Gastritis is the most common disease on the planet. Statistics say that half of earthlings suffer from any form. The name itself is translated from Latin as inflammation of the stomach. A typical symptom is pain in the upper abdomen.
The disease is not fatal, but requires careful attention - strict adherence to the prescribed treatment and diet. If neglected, it can transform into an ulcer or cancer.
For the treatment of gastritis, traditional medicines and folk methods of struggle are used. Chaga has proven itself well.
Chaga in natural conditions
Appearance of chaga
Chaga is a mushroom that looks completely different from the familiar boletus, boletus, and chanterelle. It grows on birch trees; for them, the fungus is a parasite that gradually leads to death. It is a round, oval growth with a black cracked surface. Hence another name - black birch mushroom. Reaches large sizes. Weight from two to five kilograms. Diameter 40-50 centimeters, thickness 10-15 centimeters.
Interesting to know! Growths are sterile mycelium of the fungus. The fruiting part that produces basidiospores (reproductive spores) is found under the tree bark.
How to collect correctly?
The recommended time for harvesting tinder fungus is September and October. The leaves fall off the birch tree, and it is much easier to detect the characteristic growth. When collecting chaga, it is worth taking a closer look at the condition of the tree. It should not have characteristic damage or a large number of dry branches.
Young birch mushrooms are considered the most useful. After all, if the tinder fungus is dry, it simply crumbles in your hands and is not suitable for brewing. The same can be said for chaga that was collected from dead trees. Dry wood does not feed the birch fungus, so it is devoid of beneficial features.
But collecting it in reserve is quite possible. The raw materials are dried in the sun or placed in the oven. For uniform drying, all pieces of tinder fungus are laid out in one layer. If you store them in paper bags with small holes for normal air exchange, it will retain its healing properties for many months.
The largest birch mushrooms ever found in nature grew up to 40 centimeters. But it is better to give preference to young chaga and harvest it away from city highways. As you know, mushrooms have the ability to absorb toxins from the air like a sponge.
Medicinal use
Chaga has been studied insignificantly, does not interfere, and is used to treat various diseases. Peasants used infusions of the mushroom to wash purulent ulcers and bathe children with scrofula. Chaga-based kvass was drunk for hemorrhoidal pain and constipation. Used as tea and compote.
Today the mushroom is used for stomach and duodenal ulcers, gastritis, and malignant neoplasms.
There is a lot of outright fiction and speculation in the media regarding the effectiveness of chaga for cancer, giving rise to unreasonable hopes of patients.
You can drink chaga for cancer, but do not think that it will cure this disease.
The mushroom has a positive effect on the patient’s well-being, especially at the initial stage of use. However, tumor growth and tendency to metastasize remain. Sometimes the speed of these processes slows down, therefore, a person’s life lengthens.
Chaga can be of great help for gastritis of the stomach. Drinking it is not useful for every gastritis.
A healthy stomach and a stomach affected by atrophic gastritis
Composition and benefits for the gastrointestinal tract
Obtaining a positive result is partly due to compliance with all rules regarding the preparation and administration of drugs based on it.
But the miraculous effect is also based on the composition. It contains phytoncides, flavonoids, resins, organic acids, micro and macroelements and more. It is worth remembering that if you decide to procure raw materials yourself, then you will only need to cut it from living trees. It is advisable to use birch trees, which are rich in useful components, as they are saturated with the sap of this plant. In addition, light-colored growths are most beneficial. Only the inner part is used to prepare the miracle potion.
Treatment of stomach cancer and other pathologies with chaga is carried out due to the following effects on the patient’s body:
- hemostatic;
- anti-inflammatory;
- relaxing;
- wound healing.
In addition, it is able to restore the normal microflora of the stomach, protects the mucous membrane and restores the activity of the gastrointestinal tract.
Classification of gastritis
With gastritis, the mucous membrane of the stomach is inflamed. Inflammation is caused by many reasons, the course of the disease and consequences are different.
Gastritis is classified according to the type of inflammation:
- acute (OG);
- chronic (CH).
OG is the name given to the newly emerging inflammatory process. Manifested by acute pain, nausea, vomiting, belching. One of the reasons for the development of OH is the pathogenic pathogen Helicobacter pylori, a spiral-shaped bacterium. Rarely, OH is caused by other infections: E. coli, staphylococcus, fungus.
Acute gastritis can result from exposure to a variety of thermal, chemical, mechanical factors (acids, alkalis, medications, spoiled foods).
HCG can occur against the background of different stomach acidity (high, normal, low). The level is determined by the concentration of hydrochloric acid in gastric juice. Acidity is important in treatment and determining the desired diet.
No less important information about the use of soda for gastritis
CG with high and normal acidity is more often observed in young men. It is a superficial inflammation of the mucous membrane. Symptoms: heartburn, sour belching, heaviness in the stomach after eating.
The prognosis for hyperacid CG is favorable; gastritis with high acidity of chaga is not used.
Note! Chaga for the gastrointestinal tract will be useful with low acidity.
With hypoacid CG, people complain of rotten and airy belching, unpleasant odor, bitterness in the mouth, increased salivation, and lack of appetite. The pain is dull and aching in nature. Characterized by frequent changes of diarrhea and constipation.
Helicobacter
Its atrophic variety, which develops against the background of autoimmune processes with Helicobacter pylori infection, is especially unpleasant.
With autoimmune gastritis, antibodies are formed that recognize stomach tissue as foreign and begin to attack them. Acidity decreases because damaged cells produce mucus instead of hydrochloric acid. The absorption of vitamin B12 is impaired, which leads to the development of severe pernicious anemia.
The contribution of Helicobacter to the progression of pathology is to weaken the protective function of the mucosa; toxins and free radicals penetrate the cells and damage their nuclei. The cells gradually degenerate, acquiring precancerous properties. This process is called intestinal metaplasia.
Interesting fact! In chronic atrophic gastritis with low acidity, cancer develops in 13 out of 100 cases.
Therapy for the atrophic form of gastritis is long-term. If Helicobacter is detected, antibiotics and bismuth preparations are prescribed. In the presence of an autoimmune factor, glucocorticoids, vitamin B12, and iron supplements are prescribed.
Prescribed medications that stimulate an increase in acidity (vitamins C and PP, plantain juice, solutions of succinic and citric acid). The diet includes citrus fruits, sauerkraut, and sour juices.
To stimulate the restoration of stomach tissue, inosine, rosehip or sea buckthorn oil are prescribed. Physiotherapeutic procedures are used (electrophoresis with drugs, magnetic therapy).
What is the treatment, what medications are used
Treatment of a peptic ulcer, like any other, should begin with a diagnosis by a doctor. Then a technique is selected, depending on the causes of the disease and its degree.
Multicomponent treatment:
- Taking medications
- Diet
- Identifying and eliminating causes
- Surgical intervention (according to indications)
- Psychotherapy (if necessary)
The main drugs for peptic ulcers are divided into categories:
- Antibiotics – eliminate the causative agent of the disease, the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. It has been proven that the use of antibiotics for peptic ulcers increases the likelihood of rapid healing of mucosal damage by 70%. They use: amoxicillin, amoxiclav, clarithromycin (fromilid, ecositrin, klacid), metronidazole, trichopolum, bismuth subcitrate - a drug from the group of antacids (neutralize hydrochloric acid), which has an additional antibacterial effect, and others. Usually the course is at least 7 days
- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) inhibit the secretion of hydrochloric acid. These are omeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole. The course is at least 7 days, usually 2-4 weeks
- Blockers of histamine receptors BHR – reduce the production of hydrochloric acid. Ranitidine bismuth citrate, famotidine,
- Painkillers, antispasmodics, vitamins, immunomodulators, and antacids are prescribed as auxiliary drugs. This can be gastal, almagel, gastracid and others.
The course takes place in one or two stages. The first week includes antibiotics and PPIs or BHRs, it is possible that the doctor will prescribe all three groups of drugs. At the end of the course, it is important to undergo a follow-up examination.
If tests confirm the presence of bacteria, then a second course is required, which lasts two weeks. A pair of antibiotics is selected (metronidazole and tetracycline or others), supplemented with a bismuth preparation, plus a PPI.
Auxiliary drugs are prescribed to relieve unpleasant symptoms such as pain and vomiting.
Contraindications
Chaga does not accumulate in the body and does not cause allergies in the vast majority of people, but it does have certain side effects and contraindications.
- Treatment of gastritis with chaga is long-term. With long-term use, some people may develop increased nervous excitability.
- The mushroom is contraindicated when a person, in addition to gastritis, is diagnosed with dysentery or chronic colitis.
- Intravenous administration of glucose should not be allowed during chaga therapy.
- The fungus does not combine well with antibiotics, especially penicillin.
- Smoking and drinking alcohol are not recommended.
- During the course of treatment you must adhere to diet No. 2.
Folk remedies for stomach ulcers and their effectiveness
Peptic ulcer disease has been known to mankind for a long time, so there are many proven traditional medicine recipes for this disease. Their advantage is that they do not harm the body and are easily tolerated. But it is still better to use them as part of complex therapy.
To achieve effective treatment, you need to know what properties a particular folk remedy has. For treatment, herbs, some types of mushrooms, vegetables, seeds, bee products, and mumiyo are used.
Many plants have anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects, which is why they are used for ulcers.
These plants include:
- St. John's wort. In addition to the anti-inflammatory effect, it contains many useful substances: resinous substances, vitamin PP, vitamin C. It is an antidepressant
- Sage is a familiar antiseptic, contains phytoncides, alkaloids, helps with colitis and gastritis
- Calendula. General strengthening agent, has a positive effect on the nervous system
- Some plants reduce acidity and can be said to be natural histamine receptor blockers. These are chamomile, calendula, mint, calamus and other plants.
You can find ready-made herbal mixtures at the pharmacy.
Like all medicines, herbal remedies have contraindications (increase blood pressure, cause allergies, etc.), you must consult your doctor before use.
Procurement of raw materials
You can collect mushrooms at any time of the year. But it’s easier to do this when there are no leaves on the trees. It is not recommended to take chaga from fallen and dried trees, since such mushrooms contain fewer active components.
Mushroom ready for storage
Mushrooms are cut with a knife. The collected chaga is thoroughly washed, cut into small pieces and dried. Can be dried outdoors, in special dryers and ovens (temperature no more than 60 degrees). Store the mushroom in a container with a tight-fitting lid. It hardens quickly in air. If storage conditions are met, the mushroom retains its medicinal qualities for about two years.
Chaga in packaging
What diet is recommended to follow when treating stomach ulcers?
This diet is called Table No. 1. Following a diet alleviates the patient’s condition and is simply necessary during an exacerbation.
The mucous membrane contains many glands, approximately 100 per 1 square millimeter, which produce hydrochloric acid, enzymes and mucus - everything necessary for digestion.
Several factors influence the functioning of the glands:
- Meat food, daily consumption of meat increases acidity and accordingly increases the activity of gastric juice
- Stress activates the glands
Table No. 1 allows the consumption of meat, but in limited quantities; the meat should not be fatty or rough. Steamed or boiled cutlets are best.
Any fresh baked goods are prohibited; you can eat yesterday’s wheat bread, savory buns, and cookies. You can have vegetables and fruits, preferably finely chopped.
The principle of the diet is this: food should not irritate the gastric mucosa. That is, it should not be spicy, salty, hot, rough, smoked, or fatty. Fried foods are excluded; ideally, all food should be pureed; this can be easily achieved using a blender. You should eat small portions five to six times a day, and never overeat.
Chaga from the pharmacy
If you are unable or unwilling to wander through the forest in search of a mushroom, you can buy it at the pharmacy. Chaga is sold in different types. Natural crushed mushroom is sold in packages of 50 and 100 grams. You can buy drugs based on mushroom extract in pharmacies (capsules, tinctures, syrup, concentrate for further preparation of the solution).
Capsules are recommended for adults and children over twelve years of age. Standard dosage regimen: one or two capsules two or three times during meals with a glass of warm water.
Chaga extract
Drink a tablespoon of tinctures and solutions three times a day before meals.
Chaga syrup is drunk one teaspoon three to four times a day with food.
You can buy Chaga tea drink. If there are no contraindications, you can drink it along with your usual black or green tea.
Japanese Kombucha
This mushroom contains many acids that can only be beneficial for a healthy person. It also contains yeast bacteria. For people who have diseases such as ulcers, pancreatitis or gastritis, treatment with this method is contraindicated. It is especially dangerous for people with gastritis and high acidity.
But still, some doctors recommend taking this mushroom to prevent stomach diseases. To do this, you need to drink kombucha tincture together with flax seeds. 1.5 hours before eating, it is recommended to drink ½ glass of one or the other.
Healing properties
The beneficial properties and uses of birch mushroom are no less surprising in their scope than its composition. Birch growth is capable of:
- Influence the improvement of immunity,
- Stabilize the functioning of the nervous system,
- Restore metabolic processes throughout the body,
- Strengthen blood vessels
- Fill tissues and cells with oxygen,
- Increase the number of leukocytes in the blood, thereby improving the process of hematopoiesis,
- Stop the growth of cancerous tumors,
- Beneficial influence on the activity of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems,
- Normalize intestinal microflora and gastrointestinal tract activity,
- Restore vision.
What does chaga help with? The mushroom is an excellent anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, hemostatic, astringent, antibacterial agent, healing numerous diseases, including skin ailments.
It cleanses the body of toxins, waste and heavy metals, normalizes blood sugar and cholesterol, normalizes blood pressure, the functioning of the heart and blood vessels.
