Stomach illnesses are a common health problem, of which ulcers and cancer are of particular concern. In addition to getting timely medical treatment, we can protect the stomach through diet therapy and massaging specific acupoints.
Gastric, or stomach, cancer is one of the most lethal malignant tumors, with a five-year survival rate of about 20 percent. Some well-known risk factors for gastric cancer include Helicobacter pylori infection, dietary factors, smoking, obesity, and radiation.
High-Risk Groups for Gastric Cancer
Some people are more susceptible to stomach cancer because of their lifestyle habits or genetic factors. How can you tell if someone is at high risk for it? The following symptoms or history indicate higher risk:
- Anemia.
- Dark yellow or dark brown stool.
- Loss of appetite, satiety after eating just a little, or nausea after overeating.
- Weight loss; unable to maintain normal body weight.
- Often feel stomach discomfort, and have symptoms of gastric acid reflux, gastric ulcer, or chronic gastritis.
- Heavy smoking and/or alcohol consumption.
- Family history of gastric cancer.
If you have any of the above conditions, see a doctor immediately and get a detailed checkup to ensure your stomach is healthy. Early detection and timely treatment can reduce much of the risk.
Many people worry about prescription medication’s side effects on the stomach. Therefore, they often ask to add other stomach drugs to their prescription to mitigate these effects. However, taking these drugs for a long time can come back to haunt the stomach and even increase the risk of stomach cancer. One study found that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), commonly used to treat gastric bleeding and gastric and duodenal ulcers, may pose cancer risks, and widely used over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may cause gastric ulcers. In addition, studies have also found that older women are at increased risk of falls and bone fractures after long-term use of PPIs.
5 Foods That Protect the Stomach and Intestines
To protect gastrointestinal health, it is best to start with diet. Consider adding these stomach-nourishing substances to your meals:
- Cabbage contains antioxidant phytochemicals that help reduce inflammation and even treat chronic gastritis. Studies have shown that cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage can help reduce the risk of various common cancers, especially upper gastrointestinal, colorectal, breast, and kidney.
- Yam is a neutral and non-agitating food that protects the mucous membrane inside the stomach.
- Bitter camellia contains tea polyphenols that help eliminate gastritis and duodenitis. Studies have found that taking bitter camellia can protect the gastrointestinal mucosa from oxidative damage.
- Black fungus is a soft and tender food, and its dietary fiber can protect the stomach wall.
- Raw ginger is a sacred medicine for the spleen and stomach. Squeeze the juice from ginger and drink with warm water to dispel wind and cold and protect the stomach. Many doctors prescribe licorice, ginger, and jujube when treating stomach ailments. Research shows that ginger can help relieve nausea and vomiting, too.
Grains are also nutritious, easy to digest, and good for making porridge to nourish the stomach. Millet, rice, barley, etc., are all grains that aid the spleen and stomach in digestion and absorption when diluted into a porridge form.
3 Powders That Work Magic in Stomach Lining Repair
Several Chinese medicinal herbs can repair gastric mucosa, or stomach lining. Bletilla striata powder, Panax notoginseng powder, and lotus root powder can all be used to coat ulcers and heal the stomach lining. Taking them all together in a porridge will have the most potent effect.
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Bletilla striata (Chinese ground orchid) works as an astringent, aids in the swelling of sexual organs (detumescence), and helps with wound healing. Studies have found that compounds extracted from Bletilla striata can help stop bleeding. It also has anti-inflammation and antimicrobial effects, which is why it is favored to treat gastrointestinal bleeding and gastric and duodenal ulcers.
When I worked in a research institute, a colleague asked me how best to treat wounds. I suggested that he apply Bletilla striata powder, and the result was immediately evident. After that, he kept Bletilla striata powder at home as a handy medicine.
Clinical studies have also confirmed that patients with gastric mucosa erosion can significantly improve their symptoms by taking a Chinese medicinal compound containing Panax notoginseng, compared with taking antacids.
2 Homemade Teas to Increase Gastric Juice and Promote Digestion
We can generally use tea, food, and acupoint massage to regulate the stomach. Let me introduce two such teas that promote digestion and degrease the stomach.
Studies have found that hawthorn can increase the secretion of gastric juice and help digest fat and protein. Drinking hawthorn tea can improve indigestion, flatulence, reduce fat accumulation, help control weight, and maintain health. It can be prepared either boiled or brewed.
Another one is Sanxian (Three Angels) tea, a combination of three Chinese medicinal materials: hawthorn, koji (red yeast rice), and malt. These three are commonly used as digestion aiders in TCM. Hawthorn can help digest meat, and koji and malt can help digest grain. They are called Jiao Sanxian (Charred Three Angels) if they are slightly charred. Take 2 grams (0.07 ounce) of each, mix them with hot water for five minutes, and drink. Add a little sugar or licorice if you don’t like the taste.
This tea is best taken after eating indigestible or greasy food, such as rice dumplings, rice cakes, mochi, and other foods made from glutinous rice. Drinking it will make the stomach feel much more comfortable.
Press the Zusanli to Strengthen the Stomach and Increase Immunity
You can also massage the Zusanli acupoint (ST36) to help relieve stomach pain and indigestion. It is located outside the calf, four finger widths below the knee. This can be done by pressing the acupoint with your thumb or index finger and then massage or rotate hard for five to 10 minutes.
If you feel pain or tingling, there is a problem with the acupoint, and you need to keep going. The acupoint is normal if you feel comfortable or warm, and the massage will be effective.
Zusanli is a key health-preserving acupoint in TCM. In addition to protecting the stomach, it can also enhance immunity. A study published in Nature in November 2021 showed that the mechanism of pressing Zusanli for health care is related to a specific neuron called PROKR2. Stimulating the Zusanli in mice with electroacupuncture can drive the vagal–adrenal anti-inflammatory axis in mice, thereby inhibiting systemic whole-body inflammation caused by bacteria.
Impact of Emotions on Gut Health
I was once under constant stress, which impaired my gastrointestinal function and resulted in duodenitis with severe pain almost daily. At the time, I thought that some medicine for the stomach would solve the problem, but later I found out that emotions were the root cause. So I started to learn how to release and regulate my emotions. Once I let myself relax, my stomach and intestines recovered by themselves.
I hope everyone can use the acupoint and these teas and foods to protect the stomach. If you experience any symptoms of stomach upset, you should seek medical attention to avoid delays in treatment.
Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Epoch Health welcomes professional discussion and friendly debate. To submit an opinion piece, please follow these guidelines and submit through our form here.