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Some natural treatments, including probiotics and broccoli sprouts, may help reduce the number of H. pylori bacteria in your stomach. However, eradicating the bacteria typically requires antibiotics.

8 natural treatments for H. pyloriShare on Pinterest
Stocksy / Alberto Bogo

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) are bacteria that can cause an infection in the lining of your stomach.

The use of conventional treatments like antibiotics can cause challenging side effects in some people. It’s possible to experience nausea, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.

Some people are resistant to antibiotics, which can complicate traditional approaches to treatment. As a result, interest in natural treatments for H. pylori infection is growing. These may be used in addition to conventional, prescribed treatments.

Many in vivo and in vitro studies on natural H. pylori treatments have been done. Most treatments reduced the number of bacteria in the stomach but failed to eradicate them permanently.

Be sure to talk with your doctor before beginning a natural treatment regimen. You shouldn’t replace your recommended treatment for H. pylori with natural remedies.

That said, read on to learn more about H. pylori and what natural remedies may help treat it.

H. pylori infections are really common, representing about 50% of bacterial infections in the U.S. It’s also common in children and teenagers, although research shows the prevalence has been going slightly down in adults.

H. pylori infections can be asymptomatic. Many people with H. pylori don’t know they have it. However, this bacteria can cause duodenal and peptic ulcers, as well as gastrointestinal symptoms such as:

  • burning pain in the abdomen
  • bloating
  • nausea
  • loss of appetite
  • frequent burping
  • unexplained weight loss

It’s also a risk factor for stomach cancer.

Can H. pylori be treated naturally?

Eradication rates of H. pylori are high when antibiotic treatment is used. Rates are highest when antibiotics are combined with an acid reducer. That said, adding natural treatments may offer additional healing benefits.

With your doctor’s approval, you can try natural treatments as adjuvant therapy.

Probiotics help maintain the balance between good and bad gut bacteria. According to a 2020 study, taking probiotics before or after standard H. pylori treatment may improve eradication rates.

Antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria in your stomach, so probiotics help replenish good bacteria. They may also reduce your risk of developing yeast overgrowth.

Learn more: The benefits of probiotics.

Animal research suggests that antioxidants in green tea, called catechins, may help reduce peptic ulcers caused by H. pylori.

Catechines are a type of polyphenol, and human studies have also found that they may help eradicate the bacterium.

Learn more: 10 evidence-based benefits of green tea.

Honey has been found to have antibacterial abilities against H. pylori. A systematic review supports this conclusion.

No research to date has shown that honey can eradicate the bacteria on its own, but it may help inhibit its growth. Raw honey and Manuka honey may have the most antibacterial effects.

Learn more: Everything to Know About the Health Benefits of Honey.

Olive oil is effective in reducing the growth of H. pylori and may help prevent the infection. It is a healthy choice for cooking and salad dressings.

Learn more: 11 proven benefits of olive oil.

A 2020 review found that licorice root increased the eradication rate of H. pylori and has an antibacterial effect.

Licorice root may also help prevent H. pylori from sticking to cell walls and promote ulcer healing. Talk with your doctor before adding licorice root to your treatment plan.

Learn more: What are licorice root’s benefits and downsides?

In human studies, daily consumption of broccoli sprouts reduced H. pylori colonization and gastric inflammation, with some cases resulting in complete eradication of the bacteria.

However, a 2020 study and a 2021 study found that sulforaphane may not eradicate or reduce occurrences of H. pylori, particularly severe infections. Therefore, more research may be needed.

Learn more: What are broccoli sprouts? Nutrients, benefits, and recipes.

LED blue light therapy might be a way to treat antibiotic-resistant H. pylori. Phototherapy uses ultraviolet light to help eliminate H. pylori in the stomach.

A 2020 study found that using blue LED endoscopy enhanced curcumin therapy, resulted in less tissue damage, and reduced the production and activity of H. pylori.

Learn more: Everything you need to know about phototherapy (light therapy).

Curcumin is an active ingredient found in turmeric, a spice. A 2019 study discussed how curcumin reduced inflammation and prevented H. pylori from entering and damaging gastric cells.

The antioxidant and antimicrobial action of curcumin led the authors to suggest that adding curcumin to a combination of medications that include antibiotics can be beneficial.

Learn more: 10 health benefits of turmeric and curcumin.

Doctors typically prescribe a combination of two antibiotics and an acid-reducing drug to treat H. pylori. This is known as triple therapy.

If you’re resistant to the antibiotics, your doctors may add another medication to your treatment plan. The goal is to get rid of 90% or more of the H. pylori bacteria present.

Treatment usually lasts no more than 2 weeks, but recovering from an ulcer due to H. pylori can take longer. Using two antibiotics instead of one may reduce your risk of antibiotic resistance. Antibiotics used to treat H. pylori include:

Acid-reducing medications help your stomach lining to heal. Some of these are:

  • proton pump inhibitors, such as omeprazole (Prilosec) and lansoprazole (Prevacid), which stop acid production in the stomach
  • histamine blockers, such as cimetidine (Tagamet), which block acid-triggering histamine
  • bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol), which coats and protects the lining of your stomach

What is the best food to cure Helicobacter pylori?

Certain vegetables, such as broccoli sprouts, may have a protective mechanism against H. Pylori. Some studies have also found that berries like cranberry may have a similar effect. That said, more research is needed to verify this. In addition, there’s also evidence that some foods, such as refined grains and certain fruits, may have a higher association with the infection.

Can activated charcoal cure H. pylori?

Activated charcoal may help stop the growth of H. Pylori. However, the supporting evidence is old and inconclusive.

What probiotic gets rid of H. pylori?

Research suggests that probiotics more likely to help with H. pylori are bifidobacterium-lactobacillus or bifidobacterium-lactobacillus-saccharomyces.

The source of H. pylori is unclear. There are no formal recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prevent it.

In general, you should practice good hygiene by frequently washing your hands and properly preparing your food.

Also, note that doctors seldom test for H. pylori unless you have symptoms. If you have symptoms, call your doctor for an evaluation.

H. pylori infection shares symptoms with other stomach conditions, such as acid reflux and GERD. It’s important to get the right diagnosis to ensure correct treatment.

You may need to have an endoscopy, a colonoscopy, or both to check for other possible diagnoses.

If you test positive for H. pylori, the sooner you start treatment, the better. Natural treatments aren’t likely to harm you, but they aren’t proven to eliminate the infection. Don’t use them instead of conventional treatments without your doctor’s supervision. If you’re diagnosed with H. pylori, complete your full course of treatment to reduce your risk of recurrence.