John Myers
Instead of resorting to chemical drugs with anti-inflammatory effects, you can also use herbs and spices to fight inflammation. Read here which effective means nature provides for this and how you can use them.
Herbs against inflammation instead of medication: chamomile
If you choose to use natural herbs and spices to treat inflammation, be prepared that the healing process may take a little longer than when you take a medication designed for that purpose. Nevertheless, it is worth getting to know the alternatives and not resorting directly to chemical agents. However, if your symptoms do not improve or even worsen, you should always consult a doctor.
- Chamomile is probably one of the best-known herbs that can be used to relieve pain in inflammation. The herb has an anti-inflammatory effect and is also good for the digestive and nervous systems.
- You can take chamomile in the form of tea, for example . To do this, simply pour hot water over a teaspoon of dried chamomile.
- Alternatively, you can also pour hot water over two teaspoons of fresh chamomile flowers.
- In this form, chamomile helps particularly against inflammation of the gums or purulent tonsils.
Sage for a sore throat
In addition to chamomile, sage is also considered a particularly effective medicinal herb.
- Sage is especially good for colds and sore throats.
- In addition to its anti-inflammatory effect, sage is also said to be antiseptic. This means it kills viruses and bacteria in the body.
- If you want to drink sage tea, simply pour hot water over one teaspoon of dried sage leaves or two teaspoons of fresh sage leaves.
Other herbs with anti-inflammatory effects
In addition to the classics, there are also herbs whose anti-inflammatory effects are not so well known.
- Stinging nettles , for example, are primarily considered to be draining and therefore also blood-cleansing. They also have an anti-inflammatory effect. You can not only drink the nettles as a tea, but also simply add them to a salad or use them in a smoothie.
- Schafgabe is particularly useful for stomach and intestinal problems, but the rather unknown herb also has anti-inflammatory substances that can relieve cramps and have a haemostatic effect. Similarly unknown, but helpful, is also purslane , the leaves of which also have an anti-inflammatory effect and can easily be used in salads or herbal quark.
- Thyme is mainly used in naturopathy to dissolve mucus, but it also has an anti-inflammatory effect. It is considered antimicrobial and supports memory performance. It also tastes good, as does rosemary , which has an analgesic and antibacterial effect at the same time thanks to the essential oils cineole and camphor.
- Arnica is a rare mountain herb that you are not allowed to pick yourself due to nature conservation reasons, but you can get it as a tincture in pharmacies. It can be used both internally and externally and is known for its anti-inflammatory effects.
- Borage is a relatively unknown plant from whose seeds cold-pressed borage oil can be obtained. This oil contains gamma-linolenic acid, which also has anti-inflammatory properties and is therefore often used in diseases such as rheumatism, neurodermatitis or psoriasis.
Helpful spices against inflammation
In addition to herbs, you can use various spices to fight inflammation in the body. A well-known and helpful example of this is turmeric.
- Turmeric is mainly used in Indian cuisine. It contains curcumin, which can reduce inflammation in the body.
- Turmeric has a particularly beneficial effect on digestion, as the curcumin stimulates the liver to produce more bile and stomach acids.
- In addition, according to scientific findings, turmeric should also help with psoriasis and rheumatism. However, since there are only a few scientific studies on this topic, naturopaths in particular recommend using turmeric more preventively or as a supportive preparation in addition to a proven form of therapy.
The anti-inflammatory effects of cumin
Cumin is a spice that is mainly used in oriental cuisine, for example with falafel.
- The taste of cumin is slightly hot and spicy. Cumin extract and cumin oil are said to have an anti-inflammatory effect.
- The spice can also help prevent heart disease by regulating blood pressure and lowering cholesterol levels.
Fight free radicals with the help of the ginger root
The hot ginger root is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine and traditional Chinese medicine.
- Ginger contains pain-relieving essential oils and antioxidants.
- The latter are responsible, among other things, for neutralizing the free radicals in the body that accelerate cell aging and promote inflammation.
- Ginger can also be helpful, for example, against nausea during pregnancy or during chemotherapy and digestive problems.
The medicinal properties of chili
Chili is not only a popular spice for spicing up food and giving it that extra something. Various healing effects are also attributed to the spice.
- Chili is said to have appetite suppressant , pain-relieving, immune-boosting, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, among other things.
- The ingredient capsaicin is responsible for these properties.
- Chili can also be used for digestive problems, circulatory problems, high blood pressure or migraines. Because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect, chili is also popular in the production of toothpaste.
Cinnamon for colds
Cinnamon reminds many of the contemplative Christmas season and that’s not so wrong, because the spice can be very helpful for colds at this time.
- Cinnamon contains many antioxidants that have an anti-inflammatory effect.
- Cinnamon also has an antispasmodic effect, so the spice can also be used to treat gastrointestinal problems and menstrual pain.
- Cinnamon is also said to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
