Natural Anti-Inflammatories

Is a useful, anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and lowers cholesterol.  Dosage 200 – 400 mg 1 – 3 times per day.  Not to be taken in pregnancy or lactation.For the best results get 2–4-week supply of a chosen supplement and try it. Stop and see if the pain returns. It should be a wow factor, not just a small effect when the best one is found.

1. Turmeric – This seems to be the most popular.  It helps protect the joint lining, lowers histamine and promotes cortisone (not to be taken in pregnancy) and a very effective anti-inflammatory. Has been known to affect irritable bowel.

2. Rose hip – this can be in the extract form as a tablet or as a tincture form, though tincture is the best. This does not seem to effect Warfarin.

3. Devil’s claw – this is a herb, again found to be a very good anti-inflammatory. Contraindicated with Warfarin and Digoxin.

4. Celadrin – Made by Solgar, this award-winning supplement maintains flexibility, helps maintain joint wear and tear, promotes joint health and provides lubrication for the joints. Contraindicated with Warfarin.

5. Glucosamine – (1000mg a day) – this comes in either the sulphate or the Chondroitin form.  Glucosamine sulphate is cheaper and may take as long as three months to get into your system.  One should also remember that only 40% of people who take Glucosamine find it actually beneficial as a pure entity but it is useful and important as an overall strategy in this general approach to anti-inflammation.  Glucosamine sulphate is also available on prescription.  Try to find the vegetarian form, preferably without Chondroitin but if with as shark cartilage rather than bovine. Chondroitin is contraindicated with Warfarin and Digoxin.

6. Essential Fatty Acids – Omega 3 e.g. fish oil (this is also available on prescription), Omega 6 e.g. sunflower oil, evening primrose oil, Omega 9 eg olive oil.  Flax seed either as a seed crushed or as the oil contains Omega 3, 6 and 9 and is probably the cheapest option.  If one can also increase the amount of essential fatty acids in the diet by taking lots of oily fish eg mackerel, salmon, herring and also the oils as mentioned which include also oils from nuts and even lentils and pulses all help towards the essential fatty acid content in the diet.  Contraindicated with Warfarin.

7. Pineapple – either the fruit or the juice, preferably fresh.  Bromalin is the active ingredient which can be taken as a supplement.

8. Ester C with Copper – Both these help in collagen degeneration which is part of arthritis, the general aging process and collagen degenerative conditions.

9. Ginger – Is a useful anti-inflammatory, anti-nausea, digestive tonic, cardio tonic (anti-platelet, cholesterol lowering and blood pressure lowering effect), anti-biotic – Dose – 400mg – 600 mg/day.  Contraindicated where peptic ulcers or gallstones are present. Also not to take with Warfarin or Aspirin.

10. Boswellia Resin – Is a useful, anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and lowers cholesterol. Dosage 200 – 400 mg 1 – 3 times per day. Not to be taken in pregnancy or lactation.

11. Quercetin/B5 Complex – Is a useful, anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and lowers cholesterol.  Dosage 200 – 400 mg 1 – 3 times per day.  Not to be taken in pregnancy or lactation.

12. Soya products e.g., the milk or yoghurt or potentially the solid form e.g. Tofu. However, due to some recent research about the method that they use to extract the soya, it might be wise to have the occasional glass of soya.  The solid form does work well alongside brightly coloured veg for antioxidant input e.g. stir fry.

As with pharmaceutical anti- inflammatories people have their own preference between such as Ibuprofen or Voltarol for example. The same is so with these Botanical ant-inflammatory supplements. Try and see till you find which one suits your chemistry, it really does vary as preference from person to person. When I found the best one for me it really made an amazing difference.