The present invention relates to herbal composition and methods of administering an herbal composition, comprising geranium oil and extracts from roots of the plants of the genus Sophora, particularly S. flavescenes and S. tonkinensis, to humans and other mammalian animals with gastric ulcers induced by H. pylori infection. The same composition is shown to be able to eradicate H. pylori in vitro. The invention also relates to a composition comprising citronellol and extracts from roots of Sophora plants. The present invention further relates to the use of citronellol to inhibit gastric ulcers. The invention also relates to the use of the same composition to inhibit the enzymatic activity of Na<SUP>+</SUP>/K<SUP>+</SUP>-ATPase to strengthen heart muscle contractions and prevent heart failure.
