Most of us have used ibuprofen from time-to-time. It’s a very versatile drug that’s known to help treat all sorts of pain, ranging from headaches to joint aches to muscle pain to the lingering pain after an injury, fever and inflamation.
Ibuprofen is what’s known as a NSAID, or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It’s readily available over-the-counter in pretty much any pharmacy and in most grocery stores, and even in smaller corner stores.
However, many people are skeptical of pharmaceutically produced drugs, especially something like ibuprofen. If ibuprofen is simply an anti-inflammatory, you might wonder why you’re even paying the price for a pill anyways. There are so many natural anti-inflammatories available – many of which you probably have kicking around your house – that don’t come with any of the risks of using NSAIDs!
From spices like cayenne and turmeric to herbs like lemon balm, anti-inflammatory herbs and plants are found all over the place. There are also tons of natural home remedies, ranging from Epsom salts to essential oils.
In this article, we’re going to tell you about some of the most powerful and effective home remedies that you can use in place if ibuprofen.
1. Turmeric
Turmeric has been used for many thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine as something of a cure-all. Not only can it help fight diseases and oxidation, but it can reduce pain associated with inflammation and help to fight the inflammation itself.
Turmeric contains a compound known as curcumin. Curcumin is known to be extremely active in the body and has actually been made available as a supplement on its own. Turmeric is most effective when it’s taken together with black pepper, as one of the compounds in black pepper – piperine – helps to improve the absorption.
2. Ginger
Ginger is known to be a very powerful anti-inflammatory compound, as well as helping to fight nausea and pain associated with indigestion. One of the main compounds found in ginger is known as gingerol, and it helps to fight inflammation as well as to expand our blood vessels so our blood can travel more easily to our organs and tissues.
3. Spirulina
Spirulina is one of the most popular superfoods lately. It’s a blue-green algae and it comes loaded with a ton of different antioxidants and phytonutrients, many of which have been proven to have powerful inflammation fighting effects.
Spirulina also comes loaded with a ton of other nutrients that can enhance the ability of your body to fight off illness by boosting immunity. Since inflammation is a natural response in regards to disease, this will help prevent any unnecessary inflammation outbursts.
Spirulina can be found in capsules or powder form, in many supplement aisles, and can often be purchased in bulk from health food stores. Bulk spirulina can be mixed into smoothies or cereals or simply added to water.
4. Chili Peppers
Chili peppers are often associated with pain, and one might associate pain with inflammation. Many people don’t know that chili peppers are actually quite good for you and don’t do damage to our bodies. If anything, they help us fight off illness and pain.
One of the things that capsaicin, the active compound found in chili peppers, is known for is fighting inflammation. In fact, it can actually be used topically to help fight off the pain of arthritis and other illnesses. Of course, you won’t want to use enough to burn you – it’s probably best that you get a premade lotion.
5. Avocado Soybean Unsaponifiables
ASU is a compound that’s extracted from avocado and soybean oil. It’s generally used to help slow down the progression of a disease known as osteoarthritis, a degenerative condition that is marked by inflammation of the joints and bones. Osteoarthritis can be very difficult for someone, especially as they grow into old age.
ASU is known to prevent the body from producing inflammatory compounds, though, so it can potentially be used to manage all sorts of inflammation. ASU can be a bit difficult to find, but some health food stores carry it and it can be found online.
6. Boswellia Serrata
Boswellia is a medicine that has been used in Ayurveda for many thousands of years. It is a formula that has been designed specifically to help turn off the inflammatory cytokines in the body, thus preventing inflammation from striking.
It can easily be found online and can be found in many Indian markets and some health food stores.
7. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is one of the oldest species on the planet and remains one of the most popular. The scent of cinnamon wafting through a kitchen is a trademark scent often associated with the relaxing season of fall.
Not only is cinnamon delicious, it’s quite nutritious. It contains a number of nutrients that are known to help fight inflammation on its own, and cinnamaldehyde – the main ingredient responsible for sense of cinnamon’s more unique effects – actually prevents the body from producing some inflammation-causing proteins.
Ground cinnamon and cinnamon sticks are readily available. The spice can be added to many different foods and the whole sticks can be chewed or included in broths and stews.
8. Cloves
Cloves are widely known to folk medicinal practitioners as being a great remedy for a number of things, from upper respiratory tract infections to inflammation.
One of the main reasons for this is because cloves contain eugenol, a potent medicinal compound that can be found in a number of other warm, spicy herbs like cloves. Eugenol is known to help prevent inflammation as well as boost the immune system.
Cloves can be found in most grocery stores, ground or whole. They make a great addition to deserts and teas.
9. Sage
Sage contains two significant compounds known as carnosol and carnosic acid. These two acids are a good part of the reason that sage is known for having such a unique smell and flavor.
Not only are these compounds great for aromatherapy but they contain a number of benefits that are important for helping to fight inflammation. They are known to inhibit the production of superoxide dismutase, a free radical compound that the body produces. It’s known to cause serious inflammation and inhibiting it can thus prevent it.
10. Rosemary
Rosemary contains a compound that is aptly known as rosmarinic acid. This is another powerful compound that gives the plant its characteristic scent and flavor.
Rosmarinic acid is also chiefly responsible for many of the plant’s medicinal benefits. Don’t get me wrong – there are other antioxidants and nutrients in rosmarinic acid that are known to provide health benefits and fight inflammation. However, rosmarinic acid is most likely the most potent, and has been extracted and used as medicine in the past.
There are a number of studies that have been done on rosmarinic acid and it has shown itself to be comparably effective to NSAIDs.
11. Black Pepper
Black pepper is one of the most popular spices in the world. It’s included on most tables in the United States and other parts of North America, and many people find it so commonplace that they are actually not aware of its potent health benefits.
Adding a sprinkle of black pepper to our food everyday might actually be one of the things preventing us from getting sick. That’s because black pepper contains a compound known as piperine, which has been proven to be a highly effective anti-inflammatory compound.
12. Green Tea
Green tea is agreed to be one of the healthiest beverages on the planet. There’s a reason that areas that are known for drinking tons of green tea on a daily basis are known to have longer lifespans than the surrounding areas: it’s a panacea, and should be consumed by everyone!
It contains less caffeine than coffee so it’s not overwhelmingly stimulating. Instead, it contains a huge number of antioxidant compounds that can help boost your immunity and ward off all sorts of problems, including inflammation.
13. Yerba Mate
If you thought green tea was the healthiest source of caffeine, think again. Yerba mate, a plant that grows in South America, is a great source of caffeine that trumps both green tea and coffee in terms of health benefits.
Yerba mate contains an incredible amount of nutrients and antioxidants, many of which are shown to help fight inflammation. It also helps to enhance digestion, immunity, and overall health and wellness. If you’re not drinking yerba mate, you should probably start.
You can find this delicious beverage in many health food stores and in tea shops.
14. Guayusa
Guayusa is often associated with yerba mate, and they are similar in many ways. Guayusa is an even more potent source of caffeine, and is more comparable in that regard to coffee than yerba mate.
However, guayusa also contains a huge number of nutrients and antioxidants. Its nutritional profile is a little bit different than that of yerba mate, but it’s also known to help fight heart problems, improve overall health and, yes, fight inflammation.
Guayusa can also be found in some health food stores and is included in some pre-made drinks, though the raw, loose leaf is always healthiest.
15. Burdock Root
Burdock root is a very popular folk remedy that has been used for many years to help people manage certain types of pain. It’s best known for its ability to help people manage the pain associated with arthritis and osteoarthritis because it helps to fight off inflammation.
Many health food stores carry burdock root and you can find it in capsules in many supplement aisles.
16. Cetyl Myristoleate (CMO)
CMO is an esterified fatty acid that’s known to be useful for enhancing nutrition. Fatty acids are essential for our body because they help our organs function properly and our tissues.
It’s also important to get enough fatty acids because without them we will be prone to inflammation. Thus, CMO is useful for helping people fight inflammation, particularly if they’re suffering from a deficiency of fatty acids.
CMO is not always easy to find but some big-chain retailers like Wal-Mart carry it in their pharmacy department. It can also be located in health food shops and purchased online without a prescription.
16. Chondroitin
Chondroitin is a substance that has been included in many different supplements over the years. These supplements are generally geared towards people who are suffering from arthritis or other bone and joint-related problems because chondroitin is known to help ward off inflammation.
Chondroitin can also be useful for helping people maintain the strength and integrity of their bones and joints, so you don’t have to wait until you’ve already got problems to take it. Using it early in life can help prevent the chances of you getting bone problems in the first place! Find it premade in supplement form at your pharmacy.
17. Citrus Bioflavonoids
The bioflavonoids found in various citrus fruits, like oranges and grapefruits, are known to be useful for helping to improve the health of our bodies in numerous ways. One of the ways that they do this is by inhibiting the inflammatory response.
It’s good to have a degree of inflammation, but without eating foods like citrus fruits, our bodies often create inflammatory responses even when they aren’t necessary. That’s one of the reasons that it’s so important to eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
18. Devil’s Claw
Devil’s claw is a fantastic herbal remedy for a bunch of ailments. It can be found in supplement form, and many health food stores have it available in bulk so you can make your own teas out of it.
Devil’s claw is known for improving various areas of our immunity, especially for fighting inflammation. It can be drank or consumed several times a day to prevent chronic inflammation. Devil’s claw is easy to find in any health food store selling loose-leaf tea and herbs.
19. Fish Oil
Fish oil is one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids and other polyunsaturated fatty acids. These essential fatty acids are very important for our health, and without them we will likely develop problems with inflammation.
Conversely, if you are suffering from chronic inflammation, it’s very possible that fish oil and other sources of omega-3 fatty acids can help you manage it. Fish oil is available in many health food stores, grocery stores, and online.
20. Pau d’Arco
Pau d’arco is another part of the pantheon of South American herbs that are great for fighting inflammation.
Pau d’arco can sometimes be found in its loose form in health food stores and made into a very delicious, slightly bitter tea that will almost immediately stave off inflammation. It’s great for fighting arthritis pains.
Unfortunately, it’s harder to find pau d’arco these days. However, you can get it in supplement form in many health food stores. The easiest place to get the loose stuff is probably online.
21. Krill Oil
Krill oil is another source of omega-3 fatty acids, but it’s interesting because it’s found in the water but it differs from fish oil. First off, krill oil is suitable for vegetarians because it comes from krill, which are technically a type of plankton. Vegans may or may not find that this fits into their diet.
Other than that, krill oil contains a unique set of nutrients, all of which can further help to fight off inflammation. It can be found in high-end health food stores and grocery stores with quality supplement selections.
22. Glucosamine Sulfate
Glucosamine sulfate is another supplement that has become more popular in recent years, though it has been available for quite some time.
Glucosamine sulfate works very well to help enhance the strength of our bones and joints. This can be useful for people who are suffering from pain related to arthritis and it can also help people manage inflammation of other sorts.
Glucoasmine is available in most pharmacies and grocery stores, in the supplement or health food aisle.
23. White Willow Bark
White willow bark can be made into tea or consumed as capsules. It has been shown to have quite potent anti-inflammatory action, comparable to that of aspirin or ibuprofen, in addition to a number of other important health benefits.
White willow bark can be found in health food shops that sell loose-leaf tea. It can sometimes be found pre-made in capsules.
24. CBD
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound that’s extracted from hemp. It is not psychoactive at all, and can be found at local hemp shops and is even becoming available in some pharmacies.
CBD shows some of the most potent anti-inflammatory action of any compound on the planet. It has been known to help people manage the pain and inflammation from chronic conditions that were not responsive to other forms of more hardcore prescribed medications.
25. Garlic
Garlic, despite being pungent enough to bring some people to tears, has shown remarkable evidence for being used as a medicinal supplements. It can help to fight off bacteria and viruses, improve the immune system, and fight off inflammation.
Garlic contains a compound known as allicin which is responsible for its trademark smell and many of its medicinal benefits. To improve the health benefits of garlic you should crush or cut it up a bit first because the allicin becomes more active when exposed to oxygen.
The best way to take garlic is raw, held under the tongue, but this is quite uncomfortable on its own. Mix it with ginger and you will find the pain is not present and you’ll alsos be able to reap the benefits of the ginger.
26. Licorice Root
Licorice comes available in many forms. You can get it in tea or in ground up form as a spice. You can also get whole licorice sticks and chew these or use them to scrub your teeth – this is an ancient practice that was used by the Ayurvedics and still provides health benefits today.
Aside from improving digestion and tasting great, licorice root is known to be great for helping to fight inflammation. Whole licorice roots can be found at health food shops and other forms of the herb can be bought from the grocery store.
27. Basil
Basil is known to be a great anti-inflammatory herb. You can simply use it in your food as part of an anti-inflammatory diet, or you can grind the herb up and take larger amounts to help fight off acute inflammation.
In terms of its medicinal benefits, basil has often been used to help fight off the pain associated with arthritis because of the way that it fights off inflammation. Basil is readily available in grocery stores.
28. Parsley
Parsley is a herb that’s often undervalued for its nutritional value. It contains a number of important nutrients like vitamin A, C, and E, all of which are important for helping to regulate and prevent excessive inflammation. Parsley can be bought fresh or dried in most grocery stores.
In Conclusion
While inflammation is an important response in our body, it’s not always a good thing. In fact, most chronic and acute diseases are at least, in some way, related to inflammation. Sure, it’s a good thing for your immune system to send out inflammation when fighting pathogens, but that’s not always the case.
There are a number of reasons that you would want to fight inflammation. It can lower the pain associated with illnesses and improve mobility. Fortunately, there are tons of different herbs and home remedies that you can use to manage inflammation.
Hopefully this article has helped you develop a home remedy routine that will be useful for helping you manage your inflammation. Good luck, and happy home remedies!
The post Use These 28 Herbal Remedies Instead of Ibuprofen to Fight Inflammation appeared first on The Homesteading Hippy.
