Inflammation

Definition

Inflammation is a process by which the body’s white blood cells and immune system protect us from infection and foreign substances such as bacteria and viruses. Inflammation can be described as redness, swelling, and pain.

Cause

Inflammation can be caused by tissue injury, infectious disease, and physical or chemical trauma. It can occur in any part of the body, both internally and externally.

Inflammation is a natural and potentially beneficial bodily response caused by irritating or damaging factors. To effectively treat inflammation, you must first determine the cause.

Natural Remedies

Aromatherapy: Chamomile, lavender, frankincense, and myrrh are all useful essential natural oils.

Diet: Consume an organic whole-foods diet, with a large intake of raw natural foods. In the event of persistent inflammation, exclusively consume clean fruits and vegetables and drink plenty of filtered water for up to four days. Avoid all sugar, white flour, junk food, and soda. Increase your intake of garlic and plain organic yogurt. In the morning and before bed, consume a cup of pure filtered drinking water with one teaspoon of fresh squeezed lemon juice. Pure vegetable juices, green teas and homemade vegetable sauces also help. Eliminate red meat, chicken skin, and all dairy products.

Herbal treatments: Chamomile, lemon balm, licorice, meadowsweet, Street. John’s wort, plantain, willow bark, and wild yam all have anti-inflammatory qualities, as do sea cucumber and yarrow.

Homeopathy: Aconite, Belladonna, Ferrum phos., and Sulfur are useful homeopathic remedies.

Juice Therapy: The juice from black/red-colored grapes, combined with flaxseed oil put can be helpful, as can fresh squeezed pineapple.

Nutritional Supplementation: Useful nutritional supplements include ascorbic acid with bioflavonoids, zinc, experiment with carotene, evening primrose oil, garlic pills, vitamin A as well as E emulsions, silicea, mineral complex along with calcium, and amino acid compound.

Proteolytic enzymes removed from meals are also effective, especially for severe or persistent inflammation.

Alternative Professional Treatment

If your signs and symptoms persist despite following the remedies listed above, seek the help of a qualified health professional. The following professional treatments have all demonstrated the ability to be useful for treating inflammation: Acupuncture, Craniosacral Therapy, Detoxing Therapy, Enzyme Therapy, Guided Imagery, Light Therapy, Magnetic Field Therapy, Naturopathic Medicine, Oxygen Therapy, Reflexology, and Chinese Medicine. (See Glossary for descriptions of these optional therapies.)