While many foods taste great,
they are also powerful healers in a vibrant multicolor disguise. The best
healing remedies also taste fabulous (I can’t say that about any prescription
medications). Plus, foods won’t cause the nasty common side effects that most
drugs cause.
1. Cherries
Muraleedharan Nair, PhD,
professor of natural products and chemistry at Michigan State University, found
that tart cherry extract is ten times more effective than aspirin at relieving
inflammation. Only two tablespoons of the concentrated juice need to be taken
daily for effective results. Sweet cherries have also been found to be
effective.
2. Blackberries 3. Raspberries 4.
Blueberries and 5. Strawberries
Dr. Nair later found the same
anti-pain compound in berries like blackberries, raspberries, blueberries and
strawberries
6. Celery and Celery Seeds
James Duke, Ph.D., author of The
Green Pharmacy, found more than 20 anti-inflammatory compounds in celery and
celery seeds, including a substance called apigenin, which is powerful in its
anti-inflammatory action. Add celery seeds to soups, stews or as a salt
substitute in many recipes.
7. Ginger
Ginger reduces pain-causing
prostaglandin levels in the body and has been widely used in India to treat
pain and inflammation. A study by Indian researchers found that when people who
were suffering from muscular pain were given ginger, they all experienced
improvement. The recommended dosage of ginger is between 500 and 1,000
milligrams per day. If you’re taking medications, check with your health
practitioner for possible herb-drug interactions.
8. Turmeric
Turmeric (curcuma longa) is the
yellow spice commonly used in Indian curries. In research it has been shown to
be a more effective anti-inflammatory than steroid medications when dealing
with acute inflammation. Its main therapeutic ingredient is curcumin. Research
shows that curcumin suppresses pain through a similar mechanism as drugs like
COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitors (without the harmful side effects). Choose a
standardized extract with 1500 mg of curcumin content per day.
9. Flax Seeds and Flax Oil
Freshly-ground flax seeds and
cold-pressed flax oil contain plentiful amounts of fatty acids known as
Omega-3s. Do not cook with flax oil otherwise it will have the opposite
effect-irritating the body’s tissues and causing pain.
10. Raw Walnuts and Walnut Oil
Raw walnuts and walnut oil also
contain the same powerful Omega-3 fatty acids that fight pain and inflammation
in the body.
When it comes to pain, food
really is the best medicine.
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