As all good things must come to an end, I ended my camping vacation by twisting my right knee pretty badly. Inflammation around my knee was my body’s natural response to my injury, so I thought I would take this opportunity to have a closer look at what are some natural anti-inflammatories.
Many foods have anti-inflammatory properties, especially those foods that are rich in antioxidants. In addition to anti-inflammatory properties, many of these foods have also been shown to have anti-cancer properties. Foods with anti-inflammatory properties include colorful vegetables and fruits such as kale, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, mushrooms (especially Shitake mushrooms), squash, bell peppers, pumpkin, sweet potato, berries (including blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries), plums, cherries, watermelon, cantaloupe, papaya, and apricots.
Foods that provide essential fatty acids, including healthy omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids also have anti-inflammatory properties. These can be found in nuts and seeds, such as sesame seeds and hemp seeds. Plus flaxseeds and walnuts happen to be excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
You may be surprised to find potent anti-inflammatories in your spice cabinet, including turmeric and ginger, both potent anti-inflammatory spices used to treat diseases in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine since antiquity. Fresh, crushed, and warmed ginger placed directly over the inflamed area and wrapped in plastic is extremely effective in reducing swelling (as directed for my knee by a doctor of Chinese Medicine).
Arnica is a natural anti-inflammatory that is applied topically and not ingested. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, Arnica is a perennial with yellow-orange flowers similar to daisies. The fresh or dried flower heads are used in medicinal preparations, typically topical creams or ointments that are used to reduce inflammation, reduce muscle aches, and heal wounds.
Boswellia serrate is an Ayurvedic herb that can be taken in supplement form or topically as an oil extract. Boswellia serrate appears to be used for inflammation associated with chronic diseases rather than injury.
Foods that provide essential fatty acids, including healthy omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids also have anti-inflammatory properties. These can be found in nuts and seeds, such as sesame seeds and hemp seeds. Plus flaxseeds and walnuts happen to be excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
You may be surprised to find potent anti-inflammatories in your spice cabinet, including turmeric and ginger, both potent anti-inflammatory spices used to treat diseases in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine since antiquity. Fresh, crushed, and warmed ginger placed directly over the inflamed area and wrapped in plastic is extremely effective in reducing swelling (as directed for my knee by a doctor of Chinese Medicine).
Arnica is a natural anti-inflammatory that is applied topically and not ingested. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, Arnica is a perennial with yellow-orange flowers similar to daisies. The fresh or dried flower heads are used in medicinal preparations, typically topical creams or ointments that are used to reduce inflammation, reduce muscle aches, and heal wounds.
Boswellia serrate is an Ayurvedic herb that can be taken in supplement form or topically as an oil extract. Boswellia serrate appears to be used for inflammation associated with chronic diseases rather than injury.
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