Ulcers that develop in the stomach are known as gastric or peptic ulcers. These ulcers are generally quite painful, and the pain is felt immediately after eating something. It lasts for about one to one and a half hours ? this is the time taken ordinarily to digest food ? and then it subsides. Peptic ulcers are a digestive problem; hence they are caused due to pitta vitiation. In specific, when the digestive fire of the body, known as the agni, is vitiated, peptic ulcers can occur.

Causes of Peptic Ulcers:

- Use of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID's)

Infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria

- Peptic ulcer is caused when H. pylori and NSAID's break down the stomach or intestine's protective mucus layer which prevents digestive juices from damaging the organs.

Symptoms of Peptic Ulcer:

The most common symptoms of peptic ulcer are a burning pain between the navel and the breastbone. Some people also have back pain. The pain can last for a few hours and again come back to last for weeks. Some sufferers of peptic ulcer may experience loss of appetite and weight loss, vomiting, bloating or nausea. Black stools may be another symptom and these symptoms vary from one person to another.

Treatment of Peptic Ulcers:

- Cut some fresh amalaki and remove their seeds. Dry them by heating on an open iron pan. Use a low fire so that black soot is formed and the amalaki turn into black colored charcoal. You can crush it into a powder not. Mix this powder with some sugar and psyllium husk. Preserve this mixture in a glass jar.

- Take some aniseed in a quantity of one teaspoon. Put it in a cupful of water and boil it. When it reaches boiling point, shut the flame and keep it covered for the night. In the morning, filter the mixture and take it with honey.

- The best remedy for healing ulcers, especially gastric (stomach) ulcers is a diet rich in natural green foods ? eating plenty of green cruciferous vegetables and drinking vegetable juice daily or as often as possible.

- Cabbage juice is probably the best instant healing remedy for ulcers. I usually tell people suffering from ulcers to drink 2-4 ounces of cabbage juice daily.

- Yoga/deep breathing exercises, transcendental meditation, crystal therapy, positive thinking, aromatherapy (essential oils of Lavender, Bergamot, Neroli, Valerian, and Davana); Tai Chi, massage therapy, colon therapy, relaxation, deep sleep, living righteously and standing on and for truth can all help to reduce or eliminate stress ? Guaranteed!

- Eat simple to digest meals and keep a fixed schedule of meal times. Do not eat at different times every day.

- Avoid spicy foods, sour foods and hot foods that irritate the stomach.

- Among fruits, oranges, raspberries, plums and melons are good.

- The black nightshade, commonly known as sunberry or wonder cherry, is effective in treatment of peptic ulcers.

- The Indian gooseberry is known as amalaki in Ayurvedic medicine. It is the richest source of vitamin C, i.e. ascorbic acid.

- Licorice is very effective in the treatment of stomach ulcers.