Sustainable Anti-Inflammatory Alternatives

There are many herbs and oils that can help the body reduce inflammation. Most of you have heard of Arnica. It’s been a buzzword for many years and with good reason! It’s an incredible flower that has helped millions of people recover from injuries and chronic disease naturally. The species Arnica montana has been on the decline for over a decade and we haven’t done enough to keep it sustainable. Soil habitats have been evaluated and as acidity levels increase plant growth decrease. Combine poor management, loss of habitat, overproduction, and illegal collection, and you get a sad spiral of this species finally hitting rock bottom. Greenhouse replication has not been successful, so we need to back off and let nature do what it does best. If we continue taking as we have been, we will never see this species again.

That being said, there are so many other wonderful herbs that we can use to replace our beloved arnica. Turmeric, ginger, garlic, cinnamon, thyme, green tea and black pepper are all common herbs that have scientific studies to back their anti-inflammatory claims. Alternative herbs are white willow bark, skullcap, devils claw, ashwagandha and thunder god vine. My personal favorite is devils claw because it not only helps with stiffness and pain, but it also targets nerve pain. Ashwagandha is incredible with joint swelling but it’s also an adaptogen, which helps reduce stress within the body.

Aloe, burdock root, fennel, and calendula can help reduce inflammation associated with the gastrointestinal system. For chocolate lovers out there, cacao is rich in polyphenols and has anti-inflammatory effects on the vascular endothelium, which may decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease. Hawthorn, Feverfew, butterbur, and rosemary all reduce inflammation associated with migraines and headaches. There are herbs like witch hazel, colloidal oatmeal, and plantain leaf that when applied topically, can soothe skin inflammation. Parsley, uva ursi, stinging nettle and corn silk assist the urinary system by calming chronic irritation and inflammation.

Essential oils shine best when applied topically. The skin absorbs the oil directly into the bloodstream, where it will get to work reducing inflammation, dilating vessels, and allowing more oxygen to the area so healing can begin. Anti-inflammatory oils like frankincense, helichrysum, ginger, lemongrass, and peppermint work fantastic for bone, muscle and joint injuries or disease. Thyme, marjoram, and eucalyptus assist the respiratory system by reducing inflammation in the tissues that surround the lungs. There really is an oil for every part of the body. Seed oils tend to the reproductive system, leaves love our respiratory system, and roots ground our nervous system.

For all our existence, plants have been there for us, tending to our every need. My hope is that we start to recognize the importance to protect our medicinal plants before they are on the endangered list. If you want to use them, know what you are buying. Research the company who sells them and make sure they are sustainable and ethical. Just because it might say organic, doesn’t mean it is. Labels can lie so be a responsible buyer. Take a few minutes and make sure you are supporting growers and distributors who care about what they sell.

From all of our plant friends, thank you!

Jody

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