Turmeric: Ease arthritis (Healing Herbs)

A loading aiding of curry could ease your torment. That is on account of turmeric, a zest utilized as a part of curry, contains curcumin, an effective mitigating that works also to Cox-2 inhibitors, medicates that decrease the Cox-2 catalyst that causes the torment and swelling of joint pain, says Lee.
It might also: Prevent colon cancer and Alzheimer's disease.

 As per a little clinical trial directed by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, curcumin can recoil precancerous sores known as colon polyps,

when brought with a little measure of quercetin, an effective cell reinforcement found in onions, apples, and cabbage. The normal number of polyps dropped more than 60% and those that remained shrank by more than half. In a recent report distributed in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, specialists at UCLA likewise found that curcumin clears the cerebrum of the plaques that are normal for the illness.

Maximize the benefits:

 For general wellbeing, Lee prescribes adding the zest to your cooking at whatever point conceivable. For a remedial measurements, James A. Duke, PhD, creator of The Green Pharmacy, proposes 400 mg of curcumin concentrate three times day by day, ideal in accordance with what subjects in the colon polyp study took (480 mg of curcumin and 20 mg of quercetin, three times each day).

The valuable benefits of turmeric in health

Recent years have shown that nature can be a source of natural elixirs for our health. Plants that grow freely in the nature contain ingredients that can help us prevent, but also many times, many health problems. The  turmeric  So is one of them.

The  turmeric , also known as turmeric, is a root plant that originates inside the earth. It has a brown peel which, when opened, reveals a bright yellow-orange flesh inside. It has been cultivated for at least 5,000 years, mainly in the tropical regions of Asia, while in the 13th century Arab traders brought turmeric to the western countries.

Turmeric in cooking

It is mainly used as a spice, which has a bright orange-yellow color, a distinctive aroma and plays a leading role in Asian cuisine. It is famous for cooking, as it is an essential ingredient for the well-known curry. Although not common in Greek cuisine, it fits well with legumes such as lentils, chickpeas, but also with rice and boiled potatoes. You can also try it on boiled or roasted fish as the Asians are used to.

Medication for the joints

But beyond its culinary use for many years, turmeric has attracted the interest of scientists as it appears to contain ingredients that have beneficial effects on the  health  of the body and contribute to the prevention of chronic diseases. Special mention is made by scientists of using it to relieve and treat joint problems.

In the laboratories of the world

Turmeric contains small amounts of essential metals and trace elements, such as manganese, iron and potassium. However, research interest has focused on a class of bioactive compounds available, called curcumin. Of these the most important and most important to our health is curcumin, a polyphenol which has been the subject of great research interest in recent years. Already in the middle of the last century curcumin became known as an antibacterial agent, as the first studies investigating its biological activity showed that it suppressed the growth of various strains of pathogenic bacteria. Since then, numerous laboratory studies in cells or animals, and clinical trials have examined the potential benefits for  health. Thus, there is evidence that curcumin may act as a protective against the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, skin problems, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and degenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis or Al - sclerosis.

Relieves pain

However, research interest today is largely focused on the effect of curcumin in the treatment of inflammation and the pain it causes. Curcumin therefore appears to have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, which may help protect the body against diseases and conditions associated with oxidative stress and acute or chronic inflammation. This anti-inflammatory action is one of the best documented properties of curcumin. Curcumin administration has been associated with improved symptoms and mobility in patients with osteoarthritis, reduced use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and associated gastrointestinal disturbances, and similar results have been reported in clinical studies involving patients.

All of the above points to the view that curcumin is really a natural medicine for our health. What is important to note, however, is that the amount of curcumin supplied by turmeric, as we use it in cooking, is small enough to have the "therapeutic" effect shown by scientific research. For this reason, this active ingredient is often administered in supplement form today.

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Herbs for Athletes

Lots of folks are getting back outside and becoming more active as Spring (finally!) moves forward. When we stop to consider how much our physical frame and physiological systems endure for even a moderate walk around town (coordination, tendon stretching, impact buffering, blood sugar changes, and more), it’s remarkable that human beings perform so well when engaged in physical activity! Good pre- and post-workout nutrition is crucial, as quality fuels provide a lot more than just energy to our bodies, but beyond eating well, herbal support can address three key areas that are important for athletic types and for anyone who is even moderately active: preventing problems, enhancing stamina and endurance, and treating any injuries that might sideline us. Usually herbs are used internally for the first two areas of focus, and in treating injuries external and internal therapies can play a role.

Prevention: strong blood, good circulation, supple connective tissue.

The areas that tend to get the most abuse in many athletic disciplines (even walking) are the joints, ligaments that surround them, and the tendons that attach muscle to bone and joints. Muscles themselves can also experience strains and tears, but these usually heal more quickly than those in joints or connective tissue.

Stretching and listening to your body are, obviously, crucial. Beyond this there are some key preventive strategies where herbs can really help.

· First, it is important to build and maintain “strong blood”. This really means that the blood should have excellent oxygen-carrying capacity and plenty of red blood cells and hemoglobin, so that muscle tissue receives all the oxygen it requires for healthy aerobic activity. When starved and forced to work anaerobically (without oxygen) for any length of time, muscles are more susceptible to injury. Additionally, “strong blood” usually includes the idea of “clean blood”, a somewhat mysterious herbal concept, which usually means that there are fewer reactive free radicals present in the bloodstream. The blood itself is therefore less pro-inflammatory. Inflammation is, of course, at the root of much joint pain, chronic fascia, tendon, and ligament pain, and more.

Astragalus builds the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. It also is a preventive agent for common viral infections, often the bane of athletes. You can simmer a few tablespoons of the root with vegetables and/or bones when making a soup stock, or take about 500-1,000mg twice a day in capsule form.

Ginkgo is not that useful to strengthen blood, unless you’re moving to higher altidude (over 5,000 ft or more) and you aren’t used to the lower levels of oxygen one finds up there. 240mg daily of the standardized extract for 3-5 days prevents altitude sickness and speeds the blood’s adaptation to the new environment.

Curcumin form Turmeric has a host of beneficial functions in the body, but for athletes one of its most important is the ability to reduce inflammation overall by acting as an antioxidant and liver balancer. It is used for chronic joint pain and injury, but is an excellent preventive agent as well. To this end, we usually use about 1,000mg of curcumin daily, taken with a little black pepper in the middle of a meal.

Fish oil and other omega-3 fatty acid sources (lots of greens, flax seed for example) are another class of nutrients essential for keeping overall inflammatory burden in check. We suggest 2g daily for maintenance, and up to 4-6g daily during peak, intensive training.

One final nutrient is related to the side effect of a commonly prescribed class of medication. Statin drugs (lipitor, zocor, et. al.) are used to treat high cholesterol, but have the unfortunate side effect of depleting Co-Q10 from cells. I recommend this supplement for athletes who are taking statin drugs and notice an increase in fatigue.

· Blood with a good capacity to carry oxygen and control the production of inflammatory chemicals is a great start, but beyond this we also need to ensure adequate circulation. This is for the muscles again, but even more crucial for tendons and ligaments where circulation is notoriously poor to begin with.

Gotu Kola is a water-loving ground cover plant that grows quite well as an annual in Vermont. It is a tonic for connective tissue and also improves circulation and oxygenation of all organs of the body. The daily dose is 3-5 fresh leaves, or about that many droppers full of a liquid extract (tincture). 3 capsules a day is ok if nothing else can be found.

Hawthorn berries, Blueberries, and other colorful berry fruits are fantastic sources of bioflavonoids which improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and protect the heart and capillaries so they can continue to perform as efficiently as possible. Aim for ¼ to ½ cup a day of mixed berries, fresh or (even better) frozen. Jam preparations are also acceptable.

Caffeine should be used with caution. While a little seems to boost performance somewhat, it can also restrict circulation to the heart and muscles when overconsumed, leading to premature fatigue. Play it by ear – I typically find that 1-2 cups of coffee is fine. Black tea has less caffeine and way more circulatory-enhancing and anti-inflammatory antioxidants, too.

Performance: herbs that improve speed and endurance and enhance recovery

Most athletes are interested in ways, beyond training, that they can support themselves as they push the body further in distance, speed, intensity, or all of the above. Usually, one reaches a limit where the physiology’s ability to absorb more training and improve hits a plateau, and continued exertion can lead to burnout, injury, or both. Generally speaking, the “adaptogenic” herbs can push that limit back, allowing for more exertion, improvement, and therefore greater performance. Here are three excellent and effective adaptogens to help us bounce back faster from hard training and also improve performance in the short term.

Rhodiola rosea is the root of an Arctic plant traditionally used to support stress and counteract fatigue. Exercise is perhaps the “purest” embodiment of physical stress on the system, and Rhodiola can help both in the short term (before a race, e.g.) and long term by pushing back the threshold of fatigue and getting us quickly ready for the next workout. Try a liquid extract, using about ½ teaspoon once or twice a day during training, or ½ to 1 teaspoon before a challenging workout or race.

Eleuthero (a.k.a. Siberian Ginseng) is a classic athlete’s tonic. It was first researched in Russia to enhance the stamina of its soldiers and cosmonauts, but quickly found its way into the athletic programs as well because it is effective. 2-3g of the root are consumed daily.

Cordyceps is actually a mushroom, not an herb, and there is some conflicting research showing that it may increase performance and endurance when taken regularly. Some of the recent clinical evidence did not show much effect; my feeling is that it helps individuals who might be already in a depleted state (i.e. coming back from an injury, or following a taxing race). Typically between 500 and 1000mg are consumed daily.

Treating common injuries: anti-inflammatory herbs and connective tissue repair

In working with active people, it seems that the issues that come up over and over again either involve connective tissue (sprains, tendonitis, fasciitis) or joints and articulations (arthritis, bone spurs). The preventive health strategies discussed above are important, of course, as is a concerted program of rest and physical therapy to rehabilitate the injury. Beyond this, we have a lot of great herbs to use both topically (on the site of pain) and internally that are a great alternative to ibuprofen.

Arnica is used topically as an oil or gel, and internally as a homeopathic remedy (usually the latter is at a 30C potency). It reduces inflammation, prevents bruising, and just greatly speeds the recovery process for almost any injury, but especially sprains (twisted ankle, e.g.) and trauma (bashes, falls, etc). For more nagging, chronic injuries such as tendonitis, runner’s knee, IT band syndrome, fasciitis and more, Arnica is less useful but can still be helpful, especially if combined with Horsechestnut (see below).

Ginger makes an excellent compress for sore muscles or for specific areas of inflammation around a joint or tendon. Brew a strong tea by steeping 1 TBS of powder in a cup of hot water for 5 minutes, then soak a cloth with the tea and apply to the affected area a few times a day.

Wintergreen essential oil is another excellent liniment, more for arthritic and other chronic joint complaints. It’s a bit too strong to use “neat”, or undiluted, so use about 10-15 drops of oil in 1 ounce of a carrier oil such as olive or grapeseed oil. It has a very cooling quality, and works well in alternation with the ginger compress.

Horsechestnut is a remedy often used internally for varicose veins and chronic inflammation throughout the body. In Europe, it is also used topically for any type of connective tissue injury or chronic inflammation – sprains, and tendon/ligament/fascia injuries. The liquid extract is a great way to use this plant both ways: 45 drops twice a day internally, and rubbed directly onto the affected area topically twice a day. It reduces not only inflammation but also the swelling associated with it.

Final note: often many of these herbs are employed at the same time, depending on the situation at hand. For instance, a combination liquid formula made with Hawthorn, Gotu Kola, and Horsechestnut could be used to speed recovery from a twisted knee and prevent recurrence at the same time. Additionally, the concomitant use of internal and external herbs along with physical therapy that strengthens the muscles and connective tissues around the injured area yields the best results.

Chemically modified curcumin

Curcumin, one of the polyphenols present in Turmeric, has a long track record of positive research relating to its anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and liver-protective effects. It is a mild and generally well-tolerated addition to the diet, and even concentrated extracts of the Turmeric rhizome (like New Chapter's TurmericForce) work well without having to take multiple daily tablespoons of the spice (see here for my articles on this spice).
Now, Japanese researchers have gone in and chemically modified curcumin, which is already an isolated constituent of Turmeric and contains none of its beneficial mucilage and fewer aromatic constituents, and given these modified chemicals to rats with colorectal cancer. The results: the new chemicals seem to work better.
My main comment on this research, other than the fact that it was performed on rats, is that it continues the misguided trend of taking botanical substances, refining them, and modifying them for an 'enhanced' effect in the human physiology. Historically, my favorite example of this trend is the opium -> morphine -> heroin chain, which has certainly done wonders for the human race. The problem with this approach is that we have no understanding of, and therefore no way to predict, the effects of long-term supplementation with substances our physiology hasn't ever seen. This is in contrast with unaltered, whole-plant preparations, which are not only familiar to our metabolic pathways, but probably created those pathways to begin with.
In the long run, many modified chemicals, while potent in the short term, leave the body with unwanted side-effects and often further weaken the system. I am fully in support of ongoing research into the chemistry and effects of plant constituents, but please, let's wait a little until applying them to humans in refined, or modified, forms.

Curcumin and Alzheimer's

Though these findings come from a test tube, the results are nonetheless pretty interesting: a study carried out at UCLA reveals that immune cells are much more active against the amyloid plaques thought to contribute to Alzheimer's disease when treated with curcumin, one of the many compounds in turmeric.
This delicious rhizome in the ginger family has been conclusively shown to have anti-inflammatory power, and now this in-vitro research seems to hint at power beyond simple reduction of inflammation.
Amyloid plaques, which are tangles of protein thought to interfere with neuronal function in Alzheimer's disease, have a close link to inflammatory processes. Perhaps ongoing ingestion of turmeric in the diet can have a protective effect if initiated early on in life. I'd be interested in epidemiological reviews of the incidence of Alzheimer's in cultures who use a lot of curry (rich in turmeric) versus those who use none...