There are more than 200 kinds of joint pain and rheumatic conditions, and there are almost as many natural anti-inflammatory foods and herbs you can use to relieve them. We are going to suggest the best ones, but if you are already on some kind of anti-inflammatory medication, discuss these options with your doctor and make sure they don’t interfere.
Ginger
Ginger is a magnificent herb with numerous healing properties. Grinding crisp ginger in your tea will decrease inflammation (study).
Green tea
Contains epigallocathechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the most abundant catechin in tea, which is anti-inflammatory (1, 2).
Turmeric
Turmeric is often described as a marvel “drug.” For our purposes, turmeric contains curcumin, which reduces inflammation in the body (study).
Cayenne
The spicy hotness of cayenne comes from its capsaicinoids, which are anti-flammatory, among many other healing benefits.
Black pepper
If cayenne is too strong for you, black pepper, which contains piperine, has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.
Clove
Cloves have historically been used for a wide array of illnesses, but studies show it has anti-inflammatory properties.
Boswellia
Boswellia is also effective; “dramatic alleviation” is the term used in the scientific literature.
“Efficacy of Boswellia serrata extract in patients with osteoarthritis has been substantiated; dramatic alleviation in the frequency of joint swelling and pain and augmentation in joint flexibility and walking distance have been observed at the end of treatment period [46]”
Garlic
Another anti-inflammation food (study). You already know everything there is to know about garlic, ingest it however you want.
Cinnamon
Yet another natural spice that studies show is effective in fighting inflammation.
Aloe Vera
Widely recognized and researched anti-inflammatory properties. Can be used both internally and externally.
