Several natural remedies can help reduce bacterial loads in the stomach, particularly against Helicobacter pylori, the bacterium responsible for most chronic stomach infections. But “naturally” comes with an important caveat: none of these approaches reliably eradicate a confirmed bacterial infection on their own. Standard antibiotic therapy clears H. pylori in roughly 62% to 89% of cases depending on the regimen, and natural options generally work best as complements to that treatment or as strategies for mild, self-limiting infections like food poisoning. What follows is what the evidence actually supports, how much you’d need, and where the limits are.
Which Bacteria You’re Likely Dealing With
When people talk about a “stomach infection,” they usually mean one of two things. The first is H. pylori, a spiral-shaped bacterium that burrows into the stomach lining and can live there for years. It causes chronic gastritis, ulcers, and persistent upper abdominal pain, bloating, or nausea. About half the world’s population carries it, often without knowing. H. pylori attaches to the mucus layer of the stomach using specialized proteins that lock onto sugar molecules on the surface of your cells, making it difficult for your immune system to dislodge.
The second possibility is acute bacterial gastroenteritis from pathogens like Salmonella or E. coli, typically picked up from contaminated food or water. These infections are usually self-limiting, meaning they resolve on their own within a few days. The natural strategies below are more relevant for H. pylori, though some dietary approaches help with recovery from acute infections too.
Broccoli Sprouts and Sulforaphane
This is one of the better-studied natural interventions. Broccoli sprouts contain a compound called sulforaphane that has direct antibacterial activity against H. pylori. In a clinical trial, 48 H. pylori-positive patients ate 70 grams of broccoli sprouts daily (about 2.5 ounces, or a generous handful) for eight weeks. The control group ate the same amount of alfalfa sprouts, which don’t contain sulforaphane. The broccoli sprout group showed measurably reduced bacterial colonization and less stomach inflammation.
Seventy grams a day is a realistic amount. You can add them to salads, sandwiches, or smoothies. Broccoli sprouts are widely available at grocery stores or easy to grow at home from seed in about five days. The key is consistency over weeks, not a one-time dose.
Garlic and Allicin
Garlic’s active antibacterial compound, allicin, has shown activity against H. pylori in lab settings. Clinical trials have tested allicin tablets at 40 mg three times daily as an add-on to standard treatment. The effect appears to be dose-dependent: more allicin correlates with stronger antibacterial activity.
The catch is that raw garlic and allicin supplements haven’t reliably eradicated H. pylori on their own in human studies. Lab results showing that garlic kills the bacteria in a dish haven’t translated cleanly into clinical success. Garlic may help reduce bacterial numbers or improve the effectiveness of other treatments, but eating a few cloves a day isn’t a replacement for targeted therapy if you have a confirmed infection. If you want to try it, raw crushed garlic (which releases allicin when the cells are broken) is more potent than cooked garlic, where heat destroys much of the active compound.
Mastic Gum
Mastic gum is a resin from a tree native to the Greek island of Chios, and it has a long folk-medicine history for stomach problems. Lab studies show it can kill H. pylori at very low concentrations. But clinical results are mixed.
In one trial, patients took 350 mg or 1 gram of mastic gum three times daily for 14 days. The higher dose cleared H. pylori in about 38.5% of patients, while the lower dose cleared it in 30.8%. Those numbers are meaningful but well below what antibiotics achieve. Another study using 1 gram four times daily for two weeks found zero eradication across all nine patients. In mice, mastic gum reduced H. pylori colonization by roughly 30-fold but didn’t resolve the underlying inflammation. So mastic gum may reduce bacterial burden without fully clearing the infection. It’s available as a supplement in capsule form, typically in 500 mg doses.
Honey
Honey has broad antibacterial properties driven by a few mechanisms: it releases small amounts of hydrogen peroxide when diluted (which kills bacteria), its high sugar concentration draws water out of bacterial cells through osmotic pressure, and it contains various plant-derived compounds with antimicrobial activity. Manuka honey, produced from a specific plant in New Zealand and Australia, is often singled out for having particularly strong antibacterial effects, though research on specific potency grades (like UMF or MGO ratings) for stomach bacteria remains limited.
Honey is unlikely to clear a deep-seated H. pylori infection, but regular consumption may help suppress bacterial growth and soothe an inflamed stomach lining. A tablespoon on an empty stomach is a common folk recommendation. It’s a low-risk addition to your routine, though people with diabetes should account for the sugar content.
Cranberry Juice
Cranberries contain large molecules called proanthocyanidins that physically block bacteria from sticking to tissue. Research has demonstrated that a component of cranberry juice inhibits H. pylori’s ability to adhere to human stomach mucus. The same mechanism works against E. coli in the urinary tract, which is why cranberry juice has a reputation for preventing UTIs.
The idea here isn’t that cranberry juice kills bacteria directly. Instead, it makes it harder for them to grab hold of your stomach lining, which could reduce colonization over time. Unsweetened cranberry juice is the better option, since added sugars can worsen digestive symptoms. Drinking a glass or two daily is a reasonable, low-risk approach.
Probiotics
Certain probiotic strains show genuine promise against H. pylori. In one study comparing the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri (combined with an acid-reducing medication) against standard triple antibiotic therapy, the probiotic group achieved a 65% eradication rate compared to 74% with antibiotics. That difference was not statistically significant, meaning the probiotic performed comparably in that particular trial. A smaller pilot study using L. reuteri with acid suppression alone showed a much lower 13.6% eradication rate, suggesting that how probiotics are combined with other treatments matters considerably.
For acute gastroenteritis, probiotics can shorten the duration of diarrhea and support recovery. Look for products containing well-studied strains like L. reuteri, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, or Saccharomyces boulardii. These are available in capsule form or in fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut, though supplement forms deliver more consistent doses.
Foods to Avoid During Recovery
What you stop eating matters as much as what you add. While your stomach is inflamed or fighting an infection, certain foods will make symptoms worse and can slow mucosal healing. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases recommends avoiding caffeinated drinks (coffee, tea, some sodas), high-fat foods like fried items and fast food, drinks with large amounts of simple sugars, and dairy products. Lactose digestion can be impaired for a month or more after a stomach infection, so even if you normally tolerate milk, you may experience bloating or diarrhea from it during recovery.
Foods that are generally well tolerated include plain rice, bananas, toast, boiled potatoes, and lean proteins. Small, frequent meals tend to be easier on an inflamed stomach than large ones. Staying well hydrated is critical, especially if you’re experiencing diarrhea or vomiting. Water, broth, and oral rehydration solutions are your best options.
When Natural Approaches Aren’t Enough
Mild food poisoning from Salmonella or E. coli typically resolves within a few days with rest, fluids, and the dietary strategies above. H. pylori is different. It’s a chronic infection that rarely clears without targeted treatment, and untreated H. pylori can lead to stomach ulcers and, over many years, increases the risk of stomach cancer.
The natural remedies in this article can reduce bacterial load, ease symptoms, and improve the odds of successful treatment when combined with conventional therapy. But if you’ve tested positive for H. pylori, relying solely on natural approaches carries a real risk of the infection persisting. The most evidence-backed strategy is using these remedies alongside, not instead of, medical treatment.
Certain symptoms signal that you need professional care regardless of what you’ve been trying at home: bloody diarrhea, a fever above 102°F, vomiting so severe you can’t keep liquids down, diarrhea lasting more than three days, or signs of dehydration like dizziness when standing, very little urination, or a dry mouth and throat.