Natural ways to combat inflammation

In January, I blogged about the top inflammatory foods. Inflammation is a natural reaction to injury and infection. I recall a friend’s daughter asking why the body swells if it is not good for you. It was a fair question. When we sustain an injury, the first thing we do is run and put ice on it to reduce swelling. Doesn’t the body know best? It certainly does. With inflammation that is caused by external trauma, the affected tissues swell and redden to protect the injured site. But too much inflammation can do the body harm leading to immobility, eroding of muscle tissue, and the ability to fight disease.

In addition to physical traumas to the body, there are numerous disorders that involve inflammation including bursitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and tendonitis. Cardiovascular disease may also be at least partially a result of inflammation in the lining of the arteries. Things that can trigger inflammation include too much omega-6 fatty acids in the diet, drug overuse, exposure to environmental toxins, free radical damage, infections, injury, trauma, and bacterial, fungal or viral infection. Other disorders that involve internal inflammation include allergies, anemia, arthritis, asthma, autoimmune diseases, Crohn’s disease, peptic ulcer, or ulcerative colitis. It is not always possible to identify the sources of inflammation.

There are supplements, herbs, and foods that can help with inflammation. The following is a list of some herbal remedies.

Herbs – whenever using herbs, read the directions on the bottle carefully. Consult a doctor or herbalist for assistance to be on the safe side.  

• Alfalfa contains minerals and chorophyll
• Aloe vera
• Bilberry contains flavonoids
• Boswellia and turmeric
• Cat’s claw
• Cayenne, devil’s claw, Echinacea, ginger, goldenseal, pau d’arco, red clover, stinging nettle, white willow bark, and yucca
• Olive leaf extract is good for bacterial infection

Anti-Inflammatory Foods

• Eating a diet composed of 75% raw foods, and drinking plenty of herbal teas and juices
• Eating foods high in flavonoids, which are powerful anti-oxidants and useful for inflammation reduction. Spinach and blueberries are especially effective. Strawberries contain smaller amounts. Onions are good for their quercetin content.
• Consuming fresh pineapple for bromelain or fresh papaya daily. Both contain enzymes that reduce swelling and inflammation. It is possible to take bromelain in pill form. Pain and swelling should subside in two to six days.
• Eating cold water fish such as herring, mackerel, salmon, and sardines – which are rich in essential fatty acids - at least twice a week. Take fish oil capsules as well.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to 33 million people a year for chronic inflammation. However, NSAIDs also increase the risk of stomach pain, intestinal bleeding, heart problems, and kidney failure. Personally, I would give natural methods a try first.