Last week I shared with you all about inflammation. I defined it for you and gave you a quick, easy way to begin to deal with the issue – Vitamin D. Unfortunately, chronic inflammation is not something that is dealt with that easily. Oh that it were!
Today, we’re going to delve deeper into it and I’m going to offer some herbal alternatives to the myriad of dangerous drugs that many are taking to scratch the surface of this epidemic condition. Let's put out the fire!
When speaking with your health care provider, you may have heard something like this: “The only way to deal with chronic inflammation is to follow an overly restrictive, complicated elimination diet.” I hate this kind of advice. Though it’s based on a solid premise, food and things in our environment can contribute to chronic inflammation, but this condition is much more complicated than that, and an elimination diet is the LAST thing your bodies need right now! And there are a few reasons why:
· Our bodies are starving for nutrients and elimination diets remove the good along with the bad.
· For many, an elimination diet is unnecessary unless the person is suffering from a food allergy or celiac disease.
· It’s hard to follow, and you’ve heard me say it before, if you won’t take something or can’t follow a program, it isn’t going to help you.
“The only way to deal with chronic inflammation is to follow an overly restrictive, complicated elimination diet.”
We have known for years that Chronic inflammation is the underlying cause of many of the most common, modern-day diseases. Western medicine is a disease-focused system that deals with symptoms and unfortunately, many alternative health practitioners use approaches that are either the Herb Du Jour, or are rooted in shame and fear. Neither of these approaches work long term.
Perhaps you’ve tried the latest miracle cure for inflammation – Turmeric. Now you’ve heard me say that there are other factors that go into your healing, and it may possibly work great for you. But if it hasn’t, don’t feel alone! We just have to dig deeper. And this goes for any herbal remedy. It may be great for . . . “fill in the blank”. But it’s not for you. Never fear! Herb Gal to the rescue! There IS a better way!
First, there is no pill to cure chronic inflammation, I don’t care what they may tell you. What you may be offered by doctors and many health care practitioners alike is a temporary solution that will only address the symptom and not the cause. And, each case is unique, like the individual. So one size does NOT fit all.
Fear is a common tactic, but steps to getting better should not feel like a punishment. Many practitioners will have chosen remedies that they latch onto and push, and oh, by the way, just happen to sell. It adds to the confusion and overwhelm.
So I’m going to share 3 very common, very safe herbs with you that will help you work through this process gently. We talked last week about how the body uses inflammation to rally the troops when it sees something it does not recognize as food such a preservatives, seed oils, processed everything, etc.
Also, remember, in an acute situation like a severe sprain or broken bone, trying to suppress the inflammation response is not the best course of action as the body need that to begin the healing process.
The three herbs I’m going to introduce to you today are Hawthorn, Nettle and Turmeric. These herbs are all what we call inflation modulators. They deal with oxidative stress, sooth inflamed tissues and stimulate the body’s natural processes.
Hawthorn reduces chronic inflammation, especially in the heart. Since February is Heart Health Month, we’ll be talking more about that later. It is nourishing and strengthens the heart. NOTE! If you are taking ANY pharmaceuticals for your heart, you must check with your doctor first. PLEASE do NOT stop taking your meds. Hawthorn mimics the actions of many heart meds, so it would be like overdosing on your meds. And Hawthorn is NOT recommended if you suffer from diastolic congestive heart failure.
Nettle is packed with nutrients. It is drying and cooling, so it .is best for those with a hot/damp constitution. It’s wonderful for knee pain, muscular pain, skeletal pain. It’s also great for reducing blood glucose levels and insulin resistance.
Turmeric is great for any inflammation of the gut or digestive issues. It’s helpful for those with high cholesterol, liver issues and has some very exciting possibilities for those suffering from Alzheimer's. It is warming and drying, so is best for those with cold/damp constitutions.
Any of these can and should be taken as a tea, as it is the mildest way to take your herbs. Please consult a qualified herbalist before going on an intense regimen with any of these. As always, I’m only a phone call or an e-mail away. Don’t suffer with chronic inflammation. Let’s Get Better!
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