Reduce Inflammation With These Natural Remedies

There are several illnesses that manifest as inflammation, causing plenty of discomfort and sometimes even pain. They might include joint or muscular pain to inflammation of the liver, intestine, throat, ears, kidneys, eyes, skin, gums etc.

Despite all inflammation types having different causes and symptoms, there are certain natural remedies and diets you can use to reduce them and alleviate their symptoms. In this article, we’ll take you over some of these natural remedies and diets.

Alkaline vegetarian diet

Wherever you experience inflammation, it is always accompanied with high levels of acidity in the blood. This is the precise reason why following an alkaline vegetarian diet is extremely important. Animal proteins like fish, chicken, meat or dairy products usually worsen the inflammation, so try to stay away from them for a while.

You should also remember that even some vegetables may enhance your body’s acidity levels. Therefore, the best option is to balance your body’s pH levels by maintaining the right balance between alkaline and acidic foods.

However, in case your body has excess acidity, you could try switching to alkaline food completely for some time. Following are some highly alkaline foods:

• Hazel nuts
• Raisins
• Lemons
• Carrots
• Dates
• Almonds
• Lettuce
• Grapes
• Pears
• Kiwis
• Beetroot
• Broccoli
• Spinach
• Garlic
• Vegetable juices (spinach, apple, celery, carrot etc.)
• Dried figs
• Papaya
• Green tea
• Stevia

Hot and cold therapy

You can bring down the level of inflammation with cold therapy, especially immediately after its occurrence when the affected area is all red and hot.

In other cases, heat therapy may be better, when the inflamed area feels cold. Touch the the inflamed area to find out. You can use an electrical mat for heat therapy. An ice bag works best for cold therapy

Curdled or quark cheese wraps

A hot inflamed area can be effectively cooled down by using an interesting poultice, prepared with cottage, curdled or quark cheese. Apply any of these directly onto the affected body area and then cover it with a clean piece of cloth. Leave it for around half an hour to see good results.

Hot and cold oils

Essential and vegetable oils normally have opposing effects on the body. While some heat it up, others cool it down. We’ll tell you which ones exactly do what.

• Essential oils that have a cooling effect: spearmint and cypress
• Essential oils that have a heating effect: cinnamon and ginger

You can mix the above-mentioned essential oils with some vegetable oils to get quick relief from inflammation. However, make it a point that you add only a few drops more than the base oils.

• Hot base oils: olive oil
• Neutral base oils: sesame oil
• Cold base oils: almond and coconut oil

Cabbage compresses

You may be surprised to know that cabbage is one of the best anti-inflammatory foods. It can even be used for preparing cabbage compresses for lowering inflammation levels.

Put some cabbage leaves into boiling water and let it mix for around 2 minutes. Squash them so that all their juices are released. Now, put these directly onto the inflamed body area, covering it with a piece of cloth. You can put a plastic wrap or aluminium foil on top too. Wait for around 30 minutes.

This remedy works wonderfully well for menstrual cramps too. All you need to do is put the leaves on top of your abdomen instead.

Facial swelling

The face is a sensitive body part and it may be difficult to use oils or poultices on it directly. Following are some simple natural remedies that can help you bring down facial inflammation caused by conditions like conjunctivitis, dermatitis etc.:

• Cucumber slices. You can put some fresh cucumber slices on top of your eyelids to reduce inflammation in the eyes. Make sure that you leave them there for around 15 to 60 minutes.
• Marigold. Marigold flower works very well for reducing skin inflammation and is normally available as a cream.

• Chamomile tea bags. After you’ve had a chamomile infusion, store the leftover chamomile tea bag inside your refrigerator. These bags can be highly useful in providing relief from swollen eyes. You can put them directly over your eyes once cool.
• Aloe vera. Aloe is natural substance which has several healing and anti-inflammatory properties. The best way to use it is by growing your own plant and cutting off a piece every time you need it. However, you can also buy good quality aloe vera gel and apply it after mixing it with some oil.

Nettle infusions

Swelling can also be reduced by drinking infusions made from anti-inflammatory medicine plants like nettle. Nettle is purifying and works a a diuretic.

You can prepare around 1 litre of nettle infusion and drink it throughout the day in regular intervals. If needed, sweeten it with some stevia or honey.

Images courtesy of snarkattack, cuervo_J and Food Thinkers