Best Herbs for Inflammation
August 13, 2022Chronic inflammation is at the root of many major illnesses. While short-term or acute inflammation is a natural immune response of the body and is necessary for healing, chronic or long-term inflammation can interfere with normal organ function and may have serious health consequences.
It is important to keep inflammation levels in the body low by avoiding common causes of inflammation and following a diet of anti-inflammatory foods and herbs. Common causes of inflammation include chemical toxins in food, industrial seed and vegetable oils, processed meat, refined grains, cigarette smoke, alcohol, stress, and other toxins. Some top anti-inflammatory foods include fruits and vegetables, especially leafy green vegetables, berries, grapes, and melons.
This article will focus on the best herbs for inflammation in the body.
What Herbs Are Good for Inflammation?
Many different herbs are good for inflammation. These anti-inflammatory herbs typically work by activating inflammatory pathways in the body. Some of the best natural herbs for inflammation include:
1. Turmeric
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a flowering plant in the ginger family. It is native to India and has been used for thousands of years as a culinary spice and medicinal herb. Turmeric has many great health benefits. It is also one of the most potent anti-inflammatory herbs in the world.
Turmeric is also one of the most well-studied herbs in the world. Research on turmeric shows that it may significantly help reduce inflammation in the body. The anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric are attributed to an active compound found in the turmeric root called curcumin.
Research on curcumin shows that it helps reduce inflammation in the body by regulating inflammatory signaling pathways and inhibiting the production of inflammatory mediators. Curcumin, as a compound, is very effective at relieving inflammation. However, many people are unaware of a significant problem with curcumin.
Curcumin has a very low absorption rate in the blood. Therefore, much of this unique compound is lost in the digestive tract and eliminated without fully utilized. We found a solution to this problem with our Liposomal Curcumin Tonic. We use a proprietary micelle liposomal delivery system that protects the vital nutrients in this formula and delivers them directly into the bloodstream.
This formula is significantly more effective than other turmeric alternatives because it maximizes the absorption of the curcumin compound, providing you with real benefits. In addition to having a liposomal delivery, this formula also contains fenugreek, which like black pepper, contains a compound called piperine that activates the curcumin formula and makes it more effective. Turmeric is one of the best herbs for pain relief and inflammation, and a liposomal curcumin formula is one of the best ways to receive the benefits of this amazing herb.
2. Ginger
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a common culinary herb with many medicinal benefits. It has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine for various ailments, from digestive upsets and colds to nausea and high blood pressure.
Studies on ginger reveal that it is also powerfully anti-inflammatory. This is because ginger contains many medicinal compounds that affect inflammation levels in the body, including gingerol, shogaol, zingiberene, and zingerone.
Ginger is one of the best herbs for pain and inflammation. It also has analgesic, or pain-relieving, properties associated with its anti-inflammatory effects. What makes ginger so great as a medicinal herb is its versatility, which makes it easy to add to one’s diet in various ways.
People add ginger to food, include it in soups, make it into tea, or take ginger capsules or powder.
3. Garlic
Garlic (Allium sativum) is another popular culinary spice with potent anti-inflammatory benefits. Garlic has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years, and many of the ailments that garlic has been used for are inflammatory conditions—such as arthritis, bronchitis, and infections.
Garlic is one of the best herbs for inflammation and swelling. Most of garlic’s health benefits come from the sulfur compounds allicin, diallyl disulfide, and S-allyl cysteine. Studies on these compounds reveal that they are powerfully anti-inflammatory.
Like ginger and turmeric, garlic is versatile and easy to add to your diet in various ways.
4. Black Pepper
Black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) is another excellent culinary spice with medicinal properties. The main active compound in black pepper, called “piperine,” is considered to be highly anti-inflammatory. In animal studies on mice with arthritis, piperine was found to be very effective at reducing joint swelling and inflammation markers. However, there are limited human studies on the anti-inflammatory effects of black pepper. But like other culinary spices, black pepper is widely available and easy to add to various dishes, making it an easy way to add more anti-inflammatory herbs to your diet.
5. Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne peppers (Capsicum annum), are a common type of pepper native to Central America. They have a wide range of medicinal uses, including powerful anti-inflammatory effects. The medicinal benefits of cayenne peppers are attributed to a compound within them called capsaicin. This compound is what gives peppers their spicy flavor, but it also helps to reduce inflammatory markers in the body, and can help to keep your inflammation levels low. Another great thing about cayenne pepper is that it is very affordable and widely available. Plus, these peppers are very hot, so a little bit goes a long way.
6. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an excellent medicinal herb with many health benefits. It is a potent adaptogen that helps the body better adapt to stress. In addition to its adaptogenic benefits, ashwagandha is a well-known anti-inflammatory herb.
Being an adaptogen, ashwagandha helps reduce cortisol levels in the body and fight the adverse effects of stress, including inflammation. In addition, because of its anti-inflammatory effects, ashwagandha may help balance blood sugar levels, relieve adrenal fatigue, and enhance immune function.
7. Astragalus Root
Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceous) is a medicinal plant commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. It has been used for thousands of years as an adaptogen and improves immune system health. Studies on astragalus root have found that it can reduce inflammation levels and oxidative stress.
The anti-inflammatory benefits of astragalus root are attributed to compounds in the root, such as saponins, flavonoids, and polysaccharides. Astragalus root can be found in various forms, including tinctures, capsules, tea, and whole or cut roots.
Summary
Inflammation in the short term is a normal immune response of the body. However, long-term or chronic inflammation poses a severe risk to our health. Chronic inflammation is considered to be the root cause of a variety of major diseases.
It is essential to keep your inflammation levels low to keep your body healthy. First and foremost, this is done by avoiding central inflammation caused by your diet, lifestyle, and environment. In addition, eating anti-inflammatory foods and herbs like the ones mentioned in this article can help keep your inflammation levels low. Therefore, they may have a significant benefit on your health.
References:
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