Gastritis
Gastritis refers to inflammation, infection or irritation of the stomach lining. This also happens sometimes when white blood cells enter the wall of the stomach due to injury. This ailment can be acute or chronic. A chronic problem is often seen in people who suffer from a severe deficiency in iron.
Symptoms
Symptoms of gastritis are similar to many other gastrointestinal disorders. You may experience abdominal pain or cramping, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, bleeding, hiccups, dark stools, diarrhea, belching, flatulence, heartburn, fever and loss of appetite.
Causes
Gastritis can be due to excessive or insufficient gastric acid in the stomach. It can be caused or exacerbated by alcohol, viral and bacterial infections, heavy smoking, ingesting too much caffeine, peptic ulcer disease, pernicious anemia and eating lots of spicy food. This ailment can also be caused by medications like aspirin, cortisone and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. Stress is also a factor. Vitamin B12 deficiency or iron deficiency may also be the cause.
Cautions
Gastritis can be mild or severe. In severe cases, it can lead to ulcers. If symptoms cannot be controlled, see your doctor.
Herbal Remedies for Gastritis
Internal Applications
- Ginger – chew fresh ginger slices before eating a meal to stimulate the digestion. This is a good way to prevent stomach problems developing. You can also add ginger to your food, take as a tincture or mash a piece of ginger and add an equal amount of coriander. Mix well. Eat the resulting mash.
- Lemon Balm – drink an infusion of lemon balm 3 times a day for relief. Infuse 2-3grams dried leaves in 1 cup boiling water for 10 minutes, strain and drink.
- Licorice – making a tea from licorice root is a good remedy. Add half a teaspoon of licorice root to a cup of hot water. Wait for 10 minutes and then strain out the herbs and drink. Take this tea three times per day.
- Tamarind – drinking tamarind water with a little asafetida and cumin added is a good herbal remedy.
- Fennel – chew roasted fennel seeds after a meal to relieve symptoms. Alternatively, you can add a teaspoon of fennel seeds in a cup of water and boil it. Cover the water and leave it overnight. In the morning, strain the liquid and add 1 teaspoon of honey. Drink this three times a day.
- Holy basil – take 4 or 5 clean leaves of holy basil (tulsi) and chew them slowly so their juices are taken into the stomach gradually. This works well for mild gastritis.
- Slippery Elm – take up to 5 grams of powdered bark as capsules or mixed with water before meals.
- Chamomile – take chamomile tea as needed to soothe the stomach and other discomforts.
- Bilberry – the antioxidants in bilberries help prevent gastritis and ulcers caused by stress, medications and alcohol.
- Barberry – this herb contains berberine, which can treat inflammation and infection in the gastrointestinal system. Take as directed.
- Cat's claw – the root and bark of this herb has been used for centuries for ulcers and other problems of the gastrointestinal tract. It also reduces inflammation. Take Cat's claw only under guidance of a medical herbalist.
- Green tea – studies in Japan suggest that regularly drinking green tea may prevent chronic gastritis.
- Peppermint - drink a cup of peppermint tea after each meal.
- Rosemary - drink 3 cups of Rosemary tea a day - infuse 2-4 grams of dried herb in 1 cup boiling water for 10 minutes and strain.