Alternative Medicines for the Treatment of GI Problems

Gastritis describes a series of conditions that occur in the lining of your stomach. GI (gastrointestinal) problems occur from infection, traumatic injury, regular use of pain pills and alcohol abuse, according to Mayo Clinic. If you suffer from GI problems from time to time and your physician has ruled out a more serious condition, you may want to look into some alternative treatments to over-the-counter preparations.

Symptoms

• There are many uncomfortable symptoms that accompany GI problems. You could feel extremely full shortly after the meal starts, feel overly full after finishing a meal and feel pain in the stomach area. You could have a sensation of heat in the chest along with nausea and bloating.

Japanese Herbal Remedies

• Many Japanese herbal remedies have been used for thousands of years to help your GI problems. Rikkunshi-to is a preparation from eight herbs. Dai-Kenchu-to is used as a healing method that includes ginseng, ginger and zanthoxylum fruit, according to NaturalNews.com.

Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs

• You can experiment with acupuncture, which often is used to alleviate many digestive problems in traditional Chinese medicine. Some herbs used in Chinese medicine for gastrointestinal problems are hoelen, licorice, atractylodes and ginger, a familiar herb for cooking. There are more than 6,000 herbs in China for all conditions; they are considered foods, not drugs, in the United States, and they are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Moxibustion Chinese

• Moxibustion treatment is one of several Chinese methods for treating GI problems. An ignited cone or stick of medicinal herbs is applied to the affected area on your body, specifically on appropriate acupuncture points.

Lifestyle Changes

• According to Mayo Clinic, there are many ways you can help prevent gastric upsets. Eat healthy foods, consume moderate portions and use regular eating times. Maintain a healthy weight, as gastritis occurs more often in overweight people. Exercise regularly, getting at least 30 minutes a day of aerobic exercise. Stress can cause many stomach problems by increasing stomach acid and slowing digestions. You can try tai chi, meditation or yoga to reduce stress and feel relaxed.