7 Proven Natural Remedies for Helicobacter Pylori

If you’ve ever had a bacterial infection, your doctor will most likely have given antibiotic treatments and a proton pump inhibitor (PPI).

The trouble is, antibiotics are not as effective as they used to be. Leading many people to search for a better solution.

It’s not just antibiotics: PPIs come with their own risks. In two recent studies, acid reflux drugs were found to more than double the risk of gastric cancer and liver disease (1)

Such side effects are easily avoided if you can get rid of H. pylori naturally.

Maybe the idea of the typical triple therapy (two antibiotics plus acid reducers) does not sit well with you – if so, you’re not alone.

Helicobacter Pylori is a common bacterial infection. So common, in fact, experts say that 50% of the population of the world might have H Pylori (2)

In most cases, the presence of H. Pylori goes undetected. Many people are infected in childhood. Plus, higher rates are found among those living in poverty or in crowded environments. 

H. Pylori are believed to have lived with humans for thousands of years. So what’s the problem? you might ask.

Studies show that H. Pylori increases your risk of developing gastric cancer by up to six times (3)

Data also suggest a link between H. Pylori and gastric ulcers and peptic ulcers (4) as well as stomach problems like bloating and nausea.

These risks mean that doctors waste no time in offering antibiotics and PPIs for people with an overgrowth of H. Pylori. 

There are many products on the market today, such as activated charcoal for h pylori, but the following are among the most well-researched food-based treatments against bacterial infections like H. Pylori, with studies dating back to the 1990s.

Mastic gum is the most researched natural treatment for H. Pylori. Mastic gum’s ability to kill H. Pylori (5) was first reported in 1998.

The gum contains many antimicrobial agents in its essential oils. Such as a-terpineol and (E)-methyl isoeugenol.

Broccoli sprouts contain sulforaphane, a compound known to wipe out H. Pylori. 

An antioxidant and detoxifier, sulforaphane killed the bug in 78% of people (6) eating broccoli sprouts twice a day for a week.

Matula tea (7) contains five wild (non-GMO) herbs: oleaceae, asteraceae, alliaceae, fabaceae and myrtaceae, some of which are antibacterial.

The tea also protects the stomach lining by reducing gastric juices.

Matula tea is extremely well-reviewed, and the company that makes a promise to refund you the cost if it does not destroy the infection in 30 days.

Just drink two cups per day and retest for H. Pylori 30-45 days after your last cuppa. Matula tea should be taken with probiotics.

If a person takes antibiotic treatments for H. Pylori, probiotics can balance out the gut microbes.

Probiotics build up the good bacteria that are wiped out by antibiotics (8), helping to restore balance. They also prevent the negative effects of drugs on the gut.

Thirty-three clinical trials looking at the effect of probiotics on H. Pylori, found that it was wiped out faster among those taking probiotics compared to control groups.

Manuka honey is one of the most useful natural products for killing H. Pylori. The best kind to use is Active Manuka, with a Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) rating of at least 10+.

While there’s evidence to show that medical-grade Manuka can inhibit H. Pylori (9) no human trials have found it capable of completely wiping it out if used as a single therapy.

It’s perhaps best used with another treatment i.e. mastic gum and broccoli sprouts.

Rather than targeting H. Pylori, NAC attacks the protective biofilm that H. Pylori live in.

Several studies (10) show that NAC boosts the activity of PPIs and antibiotics, by reducing biofilm thickness.

It is no stretch to imagine it also has efficacy when paired with alternative treatments. A typical recommended dose is 600mg two or three times per day.

Black seed with high thymoquinone content has been well-studied for Helicobacter Pylori because of its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

Fourteen people who had H. Pylori growth were studied (11) in 2016. They were given black seed and honey (known as “Dosin”).

One month later, eight had rid themselves of the infection.

Helicobacter loves to eat sugar (12) refined and processed foods (including processed oils which are pro-inflammatory), gluten, dairy and soy. As such, avoiding these foods will have an effect against H. Pylori.

Perhaps cut down or stop drinking coffee (which thins the gut lining) and alcohol. You can also use digestive enzymes alongside your treatment.

As noted by Dr. Josh Axe, drinking polluted water is one of the main ways you can contract H. Pylori. So you might want to consider installing a water filter that gets rid of heavy metals (like lead, copper), chemicals (chlorine, fluoride), bacteria and pesticides.

Avoid what H. Pylori thrives on. If you get rid of Helicobacter using one of the above treatments, it’s a good idea to keep using them long term intermittently, after the bug has gone. To ensure that it doesn’t return.

For example, mastic gum can be taken for one month twice a year; it’s also easy to continue using black seed oil and Manuka honey.

And regular probiotic usage has its own benefits beyond keeping Helicobacter down.

You may have to experiment, but with the right protocol you can treat Helicobacter naturally. Good luck!

Water for Health Ltd began trading in 2007 with the goal of positively affecting the lives of many. We still retain that mission because we believe that proper hydration and nutrition can make a massive difference to people’s health and quality of life. Click here to find out more.

Updated 29.10.24