Anti Inflammatory HerbsThe Anti Inflammatory Herbs are a focus of Naturopathic Medicine. Naturopathy utilizes Herbal Medicine to address many of the health issues we face.
What we accomplish by the inflammatory process is:
• Reducing the spread of the infecting agent and destroying the pathogen. • The debris from tissue damage is removed. • The process to repair the tissue is started.
The characterstics of inflammation include redness, heat, swelling, and pain.
Medical terminology uses the suffix -itis to denote inflammation of specific organs and tissues. Examples of this are: Pancreatitis Arthritis Dermatitis
Inflammation is the result of a series of events, or an inflammatory cascade, that regulates the entire process.
Anti-Inflammatory Herbs are beneficial to us when dealing with inflammation. They intervene with the regulators of the inflammatory cascade and prevent the process from continuing.
BromelainBromelain is a proteolytic enzyme obtained from the pineapple plant, either the stem or the fruit.
Bromelain activates fibrinolysis by stimulating plasmin production which reduces edema or swelling by increasing the movement of fluid out of the area and into the veins.
Bromelain also reduces plasma kininogen which reduces edema (swelling).
Bromelain is effective at reducing inflammation from many different casues including: • Physical trauma or injury • Infectious agents or pathogens • Surgical procedures • Immune reactions • Prostaglandin metabolism
Quercetin
Quercetin is a flavonoid. Flavonoids are the plant pigments that create the color we see in many fruits and flowers.
Foods high in flavonoids include citrus fruits, red wine, onions, berries, parsley, green tea, and legumes.
In regard to inflammation, quercetin inhibits the manufacture and release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators.
Quercetin is helpful in allergic reactions and inflammatory responses. Quercetin helps to stabilize membranes reducing the inflammatory cascade.
TumericTumeric, or Curcuma longa, is in the ginger family and a major ingredient of curry powder. It is also found in prepared mustard.
Turmeric exhibits many anti-inflammatory effects including inhibition of: • neutrophil response • platelet aggregation • leukotriene formation
It promotes fibrinolysis and stabilizes lysosomal membranes.
Anti Inflammatory herbs are part of Naturopathy, please learn more by visiting our home page.
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