There are multiple reasons for inflammation in the body. A state of chronic inflammation can be associated with many conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Inflammation in the body can occur because of physical injuries, poor diets, and medications.
Your healthcare provider can determine the cause of swelling and aid you in treatment regimens. If you have not had success with traditional treatments and doctors, consider consulting natural healers and herbalists who have closely studied the impact of herbal supplements on inflammation.
Once you determine the source of inflammation, it can be treated. Start with the basics. A diet containing vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and lean proteins can help calm inflammation. Eating foods containing sugar, dairy, fried foods, synthetic sweeteners, processed meat and trans fat can trigger and irritate inflammation. Try to find salt substitutes or reduce your sodium intake. Elevate swollen body parts to increase circulation.
We gathered information from various sources to provide a list of herbal supplements that have shown to be productive in calming inflammation.
10. Turmeric
Turmeric is the first name you will hear when searching for herbal remedies. According to the Arthritis Foundation, studies show that turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties and modifies immune system responses. In India, Turmeric is not only a prominent culinary spice; it is a powerful healing herb often used in the treatment of laryngitis, bronchitis, and diabetes. The chemicals contained in turmeric help decrease inflammation. Curcumin is only one of the active constituents in turmeric that carries antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Shown to calm inflammation, turmeric has been used in the treatment of arthritis, tendonitis, and many autoimmune conditions.
Turmeric is better absorbed when taken with black pepper. Piperine is an organic compound that is found in black pepper, and it accounts for the pungency. It also helps make curcumin more bioavailable, so that it can be metabolized before it is absorbed.
When cooking with turmeric, add black pepper to the recipe. For the optimum impact, look for turmeric supplements that contain black pepper extract or piperine. It may take many weeks before you feel any benefits from turmeric supplements, be patient.
Consult your physician for questions about dosage and interactions with other medications. Pregnant women and those with gallstones and bile duct dysfunction should caution against using turmeric.
9. Ginger
The ginger spice comes from the roots of the ginger plant. It is commonly used to treat upset stomach and nausea, as well as reduce inflammation and pain. University studies have shown that doses of highly concentrated ginger extract can reduce pain, stiffness, and swelling in patients with osteoarthritis. Ginger is also an antioxidant and has anti-ulcer properties.
There are many ways to get your daily dose of ginger, choose from dried or fresh ginger root, powders, teas, and capsules. When buying capsules, look for brands that use “super-critical extraction” to produce a higher purity of ginger. Although small amounts of ginger can settle a rumbling stomach, concentrated doses of ginger can cause an upset stomach. Take ginger capsules with food and consult your doctor before incorporating concentrated ginger into your diet. It could also interfere with diabetes medicines.
8. Cinnamon
Valued as a rare and valuable gift in Ancient Egypt, cinnamon is one of the most delicious and revered spices in the world because of its healing properties, such as its ability to reduce inflammation. Cinnamon comes from the inner bark of trees called Cinnamomum, and it is probably the most underused spice that you will find in your cabinet.
Rediscover cinnamon as a flavor and subtly benefit from its properties. Substitute cinnamon for sugar in your morning coffee, sprinkle it on your toast or mix it in your oatmeal, but get your cinnamon fix. The antioxidants in cinnamon help produce anti-inflammatory results. Cinnamon has been found to be extremely versatile and effective in many forms including its pure bark, ground spice, essential oils or as a specialized extract. The special flavonoid compounds help make cinnamon beneficial as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-microbial and immunity-boosting agent.
