Nature is full of plants with useful properties for humans, such as medicinal plants. Here are 5 plants with anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce pain.
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to an attack such as disease, infection or injury and can manifest itself through pain, heat, redness and swelling of the attacked area.
Acute inflammation is often very useful in alerting the body to danger, but chronic inflammation on the contrary is detrimental to the body. Certain antioxidant-rich plants (eg flavonoids) can help fight chronic inflammation.
- Ginger
Ginger (Zingiber officinalis) is a plant from the Zingiberaceae family. This plant contains compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties such as gingerols, paradols and shogaols.
It is for this reason that it is particularly effective in alleviating the pain caused by arthritis and other inflammatory rheumatism. To make the most of the properties of ginger, it is recommended to eat it fresh. Daily consumption of ginger does not cause any particular side effects.
- The fake pepper
The false pepper tree or pink berry (Schinus terebinthifolius) comes from a tree native to Peru. The Indians of South America used it for a long time for its natural virtues. Today, it is renowned for its muscle and joint benefits.
Available in the form of an essential oil, the faux-pepper plant is mainly intended for external use. Mixed with a little vegetable oil, it is often used as a massage oil to treat pain related to arthritis and osteoarthritis. It is also effective in treating body aches and other joint trauma.
- green tea
Green tea (Camellia sinensis) owes its anti-inflammatory properties to its richness in polyphenols and in particular in catechin, a substance with antioxidant power approximately 200 times greater than that of vitamin E. Several studies have shown that green tea is a excellent analgesic and anti-inflammatory.
It is particularly effective in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, in particular in reducing and stopping the rupture of cartilage that this type of disease causes. To make the most of the virtues of green tea, it is advisable to let it infuse between 3 and 5 minutes. Drink this tea once or several times a day.
- turmeric
Turmeric (Curcuma aromatica, Curcuma longa) has long been used in India and China to treat chronic inflammatory diseases. In vitro and animal trials have shown this spice to be effective in the treatment of pancreatitis, rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis.
In people with osteoarthritis, treatment with turmeric provides effects comparable to conventional anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen. Standardized extracts of this medicinal plant also reduce the symptoms of irritable bowel and therefore improve the comfort of people who suffer from it. Consumption of turmeric also helps prevent the onset of inflammatory diseases of the liver and intestine such as bile duct obstruction or hepatitis.
- Olive oil
Olive oil is rich in oleocanthal, a compound that has the same therapeutic properties as ibuprofen, a frequently used anti-inflammatory.
tablespoons of olive oil correspond to about 10% of the essential dose to fight against pain. In the long term, regular consumption of olive oil helps reduce the risk of developing many cancers, including Alzheimer’s disease.
Bonuses
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum), in the form of fruits or seeds, also has an anti-inflammatory effect.
Coconut oil (Cocos nucifera) also has an anti-inflammatory effect, particularly indicated in skin diseases such as acne.
