Gastritis: Natural Remedies

The natural remedies against gastritis aim on the one hand to reduce gastric secretion, and on the other to protect the stomach mucosa from the aggressiveness of acid juices.

Natural antisecretives

To this category belong the atropine and scopolamine alkaloids, extracted from the belladonna (leaves of Atropa belladonna ) and considered the parents of the current anticholinergic drugs; these medicines inhibit the interaction of acetylcholine with its muscarinic receptors, placed in the peripheral structures innervated by the parasympathetic nervous system, which exerts a stimulating effect on gastric secretion. The use of natural remedies against anticholinergic gastritis has been abandoned, however, due to the unpleasant side effects found at therapeutic doses (dry mouth and mucous membranes, tachycardia, constipation, hallucinations, anxiety and agitation). We also remember that the drug is given by the leaves, while the berries of Atropa belladonna are very poisonous.

Natural Gastroprotectors

If the natural anticholinergic remedies can cause important side effects, the safer is the use of mucilaginous drugs such as marshmallow, alginic acid, mallow and aloe gel (not the juice, which would make the gastritis worse); the gastroprotective properties of these drugs depend precisely on the high content of mucilage: polysaccharides which, in contact with water, form a sort of protective gel capable of limiting the acid insult on the gastric walls. The Icelandic lichen, despite being rich in gastroprotective mucilages, is not recommended by some authors for the presence of bitter principles; in the altea the same problem could derive from the content in tannins, but the cold macerated lends itself very well to the extraction of the only mucilages.

Natural herbal teas against gastritis

The second infusion contains the two most used plant drugs in the treatment of gastritis and peptic ulcer: licorice and chamomile. The licorice (rhizome) extracts contain flavonoids that carry out a strong antispastic activity on the smooth muscles of the stomach, and glycity, with mucoprotective and healing activity on gastric lesions; a certain anti-inflammatory activity is also ascribed to both substances. At high doses, or in the case of continuous use, licorice is notoriously responsible for hypertensive side effects, with increased water and sodium retention, predisposition to edema formation, hypokalemia (potassium depletion) and hypertension. These side effects do not belong to chamomile, whose herbal teas are a popular natural remedy against gastritis. The herbal tea is prepared by placing 150 tablespoons of water, at room temperature, a soup spoon of dried flower heads; everything should be brought to a boil and left to infuse for about 20-30 minutes, with the heat off and in a covered container. The average dosage is three cups a day, far from meals. Chamomile can be considered a valid remedy against gastritis due to its mucilage content, flavonoids with spasmolytic action and essential oil with anti-inflammatory, spasmolytic and ulcer-protective properties. The risk of hypersensitivity reactions in allergic subjects is rare.

The natural remedies against gastritis listed in this article are indicated for mild or sporadic forms, in association with a mild, light and poor diet of poorly digestible foods - such as those rich in connective tissue (meat), processed sauces, fried and dipped - or irritants (spices, flavorings, spicy foods). The consumption of too abundant meals and carbonated drinks is also not recommended, since the distension of the gastric walls represents a powerful stimulus to the acid secretion of the stomach. Milk cannot be considered a natural remedy for gastritis, since after initial relief it tends to worsen it due to the secretagogue action of calcium, fats and proteins; if desired, prefer the skimmed one in small quantities.