Since the dawn of civilization, herbs have been considered to be important for our body – one of the reasons being that they have anti-oxidant properties.
They also have many other health benefits and this is why herbs are so commonly used in many ways around the world.
Since inflammation is a common health problem that is witnessed among both young and old, this article will discuss some healthy herbs to fight inflammation.
1. Turmeric
For centuries, Ayurvedic and Chinese medicines have used turmeric herbs to fight inflammation. Along with turmeric, its yellow pigment known as curcumin has also been used together for not only reducing inflammation but for almost everything else. For instance, it is used for treating:
- Arthritis
- Immune disorder
- Indigestion
- Allergies
- Diabetes
- Alzheimer’s diseases
This is just to name a few health conditions.
Many people don’t know this, but turmeric’s benefits are largely associated with curcumin. Do you know why? Well, that’s because curcumin is a potent antioxidant that can reduce inflammation. If you are thinking how you can make most of turmeric, the easy way is to make a turmeric tea. All you need to do is to boil some water and add one teaspoon of ground turmeric in it. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes, add honey or lemon to taste, and enjoy. Another way is to enjoy it as a turmeric latte, known as the golden latte.
2. Ginger
Besides lending a tasty flavor to a wide range of everyday meals, ginger makes for a great ingredient to fight inflammation.
Research shows that the compounds “gingerol” and “zingerone” that are typically found in ginger are mainly responsible for the vegetable’s ability to fight inflammation. The best way to consume ginger is to eat it raw for greater health benefits. However, you can still consume it in many other forms like in a powder form or a supplement form. You can also add a very small amount to your infused water – it’s sure to give your drink an extra kick.
Keep in mind that a high intake of ginger can have unwelcome repercussions. Thus, it is better to keep its consumption level up to 2 to 3 grams per day.
3. Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper contain capsaicin compound which is spicy in nature and responsible for not only making the chili pepper hot but also one of our top four herbs to fight inflammation. Many pain relief creams use this compound because it contains the substance “P”, increasing the sensitivity level to your pain.
Native Americans have been using cayenne pepper for centuries both as a food ingredient and medicine. The spice has also been widely used by healers in India, China, and other parts of Asia for the purpose of reducing health problems related to digestive system and immune system.
What encourages cayenne pepper to cure inflammation is the range of antioxidants – flavonoids and carotenoids present in them.
4. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is an herb that is not only delicious but highly nutritious as well. There are many anti-inflammatory compounds present in the raw cinnamon and this is why it is considered best to consume it raw.
One of the main components of cinnamon – cinnamaldehyde – is known to hamper the production of certain proteins that can gradually lead to inflammation.
So go ahead and use these herbs to fight inflammation by adding them to your everyday routine, whether in baked goods, sprinkled on oatmeal, added to curries or infused in water. There are many ways to incorporate them.
