Muscle inflammation, also called myositis, can develop from a muscle injury, an infection, an allergic reaction or if you have certain autoimmune diseases that include dermatomyositis and polymyositis. The condition may be short-lived after an injury or it may be chronic, causing pain and discomfort for an extended time. Reishi mushroom and astragalus are two herbal remedies that may improve symptoms of muscle inflammation. Talk to your doctor to decide if one or both of these remedies might be helpful for you.
Inflammation
When your muscles become inflamed, your immune system reacts to an injury or other abnormal situation by causing immune cells to move into your muscles and release inflammatory chemicals. These molecules increase blood flow to muscles, and when fluid from your blood vessels moves into the muscle tissue, swelling and tenderness result. Other symptoms of muscle inflammation include stiffness or weakness, and pain when you attempt to use the muscle. Depending on the location of the inflamed muscle and the cause of the condition, you might also experience other, more serious symptoms such as shortness of breath or muscle wasting.
Reishi
The reishi mushroom, or Ganoderma lucidum, is also called ling zhi or spirit plant. It has been part of traditional Asian medicine for thousands of years. Practitioners recommend reishi for fatigue, asthma, cough and liver problems. The stem and cap of the mushroom contain many natural chemicals with biological activity, including triterpenes and beta-glucans. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center summarizes findings from many laboratory studies showing that reishi has anti-inflammatory properties and many positive effects on the immune system. In a study on reishi extract as a possible anti-inflammatory agent published in the "Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry" in 2010, findings with laboratory animals suggested that compounds in reishi may effectively suppress inflammatory responses. However, clinical research on reishi with human subjects is still needed to confirm this potential.
Astragalus
Astragalus membranaceus is a perennial plant native to parts of Asia that has been part of traditional herbal medicine for centuries. It is generally recommended as a health tonic to increase disease resistance. Astragalus is rich in antioxidants that protect your body from potentially damaging free radicals. It also has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity, making it potentially beneficial in treating muscular inflammation. The herb also tends to increase blood circulation, making it of possible benefit in speeding healing of damaged muscles. However, clinical studies examining its usefulness as a possible treatment for muscle inflammation are still needed.
Recommendations
Both reishi and astragalus extract are available as supplements from health food stores. Both are considered safe and without significant side effects, although they may case mild gastric upset in some people. Astragalus may interact with medications that suppress the immune system, and neither astragalus nor reishi has been tested for safety during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Discuss these remedies with your doctor before adding one or both to your regimen.
References
- National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke: Inflammatory Myopathies Fact Sheet
- MedlinePlus: Myositis
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Reishi Mushroom
- "Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry"; Ganoderma Lucidum Polysaccharises Attenuate Endotoxin-Induced Intercellular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 Expression in Cultured Smooth Muscle Cells and in the Neointima in Mice; C. Lin et al; September 2010
- Drugs.com: Astragalus
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Astragalus
- Drugs.com: Reishi Mushroom
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