Combat the Signs of Inflammation by Having the Right Diet

September 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Inflammation is something we’d have to go through at least once in our lives. It is a normal healing process by the body against various bacteria, viruses or even injury.  This occurs when the immune system sends white blood cells to the affected region to fight off the bad stimuli and platelets to stop the bleeding, if necessary. This is usually manifested by a swelling, localized redness and pain in the region. The signs of inflammation are not, however, limited only to this.

Signs of Inflammation

There are a lot of signs which can be attributed to inflammation. Here are just some:

  • Bloated stomach
  • Loose bowel movement
  • Fatigue
  • Itchiness in the eyes or ears
  • Presence of dark circles under the eyes
  • Joint pain or stiffness, especially in the morning
  • Itchy throat
  • Coughing
  • Acne breakout
  • Rashes
  • Inflamed skin characterized by a localized redness
  • Water retention
  • Food cravings
  • Water retention
  • Increased appetite which can lead to compulsive/binge eating

These are just some of the signs of inflammation we’d have to look out for. It is always advisable to have a clinical assessment to find out if inflammation is really present. However, it can be safe to assume if you experience more of the aforementioned signs, that there is a higher probability that you are experiencing inflammation.

One of the best ways to prevent inflammation is to heed food insensitivities and tolerance. The body produces inflammatory responses when faced with certain food insensitivities brought about by the gut being unable to break down certain components of food.

By eliminating the food which irritate the body, you’ll be able to combat inflammation in no time— if not completely, then drastically. You’’ be rid of the unnecessary bloating and water retention and in a way, also produce fewer hormones that promote weight gain and give you more energy for various activities.

The question is, which food are safe to eat?

The answer is simple. There are no specific don’t when it comes to eating healthy. It is, and will always, remain to be a matter of making the right choices. You don’t have to be a vegetarian to be healthy. It is, however, important to have the right amount of vitamins and minerals found in vegetables in your body at any given time. Moderation is key. It is okay to consume meat, just as long as it is in the right amount and is the right kind of meat. Red meat and full-fat dairy are high in saturated fat, which heightens the chance of inflammation. It can be good at minimal amounts, just not at high levels.

Basically, it is a matter of choosing which is most beneficial to you. Making the informed choice is always better. Inflammation, although inherently good, may turn out to be a bad thing if not monitored properly. It is important to note that it will always be worth our effort to control and the best way is not to rely on medication. It is always best to rely on our own efforts to significantly make a change in our lifestyle.

Filed Under: Inflammation Remedies, Inflammation Symptoms Tagged With: ,

Natural Inflammation Remedies

September 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Inflammation can be very much uncomfortable and a pain to experience. There has always been a discussion which remedy is best to suppress the symptoms brought about by inflammation. Some may argue that medication prescribed by the doctor is best while some may believe otherwise as there are a lot of natural inflammation remedies available to make inflammation not as painful as before.

Inflammation is the body’s natural process to combat an infection or an injury it has sustained. By using artificial and chemical means, like taking artificial medication, you are in a way interfering with the body’s natural processes to tackle and repair the problems it has sustained. Such attempts merely try to suppress the symptoms without actually going to the root cause of the problem and understanding the deeper underlying issues. True and complete healing cannot be achieved by chemical drugs alone, but through a holistic healing process.

Circulation is key

For holistic healing to take place, there must be proper circulation in the body. The best remedy to use to alleviate inflammation is to improve circulation to the affected area as much as we can. It is especially critical in situations wherein inflammation is severe or needs serious attention. Mild soothing oil or ointment will not do the trick. The best way to go about this and improve circulation is through the use of hot-cold hydrotherapy with the herb cayenne. Dr. Richard Schulze, master herbalist and natural healer advocates its use. He even recommends the use of this methods not just for inflammation but als for the improvement of one’s general health.

Other Natural Inflammation Remedies

Today’s fast lifestyle may have turned us towards having an unhealthy lifestyle. For such people, it is crucial that they increase the consumption of fatty acids that are anti-inflammatory and also antioxidants. Here are some of the key supplements that should be taken:

  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids
  • Curcumin
  • Gamma-Linolenic Acid
  • Serrapeptase
  • Bromelain
  • St. John’s Wort
  • Green tea
  • Ginger
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin E

These are just some of the more important herbs and natural remedies which can help prevent inflammation or reduce the painful effects of such. Omega-3 fatty acids block the activity of an enzyme that destroys joint cartilage. Curcumin is the active ingredient of turmeric, a popular Indian spice which is known to have anti-inflammatory properties. GLA and Serraptase are both known to be anti-inflammatory as well.

Bromelain, found in the pineapple fruit, is known for its effectiveness in the reduction of inflammation and decrease in the pain caused by swelling. Aside from its anti-depressant effect, St. John’s wort is also known to have anti-inflammatory capabilities. Green tea, ginger, Vitamins A and E are also similar as they all have the ability to lessen the effect of inflammation and reduce its unnecessary occurrence in the body.

It is still, but a matter of choice. You can choose to prevent unnecessary occurrence of inflammation by taking the necessary precautions using the natural way or you can just choose to cure once it happens. Either way, it is still your choice.

Filed Under: Inflammation Remedies, Inflammation Treatment Tagged With: ,

Inflammation Diet: Not Just for the Weight-Conscious

September 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment

So many diets abound promising a multitude of things. Most promise to let you lose a lot of weight. This type tends to garner the most attention out of all. This can be attributed to the highly narcissistic and critical nature of people who believe that to be healthy is equated to being skinny. What is more important, however, should be a holistic view on health, not just on the physical aspect of it but also in leading the right kind of lifestyle. So-called fad diets encourage participants to starve themselves of the essential nutrition needed by the body, definitely a no-no if one strives to be truly healthy.

One diet which should never even be considered a fad is the inflammation diet. This diet was developed as chronic inflammation has been seen to be the root cause of many serious illnesses— heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and many cancers included.

Before discussing this diet, let me first explain inflammation. Inflammation is the body’s response to various stimuli— bacteria or foreign substances—which enter the body. It is manifested on the outer part of the body a localized redness, swelling, pain and sometimes heat. It is the foundation of the iimune system’s response in the form of a healing process to bring more nourishment to the infected region. When inflammation persists, it causes lesser mobility and damages the body leading to illness.

What is an inflammation diet?

An inflammation diet is not a diet in the more popular sense. Its main goal is not weight loss but a more standardized and healthier lifestyle. Weight loss may be an unnecessary but still welcomed effect of the diet. This diet, along with influencing inflammation, will provide steady energy throughout the day and give enough supply of vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, dietary fiber and protective phytonutrients.

General diet tips:

  • Eat a variety of food.
  • Include fresh food in your diet
  • Lessen intake of heavily processed foods, if not stay away from them.
  • Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables.

These are just some of the general tips to be considered when on an inflammation diet. More specific ones are aimed for a more holistic experience. Those who are more concerned with he calorie intake must remember that the distribution of calorie intake should be as follows: 40-50 percent from carbohydrates. 30 percent from fat and 20 to 30 percent from protein. Try to include all of these components in every meal.

Majority of carbohydrate intake must be in he form of less-refined and less-processed foods with a low sugar content. Reduce significantly the consumption of foods made with wheat flour and sugar. Eat more of the whole grain stuff such as brown sugar and whole wheat products. Eat more beans and sweet potatoes.

Reduce your intake of saturated fat and concentrate more on the good fat or the monounsaturated fat. Highly processed foods such as bacon, ham, etc. must be avoided. Eat more fish and less red fatty meat.

This diet, like most other diets, should be followed in moderation. Remember that the key here is not to lose weight, but to incorporate it into the lifestyle so as to ensure better health and a lesser risk for inflammation-related diseases.

Filed Under: Anti Inflammation Tagged With: , ,

What is inflammation?

September 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

There are many cases when people feel bodily discomforts caused by certain viruses and bacteria. But at the same time, the body has its own process, medically known as inflammation and it helps in protecting the body from unwanted chemicals, substances and infection that might cause diseases. Many people are wondering about what is inflammation all about and how it could help the body in defending itself from foreign substances.

Inflammation is a process that the body’s white blood cells does to protect the body from infectious diseases. However, there are times that the defense systems of the body (also known as the immune system) for certain kind of diseases act inappropriately even when there are no reasons to fight foreign substances. These diseases are called autoimmune diseases and with them the protective nature of the body’s immune system can cause damage to tissues and organs confusing the body to protect normal tissues as if they were infected with viruses or bacteria.

There are many diseases that are often associated with inflammation as one of its causes. Certain types of arthritis are often pointing out inflammation as its main cause. Generally, arthritis is the term medical doctors use to describe joint inflammation and some of these types include rheumatoid arthritis, gouty arthritis and polymyalgia rheumatic.

Symptoms of Inflammation

Understanding what is inflammation always giving people a hint to look into its causes. Like other disorders in the body, inflammation has its signs and symptoms so a patient would be able to know that there is something wrong going on inside his body. Some of the distinct signs and symptoms of inflammation are as follows:

  • Redness of infected part
  • Joints that are swollen and most of the time, have a warm temperature
  • Pains on the joint of infected body parts
  • Stiffness of joints that makes it hard to move
  • Flu-like symptoms like: chills, fever, headache, appetite loss, and loss of energy.

The causes of these inflammation symptoms are coming from chemicals commonly excreted by the white blood cells to the blood stream to prevent “foreign” substances in entering the body. The redness and swelling is often caused by chemicals that are suddenly released which increase the amount of blood flow in a certain body part. The process of inflammation would usually cause pain because it stimulates the nerves.

Treatment for Inflammation

Doctors would usually ask their patients to undergo some lab tests and medical evaluation to thoroughly see the root cause of the disease. Physicians get their patient’s medical history and give them plenty of physical evaluation. They would also ask about the location of the inflammation or the part that have the swelling, the presence of the stiffed joint that usually occurs every morning.

After the evaluation, treatment for this certain disorder will be determined as soon as the results are out. For each type of inflammatory disease, there is a certain treatment or medication and preventive measures to be given to prevent worsening the condition. Several factors are being considered from where medications will be based: age, type of condition, medications that he or she has been taking, review of medical history of the patient and the symptom’s severity.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as naproxen, ibuprofen and aspirin are given to patients who are diagnosed with inflammation. Avoid getting involved with strenuous activities that could aggravate pain. Physical therapy will help in maintaining the joint movement thus strengthening muscles to avoid inflammation. And to avoid getting worse injuries, wear braces or splints and use canes to decrease stress and tension onto the affected part.

The question on what is inflammation could be answered properly when a patient asks his or her doctor about it. It will be a great relief to get ourselves with appropriate and basic knowledge about a certain disease or disorder to avoid having them in the future.

Filed Under: Anti Inflammation, Inflammation Causes, Inflammation Symptoms, Inflammation Treatment, Inflammation Types Tagged With:

In the Know: Body Inflammation

September 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Everyone who has experienced having a sore throat, a rash, a sprained ankle, etc. knows what inflammation is all about. For those who haven’t, let me explain it to you. A body inflammation is the result of the immune systems, the body’s main defense against sickness, to infection caused by bacteria entering the body and/or trauma to a specific region. Inflammation, in this sense, is good, as it helps normalize our body, even if it means having to experience a little pain, swelling and redness for a short period of time. This is the body doing its part in protecting the entire system as a whole from being further damaged. The white blood cells are called to rush to the area to fight off the bacteria as the platelets are also counted upon to stop the bleeding.

Sometimes, however, the body’s defense system runs amuck, and goes berserk. This results in having common allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune diseases and asthma. This is the downside of body inflammation, and if left unchecked and ignored, it can prove to be very dangerous.

There are many other causes of inflammation which are not as widely known as the others. Stress is one factor. It can cause an increased output of cortisol from the adrenal glands which in turn, can fuel inflammation. Also, the lack of sleep, which may or may not be caused by stress can also add to the higher incidence of inflammation. Less sleep places more stress on the body, thus resulting to an increase in again, cortisol production. The lack of a proper diet can also add to inflammation. It is advisable to lessen fat, sugar and protein intake. Invest in a healthy diet which puts a premium on fruits and vegetables. Choose organic over heavily processed food as much as possible. Drink a lot of water. Dehydration can sometimes lead to inflammation. Water is always better than carbonated drinks. Have a holistic healthy lifestyle. Exercise.

What exactly is bad inflammation and what can it do to our body?

Bad inflammation can be the cause of some chronic illnesses. Some of them are:

  • Heart disease
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Dementia
  • Depression
  • Cancer

It is important to treat inflammation caused by immediate injury or infection. It is however, also vital to treat chronic inflammation which slowly destroys organs and impairs our ability to function normally. This leads to a decline in mobility and also to rapid aging.

It is a commonly thought that anti-inflammatory drugs, which although good and useful for acute inflammation concerns, do not have side effects and essentially good for the body. These drugs (ibuprofen or aspirin) and steroids (prednisone) can actually interfere with the body’s usual response to harmful stimuli and may even lead to some serious and deadly effects to the body, in general.

It is, therefore, always appropriate to make haste in treating inflammation. It is best to consult a trusted medical practitioner when it comes to treating inflammation, whether acute or chronic.

Filed Under: Inflammation Symptoms, Inflammation Types Tagged With: ,

Inflammation in a Nutshell

September 4, 2011 By 1 Comment

Every one of has experienced having an inflamed part of our bodies. This may have somehow reduced some of our mobile functions as inflamed areas of the body tend to have redness, warmth and pain emanating through them. But, what exactly is inflammation and what causes it?

Inflammation is a basic way that the body reacts to harmful stimuli brought about by bacteria and viruses. In technical terms, this is caused by the immune system directing its components to the infected site, manifested in by increased blood supply and permeability of the surrounding area. This causes, primarily, the swelling and the pain associated with the inflamed areas.

You may have inflammation if you experience the following:

  • Pain in the infected region
  • Redness
  • Bruising
  • Swollen area feels warm to the touch
  • Muscles feel tender and sensitive to movements
  • Fever
  • Chills associated to fever
  • Congested nose and head
  • Breathing problems (may be linked to asthma)
  • Fluid retention
  • Blood clots
  • Fatigue/loss of energy

Not all these symptoms need to be present at the same time. Sometimes only need to be visible in order for it to be considered inflamed. Some of the symptoms like fever, chills, congested nose and head, fatigue/loss of energy can be considered as flu-like symptoms. In an attempt to rid the body of foreign substances, white blood cells are released by the body into the blood and other affected tissues. This consequently increases the body’s blood flow into the affected area and usually results in a visible redness and warmth in the region. Chemicals causing leakage of fluid into the tissues, result in a noticeable swelling in the area. This can also stimulate other nerves and cause unnecessary pain to the individual.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis can be done after a careful evaluation of the complete medical history of the patient. This can be done by having a physical exam to determine how inflammation may have affected his bodily functions. The location of the painful joints must also be determined. If there is a joint stiffness in the morning, inflammation is highly likely. Other exams may also be necessary to determine the cause of inflammation in the patient.

Treatment

There are quite a number of options for inflammatory diseases to be treated. These include a list of medications available in your local pharmacies, good old rest and exercise, and sometimes even surgery to correct major joint damage. The type of treatment that will be recommended by your health professional may depend on several key factors including the type of inflammatory disease, the patient’s age, the other medications he’s been taking, overall health, previous medical history and the severity of the occurrence of symptoms.

Treatments aims to refrain from or modify usual activities that may aggravate the pain even more. It also intends to relieve pain through analgesics or pain-relieving medications and also through anti-inflammatory medications. After treatments, joint movement should be maintained and muscle strength should move towards consistency through physical therapy. If need be, the use of braces, splints and canes can be utilized to decrease the stress on the affected joints.

Filed Under: Inflammation Treatment, Inflammation Types Tagged With: ,

Treatment of Inflammation Made Easy

August 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Every one of us has had an inflamed part of the body at least once in our lives. It is a rather huge distraction from our daily activities, sometimes even affecting our mobility. In truth, even if inflammation may seem like the bad guy, it is actually part of the good. It is our body’s response to protect us from infection of foreign substances and bacteria.

In some cases, the body triggers an inflammatory response when there are no bacteria or viruses to ward off. This can sometimes be inappropriate as the body’s own immune system, which should essentially protect the body, causes damage to the body’s tissues. The body, on the other hand, responds as if this action is normal and that no tissues have been affected.

Treatment

There are a number of inflammation treatment options available for those experiencing inflammation. It can be classified into three:

  • Physical therapy
  • Herbal medication
  • Artificial medication

Inflammation caused by a minor injury sometimes requires only physical therapy. The principle of R.I.C.E. or Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation may be used to lessen inflammation in the affected area. Stop the activity and try to get immediate rest. Get some bed rest but still continue being mobile. Refraining from moving at all may sometimes even delay healing even more. Applying ice immediately after the injury can help reduce the pain and swelling. Compressing the inflamed region may also prevent swelling. Lastly, elevation helps prevent further swelling by draining the fluid rushing to the affected region back to the heart.

Herbal medication may not be as well-known as the usual medication provided by certified medical professionals but some choose to swear by it. There are a number of herbal medications available in the market. Some may even be mixed in the food to make it easier to digest while some come in tablet or capsule form. Examples of herbal medication are turmeric, ginger, licorice root, St. John’s wort, etc.

Artificial medication or those usually prescribed by medical professionals are recommended to give immediate relief to the swelling of and further inflammation of joints. These medications include non-steroidal inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, anti-malarial medications and others which may be too technical to include. It is always best to consult your resident physician for proper medication.

The type of treatment of inflammation prescribed to the patient depends on a variety of factors: the type of inflammatory disease, the person’s age, type of medications he/she has been taking, overall health, previous medical history, severity of symptoms and other factors. Treatment for inflammation aims to avoid activities which might aggravate or worsen the pain that the patient is feeling in the inflamed region.  It also aims to relieve the pain through analgesics or pain-relieving medication as well as other anti-inflammatory medications.  Joint movement and muscle strength are expected to be back to their optimum best through a series of physical therapy. Stress is likely to be decreased with the use braces, splints or even canes as needed.

Filed Under: Inflammation Remedies, Inflammation Treatment Tagged With: ,

Anti-Inflammatory Foods for a Better You

August 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Inflammation is the body’s response through a reaction of bodily tissues to irritation, injury or infection. Its symptoms include pain, swelling, red discoloration of the affected area or sometimes a decrease in mobility or function. Some believe the food you eat do not have an impact on the occurrence of such but recent studies have shown that it indeed has.

Loading up on “bad” food like junk foods, high-fat meats, sugar and other highly processed foods can significantly heighten the chance of inflammation in the body. It is essential that you reduce your consumption of transfats and other saturated fats. Cut back on highly processed foods and fast food. Invest on eating healthier and organic food. Also cut back on refined white flours which can be found in bread and pasta. Eliminate added sugars by lessening consumption gradually of carbonated drinks, sodas, pastries, candy and other rich desserts.

Choosing Anti-inflammatory foods

  • Fats and Oils – There have been countless benefits that are attributed to the consumption of monounsaturated fats like olive oil, avocadoes and nuts. These have been linked to a reduced risk of getting cardiovascular disease. Other essential oils that have been known to produce good benefits: rice bran oil, grape seed oil and walnut. Make sure to include these in your diet.
  • Fruits – Lots of fruits and vegetables have been known to be beneficial to the body. Whole fruits, vegetables and berries are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants and phytochemical. Those which are green and brightly colored are even more highly recommended. At least five servings must be consumed everyday to get optimum benefits.
  • Protein Sources – Lean poultry, fish and seafood are possible anti-inflammatory protein sources. It is, however, not only limited to meat products as soy and other soy-based foods like tofu, along with other legumes like nuts, also contain the necessary protein needed by the body.
  • Beverages- Drink as much water as you can. You can also have pure fruit juice, herbal tea and milk as substitute.

Other anti-inflammatory food diet tips

It is very important that you always choose fresh food sources rather than processed ones. To start your day, you can try eating oatmeal served with fresh berries and nuts instead of your usual sweetened cereal. If throughout the day you get hungry, try munching on whole fruits, nuts, seed and fresh vegetables instead of chips, cookies and candy. Eat more servings of fish and lessen your intake of red, fatty meat. Use olive or canola oil when cooking. Try eating soy-based foods like tofu and just mix it up with vegetables for a tofu stir fry. Alternate between having meals made with fresh vegetables everyday. Stay away from deep-fried food. Eat food that has been baked, broiled, poached or stir-fried instead. If meat has to be part of your every meal, just have dark green or brightly colored vegetables as side dishes. Instead of occupying just the side of your plate, this should fill up at least half your dinner plate.

Maintaining a healthy weight is key to limiting pain brought about by inflammation. Make sure that you follow a healthy lifestyle not just for the duration of this diet but for everyday.

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What is Chronic Inflammation?

August 25, 2011 By 5 Comments

As a response to injury or disease, our immune system calls upon immune cells to the infected site through the blood stream. These immune cells get rid of foreign invaders that can cause diseases, infections and even death. This programmed response by the body is called inflammation.

Inflammation is the body’s natural defense response that makes way for the healing process.

When this response is not completely turned off or extinguished, chronic inflammation arises. If it persists for a long period, this can kill us over time. It stimulates pro-inflammatory substances to be continually released into the body for an extended period even when they are not needed. During chronic inflammation, these excess immune cells damage healthy areas in our bodies instead of protecting them. It acts like a slow poison, continuing to attack the body gradually as we go on our daily activities.

It is the main underlying cause of many degenerative diseases when it goes undetected for years.

What causes Chronic Inflammation?

  • Imbalanced intake of omega-6 and omega-3 fats doses can promote excessive inflammatory in the body. Omega-6 fatty acids get converted to arachidonic acid by the body that is in turn used to generate pro-inflammatory cells and hormones. On the other hand, omega-3 fatty acids supply the body with eicosapentaenoic acids that help produce anti-inflammatory substances. If one’s diet is composed of more foods that contain omega-6 than those of omega-3 fatty acids, chronic inflammation I is very viable.
  • Mental stress can very well cause changes to the immune system by increasing the production of pro-inflammatory chemicals in the body.  Stress can adversely lead to decreasing the production of these hormones and cells in areas where they are needed most.
  • Excess insulin can elevate levels of arachidonic acid in our blood, increasing the production of pro-inflammatory substances in the body. Food such as white bread, cakes, cookies and sodas can spike the body’s blood sugar very rapidly, and prompt the body to produce insulin to normalize the glucose levels. Insulin-spiking food is a factor to chronic inflammation.
  • Environmental toxins can effectively throw the body’s defense system off balance as it struggles to expel all these foreign particles. Consequently, this leads to chronic inflammation in the lung and possibly other parts in the body.
  • Microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses and parasites can cause infections that have been known to inspire chronic inflammation in the body.  If they persist, these infections can lead to cancer or other deadly diseases.
  • Food intolerance doesn’t cause an immediate reaction in the body as opposed to food allergy. But it generates low-grade chronic inflammation for years that can go unnoticed when a person continually intakes food that makes their immune system too imbalanced. Food sensitivity does that to an unaware person.
  • Excess fat, when taken into the body, are enveloped by what scientists call “fat cells.” Findings reveal that these fat cells aren’t just dormant repositories of excess fat. They actually secrete arachidonic acid which in turn generates pro-inflammatory cells and hormones into the body, a sure way to chronic inflammation.
Filed Under: Inflammation Causes, Inflammation Types Tagged With: ,

The Top 10 Herbs for Inflammation

August 24, 2011 By 1 Comment

Before getting into the nitty-gritty of things, let me first explain what inflammation is all about. Inflammation is the body’s response to an infection, irritation or injury which may be brought about by the occurrence of bacteria and other foreign substances in the body. It is usually the body’s response to ensure that its defenses against various illnesses are working properly and efficiently.

However, the body can sometimes rely on this response too much to the point of it responding improperly without the need to or without the stimuli needed for it to act that way. Unnecessary inflammation is then made responsible for different diseases such as cancer, arthritis, diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s disease.  Inflammation can lead to various health problems as it is non-specific and quite unpredictable.

There are a variety of treatments and remedies which are made available to combat inflammatory problems. For the purpose of this article, let me discuss the lesser known but still highly effective method of using herbs for inflammation.

Top anti-inflammatory herbs

  • Turmeric
  • Ginger
  • Boswellin
  • Arnica
  • Bromelain
  • Devil’s claw
  • Licorice
  • St. john’s wort
  • White willow

Turmeric is one of the top herbs for inflammation. It is a great herbal remedy for inflammation, including arthritis, tendonitis and other auto-immune disorders. Whole turmeric is best but it is also advisable to take at least 200-400 milligrams of turmeric extract which are available in tablet or capsule form. Eat a lot of curried dishes especially those that include turmeric in the list of ingredients. Be patient as it may take about two months for the effect to be visible.

Ginger is an excellent anti-inflammatory herb. Try putting it liberally in food or use it to make fresh ginger tea. Either way, ginger will prove to be beneficial in the long run.

Boswellin is also a good anti-inflammatory medication. Take at least two capsules a day. Arnica is a widely used herbal remedy which should be taken in moderation. Use it precisely as directed. Bromelain is an enyme usually found in pineapples, so be prepared to eat a lot of it. The same enzyme is also found in the papaya fruit so you can choose wither the pineapple or papaya, whichever you prefer.

The devil’s claw is especially useful for arthritis. It can relieve pain as well as reduce the risk of inflammation. Licorice root must be used in caution. It is highly effective but long term use can raise the blood pressure and may even lead to potassium loss. Digest a small amount daily. St. John’s wort is better known for being an anti-depressant but it also has anti-inflammation properties as well. Lastly, white willow is both anti-inflammatory and stress-relieving. Like all others, use it exactly as directed.

There are a lot of other herbs available in the market which has its own anti-inflammatory properties. The key here is to drink everything in moderation and to supplement it with the proper diet of fruits and vegetables.

Filed Under: Inflammation Remedies, Inflammation Treatment Tagged With: , ,
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