There are natural ways to reduce inflammation in the body. Inflammation is a natural response of the body to injury, infection, or stress. However, when it becomes chronic, it can lead to various health issues such as arthritis, heart disease, and cancer.
Several anti-inflammatory products are available to handle acute inflammation and relax affected tissues. While there are pharmaceutical drugs available to reduce inflammation, many people prefer to use natural remedies such as herbs.
Are herbal remedies safe to reduce inflammation? Yes they are. Many of them are already found in your kitchen cabinets Here are some of the most effective spices and herbs that help reduce inflammation along with other benefits.
How to Reduce Inflammation in the Body Fast – 5 Spices to Use
Turmeric
Turmeric is a common spice and the heart of every Asian cuisine and can easily be found in every grocery store.
It is a natural painkiller. For centuries, people have been using it to treat wounds, colds, and inflammation.
The active ingredient in turmeric is known as curcumin and is a polyphenol. This compound has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Curcumin inhibits the production of NF-kB(a molecule responsible for activating inflammatory particles).
You can consume turmeric several ways. It goes well with milk and foods taste good when it is added to it.
A major complaint by some users is the bright orange color which stains anything it touches if not quickly washed away.
As a result, some people prefer to take turmeric supplements instead
Ginger
The usage of ginger is not limited to culinary uses alone. This peppery spice also plays an important role as an anti-inflammatory medicine.
For a long time, people have been using it to cure various ailments such as migraines, nausea, arthritis, and high blood pressure.
Ginger contains 100 active compounds which cure various diseases. Out of them, gingerols and shogaols are anti-inflammatory compounds.
Components like TNF-α and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) cause swelling. Ginger controls the production of such molecules and acts as the best herb to cure inflammation.
You can consume it in dried form or can enjoy the spicy flavor of ginger tea
Black Pepper
Black pepper is known as a king of spices. It is a commonly used spice that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.
It contains a compound called piperine, which has been shown to reduce inflammation by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory molecules.
Piperine helps with reducing joint swelling and controlling inflation-causing compounds such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2).
Black pepper can be added to your cooking. Make it a part of your everyday recipe. Season salads with a dash of black pepper. You can even have it in the form of supplements.
Cardamom
It is an intense and sweet flavor spice used in various culinary items. Cardamom has a fresh flavor similar to mints. Some people use it as a natural mouth freshener.
The spice is used as an anti-inflammatory compound. It has the potential to fight inflammation. Antioxidants found in it protect cells from damage and control swelling.
Cardamom has many other health benefits. It treats ulcers, digestive problems, cavities, and sugar levels.
You should consume it daily. Cardamom goes well with milk, tea, water, food, and desserts and has a good taste when chewed as gum.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a spice that has a sweet woody flavor. It is made from the bark and flowers of a cinnamon tree. Belongs to the laurel family.
For many years, this spice has been used to make medicines and cure various diseases. It can treat inflammation, asthma, Heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.
It controls the levels of CRP and MDA. These two compounds affect body tissues and cause inflammation. Cinnamon targets these molecules and reduces these inflammatory markers.
Cinnamon can be added to your cooking or taken in supplement form.
Green Tea – Natural Ways to Reduce inflammation in the Body
Green tea is a beverage that is high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. It falls under the category of herbs that help reduce inflammation.
Green tea is the best detox. It cleanses your body internally. Along with that, it also controls swelling.
The tea contains catechins, which have been shown to reduce inflammation in numerous studies. Drinking green tea regularly may help reduce the risk of chronic inflammation and the health issues associated with it.
You can add lemon juice to taste if you find the taste of the green tea is too earthy for you.
Develop a habit of drinking green tea as a first drink after waking up in the morning to clear the bowels.
Herbs
Natural Ways to Reduce Inflammation in the Body – Try Rosemary
Rosemary is a fragrant herb that is commonly used in cooking. It is often used in Italian foods such as pasta. It gives an amazing aroma to dishes. Along with adding life to food, it is among the herbs that help reduce inflammation.
It contains rosmarinic acid, a compound that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. A good amount of polyphenol treats many inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis, asthma, and gum disease.
Rosemary can be used to flavor meat dishes or added to salads and soups.
Thyme
The herb Thyme contains several compounds, such as thymol, carvacrol, and rosmarinic acid, that have anti-inflammatory properties.
These compounds work by inhibiting the activity of enzymes that produce inflammatory chemicals in the body, such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes.
Thyme also contains flavonoids, which are plant-based compounds that have antioxidant properties. Antioxidants protect the body from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals, which are produced during inflammation.
By neutralizing free radicals, flavonoids help to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
In addition to its anti-inflammatory properties, thyme also has antimicrobial properties that may help to prevent or treat infections that can contribute to inflammation.
Thyme can be added to salads, soups, and stews or brewed into tea.
Conclusion – Ways to Reduce inflammation in the Body
Some herbs and spices are used as natural ways to reduce inflammation in the body as they don’t cause any negative side effects. Unlike some anti-inflammatory medicines, which affect your stomach, herbs work naturally.
If you are suffering from inflammatory conditions then try natural remedies like herbs.
References
9 Herbs and Spices That Fight Inflammation. (2021, January 25). Retrieved from Healthline website: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/anti-inflammatory-herbs#1.-Ginger
Turmeric Benefits. (2022, December 15). Retrieved March 4, 2023, from www.hopkinsmedicine.org website: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/turmeric-benefits#:~:text=Brown%20explains%20that%20the%20active
10 Health Benefits of Cardamom, Backed by Science. (2018, August 8). Retrieved March 4, 2023, from Healthline website: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cardamom-benefits#TOC_TITLE_HDR_9
Contributors, W. E. (n.d.). Health Benefits of Thyme. Retrieved March 4, 2023, from WebMD website: https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-thyme#:~:text=Thyme
