I once came across several recipes for treating stomach ulcers in books on traditional medicine. However, I had a very different recipe — one that I personally tested on myself with remarkable results. For 21 days, I drank a tincture made from Khotkhudji (Sweet Flag root), and afterward, I underwent a follow-up endoscopy. To everyone’s surprise, the ulcer had completely disappeared. Even the doctors were astonished. That was back in 2004. Since then, I’ve felt great. Of course, I still try to maintain a healthy diet and avoid irritating foods, but I haven’t had any ulcer-related issues ever since.
Now, I would like to share this recipe with you.
The Recipe:
- Take 100 grams of Sweet Flag root (Acorus calamus),
- Pour 500 grams of vodka or 40% alcohol over the roots,
- Let it sit for two weeks in a dark place,
- Strain the liquid through double-layered gauze,
- Store the tincture in a cool, dark place.
Dosage:
Take 15–20 drops, 2 to 3 times per day, about 40 minutes before meals.
For best results, take the drops without water.
Health Benefits of the Sweet Flag Root Tincture
This natural remedy is traditionally used to treat various conditions, such as:
- Chronic gastritis with low acidity
- Stomach and duodenal ulcers
- Diarrhea
- Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder)
- Liver inflammation
- Kidney stones
- Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat)
- It also has a calming effect on the nervous system
Doctor’s Commentary:
Sweet Flag (Khotkhudji, also known as Egiri or Jarkvatana) is a perennial plant that grows in swampy areas, particularly in Western Georgia. It is characterized by a thick, horizontally growing rhizome. On the outside, the rhizome is grayish or greenish, and white on the inside. Numerous thin roots grow beneath it. Above the rhizome rises a triangular stem, which bears a single long leaf and a cylindrical, spadix-shaped flower. The plant produces small, greenish-yellow flowers.
The roots of Sweet Flag contain numerous beneficial compounds such as:
- Mucilaginous substances
- Vitamin C
- Glycosides
- Other bioactive ingredients
These elements provide the plant with a broad spectrum of medicinal effects. It:
- Stimulates appetite
- Improves digestion
- Enhances gastric secretion, while at the same time acting as an antacid (neutralizing stomach acid)
- Relieves spasms
- Inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi
- Reduces inflammation
- Acts as a mild pain reliever
- Promotes bile secretion (choleretic effect)
- Increases urination (diuretic)
- Soothes the nervous system
How It’s Used in Folk Medicine
In traditional Georgian medicine, tinctures and decoctions made from Sweet Flag are commonly used to treat:
- Gastrointestinal disorders (gastritis, ulcers, diarrhea)
- Liver diseases (such as hepatitis)
- Gallbladder problems (cholecystitis)
- Kidney stones
- And as a general nervous system sedative
In addition to the alcohol-based tincture I described above, there is also a water-based infusion, prepared as follows:
- Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tablespoon of dried root,
- Let it sit on a steam bath for 15 minutes,
- Then strain it,
- Drink 1/4 cup of the liquid, three times a day, 30 minutes before meals
A Personal Reflection
I believe I’ve gotten rid of my stomach ulcer for good. In the past, I used to suffer flare-ups every spring and autumn. But the problem was always me — I wouldn’t finish my treatment or I’d break my dietary rules. I only started caring for my health once the pain came back. This experience taught me to be more responsible about my body.
Now, more than two decades later, I still feel great — and I thank Khotkhudji for that.
