Gastritis: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining characterized by pain, bloating, and digestive issues.

It's often caused by excessive alcohol consumption, spicy foods, stress, and bacterial infections like H. pylori. If left untreated, gastritis can lead to stomach ulcers, bleeding, and even cancer. To alleviate gastritis, herbal remedies like peppermint, ginger, and licorice root can be used in teas, capsules, or tinctures.

However, it's crucial to consult a healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, as they can interact with medications or exacerbate underlying conditions.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of gastritis, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of gastritis?

The main causes of gastritis are multifactorial, involving a combination of lifestyle, genetic, and environmental factors.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is the primary cause, affecting approximately 50% of the global population, with risk factors including poor sanitation, overcrowding, and low socioeconomic status. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen, are another significant cause, leading to direct mucosal damage and reduced prostaglandin production. Additionally, stress, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to gastritis, while genetic predisposition, particularly in individuals with family history of the condition, also plays a role.

Furthermore, autoimmune disorders, such as pernicious anemia, can also lead to gastritis due to the body's immune system attacking the gastric mucosa.

• NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs cause gastritis by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, which protect the stomach lining from acid.
• H. pylori: Helicobacter pylori infection causes gastritis by damaging the stomach lining and triggering inflammation.
• Stress: Chronic stress can cause gastritis by increasing the production of stomach acid and damaging the stomach lining.
• Acid reflux: Gastroesophageal reflux disease causes gastritis by allowing stomach acid to flow back up into the esophagus and stomach.
• Spicy food: Consuming spicy food can cause gastritis by irritating the stomach lining and increasing the production of stomach acid.
• Coffee: Drinking coffee can cause gastritis by increasing the production of stomach acid and irritating the stomach lining.
• Alcohol: Consuming alcohol can cause gastritis by damaging the stomach lining and increasing the production of stomach acid.
• Smoking: Smoking can cause gastritis by reducing blood flow to the stomach and increasing the production of stomach acid.
• Foods high in fat: Eating foods high in fat can cause gastritis by slowing down digestion and increasing the production of stomach acid.
• Steroids: Long-term use of steroids can cause gastritis by reducing the production of stomach acid and damaging the stomach lining.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for gastritis?

The main medicinal herbs used for gastritis are Zingiber officinale, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Curcuma longa, Aloe barbadensis, Cinchona officinalis, Foeniculum vulgare, Mentha x piperita, Trifolium pratense, Ginkgo biloba, Zanthoxylum bungeanum.

Zingiber officinale, or ginger, has anti-inflammatory properties due to gingerols and shogaols which reduce inflammation and alleviate pain in the stomach. Glycyrrhiza glabra, licorice root, helps to protect the stomach lining and reduce inflammation through its glycyrrhizin content. Curcuma longa, or turmeric, contains curcumin which exhibits potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that combat gastritis.

Other herbs such as Aloe barbadensis, Cinchona officinalis, Foeniculum vulgare, Mentha x piperita, Trifolium pratense, Ginkgo biloba, and Zanthoxylum bungeanum also provide additional benefits like soothing digestive issues, reducing inflammation and promoting overall gut health.

• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale, or ginger, helps with gastritis by reducing inflammation and nausea due to its active compound gingerol, which has anti-inflammatory and anti-emetic properties.
• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra, or licorice root, aids in gastritis treatment by inhibiting the production of stomach acid and reducing inflammation in the gastric mucosa due to its flavonoids and saponins.
• Curcuma longa: Curcuma longa, or turmeric, helps alleviate gastritis symptoms by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the stomach lining due to its active compound curcumin, a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.
• Aloe barbadensis: Aloe barbadensis, or aloe vera, helps soothe and protect the stomach lining in gastritis by its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which reduce inflammation and promote healing.
• Cinchona officinalis: Cinchona officinalis, or cinchona, is not typically used for gastritis treatment, but its alkaloids, particularly quinine, have anti-inflammatory properties that may help alleviate gastritis symptoms.
• Foeniculum vulgare: Foeniculum vulgare, or fennel, helps alleviate gastritis symptoms by reducing inflammation and spasms in the stomach due to its essential oils, particularly anethole, which have anti-inflammatory and carminative properties.
• Mentha x piperita: Mentha x piperita, or peppermint, helps alleviate gastritis symptoms by reducing inflammation and spasms in the stomach due to its essential oils, particularly menthol and menthone, which have anti-inflammatory and carminative properties.
• Trifolium pratense: Trifolium pratense, or red clover, is not typically used for gastritis treatment, but its isoflavones may have anti-inflammatory properties that may help alleviate gastritis symptoms.
• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba, or ginkgo, is not typically used for gastritis treatment, but its flavonoids and terpenoids may have anti-inflammatory properties that may help alleviate gastritis symptoms.
• Zanthoxylum bungeanum: Zanthoxylum bungeanum, or Sichuan pepper, helps alleviate gastritis symptoms by reducing inflammation and spasms in the stomach due to its active compound hydroxycinnamic acid, which has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

What are the main herbal preparations used for gastritis?

The main herbal preparations used for gastritis are Decoction, Tincture, Capsule, Suppository, Salve, Gel, Cream, Poultice, Ointment, Powder.

Decoction is made by boiling herbs in water to extract medicinal compounds, often used for digestive issues such as gastritis due to its ability to soothe the stomach lining and reduce inflammation. Tincture is a concentrated liquid extract of herbs dissolved in a solvent, administered orally to treat gastritis by reducing inflammation and promoting healing. Capsule and Suppository are used to deliver herbal extracts directly to the stomach, providing targeted relief from gastritis symptoms.

Salve, Gel, Cream, Poultice, Ointment, and Powder preparations are topical applications used to reduce inflammation, promote wound healing, and soothe the digestive system, often used in conjunction with oral preparations to manage gastritis symptoms.

• Decoction: A decoction of the dried root of Glycyrrhiza glabra, also known as licorice root, helps with gastritis by reducing inflammation and soothing the mucous membranes in the stomach due to its anti-inflammatory and demulcent properties.
• Tincture: A tincture of the dried root of Withania somnifera, also known as ashwagandha, helps with gastritis by reducing stress and anxiety, which can exacerbate gastritis symptoms, and by possessing adaptogenic properties that help the body adapt to stress.
• Capsule: A capsule containing the dried fruit of Terminalia chebula, also known as haritaki, helps with gastritis by reducing inflammation and protecting the stomach lining due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
• Suppository: A suppository of the dried root of Calendula officinalis, also known as marigold, helps with gastritis by reducing inflammation and promoting healing of the mucous membranes in the stomach due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
• Salve: A salve of the dried herb of Plantago major, also known as plantain, helps with gastritis by reducing inflammation and protecting the stomach lining due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
• Gel: A gel of the dried root of Aloe barbadensis, also known as aloe vera, helps with gastritis by reducing inflammation and soothing the mucous membranes in the stomach due to its anti-inflammatory and demulcent properties.
• Cream: A cream of the dried root of Symphytum officinale, also known as comfrey, helps with gastritis by reducing inflammation and promoting healing of the mucous membranes in the stomach due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
• Poultice: A poultice of the dried root of Zingiber officinale, also known as ginger, helps with gastritis by reducing nausea and vomiting, which are common symptoms of gastritis, due to its anti-inflammatory and emetic properties.
• Ointment: An ointment of the dried root of Althaea officinalis, also known as marshmallow, helps with gastritis by reducing inflammation and soothing the mucous membranes in the stomach due to its anti-inflammatory and demulcent properties.
• Powder: A powder of the dried root of Ipecacuanha, also known as ipecac, helps with gastritis by reducing nausea and vomiting, which are common symptoms of gastritis, due to its emetic properties.