Skip to main content

Healing Herbs for Pain and Inflammation


  When you injure yourself, your body takes action to heal the wounded or damaged areas. You might think it counterintuitive, but inflammation is actually a necessary part of your body’s recovery process. Without some inflammation, wounds would never heal.


If inflammation becomes severe or chronic, then serious health problems can emerge. Arthritis, asthma, and colitis are just a fewv of the health conditions classified as inflammatory diseases.

   However, are drugs the only solution to dealing with the problems of inflammation? New research reveals that some spices, including those you might find in a household spice rack, might actually work as well as traditional drugs.

Frankincense


  You may only know of frankincense (boswellia) from the biblical story of the three wise men, but there is a lot more to the tale of frankincense. It was one of the most popular edicinal remedies of the ancient world, and its healing legacy continues today.
 
  Several species of the frankincense tree grow in East Africa, Saudi Arabia and India. While most herbal remedies usually make use of leaves and roots, frankincense’s medicinal ingredient is the gummy resin found inside the frankincense tree. Today, you can purchase frankincense in supplement form for therapeutic use. It is popular for helping diminish the symptoms of arthritis.

  Anti-inflammatory medications used in arthritis treatment often come with serious side effects, which can lower the quality of life for many arthritis sufferers, but several studies have noted that frankincense has few side effects and appears safe for long-term use.

  This year scientists at Cardiff University in the United Kingdom used an extract derived from the frankincense species boswellia frereana and discovered the substance has the ability to block pro-inflammatory molecules and prevent the breakdownof cartilage tissue.1 

   An earlier study published in Arthritis Research & Therapy showed patients with osteoarthritis in the knee who received a frankincense supplement derived from boswellia serrata saw improvement in less than seven days.2

  Two medical researchers remarked in a frankincense study published in  Phytotherapy Research, “Due to its efficacy we propose that boswellia frereana should be examined further as a potential therapeutic agent for treating inflammatory symptoms associated with arthritis.”3

Ginger

Originally from Asia, this popular spice spread west via trade routes to the ancient Roman Empire. Today, it is a staple ingredient in meals across the globe, but it also has a long history in traditional herbal medicine. Healers prescribed it for gastrointestinal problems, flu and arthritis.

Over the last three decades, medical investigators have studied the therapeutic effects of ginger. Early research discovered it shares some of the pharmacological properties of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin, but with far fewer side effects. Researchers believe that ginger lowers levels of prostaglandins – a compound derived from fatty acids that influences pain signals.

A 2005 study in  The Journal of Medicinal Food saw medical researcher remark that ginger “inhibits the induction of several genes involved in the inflammatory response” and “modulates biochemical pathways involved in chronic inflammation.”4

Ginger is shown to be effective on pain and inflammation caused by exercise-induced muscle injury. In research that appeared in  The Journal of Pain, participants engaged in numerous exercises designed to induce muscle pain. One group of participants received a placebo pill, and another group received ginger supplements. At the end of the study, the ginger group reduced their muscle pain by as much as 25%.5

Tumeric

 Turmeric is a yellow spice popular in Indian curries. As with many spices from this area of the world, it is also used medicinally. Turmeric’s antiinflammatory properties should not come as much of a surprise because it is part of the ginger family.

  A study conducted by Arizona University College of Medicine supported the hypothesis of ginger blocking production of inflammatory substances and this action may help prevent rheumatoid arthritis.

How quickly these herbal remedies provide relief can vary. Some people notice improvements within a few days, while for others it may take several weeks. If you have gallstones or bile duct conditions, do not use ginger or turmeric. Consult your chiropractor before using herbal supplements, especially if you take medication or you are pregnant or breast feeding.

Doyle Chiropractic Clinic serves the communities of Bothell, Kenmore, Woodinville, and Lake Forest Park. Drs David Arthur and Suzie Shay have a combined 30 years of experience treating injuries related to car accidents, work, sports and Pediatrics. Please visit our website, www.bothellfamilychiropractic.com and our Facebook page facebook/doyleclinic

References and Sources:

1. A wise man's treatment for arthritis-frankincense? - Cardiff University, press release, June 1, 2011

2. A double blind, randomized, placebo controlled study of the efficacy and safety of 5-Loxin for     treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee- Arthritis Research & Therapy 2008, 10:R85doi:10.1186/ar2461

3. Boswellia frereana (frankincense) suppresses cytokine-induced matrix metalloprotienase expression and production of pro-inflammatory molecules in articular cartilage - Phytotherapy Research, Volume 24, Isuue 6, p 905-912,  june 2010

4. Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Red Ginger (Zingiber officinale var. Rubra) Extract and Suppression of nitric Oxide Production by its Constituents - Journal of Medicinal Food, February 2010, 13(1): 156-162, doi:10.1089/jmf.2009.1084

5.  Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Reduces Muscle Pain Caused by Eccentric Exercise - The Journal of Pain, September 2010; vol. 11:pp 894-903

6. Efficacy and mechanism of action of tumeric supplements in the treatment of experimental arthritis - Arthritis & Rheumatism, Voume 54, Issue 11, pages 3452-3464, november 2006 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Pregnancy and Low Back Pain

  Pregnancy is a unique and challenging condition – for both the female who is pregnant and for her chiropractor! The effects of major hormonal shifts, an incredibly rapid weight gain (and then loss), and the stress associated with being a new mother all combine to make pregnancy one of the most common causes of low back pain. The Stats   Low back pain statistics for pregnant females are quite alarming. For the general population, it is estimated that approximately 70-85% of us will experience at least one bout of acute low back pain in our lives. 1   In the pregnant female population, the rate is 50-80% during a 9-month window! And for those women who experienced back pain during pregnancy, over 60% of these women described the pain as at least moderately severe, and close to 10% said the pain was “completely disabling.” 3 The Main Cause of Pain   Since low back pain often occurs in the later stages of pregnancy, experts suggest that the main cause of thi...

What You May Not Know About Fiber

We have heard a lot about how we should get plenty of fiber in our diet. It is good for us, right? But what exactly is fiber and why does it aid our health? What is the difference between soluble fiber and insoluble fiber? Is one better than the other? What foods are the best sources of fiber? And how much do we need each day? In this issue of Wellness Express™, we look more closely at fiber, the different types, and the research that supports its remarkable health benefits. Fiber 101 What exactly is fiber? It is a food substance, predominantly found in plants, that cannot be digested by humans. Most fiber materials would be classified as complex carbohydrates. Because it cannot be broken down and absorbed into our bloodstream, fiber moves through our intestines, helping to remove waste and toxins, before being excreted. Dietary fiber refers to foods with naturally occurring fiber. Functional fiber is fiber added to a food product to boost its content of this substance. Solu...

Can Chiropractic Improve Your Game?

Athletes place a high physical demand on their bodies. They ask the body to work like a finely tuned, well-oiled machine. The rigorous training and competition schedules leave little time for injuries. Perhaps this is why almost every professional team in sports has a chiropractor looking after its athletes. As an example, 95% of NFL teams will employ chiropractors regularly to treat their players.1 Professional sport involves a combination of: coordination, balance, strength and flexibility. To reach the pinnacle of achievement in any sport, requires split-second reflexes, peak structural strength and stability and a will and determination to keep going when the going gets really, really tough. It requires a body that is functioning at its highest capacity. How Does This Relate to Chiropractic? Chiropractic is a healing art that focuses its attention on the function of the spine, and the precious nerve tissue (the spinal cord) that is encased in it. When it is aligned properly, ...