Some of the best home remedies to treat and reduce symptoms of gastritis include teas (such as maytenus ilicifolia tea or Brazilian peppertree tea) and juices, such as (potato juice and cabbage juice).
There are also certain lifestyle habits you can consider to help you manage gastritis, such as drinking water several times a day, eating small meals more frequently, and avoiding alcoholic drinks, coffee, spicy seasonings, and acidic foods (for instance, lemon, orange, and pineapple). In addition, you should also avoid eating deep-fried food and sweet foods containing dairy as well as anything that is processed. Learn which foods to avoid and which you can eat.
If the pain or burning sensation in your stomach remains for more than three days, if the pain gradually increases overtime, or if you start vomiting with blood, you must seek medical help as quickly as possible to start appropriate treatment.
Here are some proven home remedies to help relieve gastritis symptoms:
1. Potato juice
A great home remedy for gastritis is drinking pure potato juice when fasting. It decreases acidity in the stomach, leading to a reduction in pain, acid reflux, and heartburn. Potato juice is effective against acute, chronic or stress-induced gastritis.
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 raw potatoes
- 150 mL warm water
How to prepare
Peel and grate the potatoes. Place the grated potatoes in a sieve over a bowl and pour the warm water over the potatoes. This water can also be consumed 30 minutes before two of your main meals (maximum).
Another way of preparing potato juice is to blend the grated potatoes with water in a blender, and then strain the mixture before drinking. You can also swap the warm water for melon juice to improve its taste.
2. Espinheira-santa (maytenus ilicifolia) tea
Another excellent home remedy for gastritis is Espinheira-santa (maytenus ilicifolia) tea. This plant, originating from the Amazon Rainforest, contains great quantities of tannins, such as epigallocatechin, and polysaccharides, such as arabinogalactan. These tannins and polysaccharides help reduce stomach acidity, and help to protect the stomach lining from acid produced during digestion. Learn more about the symptoms of gastritis.
Some studies have shown that maytenus ilicifolia tea has a similar effect to cimetidine, which is a medication used for people with gastritis to reduce the production of stomach acid.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of dry Espinheira-santa (maytenus ilicifolia) leaves
- 1 cup of boiling water
How to prepare
Add the plant leaves to the cup of boiling water and cover the cup. Allow the leaves to soak for about 10 minutes. Strain and drink this warm. It is advised that you take this tea when you’re fasting, and half an hour before meals.
This plant should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women, since it can potentially cause an abortion or reduce breast milk production. It should also not be used by children under the age of 12.
3. Banana and pear juice
Combining banana and pear into a juice provides a great natural treatment for the digestive system. This combination contains fibers that aid digestion, as well as pectin, a specific type of fiber that helps to stimulate bowel movements.
These two types of fruit can also reduce the amount of time gastric acid comes in contact with the walls of the stomach, thus reducing inflammation and relieving gastritis symptoms.
Ingredients
- 1 banana
- 1 pear
- 1 cup of water
- Ice (optional)
How to prepare
Peel the banana and the pear. Cut them into pieces and place them in the blender with the water (and ice if you prefer=. Blend until you obtain a homogenous mixture.
4. Brazilian peppertree (aroeira) tea
Brazilian peppertree, known scientifically as Schinus terebinthifolius, contains analgesic, anti-inflammatory, depurative and anti-acidic properties which are all effective for the treatment of gastritis and stomach ulcers. This plant decrease stomach's acidity, and also help combat infection caused by the Helicobacter pylori bacteria.
Some studies have show that this tea is as effective as the medication omeprazole for the treatment of gastritis.
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 small pieces of brazilian peppertree bark
- 1 liter (or 8 cups) of water
How to prepare
Place the bark in a pan with the water and simmer for about 10 minutes. Let the mixture cool down, strain, and drink three tablespoons of this tea every day.
This tea can produce a strong laxative effect in some people, therefore it is recommended to stop its use if diarrhea appears. It should also be avoided during pregnancy.
5. Chard tea
Chard tea is an excellent home remedy for gastritis. It is rich in nutrients such as vitamins A, C and K, magnesium, potassium, iron, and vitamins A, C and K, which have natural anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. These properties help to reduce the typical symptoms of gastritis, as well as eliminate toxins from the blood.
Ingredients
- 50 g (1.8 oz) of chard leaves
- 1 liter (8 cups) of water
How to prepare
Add the chard leaves to a pan with the water and let it simmer for approximately 10 minutes. Then let the tea cool down and drink three times a day.
This tea should not be used in case of kidney stones or by people undergoing anticoagulant treatment.
6. Cabbage juice with papaya and melon
This juice is a great natural tonic for the digestive system. Cabbage contains compounds, such as kaempferol and glucosinolates, that help protect the gastric lining, even against H. Pylori infection. Papaya and melon are fruits that are very rich in natural enzymes that help with digestion.
Ingredients
- 6 cabbage leaves with the stalk
- Half a papaya
- 2 cups of melon (cut in cubes)
- 2 cups of water
How to prepare
Cut the cabbage into big chunks. Place all the ingredients into the blender and blend together until you achieve a smooth mixture. This juice can be consumed three to four times a day.
7. Pear juice
Pear juice is rich in flavonoids, which are bioactive compounds that help fight stomach inflammation. They can also improve overall digestive health, making it a great home remedy for gastritis.
Ingredients
- 1 ripe pear
- 100 mL of water
- Ice to taste
How to prepare
Wash the pear well, remove the core and discard it, and cut the pear into large cubes. Place all the ingredients in the blender and mix until you obtain a homogeneous mixture. Transfer to a glass and drink. Drink this juice twice a day.
8. Fennel tea
Fennel tea helps to treat gastritis, as it is contains excellent amounts tannins, anethole, saponins and flavonoids. These are bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory and digestive action that help improve digestion and combat stomach pain.
Learn more about the benefits of fennel and how it can be used.
Ingredients:
- 200 ml of water
- 1 teaspoon (5 to 7 g) of fresh fennel seeds or leaves
How to prepare
In a kettle or pot, boil the water and remove from heat. Then add the fennel seeds or leaves. Cover the pot and let it infuse for 10 minutes. Allow to cool, strain and drink up to 3 cups of this tea per day.
9. Kale juice
Kale juice is a good option for treating gastritis, as it helps with healing and relieves burning. The kale contains glucosinolates, alkaloids, vitamin C, beta-carotene and catechins, which are bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory and antacid properties.
Ingredients:
- 2 cabbage leaves with the stem
- 1 cup of melon, cut into cubes
- 1 cup (tea) of coconut water
- 1 cup (tea) of filtered or boiled water
How to prepare
Wash the cabbage leaves well and cut them into large pieces. Place the cabbage leaves and other ingredients in a blender and blend for 3 minutes or until a homogeneous mixture is obtained. Strain the juice and drink up to 4 servings per day.
10. Ginger tea
Ginger tea is a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiemetic, and is great for treating stomach inflammation. It also helps to promote optimal digestion. Check out the other health benefits of ginger and how to use it.
Ingredients:
- 2 to 3 cm of grated fresh ginger
- 1 cup (tea) of water
How to prepare
Place the water and ginger in a pot or kettle and bring to a boil for about 10 minutes. Remove from heat, cover the pan and when it has cooled, strain and then drink. You can drink up to 3 cups of this tea per day.
