Anti-inflammatories are drugs available with or without prescription for some. Too often taken in self-medication, they are not without risk for health. Without medical advice, it is better to turn to natural anti-inflammatory drugs. Here is our selection.
Inflammation is a normal reaction of the immune system when the body faces an attack or a disturbance. It can be an infection, a foreign body, a wound, an immune disorder… It results in pain and the affected area can be hot, red and / or swollen. In case of inflammation, taking anti-inflammatory drugs may be advised. They fall into two categories:
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen.
- steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, more commonly known as “corticosteroids” (derived from cortisol and cortisone).
Why favor natural anti-inflammatory drugs?
Anti-inflammatory drugs do not cure the cause of the inflammation, they only reduce its intensity and duration. By taking an anti-inflammatory, you calm the symptoms that bother you like pain. If they relieve the discomfort caused by inflammation, these drugs can have unwanted effects. Some can worsen infections. We had the example with Covid-19: the state of certain patients who had taken ibuprofen in self-medication to lower the fever saw their condition worsen rapidly. The medication is said to reduce the body's defense mechanisms and therefore allow the infection to progress. Other side effects like stomach problems and an increased risk of cardiovascular problems have also been reported with some anti-inflammatory drugs.
This is why in the face of pain with fever, paracetamol should be taken as a first line in self-medication. And to calm the symptoms of inflammation, consider natural solutions.
Turmeric for inflammatory bowel disease
Turmeric is a gastrointestinal protector and a natural anti-inflammatory. According to several studies, curcumin (the main pigment in turmeric) helps fight inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, pancreatitis and osteoarthritis.
How to use turmeric?
Turmeric is most commonly found in powder form. You can consume it:
- in infusion. Infuse 1 to 2 g of powder in boiling water then add a little lemon juice. The ideal is to drink 2 cups a day in case of inflammation.
- as a food supplement. Choose capsules that have a high content of curcuminoids.
- mixed with honey.
- in drink. Does golden milk speak to you? It is a drink made from coconut milk, coconut oil, turmeric and pepper. A concentrate of health benefits!
- sprinkled in your salad, soup or vinaigrette.
Aloe vera for inflammation of the skin
Aloe vera relieves skin, joint (sprains, tendonitis) and digestive inflammation. In the event of a burn, its cold effect quickly relieves the pain. It also alleviates the discomfort of skin irritated or prone to psoriasis, eczema or herpes.
How to use aloe vera?
Aloe vera is mainly found in the form of gel or juice.
For skin, joint or muscle inflammations, apply aloe vera gel as a massage directly on the skin (never on a wound!). To relieve digestive inflammation, consume a tablespoon of aloe vera juice daily, pure or diluted in water, fruit juice or a smoothie, for three weeks.
Birch water against cystitis
This is a very feminine problem that we would like to do without! Cystitis or urinary tract infection affects one in two women. It causes inflammation of the bladder wall. On the program: burns and acute pain in the lower abdomen. Antibiotic treatment is prescribed if the infection is of bacterial origin. To calm inflammation and drain, think of birch water (or birch sap).
How to consume birch water?
In cure of 10 days to 3 weeks maximum. The ideal is to drink 150 to 250 ml per day, on an empty stomach before breakfast.
White willow for headache and fever
White willow bark is known for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Some even consider it to be the vegetable cousin of aspirin. It helps bring down the fever and relieves headaches. The white willow is also recommended in rheumatoid arthritis.
How to consume white willow bark?
White willow bark is found as a dry plant, capsules, liquid or dry extracts. It is consumed as an infusion. Infuse 2 g of bark in a cup of boiling water. Drink an infusion before each meal.
Attention, the white willow having properties identical to those of aspirin, its consumption is not recommended for pregnant or lactating women, people suffering from stomach ulcers, people prone to hemorrhages, people suffering from kidney diseases, gout and people with asthma.
Omega 3 to prevent and fight any type of inflammation
The consumption of omega 3 allows the body to release anti-inflammatory substances. Basically, they help our immune system fight inflammation. Since the body does not make them, we have to go get them from our diet. Omega 3s are found in fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines, tuna), eggs, avocado, nuts, green vegetables, rapeseed, flax seeds … etc. To allow them to act correctly in our body, it is essential not to consume too much omega 6 because when they are present in excess, they harm the anti-inflammatory action of omega 3. However, we tend to eat too much. We say yes to foods rich in omega 6 (sunflower oil, grapeseed oil, corn oil, pork…) but in moderation!
Eating a diet rich in omega 3 would reduce the risk of suffering from diseases in which the inflammatory process is involved (obesity, fibromyalgia, psoriasis, cardiovascular disease, Crohn's disease).
This list of natural anti-inflammatories is not exhaustive. Other plants are known for their anti-inflammatory properties:
- blackcurrant leaves (against rheumatism).
- harpagophytum or "devil's claw" (lower back and joint pain).
- ginger (digestive disorders).
- boswellia serrata (inflammatory bowel disease and asthma).
- essential oils of wintergreen (muscle pain), lavender (in case of otitis) and Scots pine (respiratory inflammation such as bronchitis, sinusitis, rhinitis).
- chamomile (skin irritations).
- sage (inflammations of the mouth like canker sores).
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