In general, herbs are good for the body. This is mainly because a lot of them have antioxidant functions. They also have many other health benefits. This article is all about herbs which have great anti-inflammatory functions. A lot of chronic illnesses are caused by inflammation of one or more systems of the body. Therefore, it is vital to learn which food reduce or cure inflammation.
Lowering the body’s inflammation is essential for the body to function well. It’s necessary for heightened immunity, mental clarity, and good energy levels. When the body is hindered because of inflammation or the pain caused by it, then it will be prone to diseases.
Consuming different kinds of herbs can help reduce or cure inflammation. This is because they are a lot more potent than other foods. So, when you add the right herbs to your daily dishes, it can boost the health benefits of your meals. Aside from that, herbs also add interesting flavors to dishes, especially when used correctly.
What Is Inflammation?
Inflammation is a normal process of the body. This happens when the white blood cells of the body protect it from viruses and bacteria. However, when the inflammation gets out of hand, then it becomes harmful. One of the biggest causes for this is the person’s dietary habits. When the inflammation becomes chronic or severe, then it’s a major cause for concern.
Chronic inflammation is a very dangerous illness. This is because it leads to a lot of other serious diseases. These include obesity, heart disease, diabetes and even cancer. It’s one of the major causes of death in the world.
A lot of foods are famous for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. One variety of which is herbs. It’s vital to know which herbs will help reduce inflammation. Especially for people who are experiencing it regularly. Adding these herbs to the daily meals will help make the body healthier.
The Importance of Reducing or Curing Inflammation
As previously mentioned, chronic inflammation leads to a wide variety of dangerous illnesses. And one of the main causes of chronic inflammation is poor food choices. When a person constantly consumes foods, which are rich in fat, the body functions overtime just to digest all of it. Such foods are rich desserts, buttery pastries, and red meat, just to name a few. If the body receives these kinds of food regularly, it works hard to get the toxins out of the system. As these foods pass through the arteries, they become irritated. When that happens, cholesterol can pile up within them. If this doesn’t stop, the arteries become sticky and inflamed.
A lot of people believe that genes play a role in how one’s future health. But studies have shown that this isn’t entirely true. Just because a person’s family has a history of heart disease, that doesn’t mean that person will suffer the same illness. If people live healthier lifestyles, then the risk of these diseases happening decreases. That is why it’s vital to choose a healthier lifestyle along with healthy foods.
Research has shown that people who have lived long lives without contracting Alzheimer’s or dementia have brains with a common feature. All of them have very little to no inflammation in the brain. This is also a less frequent occurrence in people who maintain the right weight. People who have a healthy weight are less prone to inflammation than people who are overweight or obese. Also, people whose diets are rich in plants are also less at risk for inflammation.
Advice for reducing the occurrence of inflammation in the body are like those who are suffering from heart disease and other chronic illnesses. The main solution to the problem is a healthier lifestyle. Nowadays we are more exposed to unhealthy food sources. These unhealthy foods are more convenient and readily available. Because of busy schedules, a lot of people opt for the faster and easier choice. Unfortunately, this choice is not the ideal one.
People who suffer from chronic inflammation will benefit a lot by choosing healthier food options. In doing this, the risk is lowered, and inflammation can even be cured. As previously stated, one of the most potent kinds of food great for curing inflammation is herbs. Here are some of the best herbs and spices to look out for. They all have anti-inflammatory properties, making them a must-have in the daily diet.
Sage
Sage is one of the healthiest herbs. Especially regarding its ability to reduce the effects of inflammation in the body. This herb is very beneficial because it contains anti-inflammatory molecules. The molecules carnosol and carnosic make sage healthy. They also add to its distinct aroma and flavor. A lot of research has been done on this herb. This is because of how well it protects the body from neurological conditions which are inflammation-based.
This herb is promising. This is because it improves concentration and memory, aside from the anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also rich in antioxidants and has beneficial effects against cancer.
Sage goes well with a lot of different dishes. It’s a popular herb which, as you can see, helps reduce the effects of inflammation. So, it’s worth adding to dishes for that extra flavor and the added health boost.
Rosemary
Here’s another healthy herb which adds flavor to a wide variety of dishes. Rosemary is another well-known herb. It has a lot of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components. Just like sage, this herb acts by heightening the activity of an essential enzyme in the body. Superoxide dismutase is an essential enzyme which eliminated superoxide. This is a powerful free radical which is linked to chronic inflammation. The activity of the herb works better when cooked. So, make sure to flavor meats, vegetables and other dishes with this healthy green.
Even uncooked though, rosemary is also beneficial. This is because it contains flavonoids which have many health benefits. These flavonoids include apigenin and diosmin. The former compound is useful in slowing down the development of pancreatic cells. The latter, on the other hand, puts a stop to hemorrhoids.
Just like any other anti-inflammatory foods, rosemary blocks the pathways which initiate inflammation. One helpful tip – when cooking food using oil, add some rosemary to it. This allows the antioxidants in the herb to aid in protecting the oil from getting oxidized.
Chamomile
Ancient physicians used to advise people suffering from inflammation to drink more tea. This was especially suggested when the inflammation was found in the mouth area. One popular kind of tea is chamomile. The leaves for making this tea come from the chamomile plant which flourishes in the sun.
It’s a fresh plant with flowers that smell like apples. The oils distilled from chamomile flowers contain components which help reduce inflammation. These components are chamazulene cyclic sesquiterpenes and a-bisabolol. The oil also contains oxides which are anti-inflammatory. Aside from that, they also have characteristics which are antispasmodic.
Basil& Holy Basil
Basil is the next healthy herb on our list. This one is also great for problems with the body’s digestive system. It effectively eases pain from nausea, gas, and stomach cramps too. Aside from this, it contains an important component which reduces inflammation. Eugenol, which is found in basil, effectively aids in reducing inflammation. It hinders the enzyme which causes inflammation the same way Tylenol and Ibuprofen do.
Another type of basil called holy basil is found in India. This herb is commonly used in Indian dishes as well as a medicine to treat different illnesses. Holy basil also has a lot of medicinal properties. That’s why it’s also useful in reducing inflammation. It’s a great herb which can effectively reduce the effects of high cholesterol, diabetes, arthritis and such, which are all related to inflammation. These leaves come in 2 different forms – either ground or dried. Holy basil is available online or in specialty stores.
Boswellia
This herb is not as common as the previous ones discussed. It’s another healthy herb which comes with a long history. It’s effective for pain relief as well as for reducing inflammation in the body. Just like the other herbs, this natural remedy doesn’t come with negative side effects.
Boswellia helps reduce inflammation by controlling the production of the 5-LOX enzyme. This enzyme is pro-inflammatory and when produced in excess, has harmful effects and diseases. Since boswellia effectively reduces this enzyme, it’s very beneficial for easing inflammation and the pain that comes with it.
Neem
Here’s another unfamiliar herb on the list. It may be unknown to the rest of the world but not in its native India. Neem oil is effective in calming inflammatory conditions on the skin. It’s also extremely effective in easing joint and muscle pain. Extracts from the seeds and leaves of these plants have other health benefits too. In fact, every part of this plant is useful. In India, people cook and eat the flowers and shoots like vegetables. Leaves spice up the food and give dishes a distinctly bitter taste.
Turmeric
Herbs have a lot of health benefits, but so do spices. One of the best examples is turmeric. This is becoming more and more popular because of its excellent anti-inflammatory properties. It’s a yellow root which is more commonly known for its powdery form. Turmeric gives curry dishes their yellow color and distinct flavor. A lot of food manufacturers also use turmeric to give color to cheese and butter. This is very popular with traditional healers. They’ve been using turmeric for more than 4,000 years now. And that’s because of its different health benefits. It’s useful in relieving inflammation, for fighting infections and to treat problems with digestion.
The major ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. This active component is a powerful antioxidant. It helps eliminate harmful free radicals in the body. Free radicals are very harmful to the body. They damage the cells and cell membranes, leading to inflammation. These affect the body’s DNA negatively, causing the cells to die. Aside from this function, turmeric also reduces the levels of 2 types of enzymes in the body. This is beneficial because these enzymes cause inflammation too.
Turmeric is a popular spice commonly found in different Indian cuisine. It’s known for its bright yellow color, and it’s easy to spot in supermarkets. For years, this spice has been utilized as a type of medicine. It’s used to treat colds, infections, wounds, and even diseases of the liver. The reason why it’s good for treating inflammation is that of curcumin; it’s major ingredient. It’s powerful enough to reduce the pain and other effects of inflammation, especially when in the acute stages. It’s so potent that it can be considered equally effective as cortisone in treating inflammation.
One-way curcumin hinders inflammation is by blocking a specific molecule. The molecule known as NF-KB travels straight into the nuclei of the cells. This activates the genes which promote inflammation in the body. So, curcumin blocks the pathway of inflammation even before it begins. So, to reduce pain and the effects of inflammation, it’s essential to add turmeric into the diet regularly.
Ginger
Just like turmeric, ginger is another root which has been used for years in traditional medicine practices. It’s well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties as well as its other health benefits. Studies have shown that ginger reduces the pain associated with inflammation and other related diseases. Not only that, but ginger also eases the feelings of nausea and an upset stomach.
Ginger is a spice which has been used for centuries. Healers who use traditional medicine gave ginger to treat headaches, infections and upset stomach. It’s easy to find ginger in grocery stores, and it’s worth adding to the regular grocery list. People who suffer from chronic inflammation will benefit a lot from adding ginger to their diet. It hinders pathways of inflammation and enhances anti-oxidant levels of the body. Aside from that, it also promotes good circulation of blood and shortens healing time.
Ginger is highly versatile. It’s easy to add in different dishes; it can be juiced, cooked and even taken as a supplement. Consuming this powerfully healthy spice regularly will improve the overall health of the body.
How Do Herbs Help Cure Inflammation?
Traditional medical healers have used herbs and spices for centuries. They used these plants to treat a wide variety of illnesses and ailments, just like inflammation. These herbs and spices have amazing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. So, it’s no wonder they’re still being used today.
One huge cause of inflammation is the presence of free radicals in the body. These harmful free radicals damage the cells of the body, leading to inflammation. Inflammation blocks other essential pathways in the body, giving way to more serious conditions. Fortunately, many herbs and spices can combat these effects.
Herbs and spices are very effective in reducing inflammation because they are extremely potent. Adding these to food and beverages will enhance the benefits significantly. Taking in these herbs and spices will significantly help reduce any inflammation happening in the body. Because of their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, these herbs and spices will augment the body’s overall functions.
