Natural Remedies to Treat Inflammation

| Modified on Feb 10, 2024
Turmeric

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to an irritating substance or event. The body’s natural defense mechanism, inflammation occurs as the body attempts to heal itself. Inflammation also serves as the body’s biological response to attempt to remove a harmful or irritating substance that has entered the body. While inflammation is a biological defense response, inflammation alone does not indicate that infection is present in the body.

The specific cause of inflammation often defines the type and severity of symptoms present; however, inflammation often presents a range of common symptoms. Typical symptoms of inflammation include redness, a swollen or tender joint, joint pain, stiffness, and loss of function. Additionally, inflammation may cause more general “flu”-like symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, loss of energy, headaches, loss of appetite, and muscle stiffness.

Inflammation is generally caused by the release of chemicals from the body into the bloodstream or affected tissues. The release of chemicals increases or heightens the blood flow to the specific area that has been injured or infected and typically results in redness and heat in the area. Additionally, chemicals that leak into the tissues causing swelling. The entire process of reaction and healing activates the nerves and causes pain.

Home Remedies for Inflammation

No matter the cause of inflammation, the result is often discomfort and even pain. As such, remedying the issue is important to find relief.

As you will read below, several home remedies can be applied to cure inflammation.

Turmeric powder is the top-rated remedy for inflammation according to Earth Clinic readers.

Sarsaparilla and Boswellia are herbs that also relieve inflammation. Castor oil, chrysanthemum tea, manuka honey, desiccated liver, and magnesium chloride are also effective options.

Juicing organic vegetables, as well as fresh cannabis leaves, and consuming the juice can also relieve inflammation.

Continue reading below and let us know your top picks for alleviating inflammation!

Related Links:

Effective Natural Remedies for Knee Pain Relief
Joint Pain: Top Natural Remedies
Turmeric Cures and Miracle Health Benefits




Boswellia and Sarsparilla

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Posted by Megan (USA, Illinois) on 10/03/2008
★★★★★

I have been taking boswellia and sarsparilla which are herbs for almost a year for inflammation. It has been very helpful which is why I feel compelled to share this with you. I suffer from inflammation and fibromyalgia like symptoms although I have never been diagnosed. I use Boswellia seretta (must contain boswellic resins) which is also known as Frankincense. I bought my own in bulk from mountain rose herbs and cap them myself because I take so much. I take 2 capsules a day about 3 times a day.


Cannabis Leaf Juice

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Posted by David (Anchorage, Ak, Usa) on 08/25/2012
★★★★★

I wanted to add juicing cannabis leaves to the list of remedies for inflammation.


Castor Oil

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Posted by K.C. (Portland, Oregon) on 06/25/2007
★★★★★

I have had gut problems for years. (I have an extra-long colon, like twice normal length.) General inflammation, sometimes burning an inch or two below my sternum ( a good remedy for that is pancreatic enzymes), a pointed ache in the gall bladder area (just below right ribs) whenever I ate anything with fat, and a pain in the left lower corner of the abdomen aftter eating. I did an all night castor oil pack and all of these symptoms have disappeared and have not come back.

Replied by Jeff
(Florida)
08/12/2023

Definitely sounds like gallbladder congestion / gallstones.

I had similar experience and Chanca Piedra is what worked for me.

Pain hasn't come back, and was there for years (under right rib)


Chrysanthemum Tea

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Posted by Van (Sunnyvale, Ca, Usa) on 10/11/2011
★★★★★

This simple yet delicious tea has been a life saver many times. One time I had a bad case of chemical poisioning and I had sores and welts all over my eyes, face and mouth. It happened so quick I freaked out and reached for some chrysanthemum tea. Within minutes it all calmed down and I was normal again. Generally in Asia this tea is used to bring down heat and inflamation like canker sores. Hard to believe because it's so sweet. The kind I use is the powdered kind in packets. Just mix with water. You can also use the dried flowers but I have a problem with the dried pollen.


Colloidal Silver

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Posted by Paul Taylor (New York, USA) on 05/04/2020
★★★★★

I've been a fan of Earth Clinic for a couple of years and have tried many apparent solutions for various ailments over that time. Some work, others don't (for me) but it's always my first point of call for whatever ails me. I twisted my left knee some time ago, which subsequently healed but periodically and now as I age (64), increasingly so, there appears a pain associated with the joint, which I liken to arthritis.

Anyway, there's inflammation which has to be controlled to enable full mobility again. My previous go-to was Castor-oil packs, underneath a neoprene knee-brace. That worked wonders but was unsightly when wearing shorts.

Recently, I had investigated Colloidal Silver for another reason and began taking about a teaspoon of 10ppm every morning, sublingually on an empty stomach. Within a week, I became aware that my knee was not hurting so much and curious, I investigated Colloidal Silver's effect upon inflammation. Lo & behold, I learned it does help with inflammation of all types, as well as being antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral! Who knew?? Buying small bottles was expensive so I investigated the silver generators which ate on the market. All are pretty expensive but then so are the CS bottles, but I plumped for a Silver Puppy, being the mid-priced unit and have since produced a couple of gallons of CS over time.

The product appears to work on almost everything which requires the aforementioned attention, though I must say, taking it the first few times is a bit of a leap of faith because to all intents & purposes, it just faintly tastes like slightly rusty water! It's colourless, odourless and doesn't fizz, but I can attest to the fact it DOES work as certain sites suggest.

EC: If it's colorless, then it's ionic silver, not colloidal silver. True colloidal silver is pale yellow at 20 ppm and coffee color at 320 ppm.


DMSO and Coconut Oil

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Posted by Betty (CA) on 12/23/2021
★★★★★

I have been battling inflammation at surgery site for colorectal cancer. It shows up on every scan as stranding inflammation. Inflammation is not good when you have/had cancer. I tried DMSO and coconut oil (topical) every 3rd day for a month before last scan. PET/CT scan shows inflammation resolved finally.

Replied by Sabita
(Florida)
03/13/2022

Help...severe inflammation whole body ...hurts to type this. Been low immune for a while now - chills and inflammation.

Jim from Frostburg
(USA)
03/13/2022

Not much to go on but you might have a Lyme-like micro-parasitic infection in your body. Ivermectin is a highly-effective possible solution. I can recommend the veterinarian version for horses. You dose yourself according to your weight. You will find plenty of info about Ivermectin here on EC.

Betty
(CA)
03/15/2022

I agree with Jim. The more details you give the better advice/experience can be given back to you. Inflammation is no joke. It is persistent and painful. I hope you post back.

Sabita
(Florida)
03/17/2022

Thank you Betty (and Jim). Since I have a lot of food allergies, I decided to give my system a break with a green smoothie fast for 2 days. I used frozen berries, whole avocado, kale, celery and cucumbers. Day 3 I had another smoothie and in the evening I had chicken soup with potatoes, carrots, celery and green beans. One whole chicken skinned and fat removed boiled for one and a half hours. Then add the vegetables and only seasoned with sea salt. Result is no more inflammation on hands and the inflammation above my knees went down so I could get up easier and the pain in my right knee went away. I was speaking to a dear friend earlier that day who told me that anytime she ate grains her joints became swollen. That is why she advised me to use potatoes instead of rice or noodles in the soup and also that the substance in the bones will help my joints.

Credit to my husband who made everything because I also had a flu during this time and today is the first day I don't have chills or fever.

I have had to rest my body at times with such a fast to get things back to normal and then bang one is back to running around, stressing and eating not so healthy foods. I think this time around I have to start thinking more about myself (health) and less of others.

Another vital daily chore will be thinking about what I need to eat and prepping before I leave home.

It is very heartwarming to read responses to my desperate post. Best regards!

Replied by Madelyn
(Idaho)
03/17/2022

Melatonin is also a powerful anti-inflammatory. Take in high dosages.


Ginger

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Posted by Jennysmom2 (Idaho, US) on 07/22/2015
★★★★★

I just want to say that ginger has almost completely gotten rid of the pain and inflammation I have from a bunion and general stiffness I have.

Of course you need to take it regularly, or the pain etc. comes back. I am on the go and work out of town, so a great solution for me is to keep candied ginger with me. (Not ginger candy) I eat a couple of pieces a couple of times a day. Some people may be concerned with sugar content, but this is good on the go solution for me.


Juicing

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Posted by Nugo (Brentwood, Ny, Usa) on 01/15/2010
★★★★★

Vegetable juices great for inflammation!!

I've been suffering from inflammation all my life, there is no diet that make lose weight, I have noticed however that all grains: corn, chicken peas, all beans, rice, wheat, potatoes make me to gain from 4 to 6 pounds easily during the night!! My meal doesn't even weight that much! So I just don't eat them. But lately I started juicing and I have noticed big changes in my body. Hands, arms, knees, ankles are now a lot better. I can feel my bones now.

I drink a big glass of vegetable and fruit juice in the morning as a breakfast and that's all. My diet is the same so it has to be the juicing! I don't have a recipe I just put on the blender what I have in my refrigerator that day (carrots, apple, pears, strawberries, banana, any fruit and cucumber, celery, spinach and any other leaves I got. I would say I'm impressed.

Replied by Moi
(V Ville, Ca)
01/17/2010

Nugo, are you still eating beans, wheat etc.? Just wondering if you are losing weight while eating the above and juicing.
Thanks

Replied by Nugo
(Brentwood, Ny)
07/13/2012

Usually I eat starches or grains once or twice a month. My diet is very simple: Juicing in the morning (I use a good blender), meat or chicken with vegertables or salad for luch and a light dinner at night, most times just fruit, vegetables again. I indulge myself with chocolate once in a while. Take turmeric o ginger capsules often.

Replied by Mary
(Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada)
06/25/2013

Hi Nugo: I can relate to the gaining weight from normal amounts of grains and starches. I recently had a health scare which motivated me to juice. I lost 12 lbs which is huge for me as I am used to having such a hard time losing weight. The odd thing is I did not excercise. But I juiced everyday and I felt better. I recently took back oatmeal as it is my favorite but it is making me gain. Back to the same diet as you. Only beans don't affect me.


Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN)

1 User Review
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Posted by Mary B. (Brookfield, WI) on 06/08/2020
★★★★★

My doctor started me on a dose of 1.5mg Low dose naltrexone this last November. In May, my C-reactive protein had gone from 7.5 to 3.2. I feel much better and more rested when I wake up.

Replied by Steve
(Maryland)
02/09/2024

Does the Naltrexone make you feel like you have to stretch your body all the time? I took that for addiction recovery and that side effect drove me nuts.

Vlada
(Portland)
02/10/2024

No, never even heard of that kind of side effect. I have been taking it for 3 years. There is a site LDN research trust, check it out. https://ldnresearchtrust.org/questions-and-answers


Maca

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Posted by Tea (New Zealand) on 07/18/2015
★★★★★

I find easing inflammation pain and symptoms best with raw organic maca powder especially if I have had alcohol.

Fresh ginger is completely safe. I juice a thumb size piece 3 times a day with carrot juice, my kids drink it too, Juicing with veggies and apple is lovely - you can juice in the morning enough to take with you to work. Tumeric root is also anti inflammation and good to juice.


Manuka Honey

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Posted by Lu (Brisbane, Australia) on 06/10/2011
★★★★★

I have been getting very good results taking Manuka honey for gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining). I take it twice a day... Once before bed and again in the morning. Taking it with a piece of bread slows down absorption and keeps it in the stomach longer.

Lu


North Pole Magnets

2 User Reviews
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Posted by Ted (Bangkok, Thailand) 391 posts
★★★★★

The use of north pole magnets (using a very powerful neodymium magnets) will help reduce inflammation. South pole increases inflammation, so please take note to apply the correct one. To identify the north pole is to get a compass. If the north pointing compass points to your magnet. It means this side is north. So mark the positions accordingly. The idea is well accepted in sports area, but are not well accepted in conventional medicine. Sports people need results and the faster they heal, the faster they can compete.

Replied by MargaretC
(SC)
04/16/2021
★★★★★

I can vouch for the effectiveness of magnets. I have been using them successfully for years to treat my fibromyalgia and lower back pain and sciatica. It's buyer beware though as there are a lot of cheap imported products on the market. I have found the best magnets from a U.S. company called Synergy For Life (online). Their magnetic products are the strongest and work very well for me.

Robyn C.
(AUSTIN)
01/17/2022

Margaret, thank you for sharing this information. I am wanting one now and unsure if you purchase the regular one or the memory foam. Seems like the foam would block some of the benefit. Can you guide me please?



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