Ayurvedic Ways to Manage Gastritis

Any condition that involves inflammation of the stomach lining is referred to as gastritis. Nowadays we commonly see people having issues with belly pain, indigestion, bloating and nausea. These are mainly due to the irregular food habits, consumption of unhealthy foods and alcohols or beverages leading to serious health problems.

Almost for many people gastritis is minor and will go away quickly after treatment. However, some forms of gastritis can produce ulcers or increase the risk of cancers. Various factors can damage the stomach lining causing gastritis such as drinking alcohol, taking pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs, swallowing corrosive substances, having a bacterial or viral infection, and getting radioactive treatments to the upper abdomen and lower part of the chest.

The goal of a gastritis treatment is a diet to reduce stomach inflammation. The general recommendation of a gastritis diet is to avoid drinking beverages that commonly cause stomach irritation. So the first thing you need is to correct your lifestyle. Make sure you take your food properly according to the timings, avoid junk foods, and avoid more oily foods and spicy are all these things you need to avoid. A gastritis diet is designed to ease the symptoms flare-up and prevent the condition from worsening. 

Here are some common names used to explain gastritis 

• Gastric
• Acid belching
• Chest burning
• Acid peptic disorder
•  For Ayurvedic system of medicine, it is called “Amlapitta”

There are two types of gastritis generally:

1. Acute gastric – Acute gastritis comes over suddenly.
2. Chronic gastric – develops over some time and lasts for a longer time.

Signs and symptoms of Gastritis

Gastritis symptoms vary from person to person, and many people have no symptoms. However, the following are the most common symptoms:

• Nausea and vomiting 
• Loss of appetite
• Belching
• Bloating
• Irregular bowel movement
• Abdominal bloating or stomach fullness
• Headache, hiccups
• Tiredness/fatigue, tastelessness

Almost everyone has experienced indigestion and stomach irritation. Most cases of indigestion are short and simple and do not necessarily require medical attention. Consult your doctor if you have signs and symptoms of gastritis for more than a week.

Seek medical attention right away if you are in severe pain, are vomiting and unable to keep any food down, or are feeling light-headed or dizzy. Inform your doctor if you experience stomach discomfort after taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, particularly aspirin or other pain relievers.

What are the Ayurvedic Treatments for Gastritis?

Ayurvedic medicine has been shown to be the most effective treatment for Severe Gastritis. According to Ayurveda, severe gastritis is a “Urdhvaga amlapitta roga.” Which is caused by an aggravation of a metabolic disorder or pitta dosha. Improper dietary habits affect the fire in the stomach, causing it to produce more toxins or acid and secrete more digestive enzymes, resulting in gastritis. The following are options of ayurvedic treatment for gastritis: 

• Vamana: Vamana is the method that involves the administration of herbal stimulations and a single herb to induce vomiting. This helps in cleansing the stomach and removes toxins from the body. It aids in treating poison, inflammation of the stomach in the intestine, and indigestion. 
• Abhyanga: Abhyanga is an ayurvedic massage that helps in opening the channels for better circulation so that proper nourishment can reach the tissue and eliminate impurities from your body.
• Virechana: it is a therapeutic purgation, a therapy that’s performed to clean and clear the lower part of the gut. Herbs are used and decided on the base of the individual condition and nature of the purgative. 

Here are some Ayurvedic herbs for gastritis:

• Amalaki: Amalaki is used to manage the problems of chronic gastritis and is commonly known as the Indian gooseberry. It’s taken to relieve colon inflammation. Can be taken in a powder form or decoction. 
• Bhingaragi: Bhingaragi draws out poison and reduces swelling and inflammation. You can use it in the form of powder, gee, infusion, and decoction. 
• Yashtimadhu: Yashtimadhu soothes mucous membranes and irritation by forming a layer of protective film over it and purifies the blood. 
• Aloe Vera: Aloe vera is packed with minerals and vitamins. You can use its flesh to control acidity in the body. Drink aloe vera juices in the morning and evening before food.

What foods Items Gastritis Patients Should Eat or Avoid?

Eating certain foods and avoiding others can help you manage gastritis symptoms. To some people, gastritis is minor and will go away quickly after treatment. In some forms, gastritis can produce ulcers or increase the risk of cancer. Various factors lead to damage to the stomach lining to cause gastritis.  

Foods you should eat:

1. Beans and legumes
2. Egg, egg whites, or egg substitutes without frying
3. Seafood and shellfish
4. Honey
5. Low-acid vegetables, such as cucumber, potato, and carrots
6. Low sugar and low acid foods such as pumpkin, strawberries, blueberries, and apples
7. Oats and barley
8. Ginger and Tumeric
9. Probiotic-rich fruits, such as kimchi
10. Lean poultry such as chicken and turkey.

Foods you should avoid:

1. Acidic fruits such as citrus fruit, such as lemons, limes, and oranges
2. Acidic veggies such as onions 
3. Alcohol
4. Chocolate
5. Coffee and tea
6. Energy drink
7. Fatty or greasy foods and spicy foods
8. Soda and carbonated beverages
9. Spices include black pepper, chili powder, mustard seed, etc.
10. Processed meat such as hot dogs and sausages.

What are the Complication of Gastritis Condition?

  The complication for acute and chronic gastritis conditions are following:

1. Gastric ulcer
2. Mal-absorption
3. Esophageal reflux
4. Headache
5. Backache
6. Duodenitis, peptic stenosis

Read More – Gastroenterology Surgery Cost in India

Bottom line

For treating gastritis, Ayurveda prescribes various herbs and medicine that have a soothing and cooling effect on the stomach. It can also help in eliminating toxins and acidity which are responsible for most of the disease conditions in your body.  Before starting any treatment you should consult the physician to obtain a better result and  improve your condition. Ayurvedic remedies are used to give treatments naturally by making use of herbs. 

Reference Links:

• https://www.easyayurveda.com/2013/09/26/fruitful-ayurvedic-remedies-for-gastritis/amp/
• https://ayurhealing.net/blog/what-is-gastritis-and-what-is-the-treatment-of-gastritis-in-ayurveda/