Anti-Inflammatory Botanicals

Q: I'm often asked about natural alternatives to standard anti-inflammatory medications such as acetaminophen and aspirin. What are your suggestions?

A: There are many underlying causes of an inflammatory process, so treatments may vary. The simple answer is that numerous botanical medicines have significant anti-inflammatory action and are safe to use. The three I find most useful are bromelain, turmeric and boswellia.

Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme found in the stem of the pineapple plant (Ananas sativus). It works by blocking some of the proinflammatory metabolites that "rev up" the inflammatory process. It has been used successfully in trials for arthritis, sports injuries and the post-operative swelling that often accompanies surgical procedures. I generally suggest a dose of 500 mg (at 1,800 mcus, which refers to the potency) three times daily between meals. It is important to take bromelain apart from meals; otherwise its action is spent digesting food.

Another useful herb, turmeric (Curcuma longa), was originally used medicinally in India. Turmeric contains components called curcuminoids that comprise 5 to 8 percent of the dried root. Curcuminoids appear to be the most active compound responsible for turmeric's anti-inflammatory effect, although the herb's strong antioxidant activity may also play a role. The dose for a standardized extract of curcumin is 500 mg three times daily.

Another remedy also originally used in India with significant anti-inflammatory effects is boswellia (Boswellia serrata). It seems to work by affecting and redirecting inflammatory pathways. A recommended dose is 300 mg of boswellia, standardized to the gum resins, three times daily.

Other herbs such as milk thistle for the liver, bilberry for macular degeneration and feverfew for migraines have organ-specific or disease-specific uses as anti-inflammatories, but they are best left for another discussion.

< Prev		Next >

[ Back ]

Registration/Login

Categories
Health Concerns
Brands

Vitamin Trader - Healthy Discounts on Quality Vitamins