Ulcer Buster

Name: Ulcer Buster
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 7 servings
Ingredients: 2 apples (diced); 2 cucumbers (diced); 2 large kale leaves (roughly shredded); 1 pomegranate; 4 sticks of celery (chopped); 1 whole lemon with skin; 1 medium pineapple (diced); 2 pieces of 1/2-inch ginger; 2 tablespoons of clear sesame oil; 1 bunch coriander leaves with roots

By Dada Shivananda

Stomach Ulcers and Their Causes

Stomach ulcers are commonly caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). While H. pylori bacteria play a crucial role in digestion and maintaining balance within the stomach and intestinal systems, excessive proliferation disrupts this equilibrium. When this imbalance occurs, the stomach's mucous lining becomes damaged due to excessive acid secretion, allowing the bacteria to erode the stomach wall. As a result, open sores develop on the stomach’s inner lining and the upper portion of the small intestine—these are known as ulcers.

The Role of Diet and Lifestyle

Diet and stress are among the primary contributors to peptic ulcers. Overconsumption of acidic foods can wear down the protective membrane of the stomach, leading to increased vulnerability. Foods such as coffee, chocolate, heavily spiced dishes, acidic foods, alcohol, exacerbate ulcers and should be avoided. On the other hand, fiber-rich foods fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains aid digestion and help prevent ulcers. Additionally, certain foods like cauliflower, cabbage, coriander, fenugreek, ginger, and yogurt contain probiotics, which are rich in beneficial bacteria and highly effective in both preventing and treating ulcers.

An Ulcer Story

A close friend of mine was unaware that he had peptic ulcers and had been taking medication for 25 years to manage persistent stomach pain. Eventually, he grew frustrated and decided to discontinue the medication. Within days, he began experiencing excruciating stomach pain but remained firm in his decision to avoid medication. One day, his wife called me, distressed. She explained that he had been continuously vomiting everything he ate for the past two days. She asked for my advice, and my immediate response was to suggest he stop eating solid food and switch to a juice fast. I guided his wife through the one-month juice fasting method and shared the recipe for the Ulcer Buster green juice. I also explained that, since he had stopped taking pain medication, his ulcers were now exposed to stomach acid, causing intense burning sensations. Concerned about his condition, I strongly urged him to see a doctor. Upon medical examination, he discovered that he had an ulcer roughly the size of half a ping pong ball.