Lesions of the mucous membranes along the gastrointestinal tract. For skin ulcers see under BEDSORES. Peptic ulcer risks include genetic predisposition, Helicobacter pylori, alcohol, aspirin, food allergies, non-steroid anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), nutrient deficiencies, smoking, stress.
Diet:
Eat several small meals a day, a diet rich in plant foods, fish, turkey, olive oil, and if your symptoms are sever, soft foods like bananas, potatoes, squash, yams, yogurt, and soluble fiber like guar gum and psyllium. Drink fresh cabbage juice often. Avoid alcohol, tobacco, animal fats, aspirin, caffeine, carbonated drinks, milk, spices, sugar, artificial preservatives, colors and flavors, and too many citrus fruits.
Nutrients:
Vitamin A, B complex, E, zinc, evening primrose oil.
Herbs:
Aloe vera juice on empty stomach, slippery elm, alfalfa. By far the most effective are Greek mastic gum, a resin produced from the tree Pistacia lentiscus, ground and swallowed on empty stomach, and deglycyrrhizinated licorice root in tablet form chewed.