Will chamomile help with gastritis and how can it be used?

Nowadays, stomach diseases are a common diagnosis that affects many people. But, according to experts, gastritis can only be cured with an integrated approach. In addition to prescribed medications and a specially selected diet, doctors recommend resorting to traditional medicine. Chamomile has been used in treatment for gastritis for many decades, has repeatedly helped in the fight against this disease and given excellent results.

Today, chamomile is especially in demand in the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Chamomile helps with stomach ulcers in remission no worse than medications. This remedy has no serious side effects and can be prescribed to patients of all age groups. The herb has a healing effect if it is properly prepared and drunk as prescribed by the doctor. This herbal medicine is prescribed for various forms and stages of gastritis, because it copes well with inflammatory processes of the mucous membrane.

General information about the plant

Chamomile is an annual plant that belongs to the Aster family. It comes in several types:

• garden white and yellow;
• pharmacy;
• Persian;
• German and Caucasian.

Chamomile is used for medicinal purposes. This is a time-tested, strong and reliable remedy that has beneficial properties for the body. The flowering period of the plant is from May to August. Most often, inflorescences with pedicels are collected in dry sunny weather at the beginning of flowering. Their length should not exceed 3 cm. Then the flowers are dried in specially created conditions.

Chamomile is collected in spring and summer, since its marginal reed flowers are located horizontally and during this period the plant is rich in necessary biologically active substances. If this moment is missed, then during the drying period the plant’s basket disintegrates and beneficial essential oils evaporate.

It is recommended to store dried chamomile for no more than a year in a well-sealed container.

Composition of chamomile

This medicinal herb contains a complex of unique elements and substances that provide the prevention and treatment of stomach disease. These elements complement each other perfectly, and the uniqueness of their properties cannot be overestimated. Chamomile includes:

• essential oils;
• flavonoids;
• tannins;
• polysaccharides;
• vitamins;
• salicylic, stearic, oleic, as well as isovaleric and palmitic acid.

Properties of flowers

For stomach and duodenal ulcers, as well as for various forms of gastritis, chamomile can destroy pathogenic microflora, acting as a natural antibiotic. Thanks to the content of a huge amount of essential oils, inflammatory processes are effectively stopped, severe pain and spasms are relieved throughout the digestive tract.

The oil serves as an excellent wound healing agent, which is important in the fight against chronic diseases of the stomach and intestines. The astringent property of the plant contributes to the rapid restoration of the mucous membrane. Chamomile is able to remove dangerous and harmful toxins from the body, and also reduces the likelihood of the formation of malignant tumors.

The substances in medicinal chamomile dilate blood vessels, thus relieving internal swelling by normalizing blood flow. The healing properties of this plant ensure successful treatment of ailments and prevent disruption of the functioning of the digestive system. They relax the mucous membrane, reduce the formation of gases, eliminate fermentation processes and activate the functions of the digestive organs.

In addition, chamomile flowers have a choleretic effect, which is important when establishing proper functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

It has been proven that the components of this herb suppress the activity of the Helicobacter pylori bacterium, increasing the defenses of the immune system and stimulating the growth of its resources.

Chemical composition of chamomile tea

To better understand how a medicinal plant works, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the active ingredients.
It contains many useful substances that have a positive effect on the health of children and adults. They are preserved by drying the flowers and brewing the drink. Main chemical elements:

1. Apigenin. Suppresses allergic reactions and inflammatory processes, copes with free radicals. It has the ability to inhibit several types of cancer cells. Of all the plants used for tea, chamomile is the richest in apigenin.
2. Coumarin. The substance gives flowers a special smell. Widely used to combat swelling associated with surgery and lymph circulation disorders.
3. Chrysin. Has a clear calming effect. Reduces anxiety levels, relieves unreasonable fear and panic attacks. Struggling with nightmares and hysteria.
4. Tannins. They give the plant a bitter taste and normalize the function of the gastrointestinal tract. They have a positive effect on the intestinal microflora, fighting microbes and decay products. They are used to remove heavy metals that are harmful to the human body.
5. Ascorbic acid. An important element that affects the function of connective and bone tissue. Converts cholesterol into bile acids, activates digestive function. Ascorbic acid prevents the formation of stones in the gallbladder area.
6. Pectin. Cleanses the human body of harmful substances without harming the natural microflora. Eliminates radioactive substances, toxins and pesticides from the body.
7. Carotene. Takes an active part in metabolism. Affects the formation of teeth and bone apparatus. Prevents the development of bacteria and viruses, slows down the aging process.
8. Essential oils. They have antimicrobial and antispasmodic effects. Promotes tissue healing, reduces spasms. There are various vitamins and elements: zinc, iron, potassium, magnesium and others.

Chamomile tea does not contain caffeine, so it is considered healthier than black tea. If a person wants to rejuvenate the body and improve overall health, he will need to regularly drink a healing drink.

Chamomile treatment

If you have been diagnosed with stomach pathology, you should consult a gastroenterologist before starting treatment with this flower. He will determine all the important aspects of the reception. In this matter, the main role is played by the dosage, method of preparation of the medicine and time of use. There are several forms of preparation of this plant, each of them is most suitable for a particular case.

Decoction

Chamomile decoction for gastritis is used only during remission of the disease. To prepare it, you can use several methods:

1. Pour a tablespoon of chamomile flowers into a glass of boiled water and leave for an hour. To obtain a richer drink, cover the container with the hot broth with a towel. Then strain the resulting medicinal liquid and drink 3 times a day before meals.
2. To prepare a stronger decoction, use a couple of spoons of inflorescences for the same amount of water as in the first case, only cold. Place the resulting mixture on low heat and bring to a boil, wait about 3-4 minutes and remove from the stove. Cover and leave for about an hour. After this, strain the broth. Before use, dilute the drink with water as necessary, adjusting the concentration of the healing decoction.
3. Chamomile flowers in the amount of 15-30 g (1-2 tbsp) are poured into 200 ml. water and leave in a water bath for 30 minutes. The consumption pattern is the same - 2-3 times a day before meals.

Infusion

An infusion of chamomile can be used during a mild exacerbation of the disease and the manifestation of its minor symptoms. If the symptoms of the disease are sluggish and do not bother you so much, then chamomile infusion in this case will perfectly cope with all pathological abnormalities in the stomach. It has an analgesic effect, an antispasmodic that normalizes intestinal function, eliminating constipation or diarrhea. But you can take chamomile for chronic gastritis only by eliminating the occurrence of possible complications, since self-medication negatively affects the health of the entire body.

To prepare the infusion, follow a certain dosage of components and act in the exact sequence. This chamomile drink is easy to prepare. To start, 1 tbsp. l. flowers are poured with a glass of boiled water. The resulting mixture is infused in a thermos for about 4 hours, it is best to do this at night. Then the resulting infusion is filtered, squeezed and taken a quarter glass, always warm, 3 times a day before meals.

In addition to the recipe described above, there is another way to prepare chamomile to combat gastritis, which is used in practice. This is an alcohol tincture. In this case, you need 70% alcohol or good vodka (moonshine) to pour chamomile flowers in a ratio of 1 to 10. The finished solution is placed in a dark place and allowed to brew for 20 days, shaking from time to time. Treatment consists of drinking 20 ml. tincture, which can be drunk after meals 3 times a day.

Chamomile tea

Chamomile tea also has healing properties for gastritis. The drink is drunk during attacks, and the discomfort passes quickly. For cooking you will need 2 tsp. plants per glass of boiling water. Next, the drink is infused for 10-15 minutes and drunk in small sips. If desired, honey is added to this tea, which also contains many useful substances, thus enhancing the healing effect of the tea.

In the autumn-winter period, chamomile decoctions, teas, and infusions are drunk for preventive purposes to reduce the exacerbation of diseases.

All medicinal chamomile drinks are consumed only freshly prepared. That is why they need to be prepared only for one meal. After a day, the decoctions lose their beneficial qualities and can cause disturbances in the digestive tract.

Beneficial features

Traditional healers often recommend chamomile tea; the benefits and harms for women have long been known. It also wouldn’t hurt for men to drink the drink to normalize their well-being. To begin with, it is recommended to understand exactly how chamomile affects the body.

Chamomile tea does not contain caffeine, so it can be taken by all people: hypertensive patients, easily excitable citizens, children. If babies have stomach colic, it won’t hurt to drink this drink. Additionally, it helps to get rid of pain during the growth of the first teeth.

Even Tibetan monks highly value chamomile decoction and consider it a rejuvenating agent. It is he who is considered the secret of longevity, as he prevents various diseases.

Chamomile is effective for stomach pain due to its chemical composition:

• Tannins;
• Free organic acids;
• Flavonoids;
• Retinol;
• Phytosterols;
• Ascorbic acid;
• Coumarina;
• Carotene.

Use for gastritis

As positive reviews from patients show, infusion and decoction of the flowers of this plant help well with various forms of gastritis. When you have a chronic hypoacid form, characterized by insufficient secretion of hydrochloric acid, chamomile can establish normal production of gastric juice. And, conversely, for gastritis with high acidity, it is already used as an antacid that can neutralize it and change the pH of the stomach. In cases where the disease is accompanied by dyspepsia, the medicinal drink effectively destroys pathogenic microorganisms.

To achieve better results in the fight against diseases of the digestive system, chamomile is combined with other beneficial herbs. During the treatment of gastritis, among all medicinal plants, St. John's wort and yarrow are considered very effective. Thanks to this powerful herbal mixture, the following symptoms of the disease can be eliminated:

• burping;
• heartburn;
• nausea;
• pain syndrome.

To prepare such a healing mixture, you should mix the inflorescences of chamomile, St. John's wort and yarrow in a ratio of 4:1:1. After this, 5 g of the resulting dry mixture is poured into 200 ml. boiled hot water and leave for half an hour. When the drink is ready, it is taken for medicinal purposes before meals 3 times a day.

In all preparations, as a rule, the portion of chamomile should be added many times larger, because it enhances all the healing properties of other herbs. This drink has a beneficial effect not only on the condition of the stomach, but also copes well with ulcerative colitis, relieving the inflammatory process.

All infusions, decoctions and teas should be alternated and consumed warm, since cold or hot drinks have a negative effect on the mucous membrane.

Strengthening the immune system

In general, the plant will strengthen the immune system, stabilize health and relieve chronic fatigue. The man will feel much better, so his performance will increase. An active lifestyle can lead to muscle strain.

Chamomile relaxes muscles and blocks pain. The drink is good to use after training: overexertion and fatigue will disappear. You can drink tea before and after class.

If a man is forced to lead a sedentary lifestyle, his health will not be in good enough condition. Lack of muscle tone will lead to lymph stagnation and osteochondrosis. For pain in the joint, neck and back, tea is suitable. It is drunk in the morning or in the evening to maintain the body.

Weak chamomile tea will be useful for young children who are already one and a half years old. They cannot drink strong drink, as it will only be allowed after 5 years. The serving must be at least half a cup.

The healing herb is useful for excessive excitability and excessive activity. If the day is hard, the child will not always be able to fall asleep quickly. Parents can give chamomile tea to improve sleep. For best results, it is recommended to add a spoonful of honey.

Contraindications for chamomile treatment

Despite the fact that chamomile has no obvious contraindications for gastritis, it is still necessary to take into account intolerance to this plant. If there are signs of an allergic reaction, it is better to avoid it. It is not recommended to drink this decoction during breastfeeding and pregnancy. It is also important to remember that when taking sedatives, chamomile can enhance the effect of the former. In this case, blood pressure may drop, weakness and dizziness may appear.

Symptoms of a chamomile overdose are: nausea, vomiting, lethargy, cough, headache.

There is also no need to overuse chamomile, because it is not a drink that you can drink every day. It will not replace normal fluid intake in its pure form. In addition, you must always remember about the concentration of infusions and decoctions. If they are used incorrectly, the natural intestinal microflora may be disrupted, which will lead to a malfunction of this organ. In women, chamomile infusion can provoke heavy bleeding during menstrual periods.

Benefit

Chamomile is known to everyone; even any child can recognize the white and yellow flowers among the many meadow plants. Chamomile blooms begin in May and continue throughout the summer.

When treating, flowers are usually used, which are recommended to be collected in dry weather at the beginning of flowering.

Medicinal chamomile is highly valued among herbalists and herbalists; it is often used in the treatment of gastritis, because it has a unique list of healing properties.

• Relieves painful symptoms;
• Has a vasodilating effect;
• Eliminates fermentation in the structures of the gastrointestinal tract;
• Improves the functions of the digestive system;
• Helps eliminate inflammatory lesions;
• Reduces the intensity of gas formation;
• Has a calming effect on the nervous system structures;
• Has an excellent cosmetic effect on the skin and hair.

Many preparations contain chamomile essential oil, which provides analgesic and anti-inflammatory, disinfectant and wound-healing effects, which makes it possible to treat gastritis and ulcerative pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract.

In addition, chamomile effectively fights respiratory pathologies such as pneumonia and laryngitis, bronchitis, etc. Chamomile is also included in preparations for the treatment of sore throat, stomatitis, and oral inflammation.

Thanks to chamomile's ability to have choleretic, anti-inflammatory, and antiallergic effects, its decoctions can be successfully used in the treatment of gastric pathologies.

The effectiveness of chamomile decoctions is due to the destructive effect of the plant decoction on pathogenic microorganisms that cause these pathologies and interfere with the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. The use of chamomile for gastritis ensures relaxation of the gastrointestinal mucous membranes, relieves spasms and pain symptoms, heals wounds and strengthens vascular walls.

Reviews

Chamomile is a unique remedy for treating many diseases. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory effect, an infusion of this herb softens the burning sensation and treats the gastric mucosa, suppressing the activity of pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microflora of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition to drug treatment, I recommend that all my patients use such a folk remedy as infusion and decoction of chamomile.

Petr Vasilievich Shubin, gastroenterologist

My grandmother also used chamomile as a remedy against many diseases. She collected the flowers of this plant, dried them, and then made tea and infusions from them. After the examination discovered that I had gastritis, I remembered my grandmother’s magic remedy. First of all, I consulted with my doctor, who confirmed the medicinal properties of this plant. I have been drinking the decoction for a month now and my condition has improved.

Maria, 35 years old

I have been using chamomile for a year now. I was very happy when my doctor allowed me to use folk remedies in treatment along with pills. I love chamomile tea, now I drink it instead of regular tea in the morning. It perfectly calms and has a beneficial effect on my stomach, treats gastritis. Chamomile works wonders!

Yulia, 28 years old
Chamomile helps not only improve the effect of drug treatment, but also establish the proper functioning of gastric processes. Only a doctor, with a correct assessment of the patient’s condition, determines whether pharmaceutical chamomile can be taken in courses for gastritis. The main thing is not to self-medicate!

Folk recipes

There are several ways to use chamomile to treat gastritis. The easiest way is to buy ready-made raw materials at the pharmacy and add it to medicinal infusions and decoctions. If you harvest it yourself, it is important not to miss the period of intense flowering of this plant. Flowers contain more active ingredients than leaves or grass.

Decoction recipe

Preparing chamomile infusion takes no more than 15-20 minutes. The solution is prepared in the proportion of 1 spoon of dry crushed raw materials to 1 glass of water. The mixture is placed on the stove and brought to a boil. Then the medicine is left on low heat for 5-10 minutes, after which it needs to be strained and cooled. The basic rule for using the decoction is that it needs to be prepared every day so that the product is fresh.

Healing infusion

It is better to prepare chamomile infusion in the evening so that you can drink the first portion of this remedy in the morning. The concentration of ingredients remains the same as for preparing the decoction - 1 spoon of raw materials per 1 glass of boiling water. The mixture must be kept warm for at least 4 hours, after which it is ready for use.

Some patients drink chamomile infusion three times a day, half an hour before each meal. The dosage can be slightly changed by dividing the daily portion into 2 parts for morning and evening doses. It is important to drink the medicine before meals so that its active ingredients have time to create a protective coating on the gastric mucosa.

Instead of chamomile decoction, you can make healthy tea for gastritis. One spoon of dried plant flowers is poured into a glass of boiling water and left warm for 10 minutes. The resulting product is taken at night, and to improve the taste, you can add honey or a small amount of sugar. However, this medicine is not recommended to be taken instead of regular tea. It contains a large amount of biologically active substances, so one cup per day is enough for treatment.

How to properly prepare and take?

Chamomile-based medicines are successfully used by patients to treat stomach problems.

Natural remedies have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, increase immune defense and accelerate the onset of recovery. The use of chamomile products is recommended as a natural antibiotic for gastritis.

Essential oils in the plant provide a disinfectant effect and normalize intestinal functions, eliminate swelling and spasms.

Chamomile remedies can be prepared in a variety of ways.

Infusion

It is recommended to drink chamomile infusion for mild forms of gastritis with mild and sluggish symptoms that do not cause bothersome discomfort.

• To make the drink, a spoonful of flowers is brewed in a thermos with boiling water and kept for 4 hours.
• The infusion should be taken warm, on an empty stomach, ¼ cup.
• The course of treatment is not limited by any time period; the infusion is taken in parallel with medications until complete recovery.

As a result of such treatment, the concentration of gastric secretions will decrease, which will help protect the mucous membranes from the aggressive effects of acid. Chamomile infusion also helps with colds and intestinal disorders, insomnia and stomach cramps.

Contraindications for taking this infusion are acute pancreatitis, ulcerative processes in the stomach or gallstone pathology.

To prevent exacerbations in the chronic course of the inflammatory process, chamomile infusion is taken for 14 days in the morning and evening, about half an hour before meals.

Decoction

Chamomile decoction for gastritis during remission is also quite effective. To prepare the drink, pour a large spoonful of flowers into a glass of water, then place the mixture in a bathhouse and simmer for half an hour.

You can also prepare a decoction by adding water and inflorescences to an enamel saucepan and placing it on low heat. After boiling, the broth is kept on the fire for another 3 minutes, then cooled, filtered and taken during the day before meals and at night.