A peptic ulcer is a sore in the lining of the stomach or duodenum. Most are caused by H. pylori infection or painkillers, and most are cured by a short course of treatment.
Reviewed September 2026 · For information, not diagnosis
In India call 112 for emergencies or 108 for an ambulance, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Do not wait to see whether a remedy works.
The stomach makes strong acid to digest food, and its lining normally protects itself with a layer of mucus. When that protection breaks down, the acid erodes an open sore — a peptic ulcer. Ulcers in the stomach are gastric ulcers; those in the first part of the small intestine are duodenal ulcers, which are more common.
Spicy food and stress do not cause ulcers, though they can make symptoms feel worse.
| Cause | Treatment |
|---|---|
| H. pylori | A 1–2 week course of two antibiotics with an acid-reducing medicine (proton-pump inhibitor, or PPI). A follow-up test confirms the infection has gone; once it has, most ulcers do not come back. |
| Painkillers | Stop the NSAID if possible and take a PPI for 4–8 weeks. If you must continue a painkiller or aspirin, your doctor will usually add long-term stomach protection. |
| Bleeding ulcer | Emergency endoscopy can stop the bleeding, followed by PPIs and H. pylori treatment. |
PPIs such as omeprazole and pantoprazole are very effective, but many people end up taking them for years without review. If you have been on one for a long time, ask your doctor whether you still need it — and do not stop suddenly, as symptoms can rebound for a couple of weeks.
A homeopath asks about the timing and character of the pain, what relieves it, food cravings, stress and temperament, and chooses a remedy.
Using homeopathy safely with an ulcer
There are no good-quality controlled trials showing that homeopathic remedies heal peptic ulcers or clear H. pylori.
More broadly, the largest independent assessment — the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council’s 2015 review of 176 studies — found no reliable evidence that homeopathy is effective for any health condition, and advised against using it for conditions that are chronic, serious or could become serious. People often do feel better after a long, unhurried homeopathic consultation; in one controlled trial in rheumatoid arthritis, the benefit came from the consultation rather than the remedy.
In practice: if you choose homeopathy, use it alongside the care described on this page, not instead of it — and tell each practitioner what the other has prescribed. More on the research →
These are the traditional descriptions (“keynotes”) from the homeopathic materia medica, listed so you recognise names a practitioner may mention. They are not evidence that a remedy works and not a guide to self-treatment. Homeopaths choose one remedy for the whole person rather than by diagnosis.
Described for an empty, gnawing pain eased by eating, returning a couple of hours later.
Described for pain in a small, fixed spot, with sticky mucus and nausea.
Described for burning pain with loud belching and anxiety before events.
Described for indigestion after rich food, coffee or late nights, in irritable, driven people.
Described for burning pain with craving for cold drinks, which are vomited once warm.
Described for bloating and fullness after a few mouthfuls, worse in the late afternoon.
Described for burning pain eased by warm drinks, with restlessness and anxiety.
Traditionally described for sour acid rising at night.
If you would like to try homeopathy, see a registered homeopathic doctor (BHMS or MD (Hom)) who will take a full history, knows your other treatment and will tell you when you need a medical specialist. Take your prescriptions and recent test reports with you.
No homeopaths have a profile on NeedsDoctor yet, so we cannot suggest one here. Choosing a homeopath explains how to check a practitioner’s qualifications and registration.
Are you a homeopathic doctor? Create your profile so readers of this page can find you.
This page is general information, reviewed September 2026. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a consultation. Do not stop or change a prescribed medicine without talking to the doctor who prescribed it. In an emergency in India call 112 (ambulance 108).
