Gastritis from the point of view of Ayurveda
Gastritis refers to the inflammation of the mucous lining of the stomach. That condition can impair the secretion of digestive enzymes by the glands of the stomach and cause indigestion.
There are 3 types of Gastritis which depends on factors such as the nature of the inflammation, and the condition of the glands:
1. Chronic Gastritis
2. Acute Gastritis
3. Atrophic Gastritis
Gastritis occurs due to the aggravation of Pitta dosha. Any aggravation in Pitta dosha affects the digestive fire of the body causing the accumulation of toxins (ama) and an increased levels of gas and acidity in the stomach, which causes gastritis. In Ayurveda, this condition is known as Urdhva Amlapitta. “Amlapitta” consists of 2 words: “amla”, which means sour, and “pitta” is the name of aggravated Dosha.
When Pitta Dosha is not balanced due to improper dietary habits, it impairs the digestion process, causing many symptoms like a burning sensation, loss of appetite, queasiness, indigestion, bloating.
Root causes of gastritis:
- Unhealthy and irregular eating habits
- Poor digestion
- Overeating
- Excessive intake of strong tea, coffee or alcoholic drinks
- Other causes include worry, anxiety, grief and prolonged tension
- Use of certain drugs, strong acids and caustic substances
- Infection caused by the bacteria known as Helicobacter pylori
- Eating disorders like bulimia nervosa, which are characterized by vomiting or taking purgatives
Most typical symptoms of gastritis:
- Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, headache and dizziness
- Pain and discomfort in the stomach
- Foul breath, bad taste in the mouth and increased flow of saliva
- Scanty urination
- Feeling of uneasiness and depression
- In chronic cases, the patient complains of heartburn and a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, especially after meals
- Hiccups and burping
- Possible changes in weight
- Changes in consistency and frequency of bowel movements
How Ayurvedic doctors treat gastritis
Ayurvedic management of Gastritis includes restoring the digestive fire with the help of a Pitta-pacifying diet and intake of cooling herbs and preparations. Also it includes therapies to cleanse the body of toxins and prevent their accumulation, such as panchkarma therapies that include herbal oil massages, thermal treatments, and light herbal enemas. All therapies are selected individually for the patient's condition. Ayurvedic therapies for reducing stress and tension are also recommended.
More tips for effective Ayurvedic treatment of gastritis:
- Chew on cardamom pods after meals – they are natural remedies used for gastritis and acid reflux
- Avoid the use of alcohol and tobacco
- Avoid spices in your food
- Avoid eating tomatoes, citrus fruit, dairy and peppermint
- Avoid anxiety and anger
- Drink at least 8-9 glasses of water daily to relax the stomach and flush out toxins
- Ginger is one of the top Ayurvedic remedies for gastritis: chew small pieces of ginger with salt before every meal
- Practice Yoga and Pranayama
- Amla or Indian gooseberry is one of the best herbs for gastritis
- Licorice or mulethi is a natural remedy, this herb is used to soothe inflammation, repair damage of the stomach lining
- Aloe vera or Kumari can be excellent for relieving gastritis and heartburn symptoms
The usage and dose of herbs and supplements must be determined by an Ayurvedic doctor.
Check the Ayurvedic treatment of other digestive diseases:
Acid reflux (GERD), Anorexia nervosa, Crohn’s disease, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Hyperacidity, Constipation, Coeliac, Appendicitis, Food poisoning, Colon polyps, Intestinal worms, Hemorrhoids, Diarrhea, Pancreatitis, Peptic ulcer, Anal fistula, Lactose intolerance, Mouth ulcers, herpes.
