6 Natural Remedies to Reduce Inflammation

Inflammation is a reaction during an infection, injury or illness. It leads to redness, swelling, heat, fatigue, rash, fever, chest and joint pain.

Several nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are available in the market and we incline towards these to alleviate the pain caused by inflammation. Now one of the most effective solutions to reduce inflammation can be picked from your grocery store. Studies have shown some common foods and beverages possess anti-inflammatory properties.

Chyawanprash, an Ayurvedic superfood is abundant in flavonoids and antioxidants. It is made up of 35 distinct herbs, with Amla (Indian Gooseberry) as its base ingredient. The antioxidants present in Amla reduce the acidic levels in the stomach. Another ingredient, honey is known for its anti-inflammatory properties.

The Chyawanprash ingredient, neem leaves has been used in Ayurveda to treat inflammatory skin conditions, muscle aches and joint pains. The Holy Basil leaves act as anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant agents therefore prove to be effective against arthritis, diabetes and high cholesterol.

The licorice roots help combat inflammation caused due to cold, cough and mouth ulcers. The flavonoids present in Chyawanprash prevent the overstimulation of the immune system, caused due to unwanted immune responses. It is also a great help in fighting other allergies.

Vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, in green vegetables have anti-inflammatory properties, useful to reduce chronic inflammation.

Pairing greens with olive oil, which also exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, has proven to be of utmost benefit, as presence of oil helps more absorption of nutrients.

The antioxidants present in fruits help fight off the free radicals responsible for cellular damage. 1½ - 2 cups of fruits per meal can be highly beneficial and ease inflammation to a great extent. Colorful fruits like blueberries, tomatoes, blackberries, strawberries, oranges, apples, raspberries, are some of the best sources of antioxidants.

When it comes to a healthy diet, red meat has a bad reputation for a reason. It is loaded with cholesterol and salt, which triggers inflammation. To increase the protein content in your diet, switch to fish – like salmon, tuna, mackerel, cod, halibut and bass which are high in Omega-3 fatty acids that reduce inflammation.

Almonds rich in Vitamin E help in neutralizing the free radicals that trigger inflammation. Magnesium in walnuts helps in the reduction of inflammation.

Who wouldn’t like the possibility of chocolate in their diet? Turns out dark chocolate (60% or higher cocoa content) is rich in antioxidants, which help ease inflammation, lowers blood sugar and reduces the risk of heart diseases. Now, that’s our kind of a healthy diet.

Other foods that help reduce inflammation are

• Coffee, rich in polyphenols and other anti-inflammatory compounds
• Onions, a great antioxidant
• Beans, high fiber food
• Avocados, rich in vitamin E and monosaturated fats

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for entertainment and reference purposes only, and is not meant to serve as actual medical information. For advice about any of the illnesses listed, please visit a qualified physician.