Gastritis is a common medical condition that involves the inflammation of the stomach lining, which can occur in various ways. Depending on the possible cause behind your condition and the symptoms you are experiencing, you may benefit from applying one or more home remedies for gastritis. Infection, injury, long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and excessive alcohol use are all possible causes of gastritis. Upper stomach pain, a burning sensation in the throat, nausea, and vomiting are common symptoms. This article explains what this condition is and how to treat it with natural homemade medicines. Keep scrolling!
In This Article
What Is Gastritis?
Gastritis is essentially an inflammation of the stomach’s inner lining. This inner lining can get eroded leading to an ulcer. The stomach lining is responsible for producing the stomach acids and different enzymes for digestion. In an inflamed state, it produces lesser quantities of these chemicals, hence causing the various symptoms (1, 2).
Gastritis Types
Gastritis is mainly of two types. These are –
(i) Acute Gastritis – This starts suddenly and lasts only for a short period.
(ii) Chronic Gastritis – When the issue is not treated, it becomes an ongoing problem that can last for years (1, 2).
Let us now look at the causes of this ailment of the digestive system.
Causes For Gastritis
The primary cause of gastritis is when the stomach lining gets damaged. This can happen due to various reasons –
- Unhealthy eating
- Excessive smoking and drinking
- Unchecked popping of painkiller medicines like ibuprofen and aspirin
- Helicobacter pylori infection (bacterial infection)
- Autoimmune disorders
- Extreme stress
- Viral infections like the herpes simplex virus (seen in people with low immunity levels) (1, 2)
StyleCraze Says Older adults need to be extra careful and should not ignore these symptoms as the stomach lining becomes thin with age and is more at risk of gastritis.
Below are the signs and symptoms of gastritis.
Signs And Symptoms Of Gastritis
The symptoms can range from mild irritation in the abdomen that we can easily ignore to severe pain that could be indicative of perforations in the lining. The other common symptoms of gastritis include –
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain and bloating
- Incessant hiccups
- Tarry stools
- Vomiting blood
The last two signs can prove to be dangerous and require immediate medical attention (1, 2). It is not as gloomy as it sounds to be! If you don’t actively ignore the signs your body is giving you about the battered stomach lining, you should be able to combat the problem quite well. Instead of resorting to over the counter medicines when gastritis rears its ugly head, try these time-tested home remedies that can fight gastritis effectively.
Home Remedies For Gastritis
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Aloe Vera
- Baking Soda
- Coconut Water
- Cabbage Juice
- Coconut Oil
- Green Tea
- Ginger
- Yogurt
- Honey
- Jeera Water
- Kefir
- Oatmeal
- Pineapple
- Slippery Elm
- Turmeric
- Marshmallow Root / Licorice Root
- Mastic Gum
- Potato Juice
- Rosemary
- Vitamin C
Get Relief From Gastritis With These Remedies
1. Apple Cider Vinegar For Gastritis
Image: iStock
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- A glass of water
What You Have To Do
- Add the honey and vinegar to the water and mix well.
- Drink this.
How Often You Should Do This
Have this once or twice a day.
Why This Works
Apple cider vinegar reduces the excess acid production in the stomach and restores the balance. It also kills the microorganisms that are causing damage to the stomach lining (3). Honey in this drink helps to soothe the damaged stomach lining.
Related: 8 Side Effects Of Apple Cider Vinegar & How To Use It Safely
2. Aloe Vera For Gastritis
You Will Need
- 2 teaspoons fresh aloe vera gel
- A glass of water
What You Have To Do
Blend the aloe gel with the water and drink it.
How Often You Should Do This
You can have 1-2 glasses of this every day.
Why This Works
Aloe vera juice is extremely soothing for the irritated stomach. It also reduces the inflammation of the stomach lining with its anti-inflammatory activity. Being an antiseptic agent, it can also inhibit the infection-causing bacteria (4).
3. Baking Soda For Gastritis
Image: iStock
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- A glass of water
What You Have To Do
- Stir the baking soda in the water until the mixture is not cloudy anymore.
- Drink this.
How Often You Should Do This
Use this remedy as and when required.
Why This Works
The burning sensation in the stomach that can entail gastritis can be gotten rid off with this remedy. Baking soda acts as an antacid and brings down the acid levels in the stomach (5).
4. Coconut Water For Gastritis
You Will Need
Coconut water
What You Have To Do
Drink a glass of this in between meals.
How Often You Should Do This
Drink 3-4 glasses of tender coconut water a day.
Why This Works
Both young and mature coconut water possesses anti-inflammatory properties that can be beneficial in soothing your inflamed stomach lining (6).
Caution
Be sure that the coconut water is not tangy as that can cause acid reflux.
Related: 10 Health Benefits Of Coconut Water, Nutrition, & Side Effects
5. Cabbage Juice For Gastritis
Image: iStock
You Will Need
Green cabbage
What You Have To Do
- Cut the cabbage in pieces big enough to feed through your juicer.
- Extract a cup of fresh cabbage juice and drink it.
Add a few carrots and celery stalks to make this juice healthier and tastier.
How Often You Should Do This
Drink cabbage juice 3-4 times a day.
Why This Works
Cabbage contains the ulcer healing factor known as vitamin U, that can heal the stomach lining and get rid of gastritis within a few days (7). This juice also has a cleansing effect on the stomach and intestines (8).
6. Coconut Oil For Gastritis
You Will Need
Virgin coconut oil
What You Have To Do
Ingest the oil of your choice by itself or as part of your meals.
How Often You Should Do This
Have 2-3 teaspoons of these oils in a day.
Why This Works
Coconut oil contains antioxidants that can help reduce the oxidative stress being exerted on the stomach lining due to gastritis. It also possesses anti-inflammatory properties that can offer relief from gastritis symptoms (9).
Caution
Do not ingest pine nut oil unless you are sure that you are not allergic to it.
7. Green Tea For Gastritis
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You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon green tea herb
- 1 teaspoon honey
- A cup of hot water
What You Have To Do
- Steep the green tea herb in hot water for a few minutes.
- Strain this and add honey to it. Mix well.
- Sip on this tea.
How Often You Should Do This
Have two cups of green tea in a day.
Why This Works
Green tea contains plenty of antioxidants that exert a protective effect on the stomach lining and alleviate gastritis symptoms. Drinking this tea regularly can also help in treating the chronic form of gastritis (10).
Related: 13 Amazing Benefits Of Green Tea And Its Side Effects
8. Ginger For Gastritis
You Will Need
- An inch-long piece of ginger
- A cup of water
What You Have To Do
- Chew on the ginger piece for a few minutes.
- Gulp it down with water.
Another Ayurvedic remedy for gastritis is a cocktail of ginger powder, rock salt, and asafoetida—a pinch of each in a cup of warm water. Drink this concoction for immediate relief from gastritis.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this every morning for best results.
Why This Works
This super herb can immensely benefit patients suffering from gastritis (11). It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that suppress the inflammation caused by Helicobacter pylori (12).
Stylecraze Trivia The ancient recipes of Iranian traditional medicine used ginger as an effective tonic for the digestive system.
9. Yogurt For Gastritis
Image: iStock
You Will Need
Plain yogurt
What You Have To Do
Have yogurt along with your meals or as a snack.
How Often You Should Do This
It is recommended to have 1-2 cups of yogurt daily for gastritis.
Why This Works
Yogurt is an excellent probiotic. Probiotics are known to accelerate healing of gastric ulcers while also helping with the eradication of H.pylori, one of the main causes of gastritis (13).
Related: 10 Amazing Benefits Of Yogurt For Skin And Hair
10. Honey For Gastritis
You Will Need
- 2 tablespoons honey
- A glass of warm water
What You Have To Do
- Add the honey to the water and mix well.
- Drink this on an empty stomach.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this daily in the mornings.
Why This Works
Honey can effectively kill the harmful bacteria in the stomach as it is bactericidal in nature. It also possesses anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants that can help with the healing process of the stomach lining (14).
11. Jeera Water For Gastritis
Image: iStock
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon cumin seeds (jeera)
- A glass of warm water
What You Have To Do
- Roast the cumin seeds and grind them to get a chunky powder.
- Mix this with water and drink it.
How Often You Should Do This
Drink this with meals, twice or thrice a day.
Why This Works
The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties exhibited by cumin seeds can help alleviate the symptoms of gastritis and can also speed your recovery from the disease (15), (16).
12. Kefir For Gastritis
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This fermented milk beverage contains a large number of microorganisms that make it a natural probiotic drink. Consuming kefir can help improve the digestion process and also bring back the acid balance in the stomach. It also exerts antimicrobial effects in the body. This property proves beneficial when the gastritis is being caused by a bacterial infection (17). Purchase organic kefir from the market and drink it daily.
13. Oatmeal For Gastritis
You Will Need
- 1/2 cup oatmeal
- 1/2-1 cup water or milk
What You Have To Do
Cook the oatmeal with either water or milk (according to your preference) and eat it. You can add some fresh non-acidic fruits like bananas, pears, and apples.
How Often You Should Do This
Eat a cup of oatmeal every day.
Why This Works
Oatmeal is rich in fiber and minerals that can regulate the digestive process. It also soothes the stomach lining with its alkalinity (18).
Related: 22 Best Benefits Of Oatmeal For Skin, Hair, And Health
14. Pineapple For Gastritis
Image: iStock
You Will Need
1 cup ripe pineapple
What You Have To Do
Eat this as part of your breakfast or as a snack.
How Often You Should Do This
Have a cup of pineapple every day to aid the digestion process.
Why This Works
Pineapple contains digestive enzymes such as bromelain that help in digesting protein without causing any irritation to the stomach lining. If you suffer from gastritis, try and consume this fruit as it is alkaline in nature and can counteract the increased acid levels in your stomach (19).
Caution
Be sure to eat very ripe pineapples because unripe pineapples sometimes aggravate the problem of gastritis.
15. Slippery Elm For Gastritis
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon slippery elm powder
- Water
What You Have To Do
Ingest the herbal powder with water.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this twice a day, preferably once in the morning and then again in the afternoon.
Why This Works
Slippery elm is demulcenti XAn agent that forms a protective film over a mucous membrane to help relieve inflammation and irritation. herb which means that it contains a high amount of mucilagei XA thick, sticky substance that contains proteins and polysaccharides produced by plants and microorganisms. . This mucilage is beneficial for gastritis treatment as it soothes the irritated and inflamed stomach lining (20).
16. Turmeric For Gastritis
Image: iStock
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- Water
- Yogurt OR banana
What You Have To Do
Make a paste by adding some water to the turmeric powder.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this every day.
Why This Works
Turmeric contains curcumin, an anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibacterial polyphenoli XA family of naturally occurring micronutrients, commonly found in fruits, teas, spices, and vegetables, with antioxidant properties. , which soothes the gastric mucosa and reduces irritation in the gastrointestinal tract (21).
17. Marshmallow Root / Licorice Root
Image: iStock
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon marshmallow root powder OR DGL licorice root powder
- A glass of hot water
What You Have To Do
- Add either of the root powders to the hot water and leave it to steep for 10-15 minutes.
- Strain and drink this.
How Often You Should Do This
Have this once daily.
Why This Works
No, by marshmallow we don’t mean the gooey sweet treat, but the herb Althaea officinalis. Marshmallow is beneficial in soothing the inner lining of the digestive tract and stomach. This herb contains a lot of mucilage, which makes the tract slippery and allows easy passage of food, and treats reflux and heartburn as well (22). Licorice, especially its root, also protects your stomach’s inner lining and reduces chances of ulcer from gastritis by stabilizing the stomach acids (23). DGL licorice is recommended for best results.
18. Mastic Gum For Gastritis
You Will Need
Mastic gum
What You Have To Do
Simply chew on a piece of the gum whenever you feel any symptoms of gastritis.
How Often You Should Do This
Use this remedy as and when required during the course of the day.
Why This Works
This remedy works well in the case of non–H.pylori gastritis. Mastic gum is often used to treat gastric ulcers as it can help to stabilize the stomach acids and also protect the lining of the stomach (24).
19. Potato Juice For Gastritis
Image: iStock
You Will Need
- 2-3 raw potatoes
- Warm water
What You Have To Do
- Peel and grate the potatoes.
- Squeeze out the juice and drink half a glass of this mixed with some warm water, half an hour before a meal.
How Often You Should Do This
You can have a glass of this juice twice daily.
Why This Works
Potato juice is a rich source of alkaline salts which react with the excessive acid present in the stomach (25). It also reduces the stomach lining’s inflammation (26).
20. Rosemary For Gastritis
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon rosemary herb
- A cup of boiling water
What You Have To Do
- Steep the herb in hot water for a few minutes.
- Strain the decoction and drink this herbal tea.
If you cannot find the herb, you can consume rosemary in the form of capsules or tincture.
How Often You Should Do This
Two cups of rosemary tea per day are recommended for gastritis.
Why This Works
Rosemary is blessed with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which work well to prevent as well as treat stomach ulcers that may lead to the development of gastritis if left untreated (27).
21. Vitamin C For Gastritis
Image: iStock
Vitamin C is associated with the immune response of the body. That is why people suffering from gastritis often take over-the-counter vitamin C supplements. This helps the body to fight the infection better and faster. It also heals and protects the stomach and intestinal lining from damage and ulcers (28). The dosage of this vitamin should be decided by consulting your doctor. This is to ensure that the appropriate dosage is ingested for a faster recovery.
Infographic: Easily Available Remedies For Gastritis
Gastritis is a common health condition that may require immediate medical attention. However, the symptoms can be managed by some home remedies. Though we have already listed several remedies, there are a few we would like to stress.
Check out the infographic below to learn the most effective and easily available remedies you can use for immediate relief from gastritis symptoms.
Gastritis, a medical condition characterized by an inflammation of the stomach lining, can cause digestive issues and other health conditions. Depending on how long the condition lasts or its frequency, gastritis may be classified as acute or chronic. Excessive alcohol use, infection, long-term use of NSAIDs, or an injury may lead to this medical condition. Stomach pain, heartburn, nausea, bloating, and vomiting are common symptoms associated with gastritis. Home remedies for gastritis may relieve the symptoms and help to soothe an irritated digestive tract. Apple cider vinegar, green tea, ginger, baking soda, cumin water, turmeric, potato juice, and yogurt are some alternatives to over-the-counter drugs. Vomiting blood or passing tarry stools are emergency symptoms of gastritis and require immediate medical attention.
