Gastritis is a condition in which the lining of the stomach or the gastric mucosa is eroded, irritated or inflamed. The condition may affect parts of the gastric mucosa or the entire lining, thereby creating varying degrees of severity. The symptoms of gastritis also vary from person to person, with some never noticing any deviation at all until it’s too late. However, the most common signs include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dark stool, a burning or gnawing feeling in the stomach between meals or at night, indigestion, a feeling of fullness in the upper abdomen after eating, heartburn, abdominal pain and bloating.
While there are multiple reasons for developing gastritis, the most common reasons include an infection in the gastric mucosa by Helicobacter pylori bacteria, a deficiency of the B12 Vitamin, overuse of pain relievers and/or other inflammatory drugs and excessive consumption of spicy food and/or acidic drinks. Excessive consumption of alcohol, other drug dependencies, diseases like AIDS, Crohn’s disease and/or other parasitic ailments along with viral infections and stress can also contribute to the development and progression of gastritis. While mild cases can be cleared away with the help of home remedies for gastritis, it is advisable to seek medical counsel for chronic conditions as the situation can quickly spiral into development of ulcers.
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If you are suffering from mild discomfort owing to gastritis and need to ward off the ailment, use the following home remedies for gastritis:
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1. Carom seeds
As a natural antacid, carom seeds are one of the most effective home remedies for gastritis. They treat acidity and hyperacidity by relieving the stomach of excessive acid buildup and also help oust indigestion, nausea and bloating. You can mix 1 teaspoon of carom seeds with dried ginger and black salt. Dissolve the mixture in warm water and consume a glass thrice daily. Alternatively, you could add 1 teaspoon of carom seeds and half a teaspoon of black salt to a glass of buttermilk and drink twice daily. You can also boil about four teaspoons of carom seeds in 2 cups of water until the mixture reduces by half, strain and drink half a cup about two times in a day. Following these remedies religiously will yield immediate results.
2. Ginger
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The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of ginger help to combat gastritis and fight symptoms like stomach pain, bloating, indigestion, nausea and gas. You could either consume two to three cups of ginger tea regularly (prepared by bringing a teaspoon of grated ginger to boil in a cup of water) or consume raw ginger on an empty stomach daily. You could also consume raw ginger with honey before meals or take ginger capsules in consultation with a doctor. Please note that ginger may interfere with blood thinning and blood pressure medications- so it is advisable to check with your healthcare professional instead of self-medicating.
3. Yogurt
Yogurt has active live cultures with probiotics that help to oust any H.pylori bacteria from infecting your stomach lining. Also, yogurt is known to bolster immunity, thereby helping the body to fight any infection/ailment. You can consume plain probiotic yogurt with your meals or use it in a banana and honey smoothie. Consuming either twice daily would help in a speedy recovery.
4. Chamomile
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Chamomile tea is an effective home remedy for treating gastritis as it soothes the stomach lining, fights gas, prevents bloating and combats any discomfort. It also helps to fight inflammation, thereby lowering one’s risk of developing stomach ulcers and provides relief from stomach pain. You can either prepare chamomile concoction by using the flowers in two cups of hot water and straining to add honey. Drinking the mixture two times in a day shall help to treat the infection. Remember not to boil the herb as that may destroy its essential compounds.
5. Peppermint
Peppermint is known for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antispasmodic properties that can help to reduce inflammation of the stomach lining as well as combat nausea, indigestion and heartburn. You can chew fresh peppermint leaves, add them to your salads, soups or smoothies or simply, take tablets in consultation with a healthcare professional.
6. Strawberries
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The phenolic compounds in strawberries prevent inflammation of the stomach lining and can also help to reverse the damage caused by alcohol to the mucous membrane. You could either consume a few fresh strawberries daily or add one tablespoon of dried strawberry leaves to a cup of hot water, steep, strain and drink until you find relief from the discomfort.
7. Basil
The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of basil help to decrease inflammation, combat infection and fight symptoms like stomach pain, bloating, indigestion, nausea, vomiting and gas. You could either chew on basil leaves 4-5 times daily or create a mixture of basil and ginger juice for daily consumption. Alternatively, you could also drink basil tea with honey 3 times a day for a couple of weeks to begin to see results.
8. Fennel seeds
Fennel seeds help to soothe the digestive system and relax the muscles in the gastrointestinal tract. The antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties help to fight common symptoms like indigestion, heartburn bloating, intestinal gas and vomiting and treat gastritis effectively. You can chew fennel seeds after a meal daily to help get relief from the stomach pain and abdominal discomfort. You could also add a teaspoon of fennel seeds to hot water, steep, strain, add honey and drink the mixture thrice daily over a span of three weeks to see significant improvement.
9. Licorice
Ayurvedically-approved, licorice is an oft used ingredient for treating gastritis. Its anti-inflammatory properties help to combat inflammation and soothe the stomach lining, relieving symptoms like heartburn, burning sensation and indigestion in the process. It also helps to reduce the risk of ulcers from gastritis. You can add one teaspoon of licorice powder to a cup of hot water and strain it for daily consumption. You could also use 250 to 500 mg of standardized deglycyrrhizinated licorice, or DGL extract thrice daily. However, if you are on other medication, it is advisable that you consult your doctor before taking the tablets.
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10. Potato juice
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The alkaline nature of potato juice helps relieve bloating, gas, cramping, discomfort and/or other symptoms of gastritis. You could extract the juice of 2-3 potatoes and dilute it in warm water for daily consumption before meal times. Doing this for a couple of weeks shall yield significant improvement.
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