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| cific foods, the cause may be any of the following irritants: food that is too hot or too cold, food that contains chemical irritants (alcohol, spices, curries, greasy foods, vinegar) or mechanical irritants (insoluble fiber, such as wheat bran). |
| To repair the problem avoid the above as well as tobacco, drink fresh, raw juices and take demulcent or soothing herbs such as comfrey root, marshmallow root and chamomile in teas or tinctures. One soothing tea blend consists of 1 part comfrey root, 1 part marshmallow root and 1 part slippery elm bark simmered as a decoction (2 cups water to 2 tablespoons tea, cooked over low heat for 10 to 15 minutes). For added benefits, add a teaspoon of chamomile when you take the pan off the stove and let the tea stand, covered, an additional 10 minutes. Drink as often as desired. |
| Remember to drink as much water as possible during gastritis attacks, starting with 8-ounce glasses every 30 to 40 minutes until symptoms subside. If desired, add up to a tablespoon of powdered comfrey root, marshmallow root, slippery elm bark, arrowroot or a similar demulcent starch to the water just before drinking. |
| In addition, review the suggestions for treating ulcers, since peptic ulcers and gastritis usually respond to the same therapies. |
| Heartburn |
| Heartburn has nothing to do with the heart but was named for the approximate location of burning pain that occurs when stomach acid leaks into the esophagus. This often happens when people overeat or eat foods that are too spicy or too greasy. Common offenders include chocolate, caffeine, onions, tomatoes, citrus fruits and peppery sausages. A Mayo Clinic survey of 1500 patients concluded that alcohol, smoking, aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, all of which are considered risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux disease, are in fact not important. The primary risk factor found in the survey was obesity. If you are overweight and suffer from heartburn, losing the excess pounds will probably remove this unpleasant symptom. |
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