Back Pain Forum - herbal benefits for stomach ulcers

Conditions and Diseases > Back Pain Forum > herbal benefits for stomach ulcers

Abdominal pain and bellyaches are common. Though most cases of abdominal pain aren't serious, sometimes you will need to see a doctor. We’ll review some of...

Q: herbal benefits for stomach ulcers

asked by: rpalnitkar on June 3rd, 2004

New User

Currently I am in india, but was in us for 6 years. In 1997 I developed a very very minor stomach ache which later became bothersome after a year. So in '98 I visited a doc who told me that its because I have ulcers. I strted taking anti-bio for that, later she thought I may have very tiny stones(started tons of cranberry juice). In the meantime took xrays and sonography. She sent me to gastro specialist later. He asked me to do cat of stomach...Did that ..All clear. So he sent me to a urologist as now I started getting pain in my testicles and inner thigh. The urologist told me that your nuts are fine and its better u vist a neuro. Meawhile its now late 1999, pain in severe on the back too. And if I get an pain attack I am in horizontal position for 2 weeks every 2 months.

The neuro has asked for mri....I got her the reports. Finally after 3 years of suffering in 2000 the radiologist has detected a problem at lumbar l4 and l5. The neuro sends me to physio... Back to neuro with zero improvement.

Spent thousands of dollars... With no cure. She told me to go for surgery(only if its unbearable!!!). By then I had to comeback to india.
Decided to go for our local hebal medication. The doctor here suggested that I go for a 14 day massage(7 day herbal oil and 7 day special rice and milk)
and also medication for 4 months. Also I had to stop consumming anything that is cold(i.E only room temp stuff to be consumed), minimize alcohol to a drink and nothing chilled or iced. Also no meat or fish in the evening/dinner and also stopped chease. Also took herbal enema for 10 days. The doctor told me that my lumbar problem is because of my bad eating habits and unclean digestive system and colon. Occasionally my heal too use to pain in the mornings or when I sit for long.

Since last 3 years after the treatment I have had no problems. Also I shed some weight.

Replies(11)

algosdoc

replied on June 3rd, 2004

Experienced User

Voodoo

Whereas the weight loss was probably the only thing that you have done over the past 3 years that was remotely connected to the low back pain, this serves to demonstrate how people are sucked in by witchdoctors. Fortunately your witchdoctor was a good witchdoctor, did not suck your wallet dry, and gave you rather benign albeit misguided advice which ultimately caused you to lose weight.
There are many witchdoctor therapies in the us such as homeopathic medicine that are used without a shred of proof they work and will unfortunately drain your bank account with voodoo cures. Manipulation therapies which claim to be able to cure asthma and diverticuliitis are also scams. Be smart, use some common sense, and do some research prior to jumping in to alternative and unproven therapies. Ask the following questions:
1. Are there double blind randomized placebo controlled studies demonstrating safety and efficacy?
2. What is the incentive of the person who is advertising such therapies- are they part owner or sole owner of a device or herbal cure they are trying to sell?
3. Is the price reasonable for what is offered? If a person offers to cure disc pain with a single injection for $2,200 and has no human placebo controlled trials to back it up, run the other direction since this is most likely a scam. If you are offered a magnetic mattress for $2,000 from a person selling the mattress but with no placebo studies using the same mattress without the magnets, you may be scammed.
4. Use common sense. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is a scam. If it doesn't make sense, then ask enough questions to show that the therapy has merit or does not.

rpalnitkar

replied on June 3rd, 2004

New User

Re: Voodoo

You may be right, but not in this case. My total expense was around $190.

Unbelievable!!!. The medication that I went for was all herbal and medicinal massage. Nothing to do with chemicals and homeopath. To answer your questions...

This kind of treatment is in india since 5000 years, the treament and cure is very slow but sure, hence not so popular.

Its called ayurved, ..And yoga is just a small part of it.

There are hundreds of centres in india who claim to sell genuine herbs. I settled for Nagarjun.Com .

algosdoc wrote:

whereas the weight loss was probably the only thing that you have done over the past 3 years that was remotely connected to the low back pain, this serves to demonstrate how people are sucked in by witchdoctors. Fortunately your witchdoctor was a good witchdoctor, did not suck your wallet dry, and gave you rather benign albeit misguided advice which ultimately caused you to lose weight.
There are many witchdoctor therapies in the us such as homeopathic medicine that are used without a shred of proof they work and will unfortunately drain your bank account with voodoo cures. Manipulation therapies which claim to be able to cure asthma and diverticuliitis are also scams. Be smart, use some common sense, and do some research prior to jumping in to alternative and unproven therapies. Ask the following questions:
1. Are there double blind randomized placebo controlled studies demonstrating safety and efficacy?

2. What is the incentive of the person who is advertising such therapies- are they part owner or sole owner of a device or herbal cure they are trying to sell?

3. Is the price reasonable for what is offered? If a person offers to cure disc pain with a single injection for $2,200 and has no human placebo controlled trials to back it up, run the other direction since this is most likely a scam. If you are offered a magnetic mattress for $2,000 from a person selling the mattress but with no placebo studies using the same mattress without the magnets, you may be scammed.

4. Use common sense. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is a scam. If it doesn't make sense, then ask enough questions to show that the therapy has merit or does not.

algosdoc

replied on June 3rd, 2004

Experienced User

Herbal Medicines

Herbal medicines are indeed chemicals. They are refined, concentrated, and purified to the point that there exists very little similarity to what is actually in the plant or root source. They are totally uncontrolled and have had on occasion disasterous consequences in the us when the public, lulled by the label "natural" , equated this with safety.
I am happy you had the response you did, but it would be astonishing if most derived the same benefit as you did.

2ferano

replied on June 4th, 2004

Extremely eHealthy

Herbal remedies and non-standard medical treatment help people all of the time. I personally would recommend going to the doctor first, but hey it worked for him and greatly improved his life!
I would never rule it out! Ever! Even if one person goes to a so called "witchdoctor" that does not mean that these treatments would not work for someone if gotten somewhere else.

algosdoc

replied on June 4th, 2004

Experienced User

Is That Indeed the Case?

Without any studies on the effectiveness and certainly on the safety of the majority of these chemicals, we really do not know if they help at all. There are certain chemicals which have been studied extensively such as glucosamine/chondroitan and indeed in some studies these are effective. But effectiveness does not equal safety.
The concept that "why not try it, it cannot hurt" with respect to these naturally occuring chemicals which have been purified, separated, and concentrated to the degree they have nothing to do with "natural" any longer, is an untested thesis since there are no studies to prove such. Anectdotal experiences are interesting but have zero validity or applicability to the consuming public.

2ferano

replied on June 5th, 2004

Extremely eHealthy

Well being as before we knew all that we do now people made it with what you refer to as "witch doctors" I don't see why it still would not work. You need to calm down.

algosdoc

replied on June 5th, 2004

Experienced User

Not At All...

I am not at all saying herbal remedies may not work, but am stating that as consumers you have a responsibility to research what you are putting in your bodies. Just because someone else is using a herbal derived chemical doesn't make it safe or effective. Just as you would not take a powerful drug unless you knew the effects and potential hazards, one would not take an herbal chemical unless they had researched it. It could very well hurt a person a great deal.

2ferano

replied on June 5th, 2004

Extremely eHealthy

Oh, yeah, I definately agree there. Just because it is herbal or "all natural" does not make it safe.

Gor Guru Gaa

replied on June 21st, 2004

New User

But you're forgetting to mention the incredible amount of negative side-effects associated with commonly prescribed pharmaceutical drugs! Herbal remedies are not widely condoned by the medical establishment because of the loss of revenue which would occur if they gainedd popularity. Pharmaceuticals is one of the biggest industries of our time and healthy profits are gained by all involved parties. If people were to suddenly become aware that (after empirical study) many illnesses could be remedied with herbs and alternative medication for a much cheaper price, pharmaceuticals would collapse as an industry.

This is largely the reason research is not conducted or inaccurately presented, doctors are advised not to issue herbal medication, demands are therefore low and hence funding for research is equally low due to high percieved investment risk from non-support from the medical establishment - yep, the dollar is more important than your health to your government! Idea

algosdoc

replied on June 21st, 2004

Experienced User

Inaccuracies And Myths

The idea that herbal medicines are not studied with rigorous scientific studies because they are not part of traditional medicine is nonsensical hysterical marketing by the herbal industry. If you took the time to research the profits made by health food stores, pharmacy chains, and pharmaceutical manufacturers who have jumped on the non-proven herbal therapy bandwagon, you will discover hundreds of millions of dollars in profit. Whereas in the traditional pharmaceutical manufacturer industry, fda trials or double blind randomized trials are required, the same pharmaceutical manfacturers and pharmacies which are making the herbal drugs have no such requirements. Instead, they are pocketing the enormous profits from this industry without ever having to prove their effectiveness.
There are many chemicals ("natural") drugs which have excellent studies demonstrating their efficacy using accepted scientific studies. But there are many more which are effectively snake oil without a shred of proof. The manufacturers of these chemicals are doing an enormous disservice to the public and may be engaging in false or misleading advertising. Fortunately the fda is starting to crack down on the preposterous claims made by these unscrupulous charlatans.

DESAVIEW888

replied on July 15th, 2004

New User

To algosdoc......... Although I have a lot of respect for western medicine, I think too many people is relying on passive assistance without enough active participation on the part of the patience for their own well being. Pain and discomforts are early warning signs that something is not right. It is time for the patient to examine their lifestlyes and see whether any aspect needs changing. Medicine and healing at that point needs to take a more active and holistic approach.

What the doctor and patient has done in this case are just things that need to be done to strengthen one's contitution. Everyone in this forum will benefit from a regiment that improves ones health. One need not wait for the doctor to give us the scientific name of the ailment especially in many cases they are no clear cause and effect.. In my mind, fit for life and reduced pain means in many cases going back to nature. Plenty of movements and exercises, avoid acidic food, no iced drinks and keep good postures. A healthy lifestyle. Ignore the rules and warnings become serious ailments.

Learn About Us

Get Help

Join In

Do More

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health
information:
verify here.

The site is not a replacement for professional medical opinion, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information written by any author on this site. No health questions and information on eHealth Forum is regulated or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and therefore the information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor. Posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author, and not the administrators, moderators, or editorial staff and hence eHealth Forum and its principals will accept no liabilities or responsibilities for the statements made. Schizophrenia health sitemap.
This page was last updated on January 1, 2009.
© 2008 eForums, Inc