Inflammation is the body's response to injured tissues. The harmful agents may be bacteria, toxins, heat or injury. The body's inflammatory response is a normal, protective reaction meant to isolate foreign substances within the affected area. The effects can be painful, however, and may be treated naturally with vitamins, minerals and herbs.
Zinc
Zinc is an anti-inflammatory mineral, according to nutritionist Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." Specifically, zinc has been shown effective in the treatment of mucositis, or inflammation of mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, caused by radiation therapy, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an anti-inflammatory vitamin, according to Balch. Vitamin E may particularly prevent inflammation in hepatitis C patients, according to the Mayo Clinic website. A 2008 study by the University of Illinois found that the antioxidants in Vitamin E may reduce levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines -- proteins that trigger the immune system to cause inflammation.
Bromelain
Bromelain is an anti-inflammatory enzyme compound that may reduce the symptoms of arthritis. A 2002 study by researchers at the University of Reading found that daily bromelain consumption relieved pain and stiffness. Bromelain is safe and causes no side effects. Bromelain functions as a platelet aggregation inhibitor and may react adversely with blood-thinning medications. Consult a physician regarding the medicinal use of bromelain.
Ginger
Ginger's medicinal use originated in Asia thousands of years ago. The herb's volatile oils reduce inflammation in disorders such as arthritis and ulcerative colitis. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends taking ginger extract twice daily to alleviate inflammation related to arthritis. Seek a doctor's advice regarding ginger's medicinal applications.
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