Anti Inflammatory Herbs
Do Anti Inflammatory Herbs Actually Work?
The answer to whether or not anti inflammatory herbs actually work is a definite yes. In seeing why this is the case, it helps to understand a little bit about what inflammation is all about. In many cases, inflammation of tissue is not really a bad thing, but merely a sign that our body is attempting to fix something gone wrong. We see inflammation first hand when we suffer a cut or other injury at the surface of our skin, or something is damaged just below the surface. Heat and redness are a sign that blood is being rushed to the affected area, carrying compounds the immune system produces to fight infection and heal damaged tissue. Unless it is particularly troubling, that kind of inflammation we usually leave alone, and let the body heal itself.
Some times however, inflammation can get out of hand, and either become so painful that an anti inflammatory agent of some kind is needed, or chronic, such as in the case of arthritis, where an anti inflammation drug or medication is also needed. Anti inflammatory agents, including anti inflammatory herbs, normally do a couple of things. One is to provide soothing relief, often by cooling, and the other is to increase blood circulation, necessary in the healing process.
Look In The Kitchen - Most of the effective anti inflammatory herbs are taken internally, and most of them work rather slowly, which is to say it may be a few weeks or months before their benefits are fully realized. This is generally quite acceptable in the case of chronic inflammation, such as arthritis, where a slow acting, yet consistent anti inflammatory treatment is most helpful. Of the slower acting but more powerful anti inflammatory herbs, turmeric and ginger usually top the list. Both are commonly found in the kitchen and can be combined with food dishes or taken in tablet or capsule form. The boswelllia herbs are another of the powerful anti inflammatory herbs, and are sometimes taken in combination with other herbs. For some disorders, anti inflammatory herbs combined with an anti bacterial herb such as garlic, can be a powerful combination. Other effective herbs and spices, most of which are found in most kitchens, include cloves, cinnamon, chives, and parsley. Some anti inflammatory herbs can be taken in concentrated form, as capsules or tablets, or, with a little thought, can be incorporated into the regular diet. A combination of healthy herbs in the diet can often be quite effective in combating some of the more insidious or chronic types of inflammation.
Licorice And Aloe Vera - Before leaving the kitchen, we should make mention of two additional herbs having anti inflammatory properties. One is licorice, from the licorice root and the same herb we make candy and cough drops from, and aloe vera, the plant we most often associate with treating burns, especially sunburn. Aloe vera juice is an all around healthy drink. Aloe vera powder on the other hand, while effectively fighting inflammation, is a very powerful laxative, so should be taken with a great deal of caution. Licorice won't make you rub to the bathroom, but if taken over long periods of time could cause a rise in blood pressure. Licorice ingestion can also lead to a deficiency in potassium in some instances.
Cayenne - When there is inflammation of the surface of the body, nothing will beat cayenne pepper as an inflammation fighter. When it comes to promoting circulation, cayenne is the most powerful of all of the anti inflammatory herbs. Ironically, although it promotes circulation, cayenne is also a fast acting and powerful coagulant, very useful in treating open wounds. All herbs are not gentle and slow acting, as we sometimes like to believe, and cayenne leads the list of those that are not.