Herbs for Ulcers & Digestive Healing
Stomach ulcers do not arise in isolation. While bacterial infection, medications, and dietary factors are well-known contributors, chronic stress remains one of the most overlooked drivers of gastric irritation and ulcer formation. In my clinical herbalist practice here in Salt Lake City, I consistently see that people who are dealing with ulcerations in the stomach and bowels are experiencing heightened stress and anxiety levels.
The stomach is not just a digestive organ- it is a stress-responsive organ, too!
When we live in a prolonged state of tension, the nervous system shifts into survival mode. Blood flow is redirected, digestive secretions become dysregulated, inflammation increases, and the protective mucosal lining of the stomach can weaken. Over time, this creates conditions where irritation can escalate into ulceration. Who hasn’t felt the hit of stress, panic, or anxiety in the pit of their stomach? The connection is powerful and both digestion and stress influence one another in complex ways.
When working with a client who’s experiencing stomach ulcers (or even mouth ulcers like canker sores), there are a few ways I like to approach. First, we calm and regulate the nervous system to help the body process and release anxious energy while nourishing it to be more resilient and adaptive. We do this by working with herbs for stress that settle into the stomach rather than going everywhere in the body. Next, we directly support the stomach with herbs that coat, soothe, draw out heat, purify tissues, build up tone, and encourage healing. Finally, we look at providing nourishment to the whole digestive system from top to bottom. In this holistic approach, we don’t just treat the ulcer. Rather, we address the underlying cause of anxiety and stress and support the stomach in healing itself like it knows how.
The Stressful Root of Ulcers (and many other digestive complaints!)
When I’m working with a client who’s in pain, they often want to know which herbs for ulcers I suggest and how to best work with those remedies. Many times they’re surprised when I begin our session with a look at stress, anxiety, coherence, and sleep. What does stress have to do with something that could be caused by bacteria, spicy food, irritation, or even genetics? The answer is in resilience.
Ulcers have many known causes, but the body as a whole is capable of handling those causes without needing an ulcer in most people, most of the time. When stress and anxiety are high, however, the body is taxed and less resilient and issues it could normally handle suddenly become problematic. In these cases stress is underneath whatever other causes have led to the ulceration- and when the person treats the ulcer it just comes back later.
By starting with a look at stress and adaptability, we can ensure that the body’s own healing mechanisms and innate wisdom can handle things better. Less stress and worry means more energy and adaptive reserves for the immune system, tissue repair, and so on. In 10 years of herbal clinical practice in Salt Lake City, Utah I don’t think I’ve given someone herbs for stomach ulcers even one time without also providing them with herbal remedies for anxiety and stress!
Soothe the Burn
When someone is dealing with an active stomach ulcer, they often feel anywhere from discomfort to pain. Ulcerations expose delicate tissues and nerves to digestive enzymes and even irritating substances like hydrochloric acid! These materials are great for breaking down food, but they can cause a lot of pain when the lining of the stomach is compromised.
After addressing stress, the next thing I like to do is provide a buffer for the stomach so that it can get some healing done. When food and enzymes are constantly pushing against an ulcer, it makes it hard to heal. I prepare specialized herbal teas that work to coat the stomach, build up healing resources, ease inflammation, and protect the tissues. Think of this like putting an herbal bandage over the ulcer so that it can heal deeply.
One nuance to this process is that we can’t cool or dampen the stomach too much otherwise overall digestive function will be impeded. The belly needs to be warm, less damp, and able to move with ease. I’ve seen people drink a ton of Aloe Vera gel, Marshmallow Root tea, or take Licorice Root capsules to soothe and protect the ulcer only to find that they become bloated and gassy while their digestive system slows to a halt.
Deep Healing
Ulcers need to be healed from the deepest layer of the tissue up to the surface where the tissues are exposed to enzymes and food materials. We always want to ensure that the tissue has time and resources to do this deep healing without prematurely sealing it up or preventing blood flow to the area. Many people will turn to styptic herbs right away not realizing that while they may feel good in the short term, they aren’t allowing healing to happen in the way the body needs it. Then, the ulceration just pops back up again later on.
My approach to helping the body heal ulcers is to first and foremost purify the tissues and clear out any metabolic waste from bacteria or cellular replenishing. This gently overlaps with herbs that heal tissue, circulate blood and lymph, strengthen stomach walls, modulate immunity, and support overall stress-free digestion. Often times the cleansing has 5-7 days on its own as we slowly taper in the deeper tissue-healing herbs.
All of the above is a general overview of how herbs for ulcers can be effective. One thing that cannot and should not be given an overview is which herbs we work with. Not all herb are right for all bodies, and each person’s experience of stress, anxiety, tension, digestive issues, and ulcers should be approached directly with herbal medicines formulated just for them. While broad-spectrum herbal remedies can sometimes help, they can also just drag out healing or even drive issues deeper into the body. The right herbs should always be chosen for the individual and not so much for the name of the issues they’re experiencing.
If you’re in the Salt Lake City area and want to give your digestive system some special TLC, I would love to help! I’m a traditionally-trained and board-certified clinical herbalist in private practice for over 10 years here in the Wasatch Front. My clinic is located in the Avenues neighborhood where I meet with clients, help connect them to the herbs and remedies that are best suited to their goals, and craft herbal medicines just for them.
I also host a variety of herb classes and workshops each month where you can come learn, connect with community, and meet the plants!
