Can Herbs Combat Inflammation?

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Can Herbs Combat Inflammation?

JoAnn Guest

Dec 15, 2004 11:22 PST

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Can Herbs Combat Inflammation?

 

" Is there an herb that is anti-inflammatory that I can use instead of

ibuprofen? "

-- Anonymous

 

(Published 12/03/2002)

Yes, there are a number of excellent anti-inflammatory herbs.

 

The most important are:

 

Turmeric (Curcuma longa): Turmeric accounts for the yellow color of

curry and American mustard and has a distinctive sharp flavor.

 

I recommend turmeric for all inflammatory conditions, including

arthritis,

tendonitis, and auto immune conditions. Take 400 to 600 milligrams of

turmeric extracts (available in tablets or capsules) three times per day

or as directed on the product label.

 

Whole turmeric is more effective than isolated curcumin, its major

constituent.

 

Look for products standardized for 95% curcuminoids. Be patient: the

full benefit takes two months to develop. Don’t use turmeric if you have

gallstones or bile duct dysfunction. Pregnant women shouldn’t use it

without their doctors’ approval. In rare cases, extended use can cause

mild heartburn.

 

Ginger Root: Powdered dry ginger root is an excellent anti-inflammatory.

Take one to two capsules (500 to 1,000 mg) twice a day with food or use

fresh grated ginger root in smoothies or a stir fry. As with

turmeric, sometimes you won’t get the full effect of for two months.

 

Boswellin: This is the extract of the herb Boswellia, used in Ayurvedic

medicine and available in capsule form. It may be useful for generalized

 

inflammatory conditions such as fibromyalgia. The dosage is two capsules

 

twice a day unless the product label directs differently.

 

You can take all of these herbs in combination. In fact, I most

frequently recommend the herbal remedy " Zyflamend " , from New Chapter,

Inc., which includes most of them and more, including holy basil,

another Indian remedy.

Follow the dosage directions on the package.

 

In addition to herbs, you can also take 'dietary' steps to reduce

inflammation.

 

The " specific " fats in your diet affect the way the body

makes prostaglandins, a group of hormones that " regulate " inflammation.

 

Some prostaglandins " intensify " the inflammatory response while others

reduce it.

 

To help your body reduce inflammation eliminate polyunsaturated refined

vegetable oils, margarines, vegetable shortening, all

partially hydrogenated oils and all foods that contain " trans-fatty "

acids

(read food labels to check for the presence of these oils).

 

Instead, use extra-virgin olive oil as your main fat and increase your

intake of omega-3 fatty acids found in oily, cold-water fish (alaskan

salmon, sardines in water specifically), organic flaxseeds, raw almonds

and walnuts.

 

Dr. Andrew Weil

http://www.drweil.com

_________________

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjo-

DietaryTi-

www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Genes

 

 

 

 

AIM Barleygreen

" Wisdom of the Past, Food of the Future "

 

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Diets.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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