Anti-Inflammatories
Natural Ways to Reduce Inflammation and Pain – 10 Super Foods
Too many people experience chronic pain that could be alleviated by simple , inexpensive and natural treatments.
Maybe western medicine has let them down or they’re just fed up with non-prescription pain medication. Meanwhile, a easy and natural solution could be sitting right at home on the dinner table.
Chronic pain is often associated with inflammation, whether in painful joints or other tissues in the body. Anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly part of a treatement regime to combat chronic painful conditions. Yet, sadly they can have side-effects that cast doubt on the wisdom of using them.
In my June post on Natural Pain Remedies, I made the point that “toxins” are defined as poisons that are made by
living organisms. I also pointed out that it makes sense that living organisms have also developed compounds to can
rid themselves of “toxins”. Well “food” basically comes from living organisms, so let’s look at how some foods can
be a source of anti-toxins and provide natural anti-inflammatory benefits.
Alfalfa. Alfalfa plant leaves are rich in vitamins, protein and minerals, and we value them as a good source of high levels of basic nutrients. They also create a natural anti-arthritic activity due to their high Chlorophyll content. You can easily buy Alfalfa at your local food market or your health food store. We generally buy and use in the form of sprouts; and it also comes as juice and food supplement capsules. Great in salads or part of a juice-blend.
Chamomile. When I was in my mid 20’s I developed high blood pressure, and I wasn’t about to start a life on medication… Amongst the natural remedies I had recourse to was Chamomile. I drank it as a tea and appreciated the very rapid effect that it had on calming down my state of tension. Sure enough, Chamomile is well known as a relaxant. It is also recognized as having anti spasmodic and an anti-inflammatory activity. By the way it also helps you get to sleep..
Fenugreek. If you like curry, you’re probably already familiar with the flovour of Fenugreek. In cooking we generally use the plant’s leaves, seeds, and sprouts. Most supermarkets sell these spices thesedays, but youy might do better checking out your local Indian food-market. Fenugrek leaves and sprouts will add a welcome boost to a salad; and the seeds can be used to season a variety of stews, and sauces (not just curry).
Fenugreek is a natural anti-inflammatory and its plant steroid components will help to rebuild tissues. Recently there has been interest in the possibility of using Fenugrek in treatments for cancer.
Flax. We hear a lot about feeding our hearts and reducing cholestrol with Omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3’s have also
been examined in depth for their anti-inflammatory properties, and contribution to the body’s capacity for healing. There are also links with fighting cancer and treating diabetes.
Flax seeds are a great source of Omega 3’s
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cooking and be used to make dressings and sauces (the ones you make with fenugrek & alfalfa?).
Ginger. Just about my favourite, a great aditive to tea and a delicious flavouring for many dishes. Whether in tea or
ice cream, Ginger is easy to take in and brings with it marvellous health benefits. In Oriental medicine it is often part of herbal therapy as an agent to help stimulate blood circulation. It is yet another natural anti-inflammatory; and the maxim is: less inflammation, less pain.
Licorice. Don’t think of those black straps you find at the grocery store! Licorice is best bought as a dried root.
Licorice root has been used to treat stomach ulcers, bronchitis, and sore throat, as well as infections caused by viruses, such as hepatitis. Take care though, too much pure licorice can be dangerous,causing raised blood pressure. Used moderately though it is another part of our natural resources to fight inflammation and pain.
Rosemary. A very popular garden herb, Rosemary is a first-class food to treat pain. Among its active ingredients are compounds that naturally ease nerve and muscle tension and therefore pain. If you suffer from chronic headaches you’ll also benefit from this old cookbook favourite. Rosemary contains salicin, a natural glycoside – interestingly, which aspirin is made from.
You can get Rosemary just about anywhere and is an excellent herb for flavouring many dishes, salad dressings,
stews, soups, sauces and even tea.
Sage. Another popular garden herb, and not just a annual stuffing ingredient. Sage helps improve muscles aches and
the pains of inflammation. Also keeps your mind clear. White sage is a potent anti-inflammatory , usually consumed
as tea, while common sage is either drunk as tea or used to season food.
Shitake mushroom. Shitake is a well known agent in oriental medicine. Recently it has been used to treat
immune-deficiency conditions resulting from chemotherapy, hepatitis, aids and other chronic infections. It is
recognized as anti-cancer agent and an anti viral. Shitake is particularly effective in treatment of arthritis and
other chronic joint pain.
Shitake mushrooms can be enjoyed raw, sauted, baked, added to just about any meal and they’re easy to find in your
local supermarket.
This is just a sample, and there are many other “super foods” like them.
As a general principle: the more whole foods you can eat the better, because the valuable medicinal agents in wholefoods are retained.
When we suffer chronic pain it tends to rule our life. It doesn’t have to be so. Nature has provided us with many
healthy solutions and treatments for our aches and pains.
