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Flax seeds in atrophic, erosive gastritis, with increased acidity

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Flax seeds have firmly taken their place in the treatment of gastritis. A gastroenterologist, along with drug treatment, prescribes a decoction of flax seeds as an auxiliary remedy. This is due to its healing properties, the ability to envelop and protect the gastric mucosa, and restore damaged cells. The use of flax to get rid of various digestive disorders was known to our ancestors for a long time, and now this has been scientifically confirmed. Therefore, to the question of whether flax seeds can be used for gastritis, the answer is confidently "Yes!"

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Indications

The term "gastritis" is translated as "stomach" and does not imply a specific disease, but implies various disorders of the organ's functions associated with inflammation and changes in its inner layer. Therefore, when considering the indications for prescribing plant seeds, it is necessary to keep in mind specific forms of the disease:

  • flax seeds for chronic gastritis - the pathology is characterized by a long, recurrent nature and alternates between periods of exacerbation and remission. Behind it are various changes in the mucous membrane and different pH levels, which determine the treatment algorithm and nutritional rules. Let's single out more specific diagnoses and the degree of flax's influence on their eradication:
  • flax for gastritis with high acidity - hyperacid gastritis, as a rule, is accompanied by superficial damage to the mucous membrane, atrophy of the glands of hydrochloric acid secretion does not occur. In this case, flax mucus envelops the inner surface of the stomach, helps reduce inflammation and tissue healing, prevents aggravation of the process;
  • flaxseed for gastritis with low acidity - gastric juice kills pathogenic flora inside the organ, and its insufficient synthesis leads to poor digestion of food, weak movement through the digestive tract, the occurrence of stagnation and inflammation. Plant mucus formed during the cooking of flaxseeds due to the polysaccharide in its composition absorbs harmful substances, kills pathogenic bacteria, and also promotes the unimpeded passage of food in all areas of its processing;
  • flax for erosive gastritis - this type of gastritis got its name due to the formation of erosions, wounds on the walls of the mucous membrane, hyperemia, which is caused by excessive production of gastric juice. It is accompanied by pain, heartburn, heaviness after eating, nausea. With deepening damage to the mucous membrane, it is dangerous with bleeding, anemia. A decoction of flax seeds will be the best for healing defects in the stomach, relieving pain, stopping inflammatory processes;
  • flax seed for atrophic gastritis - it is associated with atrophy of the parietal cells of the stomach, thinning of the mucous membrane, decreased production of gastric enzymes necessary for digestion of food. Lack of treatment leads to impaired absorption of nutrients, decreased appetite, weight loss, weakened immunity. Flax mucus helps to combat these pathological phenomena, improves motility, prevents constipation, which is typical for this condition. Although steamed seeds are more effective for constipation, the plant fibers of which have excellent adsorption and improve intestinal motility, the presence of gastritis makes decoctions more suitable. They are no less effective, because they make feces soft and slippery, and the process of defecation occurs without unnecessary efforts;
  • flax seed for pancreatitis - inflammation of the pancreas outside of its exacerbation allows you to take a mucous decoction of flax, add a small amount of grains to porridge, combine jelly with honey. Small portions will improve metabolism, speed up the healing process, and soothe. Gastritis is often combined with pancreatitis, since failure of one organ entails illness of another. Flax seed will help in a comprehensive approach to their treatment;
  • flax for gastritis and stomach ulcers - most often ulcers occur against the background of a long-term inflammatory process in the stomach. The disease requires a comprehensive approach, including drug therapy, diet, and folk remedies. In this case, flax treatment will have an anti-inflammatory, enveloping, antibacterial effect, this is the method our ancestors used to heal the defect of the mucous membrane.

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Benefits

The composition of flax determines its benefits for the body, including gastritis. Almost half of it is unsaturated fatty acids omega-3, omega-6. In addition, flax is rich in organic acids, proteins and amino acids, sterols, mucus, fiber, vitamins C, E, K, PP, group B, trace elements: copper, magnesium, potassium, calcium, molybdenum, phosphorus, selenium, iron. All these components have a beneficial effect on the digestive organs: mucus reduces the toxic effect of toxins, lignans are known for their bactericidal effect, fatty acids strengthen the immune system, vitamins saturate with what is necessary for the normalization of the functioning of the entire system. Thanks to all these qualities of flax seed, inflammation is reduced and damage to the mucous membrane is healed, pain relief occurs, food moves better throughout the digestive system, and substances necessary for the full functioning of the entire body are absorbed from it.

How to brew flax for gastritis?

Above, the emphasis was placed on the special effectiveness of the plant's mucus in the treatment of gastritis. In order to obtain it, you need to brew flax correctly. On the packaging of flax seeds purchased at the pharmacy, there is a recommendation to pour 100 grams of boiling water over a teaspoon, close with a tight lid and shake for 15 minutes. Folk recipes offer a more convenient way to prepare an infusion using a thermos. In it, you can brew the volume necessary for a whole day of treatment, one of the options: combine 10 small spoons of seed with a liter of water, shaking periodically. Steamed seed can not be thrown away, but taken by spoon three times a day.

A decoction of flax seeds for gastritis is made on low heat for 2 hours, after cooling and straining, drink (70 g per liter of water).

To prepare the jelly, use both whole grains and powder, the fiber forms mucus when infused. A sufficient daily volume is 0.5 liters. For this, you will need 50 g of raw materials. After boiling for 20 minutes, wrap the container with something warm for 2 hours, divide the cooled jelly into 3 portions, you can add honey.

Flaxseed oil is also effective for gastritis. It is sold in pharmacies, take it on an empty stomach, one teaspoon at a time. At home, it is prepared using the cold method. To do this, grind the grains, place the flour in a sieve on gauze, and press down with a weight on top. Place a container under the sieve to collect the oil.

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How to take flax for gastritis?

The theory that "the more, the better" is not justified and even harmful in the case of medicinal plants. When resorting to such treatment, you must definitely refer to the official instructions. In our case, it says that the drink should be drunk only freshly prepared, warm, 3 times a day half an hour before meals. For children 3-7 years old, the optimal dose is a dessert spoon, 7-12 years - a tablespoon, 12-14 years - 2 spoons, everyone else - a quarter of a glass. A mandatory condition for flax treatment is to accompany it with plenty of fluids.

Contraindications

Flax is not used during periods of exacerbation of gastritis and other digestive diseases. Contraindications include intestinal obstruction, acute and chronic cholecystitis in the acute stage, kidney and gallstones. Hypersensitivity to the biologically active substances of the plant can cause an allergic reaction.

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Reviews

According to reviews, treating gastritis with flax is a fairly popular method. People often share which recipe they liked the most and helped. These are not always the proposed infusions, decoctions, and jelly. Some simply chew thoroughly in the mouth, washing it down with liquid, others grind flour and add it to soups and side dishes. It is noted that in any form it brings relief, promotes the regeneration of cells in the gastric mucosa.

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