Natural Inflammation Relief
Inflammation is a natural reaction in the body when we have an injury, infection or auto immune disease which can be unpleasant to very painful.
We have proteins in the body called cytokines which attack the threatening germ (or the body can mistake things as germs if you have an auto immune disease) and starts repairing the body.
If we have a lot of inflammation this can lead to immobility, eroding of muscle tissues and your bodies power to fight diseases.
There are many things that can trigger inflammation and sometimes it can be hard to pin point what is causing it. Some causes are auto immune diseases, overuse of drugs, environmental toxin exposure, a diet high in omega-6 fatty acids, injury, trauma, infections, free radical damage, fungal, bacterial and viral infections.
Here are some natural ways to help with inflammation and the pain:
Aloe Vera juice – this is a great way to help with inflammation. I drink Aloe Vera every day to help with my Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).
Aloe Vera reduces symptoms of inflammation in the body, assist with arthritis and can slow down or completely stop inflammation.
Having the ability to help with any digestive issues in the body and has a cleansing effect on the digestive tract. Removes toxins from the body and strengthens your immune system.
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) – You probably have heard of turmeric as this is used a lot in food for its colouring properties. This herb is one of my stables in my diet and great for people with conditions like arthritis, auto immune disease and tendonitis.
A key part of Chinese and Indian medicine systems, this root (rhizome) is used for inflammation and can also be applied locally to relieve the pain and inflammation. The effects of this root show similar results to potent drugs and over the counter anti-inflammatory agents like ibuprofen.
Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum)- used for a variety of inflammatory disorders, this ancient herb is from India called Tulsi. In recent studies they have discovered Holy Basil extract acts as a antioxidant, for common colds and has an anti-inflammatory effect.
BUT be careful with Holy Basil – this has mild blood thinning properties so depending on your other conditions and what medication you are taking, you may want to speak to a medical practitioner about what you are combining this with. This could let to prolonged period bleeding and bruising. If you have a blood-clotting disorder, consult your doctor.
Cayenne (Red) Pepper and Paprika – Native to Central and South America, Cayenne is now used throughout the world. This pepper produces capsaicin, which is a powerful pain reliever, digestive aid and is know for is cardiovascular benefits.
This fruit was used to help lower body temperature which is great for the tropical heat.
Used in creams and gels for pain relieve and topical treatment of arthritis, psoriasis and postherpes pain.
This pepper stimulates and enhances digestion in the body which reduces indigestion in people.
If you have Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), you should avoid the peppers as this can worsen your condition. There are so many other great options for this two conditions though!
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) – Ginger has a history of being very effective in alleviating symptoms of gastrointestinal distress and my best food friend! I can not extress how amazing ginger really is! This herbal root medicine helps eliminate intestinal gas and soothes and calms your intestinal tract and therefore reduces inflammation.
Ginger has an antioxidant affect, prevents motion sickness symptoms and works just as good as over the counter drugs for motion sickness!
If you are pregnant, this is a great way to treat your nausea and vomiting. Just put a ½ an inch of the ginger root into hot water and drink, add some honey if you need help getting the tea down.
People with Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid will see a reduction in their pain with use of ginger.
Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) – Is the seed of a fruit and can be used as a dried spice or an essential oil. This is used as a carminative and helps with the reduction of inflammation and studies have shown assistance for those with rheumatoid arthritis.
Lemongrass – This great herb has so many benefits and I used this a lot when I was in the amazon for inflammation from my GERD.
It is very high in antioxidants, is an antiseptic which is believed to be stronger than penicillin, fights off infections, lowers cholesterol, calms the mind and relieves stress, helps with hair loss and aids in digestive issues.
This anti-inflammatory herb is an analgesic to help with inflammation and pain, it can be drunk as a tea or you can buy the essential oil to use with a carrier oil. If you have the oil, this can be used as an insect repellent as well.
Garlic – Garlic is best used crushed or chopped to stimulate the enzymes for the full benefits. Protecting against heart disease, reduces cholesterol, fights infection and disease and assists with inflammation reduction. Another one to avoid if you have Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) as Garlic is not our friend.
Yucca – The root of the yucca plant is native to Central and South America, this root of yucca really was everywhere we went in South America.
We were even served Yucca as chips/French fries but quickly discovered it as Yucca from the taste and texture of the fried root.
High in antioxidants, helps reduce cholesterol levels and assists with cardiovascular disorders. This root has been used to treat arthritic joints and pains, high blood pressure, headaches and migraines, stomach disorders, diabetes, poor circulation and other inflammatory disorders for many years.
The root does not have much taste, the root of yucca is boiled and chopped or mashed and then consumed. Capsules of Yucca root can also be used for inflammation treatment.
Cinnamon – This spice is used in baking and great for tea and coffee or on top of your breakfast cereal.
Cinnamon helps reduce swelling with tis anti-inflammatory effects. It can lower blood sugar for people with diabetes, lower cholesterol, treats yeast infections and great antioxidant effects and fighting bacteria.
Frankincense (Boswellia serrata) – This is a great essential oil, which is the extract from the Boswellia trees which is native to India and the Arabian peninsula.
This extract has great anti-inflammatory properties and pain relief. You can use as incense or an essential oil, being one of the top essential oils for your health.
It’s a great anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, digestive aid, astringent, assist with the respiratory and nervous system, aids in nutrient absorption and strengthens your immune system.
I love Frankincense but it has a very different smell so some people might not be keen on this one. My partner does not enjoy the smell at all but I find it really helps!
Before you use any of the above, remember to have discussed your conditions with a medical practitioner to determine a suitable natural solution. Working with your holistic health coach you can also get to the root cause of the problem and eliminate foods and other elements that are preventing you from being the healthiest version of You.
