Chronic inflammation is considered one of the leading factors for disease-related deaths in the world.
This article looks at the scientific research behind the best herbs for inflammation and supporting a balanced inflammatory response.
Table of Contents
Inflammation Overview:
Inflammation is a key part of your body’s natural healing process. It’s a biological response controlled by the immune system that works to protect and heal the body.
There are two different types of inflammation: acute inflammation and chronic inflammation.
Acute Inflammation
Acute inflammation, also known as short-term inflammation, happens quickly and supports the transportation of immune cells to a recently injured area. Redness to an injured area indicates that there is an influx of blood and immune cells are being rushed to the area to support the healing process.
Chronic Inflammation
Chronic inflammation occurs over time and is a result of the body’s inability to heal or overcome an injury. Consistent inflammation can cause tissue to harden, die off, and scar. This can lead to a number of health complications that will often trigger degrading or fatal diseases.
Causes of Inflammation:
The inflammatory response happens when the body is exposed to trauma, toxins, infection, and/or physical overuse.
Typical symptoms of inflammation include:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Pain
- Warmness
- Stiffness
Health complications can often lead to inflammation and are characterized by the suffix “-itis” in the medical community (i.e. “arthritis”).
Common causes of inflammation include:
- Bacteria, fungi, or viruses
- Blunt or penetrating trauma (scrapes, wounds, bruises, etc…)
- Radiation or chemical exposure
- Persistent and consistent use of a body part
- Autoimmune diseases (recognizing a normal part of the body as a foreign invader)
Negative Effects of Inflammation:
While acute or short-term inflammation supports the body’s healing process, continuous inflammation or chronic inflammation is the body’s signal that something is wrong.
If inflammation persists, it could lead to disease complications or it could be a sign that there is an underlying disease or injury.
Without proper treatment, inflammation symptoms can cause a number of different ailments, such as:
- Stroke
- Heart disease
- Respiratory disease
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Obesity
Best Herbs for Inflammation:
Below are the best herbs for inflammation.
1. Ginger
Ginger is one of the most well-known natural remedies for inflammation. It’s a plant that is used as both a food and medicine worldwide.
In particular, ginger contains the active constituents gingerol and shogaol, which appear to be the main cause of ginger’s anti-inflammatory effects.
Researchers found that powdered ginger was effective in reducing the number of pro-inflammatory proteins in participants with osteoarthritis. The researchers noted that gingerol and shogaol seem to be responsible for ginger’s anti-inflammatory effects.
Ginger extract showed promising effects for anti-inflammatory therapy when administered at 3g daily for one month. Participants with tuberculosis experienced a significant decrease in both lung inflammation and in various pro-inflammatory biomarkers.
An animal study involving ginger extract discovered that shogaol inhibited inflammation in the lungs of mice with asthma. The extract was also able to relax the smooth muscle of the airway.
In another animal trial using ginger extract, the gingerol content showed promising anti-inflammatory effects against IBS. Ginger reduced the number of pro-infl