Are turmeric and ginger the only anti-inflammatory herbs you know of? Then, you’re missing out a treasure trove of other herbal aids created by Mother Nature. Many herbs possess healing properties which when used appropriately are useful in the treatment of diseases caused by chronic inflammation in the body.
Now, let’s check out this list of lesser-known but equally potent herbs that douse inflammation and restore health.
1. Guggul
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Guggul is classically used as a detoxifying herb in Ayurveda. The resin secreted by the guggul tree are found to have anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering effects comparable to commercial drugs such as ibuprofen and clofibrate in some studies. It may also be useful in relieving pains due to fibromyalgia and rheumatism.
Guggul can be found in their raw forms as gums and resins, and in powder, capsules and tablets. As with any other medicinal herb, consult a knowledgeable herbalist or physician before self-medicating.
Note: Guggul has blood-thinning effects and therefore, should not be used together with other medications that reduce platelet aggregation.
2. Boswellia
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Also called Indian frankincense or Salai, boswellia is traditionally used to treat arthritis, respiratory problems and digestive symptoms. Modern studies have now supported these uses with the identification of active anti-inflammatory compounds in boswellia called boswellic acids. These acids were found to deter the formation of enzymes that can lead to inflammatory disorders such as bronchial asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Boswellia is commonly available in tablets and capsules. Though toxicity associated with this anti-inflammatory herb is rare, follow the dosage recommendation on the bottle to ensure safety.
3. Neem
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Known as the ‘Divine Tree’ in India, neem oil is used in Ayurvedic medicine to calm inflammatory skin conditions, joint pains and muscle aches. Extracts of neem leaves and seeds have also demonstrated anti-fungal, antibacterial, anti-diabetic and anti-viral properties in various studies.
All parts of this amazing tree can be used. Neem shoots and flowers are eaten as vegetables in India, while the leaves are added to foods as a spice to impart a unique bitter flavor. Neem oil can also be applied topically to treat skin irritations, and sprayed on plants to control pests.
Note: Despite the healing properties of neem, women who are pregnant or wanting to become pregnant should avoid using this herb.
4. Holy Basil
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A type of basil native to India, holy basil or tulsi not only plays an important role in Ayurveda, it’s also revered by worshipers as a symbol of a deity. Traditionally, this herb is used in cooking and also as a medicine to treat cold, flu and sore throat. Holy basil oil is found to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and other medicinal properties that are effective against arthritis, diabetes, high cholesterol, peptic ulcers as well as chemotherapy and radiation poisoning.
Dried or grounded holy basil leaves can be found in specialty stores as well as on the internet. Alternatively, sweet basil can also be used.
Note: Avoid this herb if you are pregnant or trying to conceive.
5. Aloe Vera
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Well known for healing wounds and soothing skin burns, aloe vera‘s anti-inflammatory properties work internally as well. When ingested, aloe cools inflammation in the digestive tract such as in the case of peptic ulcers, and it may also be beneficial for other inflammatory conditions. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, aloe vera is prescribed when there’s excessive heat in the liver.
Aloe vera gel can be consumed internally, or used topically to treat burns and other skin irritations such as acne and psoriasis. The juice obtained from the gel is also a popular detoxification beverage.
Note: Powdered aloe vera leaf is a strong laxative and should be used with caution. Expecting mothers should only use aloe vera under physician’s supervision, or if unsure, avoid it altogether.
6. Licorice
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Also known as liquorice, the sweet root of this plant is commonly used to make candies. Healing-wise, the strong anti-inflammatory compounds found in licorice root have been found to be effective against coughs, colds, mouth ulcers, peptic ulcers and even chronic hepatitis infection.
Licorice is available as chopped roots, which can be brewed as tea, and also in powder and capsule forms.
Note: Ingesting too much licorice root can lead to high blood pressure. So use this herb with care and preferably under the supervision of a trained health-care provider.
7. Saw Palmetto
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Native to the southeastern United States, this small palm tree shows promising anti-inflammatory activity against the enlargement of the prostate gland in men (a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH).
Extracts of saw palmetto berries are widely available as tablets and capsules. If you intend to use this herb for BPH, do discuss with your health-care provider first to determine the effective dosage.
8. Feverfew
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Related to the chrysanthemum, feverfew produces pretty daisy-like flowers with white petals and yellow centers. As its name implies, this anti-inflammatory herb can help to lower fever, and it’s also effective in reducing the severity and frequency of headaches and migraines. But taking feverfew during a migraine attack is unlikely to help, as it takes time for the herb to take effect. As such, it’s more useful as a preventive measure.
Capsules and tablets of feverfew are readily available. Seek advise from a trained health-care adviser before using this herb.
Note: There are some side effects associated with this herb, including mouth ulcers, mild digestive disorders and a rebound in headaches after stopping feverfew. It’s also not suitable for pregnant ladies.
9. Slippery Elm
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A tree with diverse uses, the bark of slippery elm has been used to address a wide range of health concerns, such as cough, sore throat, irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis, arthritis as well as other inflammatory conditions. It is also commonly used as an ingredient in lozenges and herbal teas.
Slippery elm is a safe and gentle herb with no contraindications. You can find it in powder form and in capsules.
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Great article. Another good herb is ashwagandha – used for neurological ailments.
Hi Garima,
Thanks for stopping by! And thanks for mentioning Ashwagandha, which is also known as Winter Cherry. It’s also an excellent anti-inflammatory herb to relieve anxiety and stress. In fact, there are a lot more healing herbs which I’ve not covered. Hopefully, I can cover them in future posts. Stay tuned
This is wonderful. I started loading up on the anti-inflammatory food that you mentioned in another post, and now I am going to have to add some of these spices in. Thank you so much for writing about these food and spice.
Thank you so much for your support, Walking Queen! Now that the weather is turning colder, introducing moderate amount of selected spices into your diet is a good idea. Not only are they anti-inflammatory, they also help to improve blood circulation and warm your limbs, especially if you’re prone to cold hands and/or feet.
[...] Conscious Life presents 9 Natural Anti-Inflammatory Herbs You May Not Know posted at The Conscious Life. The Conscious Life says, "Check out nine healing herbs that you may [...]
Please, please help me! My husband is on Plavix and also has arthritis. We are trying to use natural approaches to avoid joint replacement. I’m finding that many anti-inflmmatory herbs and supplements are contraindicated because they are also blood thinners. Can you provide a list of anti-inflammatory herbs, foods, supplements that are safe with Plavix and other such drugs?
Dear Liz, I’m afraid I do not know enough about Plavix to give you a reliable recommendation.
Boswellia and neem are two anti-inflammatory herbs that do not usually thin blood. But, their reaction with Plavix is unknown to me, so do consult a trained and experienced doctor first before using any of them.
In any case, your husband shouldn’t be self-medicating with any supplements, especially in high dosage, without the supervision of a physician who understands herbs and other natural supplements that you plan to take.
Most natural anti-inflammatory foods, like turmeric, broccoli, sweet potato and oily cold water fish, are unlikely to cause adverse reaction with Plavix if you take them in an amount you would use in a meal.
Having said that, I don’t want to give you the impression that eating loads of anti-inflammatory foods now will solve your hubby’s health problems right away. Just as it takes many years for chronic diseases to surface, it also takes time for the effects of a healthy lifestyle or diet to kick in.
What you probably need most now is the care and advise of a physician who can assess the health of your husband holistically. Not just from a diet perspective, but also taking health history, lifestyle and emotional health into consideration. You may want to consult the opinions of alternative medicine, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda, that may be able to shed a wholly different light on the health issues you’re facing.
I wish you and your husband all the best.