H. pylori Infection: natural remedies and the evidence behind them
H. pylori is a bacterial infection of the stomach lining that can cause ulcers, chronic gastritis, and digestive discomfort.
10 options1 graded A1 graded B1 graded C7 traditional or ungraded
A
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This option is ideal for those wanting to protect gut comfort and reduce diarrhea and digestive upset that can accompany standard H. pylori treatment.
Supported by a randomized controlled trial finding Saccharomyces boulardii added to standard quadruple therapy improved eradication safety and reduced gastrointestinal side effects.
Dose or use Follow product labeling; consult a healthcare practitioner.
Key study Meta-analysis (2025, PMID 41247686): Efficacy and Safety of <em>Saccharomyces Boulardii</em> with Standard Quadruple Therapy for Eradication of <em>Helicobacter Pylori </em>in Adults: Meta-Analysis.
EvidenceSupported by controlled trialsTime to resultsTypically 1–2 weeks for side effect relief
Caution: Use with caution if immunocompromised or have a central venous catheter; consult your doctor first.
If you're taking antibiotics for H. pylori, adding a probiotic is one of the best-studied ways to support the treatment. Research on probiotics as a group, including strains like L. plantarum P8, links them to better eradication and easier-to-tolerate courses.
A 2025 systematic review of probiotics as a class (not this strain alone) found that adding them to standard bismuth-based antibiotic therapy improved eradication success and tolerability. L. plantarum P8 is one well-characterized strain within that broader probiotic class.
Dose or use Follow product labeling; consult a healthcare practitioner.
Key study Systematic review and meta-analysis (2025, PMID 41574348): probiotics as a class, added to bismuth-containing quadruple therapy, improved H. pylori eradication and tolerability. Note: L. plantarum P8 was not tested individually in this review; it is one representative strain of the probiotic class studied.
EvidenceLimited human trials so far · Most of the research is laboratory or animal workTime to resultsTypically assessed at end of treatment course (2–4 weeks)
Caution: Take a few hours apart from antibiotics for best effect; consult your doctor if immunocompromised.
Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing
Soothes and coats the stomach lining
Why it may be relevant
If treatment leaves your stomach raw or uncomfortable, deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) is traditionally taken to soothe and protect the gastric lining while you get through your course.
Licorice has a long history of use for soothing the stomach lining, and DGL is the form with the glycyrrhizin removed so it doesn't raise blood pressure the way whole licorice can. This is a traditional gut-comfort use rather than a proven H. pylori treatment.
Dose or use Typically chewed as a tablet before meals; follow product labeling and consult a healthcare practitioner.
Key study Traditionally used to soothe and protect the stomach lining; this specific use for H. pylori has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
EvidenceCenturies of traditional use · Human evidence not yet assessedTime to resultsOften used for day-to-day comfort during treatmentTraditional useLong-standing traditional staple
Caution: Use the DGL (deglycyrrhizinated) form; ordinary licorice can raise blood pressure and lower potassium. Check with your doctor if you have heart or blood-pressure concerns.
This option is ideal for those wanting to protect gut comfort and reduce diarrhea and digestive upset that can accompany standard H. pylori treatment.
Supported by a randomized controlled trial finding Saccharomyces boulardii added to standard quadruple therapy improved eradication safety and reduced gastrointestinal side effects.
Dose or use Follow product labeling; consult a healthcare practitioner.
Key study Meta-analysis (2025, PMID 41247686): Efficacy and Safety of <em>Saccharomyces Boulardii</em> with Standard Quadruple Therapy for Eradication of <em>Helicobacter Pylori </em>in Adults: Meta-Analysis.
EvidenceSupported by controlled trialsTime to resultsTypically 1–2 weeks for side effect relief
Caution: Use with caution if immunocompromised or have a central venous catheter; consult your doctor first.
For those interested in natural antimicrobial support, lactoferrin has been studied as a complementary addition to H. pylori eradication regimens.
Supported by a randomized controlled trial comparing lactoferrin-containing regimens for H. pylori eradication, suggesting it may help address antibiotic-resistance challenges.
Dose or use Follow product labeling; consult a healthcare practitioner.
Key study RCT (2026, PMID 42340765): Helicobacter pylori Eradication in the Era of Rising Antibiotic Resistance: A Randomized Controlled Comparison of Clarithromycin- and Levofloxacin-Based Triple Therapy with or without Lactoferrin.
EvidenceSupported by smaller clinical studiesTime to resultsTypically 2–4 weeks
Caution: Generally well tolerated; consult a healthcare practitioner if you have a milk protein allergy.
If you're taking antibiotics for H. pylori, adding a probiotic is one of the best-studied ways to support the treatment. Research on probiotics as a group, including strains like L. plantarum P8, links them to better eradication and easier-to-tolerate courses.
A 2025 systematic review of probiotics as a class (not this strain alone) found that adding them to standard bismuth-based antibiotic therapy improved eradication success and tolerability. L. plantarum P8 is one well-characterized strain within that broader probiotic class.
Dose or use Follow product labeling; consult a healthcare practitioner.
Key study Systematic review and meta-analysis (2025, PMID 41574348): probiotics as a class, added to bismuth-containing quadruple therapy, improved H. pylori eradication and tolerability. Note: L. plantarum P8 was not tested individually in this review; it is one representative strain of the probiotic class studied.
EvidenceLimited human trials so far · Most of the research is laboratory or animal workTime to resultsTypically assessed at end of treatment course (2–4 weeks)
Caution: Take a few hours apart from antibiotics for best effect; consult your doctor if immunocompromised.
For those interested in natural antimicrobial support, lactoferrin has been studied as a complementary addition to H. pylori eradication regimens.
Supported by a randomized controlled trial comparing lactoferrin-containing regimens for H. pylori eradication, suggesting it may help address antibiotic-resistance challenges.
Dose or use Follow product labeling; consult a healthcare practitioner.
Key study RCT (2026, PMID 42340765): Helicobacter pylori Eradication in the Era of Rising Antibiotic Resistance: A Randomized Controlled Comparison of Clarithromycin- and Levofloxacin-Based Triple Therapy with or without Lactoferrin.
EvidenceSupported by smaller clinical studiesTime to resultsTypically 2–4 weeks
Caution: Generally well tolerated; consult a healthcare practitioner if you have a milk protein allergy.
Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use recognised
Sulforaphane-rich sprout concentrate
Why it may be relevant
For a food-derived natural option, broccoli sprout extract concentrates sulforaphane, the compound in cruciferous vegetables that has drawn interest for supporting the stomach lining alongside H. pylori care.
Broccoli sprouts are a rich natural source of sulforaphane and are commonly explored for gut and stomach-lining support. We include this on a general, food-based rationale rather than a specific trial in our library.
Dose or use Taken as a standardized sprout extract; follow product labeling and consult a healthcare practitioner.
Key study A food-derived source of sulforaphane explored for stomach-lining support; this specific use has not been confirmed in a controlled clinical trial in our library.
EvidenceNot yet assessed · We have not reviewed the literature for this oneTime to resultsTypically used over several weeksTraditional useRecognised traditional use
Caution: Generally well tolerated as a food-based supplement; it is a complement to, not a replacement for, prescribed eradication therapy.
Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing
Classic tree-resin remedy for the gut
Why it may be relevant
If you're looking at natural options alongside your care, mastic gum (Chios mastic, from the Pistacia lentiscus tree) is the most traditional resin used for the stomach and H. pylori-type discomfort.
Mastic gum has centuries of traditional use for stomach and digestive complaints and is the natural agent most associated with H. pylori. We include it on that traditional basis rather than a specific trial in our library.
Dose or use Commonly taken as capsules of resin with or before meals; follow product labeling and consult a healthcare practitioner.
Key study Traditionally used for stomach complaints and H. pylori; this specific use has not been confirmed in a controlled clinical trial in our library.
EvidenceCenturies of traditional use · Human evidence not yet assessedTime to resultsTraditionally used over a several-week courseTraditional useLong-standing traditional staple
Caution: Generally well tolerated; stop and check with your doctor if it upsets your stomach, and don't use it as a substitute for prescribed eradication therapy.
For those interested in natural antimicrobial support, lactoferrin has been studied as a complementary addition to H. pylori eradication regimens.
Supported by a randomized controlled trial comparing lactoferrin-containing regimens for H. pylori eradication, suggesting it may help address antibiotic-resistance challenges.
Dose or use Follow product labeling; consult a healthcare practitioner.
Key study RCT (2026, PMID 42340765): Helicobacter pylori Eradication in the Era of Rising Antibiotic Resistance: A Randomized Controlled Comparison of Clarithromycin- and Levofloxacin-Based Triple Therapy with or without Lactoferrin.
EvidenceSupported by smaller clinical studiesTime to resultsTypically 2–4 weeks
Caution: Generally well tolerated; consult a healthcare practitioner if you have a milk protein allergy.
If you're taking antibiotics for H. pylori, adding a probiotic is one of the best-studied ways to support the treatment. Research on probiotics as a group, including strains like L. plantarum P8, links them to better eradication and easier-to-tolerate courses.
A 2025 systematic review of probiotics as a class (not this strain alone) found that adding them to standard bismuth-based antibiotic therapy improved eradication success and tolerability. L. plantarum P8 is one well-characterized strain within that broader probiotic class.
Dose or use Follow product labeling; consult a healthcare practitioner.
Key study Systematic review and meta-analysis (2025, PMID 41574348): probiotics as a class, added to bismuth-containing quadruple therapy, improved H. pylori eradication and tolerability. Note: L. plantarum P8 was not tested individually in this review; it is one representative strain of the probiotic class studied.
EvidenceLimited human trials so far · Most of the research is laboratory or animal workTime to resultsTypically assessed at end of treatment course (2–4 weeks)
Caution: Take a few hours apart from antibiotics for best effect; consult your doctor if immunocompromised.
Where are you in tackling your H. pylori right now?
I want to catch the nutrient gaps H. pylori can cause, like low iron or B12
–
Nutrient gap worth checking
Iron Deficiency
Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use recognised
H. pylori can leave you low on iron
Why it may be relevant
Chronic H. pylori can quietly lower your iron, so if you're focused on repairing nutritional gaps, iron is one of the first things worth checking.
Long-standing H. pylori gastritis can reduce iron absorption and cause slow blood loss, and it's a recognized cause of unexplained iron-deficiency anemia. Flagging it here helps you and your doctor look in the right place.
Dose or use Ask your doctor to check ferritin and iron levels; correct any deficiency with diet or supplements under guidance rather than guessing.
Key study Chronic H. pylori is a recognized cause of iron-deficiency anemia; this card flags the association so levels can be checked, and is educational rather than tied to a specific trial in our library.
EvidenceNot yet assessed · We have not reviewed the literature for this oneTime to resultsIron stores typically rebuild over 1-3 months once correctedTraditional useRecognised traditional use
Caution: Don't start high-dose iron on your own; too much iron is harmful and levels should be confirmed by a blood test first.
–
Nutrient gap worth checking
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) Deficiency
Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use recognised
H. pylori can impair B12 absorption
Why it may be relevant
If you're addressing nutrient gaps, vitamin B12 is worth checking too: long-term H. pylori can interfere with how your stomach absorbs it.
Chronic H. pylori gastritis can lower stomach acid and intrinsic factor, both needed to absorb B12, making it a well-documented cause of B12 deficiency. Surfacing it helps you catch a fixable gap early.
Dose or use Ask your doctor to check your B12 (and ideally methylmalonic acid) levels; replete through diet, oral supplements, or injections as advised.
Key study H. pylori-associated atrophic gastritis is an established cause of B12 malabsorption; this card flags the association for testing and is educational rather than tied to a specific trial in our library.
EvidenceNot yet assessed · We have not reviewed the literature for this oneTime to resultsSymptoms and levels usually improve over weeks to a few months once correctedTraditional useRecognised traditional use
Caution: Confirm low B12 with a blood test before treating; persistent numbness or tingling should be reviewed by a doctor promptly.
Where are you in tackling your H. pylori right now?
My main issue is stomach discomfort, gastritis or nausea I want to soothe
Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing
Soothes and coats the stomach lining
Why it may be relevant
If treatment leaves your stomach raw or uncomfortable, deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) is traditionally taken to soothe and protect the gastric lining while you get through your course.
Licorice has a long history of use for soothing the stomach lining, and DGL is the form with the glycyrrhizin removed so it doesn't raise blood pressure the way whole licorice can. This is a traditional gut-comfort use rather than a proven H. pylori treatment.
Dose or use Typically chewed as a tablet before meals; follow product labeling and consult a healthcare practitioner.
Key study Traditionally used to soothe and protect the stomach lining; this specific use for H. pylori has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
EvidenceCenturies of traditional use · Human evidence not yet assessedTime to resultsOften used for day-to-day comfort during treatmentTraditional useLong-standing traditional staple
Caution: Use the DGL (deglycyrrhizinated) form; ordinary licorice can raise blood pressure and lower potassium. Check with your doctor if you have heart or blood-pressure concerns.
Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing
Acupressure point for stomach discomfort
Why it may be relevant
If your main problem is stomach discomfort, gastritis or nausea, REN12 (Zhongwan) is the traditional acupressure point on the upper-belly midline used for exactly that kind of digestive upset.
In traditional Chinese medicine REN12 is a primary point for bloating, indigestion, gastritis and nausea. It's a gentle self-care comfort measure, not a way to clear the infection.
Dose or use Press gently with a fingertip on the midline about halfway between the navel and the base of the breastbone for 1-2 minutes; avoid right after a large meal.
Key study A traditional acupressure point for stomach discomfort, gastritis and nausea; used for comfort and not confirmed to affect H. pylori itself.
EvidenceCenturies of traditional use · Human evidence not yet assessedTime to resultsUsed in the moment for comfortTraditional useLong-standing traditional staple
Caution: For symptom comfort only; it does not treat or eradicate H. pylori. Avoid firm pressure if the area is very tender or you are pregnant, and keep taking any prescribed treatment.
–
Pressure point
ST36 (Zusanli)
Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing
Leg acupressure point for digestion
Why it may be relevant
When your stomach feels off or queasy, ST36 (Zusanli), just below the knee, is one of the most-used acupressure points for supporting digestion and easing nausea.
ST36 is a mainstay Stomach-meridian point in traditional Chinese medicine for indigestion, bloating and nausea. It's a simple self-care comfort technique, not an antimicrobial.
Dose or use Press firmly with a fingertip about four finger-widths below the kneecap, just outside the shinbone, for 1-2 minutes on each leg.
Key study A traditional acupressure point used to support digestion and ease nausea; a comfort measure, not confirmed to affect H. pylori.
EvidenceCenturies of traditional use · Human evidence not yet assessedTime to resultsUsed in the moment for comfortTraditional useLong-standing traditional staple
Caution: For symptom comfort only; it does not treat the infection. Continue any prescribed eradication therapy.
What kind of help do you prefer to reach for?
Hands-on acupressure I can do myself for in-the-moment comfort
–
Pressure point
REN12 (Zhongwan)
Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing
Acupressure point for stomach discomfort
Why it may be relevant
If your main problem is stomach discomfort, gastritis or nausea, REN12 (Zhongwan) is the traditional acupressure point on the upper-belly midline used for exactly that kind of digestive upset.
In traditional Chinese medicine REN12 is a primary point for bloating, indigestion, gastritis and nausea. It's a gentle self-care comfort measure, not a way to clear the infection.
Dose or use Press gently with a fingertip on the midline about halfway between the navel and the base of the breastbone for 1-2 minutes; avoid right after a large meal.
Key study A traditional acupressure point for stomach discomfort, gastritis and nausea; used for comfort and not confirmed to affect H. pylori itself.
EvidenceCenturies of traditional use · Human evidence not yet assessedTime to resultsUsed in the moment for comfortTraditional useLong-standing traditional staple
Caution: For symptom comfort only; it does not treat or eradicate H. pylori. Avoid firm pressure if the area is very tender or you are pregnant, and keep taking any prescribed treatment.
–
Pressure point
ST36 (Zusanli)
Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing
Leg acupressure point for digestion
Why it may be relevant
When your stomach feels off or queasy, ST36 (Zusanli), just below the knee, is one of the most-used acupressure points for supporting digestion and easing nausea.
ST36 is a mainstay Stomach-meridian point in traditional Chinese medicine for indigestion, bloating and nausea. It's a simple self-care comfort technique, not an antimicrobial.
Dose or use Press firmly with a fingertip about four finger-widths below the kneecap, just outside the shinbone, for 1-2 minutes on each leg.
Key study A traditional acupressure point used to support digestion and ease nausea; a comfort measure, not confirmed to affect H. pylori.
EvidenceCenturies of traditional use · Human evidence not yet assessedTime to resultsUsed in the moment for comfortTraditional useLong-standing traditional staple
Caution: For symptom comfort only; it does not treat the infection. Continue any prescribed eradication therapy.
What kind of help do you prefer to reach for?
Lab checks and nutrition to fix root-cause deficiencies
–
Nutrient gap worth checking
Iron Deficiency
Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use recognised
H. pylori can leave you low on iron
Why it may be relevant
Chronic H. pylori can quietly lower your iron, so if you're focused on repairing nutritional gaps, iron is one of the first things worth checking.
Long-standing H. pylori gastritis can reduce iron absorption and cause slow blood loss, and it's a recognized cause of unexplained iron-deficiency anemia. Flagging it here helps you and your doctor look in the right place.
Dose or use Ask your doctor to check ferritin and iron levels; correct any deficiency with diet or supplements under guidance rather than guessing.
Key study Chronic H. pylori is a recognized cause of iron-deficiency anemia; this card flags the association so levels can be checked, and is educational rather than tied to a specific trial in our library.
EvidenceNot yet assessed · We have not reviewed the literature for this oneTime to resultsIron stores typically rebuild over 1-3 months once correctedTraditional useRecognised traditional use
Caution: Don't start high-dose iron on your own; too much iron is harmful and levels should be confirmed by a blood test first.
–
Nutrient gap worth checking
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) Deficiency
Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use recognised
H. pylori can impair B12 absorption
Why it may be relevant
If you're addressing nutrient gaps, vitamin B12 is worth checking too: long-term H. pylori can interfere with how your stomach absorbs it.
Chronic H. pylori gastritis can lower stomach acid and intrinsic factor, both needed to absorb B12, making it a well-documented cause of B12 deficiency. Surfacing it helps you catch a fixable gap early.
Dose or use Ask your doctor to check your B12 (and ideally methylmalonic acid) levels; replete through diet, oral supplements, or injections as advised.
Key study H. pylori-associated atrophic gastritis is an established cause of B12 malabsorption; this card flags the association for testing and is educational rather than tied to a specific trial in our library.
EvidenceNot yet assessed · We have not reviewed the literature for this oneTime to resultsSymptoms and levels usually improve over weeks to a few months once correctedTraditional useRecognised traditional use
Caution: Confirm low B12 with a blood test before treating; persistent numbness or tingling should be reviewed by a doctor promptly.
What kind of help do you prefer to reach for?
Traditional herbal and food-based remedies for the stomach
Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use recognised
Sulforaphane-rich sprout concentrate
Why it may be relevant
For a food-derived natural option, broccoli sprout extract concentrates sulforaphane, the compound in cruciferous vegetables that has drawn interest for supporting the stomach lining alongside H. pylori care.
Broccoli sprouts are a rich natural source of sulforaphane and are commonly explored for gut and stomach-lining support. We include this on a general, food-based rationale rather than a specific trial in our library.
Dose or use Taken as a standardized sprout extract; follow product labeling and consult a healthcare practitioner.
Key study A food-derived source of sulforaphane explored for stomach-lining support; this specific use has not been confirmed in a controlled clinical trial in our library.
EvidenceNot yet assessed · We have not reviewed the literature for this oneTime to resultsTypically used over several weeksTraditional useRecognised traditional use
Caution: Generally well tolerated as a food-based supplement; it is a complement to, not a replacement for, prescribed eradication therapy.
Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing
Soothes and coats the stomach lining
Why it may be relevant
If treatment leaves your stomach raw or uncomfortable, deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) is traditionally taken to soothe and protect the gastric lining while you get through your course.
Licorice has a long history of use for soothing the stomach lining, and DGL is the form with the glycyrrhizin removed so it doesn't raise blood pressure the way whole licorice can. This is a traditional gut-comfort use rather than a proven H. pylori treatment.
Dose or use Typically chewed as a tablet before meals; follow product labeling and consult a healthcare practitioner.
Key study Traditionally used to soothe and protect the stomach lining; this specific use for H. pylori has not been confirmed in controlled clinical trials.
EvidenceCenturies of traditional use · Human evidence not yet assessedTime to resultsOften used for day-to-day comfort during treatmentTraditional useLong-standing traditional staple
Caution: Use the DGL (deglycyrrhizinated) form; ordinary licorice can raise blood pressure and lower potassium. Check with your doctor if you have heart or blood-pressure concerns.
Evidence grade not assigned · Traditional use long-standing
Classic tree-resin remedy for the gut
Why it may be relevant
If you're looking at natural options alongside your care, mastic gum (Chios mastic, from the Pistacia lentiscus tree) is the most traditional resin used for the stomach and H. pylori-type discomfort.
Mastic gum has centuries of traditional use for stomach and digestive complaints and is the natural agent most associated with H. pylori. We include it on that traditional basis rather than a specific trial in our library.
Dose or use Commonly taken as capsules of resin with or before meals; follow product labeling and consult a healthcare practitioner.
Key study Traditionally used for stomach complaints and H. pylori; this specific use has not been confirmed in a controlled clinical trial in our library.
EvidenceCenturies of traditional use · Human evidence not yet assessedTime to resultsTraditionally used over a several-week courseTraditional useLong-standing traditional staple
Caution: Generally well tolerated; stop and check with your doctor if it upsets your stomach, and don't use it as a substitute for prescribed eradication therapy.
Evidence grades describe the strength of published research for H. pylori Infection, not a promise of results. A higher grade is not a personal recommendation. Nothing here is medical advice — talk to your clinician before starting anything, especially alongside prescription medication.
Related pressure points
Hands-on options you can try yourself.
Acupressure is a comfort measure, not a treatment for H. pylori Infection itself. Each page shows where the point is and how to press it.
The evidence behind H. pylori Infection, in one page
We track 6 natural options for H. pylori Infection — what each is typically used for, usual dose, cautions, and the study behind the ones with real trial data.
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