Inflammation is your body's natural response to injury, but if the inflammatory process persists, it can cause significant damage to tissues and organs. Inflammation is involved with many chronic diseases, such as diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome and arthritis. Conventional treatment may include NSAIDs and steroids, but these can have unpleasant side effects. Natural herbs and vitamins that have anti-inflammatory action may help to reduce inflammation with fewer side effects. Consult your health care provider before using anti-inflammatory herbs and vitamins.
White Willow
White willow, or Salix alba, is a deciduous tree native to Europe and Asia. Herbalists use the bark to treat fever, flu and rheumatism. The active ingredient is salicin, which is converted to salicylic acid, which inhibits cyclooxygenase, an enzyme involved in the body's inflammatory process. The popular drug aspirin is a synthetic form of salicylic acid. In their 2000 book, "The Herbal Drugstore," Dr. Linda B. White and medicinal plant expert Steven Foster state that willow has an anti-inflammatory effect similar to aspirin, but does not thin your blood or irritate your stomach. Do not combine willow with other anti-inflammatory medications.
Frankincense
Frankincense trees, or Boswellia serrata and B. sacra, are small deciduous trees that produce an aromatic resin known as frankincense. Herbalists use the resin to treat inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatism and arthritis. In their 2009 book, "Medicinal Plants of the World," botanist Ben-Erik van Wyk and biologist Michael Wink state that frankincense reduces inflammation by inhibiting 5-lipoxygenase, a protein involved in producing inflammatory molecules such as leukotrienes. Speak to your doctor before using frankincense if you are pregnant or nursing.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin with antioxidant action. Free radicals help to maintain the body's inflammatory process, so antioxidant vitamins and herbs that are free radical scavengers may help to reduce inflammation. In their 2000 book, "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," Dr. James F. Balch and Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, recommend vitamin C with bioflavonoids to reduce inflammation in chronic diseases and infections. High doses of vitamin C may cause diarrhea, so check with your doctor for dosage instructions.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin found in plant oils such as wheat germ, sunflower and safflower oils. When inflammation becomes chronic, it can damage tissues and organs. Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant and it helps to heal damage to connective tissue. Dr. James F. Balch and Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, recommend daily use of a d-alpha-tocopherol form of vitamin E to reduce chronic inflammation.
References
- "The Herbal Drugstore"; Linda B. White, M.D., Steven Foster; 2000
- "Medicinal Plants of the World"; Ben-Erik van Wyk and Michael Wink; 2009
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, and James F. Balch, M.D.; 2000
