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil
It is steam distilled from the outer bark of cinnamon tree. Cinnamon bark essential oil has richer, sweeter and more powerful aroma than ground cinnamon. It has a calming and relaxing effect. Also its potent antimicrobial effect kills H. pylori bacteria. It’s well lauded for its potential to fight parasites, inflammation, and viruses.
Why we like it?
- Cinnamon bark essential oil contains ‘eugenol’ – a compound that heals stomach ulcers. Eugenol is also able to reduce the pain of stomach ulcers.
- It restores balance to intestinal flora and fights against pathogens.
- Cinnamon bark oil is effective against 98% of all pathogenic bacteria.
- It is also effective against yeasts, and fungi.
- It has powerful anti-inflammatory abilities.
- It has anti-parasitic properties that prevent fermentation in the intestines.
- It’s packed with antioxidants. It is also an effective natural digestive aid.
Keep in mind
- It can cause skin sensitivity when applied topically. Always consult a natural holistic practitioner to know safe dosage.
- Cinnamon bark essential oil may cause stomach pain, nausea and diarrhea in some cases. Best to discontinue usage in such a case.
- People on medication for heart disease should be particularly careful with cinnamon oil.
- It may cause burning in the mouth and tongue, especially if you suffer from mouth ulcers.
Lemongrass Essential Oil
Lemongrass Essential Oil
Lemongrass has potential to fight fungi and bacteria. It has also proven to be an effective antibacterial against drug-resistant bacteria. Also, lemongrass essential oil can slow the growth of H. Pylori bacteria. Studies have found that lemongrass oil can be used to treat gastric ulcers.
Why we like it?
- It’s a powerful antioxidant that readily fights against free radicals.
- Lemongrass contains some of the most powerful antibacterial properties amongst essential oils.
- Lemongrass essential oil has analgesic properties, which reduces pain and inflammation.
- Ancient medicine has used it to restore and balance the digestive system.
- It works repeatedly and effectively on H. pylori. In a rat study, resistance to lemongrass did not develop even after 10 sequential passages. However, resistance to a common drug used to treat H. pylori in the stomach developed under the same conditions. The study concluded that density of H. pylori in the stomach of mice treated with lemongrass was significantly reduced compared with untreated mice.
Keep in mind
- Avoid taking lemongrass oil if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Always discuss dosage and duration of treatment with your holistic physician. Long-term usage of lemongrass oil may cause upset stomachs and headaches.
- Like most essential oils, lemongrass oil may also cause skin sensitivity. For this reason, it should always be used with a carrier oil. Never apply directly to the skin.
Clove Essential Oil
Clove Essential Oil
Derived from the leaves of clove plant, love leaf essential oil is a powerful healer. It has anti-septic, anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. It used to treat toothache, breathing disorders, inflammation, and stomach disorders.
Why we like it?
- Rat studies in Brazil have found that clove essential oil possesses antiulcer activity.
- It has powerful antibacterial and antibacterial properties.
- It effectively reduces inflammation.
- It’s also an all-natural treatment for gastritis, bloating, and flatulence.
- It offers natural pain relief when applied topically, helping soothe stomach ulcer irritation.
Keep in mind
- Pure clove oil is very potent. Never apply directly to skin. Always blend with carrier oil.
- Avoid using clove essential oil if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Excess usage leads to gastrointestinal irritation and disorders of nervous system. Always discuss dosage and use with an expert.
- Don’t use clove essential oil if you are on anticoagulant medications.
Manuka Essential Oil
Manuka Essential Oil
Manuka essential oil is a more potent cousin of tea-tree oil. It’s derived from Manuka plant that is indigenous to New Zealand. Studies have found that Manuka Oil exhibits stronger antimicrobial efficacy than Tea Tree Oil against various antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Why we like it?
- It has powerful antibacterial and antibacterial properties.
- Essential Oil of Manuka is anti-inflammatory in nature. It brings relief from the pain of peptic ulcers.
- It has excellent antispasmodic abilities.
Keep in mind
- Do not ingest any essential oils without discussing with your doctor.
- While no known side-effects of Manuka essential oil are known, its best to exert caution if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
- The ideal way to use pure Manuka oil is to apply topically. Always mix a few drops with carrier oil.
Besides these – Basil, Eucalyptus, Oregano, Sage, Pine and Thyme essential oils were also effective against stomach ulcers.
While these are our 5 favorite essential oils for stomach ulcers, there are several other essential oils that can be effectively used to find relief from ulcers and its associated symptoms. Read our article on essential oils that bring relief from heartburn for more information.
How To Use Essential Oils For Stomach Ulcers?
Now that you know the best essential oils for stomach ulcers, let’s discuss how to use them. We do not recommend oral ingestion of any essential oils.
It’s best to consult a natural holistic practitioner to know safe dosage. He/She will also advise you on how to blend together essential oils with carrier oils for maximum relief. In general, 4-5 drops of essential oil can be mixed with 30ml carrier oil for topical application. Cover with a warm cloth so the oils can penetrate deep into the skin to bring relief.
Alternatively, you can use 5-8 drops of any essential oil in a diffuser and inhale the vapors for 30 minutes.
Maneera is a health and fitness enthusiast who is also a firm believer in the power of dietary supplements. A health buff, she likes to help others improve their overall well-being by achieving the right balance between nutrition, exercise and mindfulness.
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References:
Essential Oils as Components of a Diet-Based Approach to Management of Helicobacter Infection – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC201172/
Antioxidant properties of cold-pressed black caraway, carrot, cranberry, and hemp seed oils – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814604005412
Antimicrobial activities of Eugenol and Cinnamaldehyde against the human gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori – https://ann-clinmicrob.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1476-0711-4-20
Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oils against Helicobacter pylori – https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1523-5378.2003.00146.x/full
Investigation of the Mechanisms Underlying the Gastroprotective Effect of Cymbopogon Citratus Essential Oil – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3326778/
Gastroprotective activity of essential oil of the Syzygium aromaticum and its major component eugenol in different animal models – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21140134
Comparative study on the in vitro antibacterial activity of Australian tea tree oil, cajuput oil, niaouli oil, manuka oil, kanuka oil, and eucalyptus oil – https://europepmc.org/abstract/med/10399193