Natural remedies can help a lot with painful gastritis flare-ups. Try these Essential Oils For Gastritis! You’ll be surprised by the results.
Due to stress and lifestyle causes, gastritis can become a painful reality. We all know natural remedies are the way to go, but are there effective ones available for this? Of course! You should try gastritis essential oils to alleviate the symptoms. Here’s everything about them.
What is Gastritis?
Simply put, gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining that can cause symptoms like pain, bloating, nausea, and even vomiting. There are two main types of gastritis–acute and chronic.
Acute gastritis is caused by irritants like spicy food, alcohol, or certain medications. It often goes away on its own after a few days. On the other hand, Chronic gastritis is a long-term condition caused by infection with bacteria, autoimmune disorders, or long-term use of specific medications. But don’t worry; you can use essential oils to help ease the discomfort in both cases.
Remember, you should always consult a doctor whenever you have digestive issues like gastritis. Only after consultation should you go ahead with essential oils as a natural remedy.
Best Essential Oils For Gastritis
Now that you know about the condition, you should learn what essential oils are good for gastritis.
1. Lemongrass Oil
In certain studies, lemongrass essential oil was found to inhibit the growth of the bacteria that cause gastritis. But that’s not all! This essential oil also contains huge amounts of tannins and flavonoids, which lend it anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
These compounds ultimately help decrease and neutralize stomach acids, alleviating the symptoms of gastritis and acid reflux.
2. Lemon Verbena Oil
Yet another essential oil that is effective against gastritis-causing bacteria, lemon verbena, can help with chronic gastritis. This oil definitely cannot cure gastritis, but neither can the others. It’s incredibly helpful for easing the pain and to get some relief.
Lemon verbena has been used by natives for many years to soothe stomach pain and aid digestion due to its antispasmodic properties, which also help gastritis patients.
3. Ginger Oil
Ginger essential oil can help you with many stomach ailments like indigestion, diarrhea, vomiting, and more. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, it is one of the best essential oils for alleviating gastritis. These also make it effective against acid reflux. Here are ways to use it at home.
4. Peppermint Oil
For centuries, peppermint essential oil has been quite popular in treating various gastrointestinal ailments and to aid digestion. It has been effective not only because of its anti-bacterial properties but also because it can help relax muscles in the stomach.
This consequently causes less cramps, bloating, or gas. Naturally, it helps you digest better. It can also do wonders for your hair and skin.
5. Clove Oil
Like others on this list, clove oil also aids with digestion. Most importantly, clove oil contains a compound called eugenol, which helps in mucus production and protects the gut. Moreover, clove oil also contains anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that naturally make it effective against gastritis symptoms. Here are more benefits of clove oil.
How to Use Essential Oils for Gastritis
Before using any essential oils for gastritis, consult with a healthcare professional. They can assess your condition and help you determine if essential oils suit you. They might even give you a personalized recommendation for using it.
That being said, choose an essential oil readily available to you–pick one from those shared above. Essential oils for helping with gastritis should always be diluted with a carrier oil, such as coconut or almond oil before application to help prevent skin irritations, so grab one of these as well. A common dilution ratio is 2-3 drops of essential oil per teaspoon of carrier oil.
Once the mixture is ready, apply it to your abdomen, gently massaging it in circular motions. Alternatively, you can add a few drops to a warm bath and soak for 15-20 minutes. Do this 2-3 times a week but not from the first week. Start slow, doing it once a week, and after a couple of weeks, increase the frequency.
Inhaling or diffusing essential oils can also work well. To inhale, place a few drops of oil on a tissue or handkerchief and breathe deeply. The scent of essential oils can vary, so choose those that you find pleasant and relaxing.
Risks and Side Effects
- Never, ever use pure essential oils. They can be too potent. Always dilute them with carrier oils like olive oil, jojoba oil, or coconut oil and use them externally only.
- Most essential oils remain untested by the FDA, that is, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for human consumption. So, you must never take essential oils orally, even if diluted.
- Following up on the previous point, you can inhale essential oils through a diffuser or dilute them to apply topically. But never take them internally as they can be toxic.
That’s it! Time to try these out for your gastritis. Do let us know how it goes for you in the comments below.