Gastritis

Gastritis is the inflammation of the stomach lining. It can feel like burning, gnawing, fullness, or sharp discomfort in the upper abdomen—especially with an empty stomach. From a traditional perspective, gastritis reflects irritation of the digestive fire, often due to overwork, suppressed emotion, or acid and heat without grounding. Rather than treating gastritis as just a problem of too much acid, traditional systems ask: What is inflaming the fire—and what’s failing to protect the vessel?

Also while gastritis and ulcers are often confused, they are distinct stages of the same process—and understanding the difference can help you know where they are on the spectrum of digestive inflammation. Gastritis and ulcers both involve irritation in the stomach, but they’re not the same. Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining—like a raw, irritated surface that hasn’t yet broken open. It often feels like dull burning, fullness, or nausea, especially when the stomach is empty or under stress. Ulcers, on the other hand, are a deeper form of damage—actual open sores in the lining of the stomach or upper small intestine. Ulcer pain is often sharper, more gnawing, and can worsen hours after eating or in the middle of the night. To put it plainly, Gastritis is like a sunburn. It’s irritated and inflamed, but the skin is still intact. An ulcer is like a blister or wound. The protective surface is broken and vulnerable.

• Location of Symptom

  Upper center of the abdomen (epigastric area), beneath the sternum and above the navel

• Physiological Breakdown

  Gastritis is like your stomach lining being sunburned from the inside out. Infections (like H. pylori), alcohol, NSAIDs, or stress can wear down the mucosal barrier, allowing stomach acid to irritate the tissue directly. This creates a raw, inflamed environment that may feel hot, burning, or nauseating. Can develop acutely (after a trigger) or chronically over weeks to months.

• Typical Onset Pattern

  Worse on an empty stomach, or with stress

• Common Signs

  Burning or aching in the upper stomach, especially when empty

  Nausea, sometimes with vomiting or acid reflux

  Loss of appetite or discomfort after small meals

  Early fullness, bloating, or belching

  Pain improves temporarily with food, but worsens again later

• Rudimentary Root Causes

  H. pylori infection (most common chronic cause)

  NSAID use (aspirin, ibuprofen) without food

  Alcohol or smoking

  Excessive coffee or acidic beverages

  Suppressed emotions, especially anger, frustration, or grief

  Pharmaceutical causes: NSAIDs, corticosteroids, SSRIs

  Supplement-induced causes:

  High-dose vitamin C, zinc, iron on an empty stomach

  Phytoiatrogenic causes: Strong bitters or spicy herbs in hot, depleted individuals, Fermented herbal tinctures in those with inflamed mucosa

• Underlying Tissue States

  The following tissue states may represent underlying imbalances contributing to this symptom:

  Heat/Excitation: Burning, red, raw sensation in stomach

  Dry/Atrophy: Weak mucosal barrier, irritation worsens without food

  Wind/Tension: Spasmodic pain, anxiety-related nausea

  Cold/Depression: Low acid, but still irritation from fermentation

  Damp/Stagnation: Mucus buildup, bloating, fogginess

• Organ Systems Affected

  Digestive System: Stomach, liver, duodenum

  Nervous System: Vagus nerve, stress-digestion link

  Immune System: Mucosal immune function, H. pylori response

  Liver & Gallbladder: Bile flow and fat digestion influence acidity

Do you feel worse on an empty stomach or after acidic meals? Are you under chronic emotional or performance stress? Have you used NSAIDs or acidic supplements regularly? Does your appetite fluctuate with stress, sadness, or resentment? Do warming, grounding foods help—or worsen the discomfort?

Gastritis is a signal that your inner fire is either overexposed or unprotected. If eating feels more like walking a tightrope than a moment of nourishment, I can help you calm the burn, strengthen the lining, and restore a deeper sense of safety in your digestion.

Disclaimer

Each person’s condition has a unique root cause, and lifestyle, diet and herbal remedies must be tailored to the individual. The information on this page is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized care. If you’d like support in understanding your specific situation, please reach out to me for guidance. If your symptoms include severe pain, vomiting blood, black or tarry stools, or rapid weight loss, seek emergency medical attention immediately.