Gastritis is a stomach disorder that can cause significant pain or discomfort and can last for a long time if left untreated. Treatment includes medication, as well as lifestyle and diet modifications. Some people may find herbs such as cumin help relieve symptoms. Before using cumin for gastritis, check with your doctor to make sure this is safe for you.
Cumin
Cumin is a Mediterranean spice often used in cooking. It is not the same as black cumin or sweet cumin, also known as anise. This spice is typically used in curry dishes. According to Drugs.com, it has traditionally been a treatment for inflammation and gas. It may also help increase urination and ease diarrhea and indigestion. Its use for lowering blood sugar and strengthening bones requires more research, however.
Gastritis
The lining of the stomach is called mucosa. When this tissue is inflamed, gastritis results. The mucosa typically makes acids and enzymes that aid in digestion, as well as mucus that keeps the acid from damaging the lining. In gastritis, the mucosa does not make enough of these substances. Gastritis can be acute or chronic, and is most often caused by H. pylori bacterial infections. Traumatic injuries, surgery, autoimmune diseases and viruses or parasites may also cause gastritis, says the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Treatment usually entails medications such as antacids, histamine blockers and proton pump inhibitors, as well as medicinal treatment of the H. pylori infection.
Effects of Cumin on Gastritis
Some individuals experience symptoms of indigestion, abdominal pain or heartburn with gastritis, and cumin may help relieve these symptoms. It will not treat the gastritis itself, but may ease the pain. Crushing cumin seeds and mixing 1/2 teaspoon of cumin powder with 1 liter of water, then boiling and filtering it, is an Ayurvedic treatment for gastritis, says J.V. Hebbar, M.D. More research is needed on the efficacy of cumin in treating gastritis and symptoms of gastritis. Before using cumin for symptoms of gastritis, talk with your doctor.
Considerations
Cumin is not meant to be a treatment for gastritis and should not be used in place of medical treatment. It is a supplement to reduce symptoms of the condition. This spice may lower blood sugar, so diabetics on insulin should check with a doctor before using it. Ask your doctor whether using this spice medicinally is appropriate for you, to avoid any adverse side effects.
