Our bodies use inflammation to combat infections and injuries, but it can also become chronic and increase our risk of developing autoimmune disorders like psoriasis and arthritis. Among the other causes of chronic inflammation are eating incorrect meals and being inactive. Stress, smoking, and excessive alcohol use can all hasten the inflammatory process. Some signs of inflammation include fever, joint discomfort, weariness, chest pain, and abdominal pain.
According to a recent Instagram post by Dr Dixa Bhavsar every other patient she sees has gut inflammation, either directly (bloating, constipation, IBS, indigestion) or inadvertently (via other health issues) (PCOS, eczema, psoriasis, thyroid, hormonal disorders, etc). One of the main causes of auto-immune illnesses, from RA to Hashimoto, is inflammation. Inflammation can be triggered by eating deep-fried, processed, and sugary foods, but certain foods can help avoid it.
Dr Bhavsar lists five commonly found spices or herbs that are anti-inflammatory-
Ground plant roots are used to make the turmeric that is kept and stored in spice cabinets. Many cultures have used processed turmeric as a dye because of its vivid yellow colour. Curry powder also contains a significant amount of ground turmeric. The primary biologically active component of turmeric is called curcumin. This anti-inflammatory property could lessen the irritation that arthritis sufferers experience in their joints. It is also a great anti-oxidant.
Black Pepper
It is a member of the Piperaceae family and undergoes various processing steps to produce various pepper varieties. Black pepper, for instance, is made from cooked and dried unripe fruit, green pepper is made from dried unripe fruit, and white pepper comes from the seeds of the plant's ripened fruit. Although pepper is native to South India, it is also grown in other tropical nations. It is best for reducing inflammation in your muscles, joints, gut, throat, and other body parts. We have been using it for anorexia, joint discomfort, coughs and colds, etc.
A blooming plant called ginger produces a rhizome that is commonly used in cooking and traditional medicine. The most common uses for ginger are in cooking and herbal tea. Some people also use ginger pills for their alleged health benefits. Ginger root, which comes from the Zingiber officinale plant, has been used for thousands of years in Chinese and Indian medicine reliable Source. The term "dry ginger" is "Vishwabhesaja" (Universal medicine). Bloating, joint pain, menstrual cramps, you name any disease - all you need is a ginger tea and your ailment is gone.
Clove
Cloves are the flower buds of the evergreen Syzygium aromaticum clove tree. This adaptable spice, which is available both whole and ground, can be used to season pot roasts, flavour hot beverages, and infuse a spicy warmth into pastries and cakes. Cloves are frequently used in Indian cuisine and as one of the primary ingredients in gingerbread baked items. Although cloves are most famous for being a pleasant and fragrant spice, they have also been utilised in folk medicine. Although clove is fiery to taste, it is cooling and calming to the stomach, which is a lovely aspect of it. Clove is always there to help, whether you have a toothache, a throat ache, or a joint ache.
Fenugreek
An annual plant belonging to the Fabaceae family, fenugreek has three tiny, obovate to oblong leaflets on each of its leaves. It is grown as a semiarid crop all over the world. Its seeds and leaves have been utilised in cooking since the dawn of humanity and are frequently seen in cuisines from the Indian subcontinent. Indians have used methi for generations to treat a variety of conditions, including joint pain, constipation, bloating, and weight reduction. Methi water can even be used for steam inhalation because it helps you breathe more easily by reducing inflammation in your respiratory tract.
Here's how you can add these herbs to your diet-
1. Black pepper and turmeric can be used in meals, tea, and combinations with lukewarm water and honey.
2. Ginger: You can either powderize or add raw ginger to your tea.
3. Clove: You can use clove oil topically to relieve pain and clove tea internally to reduce inflammation.
4. Fenugreek, also known as methi, can be consumed as a powder, in tea, or in food.