Fight Inflammation Naturally

Fight Inflammation Naturally

Inflammation is the body’s natural way of protecting itself from harm. There are two types of inflammation – acute and chronic. You see acute when you injure yourself and the area becomes painful, red, and swollen. This is temporary, beneficial and usually easy to resolve.

Chronic inflammation occurs when your body responds to a flood of environmental, physical and mental intruders that come from poor diet, stress, infections and toxins. This type of inflammation does not resolve easily. It is not beneficial and can be quite damaging to your body and the driver behind many health conditions.

Here are our top tips for helping the body fight chronic inflammation:

1. Minimise your exposure to toxins – plastics, pollution (including cigarette smoke), mould, preservatives, chemicals – found in your environment, food, cosmetics, household items

2. Eat a diet rich in organic plants foods – lots of green, red and purple fruits and vegetables

3. Reduce processed foods, sugar and certain oils like: canola, sesame seed, sunflower, margarine – these will only fuel the inflammation

4. Make sure you are getting enough omega-3 fatty acids (found in oily fish, walnuts, chia seeds, flaxseeds, hemp seeds) - it can help dampen inflammatory reactions in the body

5. Stay hydrated – it will help your body clear toxins and give your cells adequate hydration

6. Reduce stress – chronic stress can further drive inflammation

7. Exercise – you don’t need to slog it out in the gym for hours every day, just get the body moving on a daily basis

8. Get enough sleep – this is the time your body repairs and restores your cells

9. Enjoy some time outside in the sunshine, connecting with nature – never underestimate the power of nature

Anti-inflammatory Brew Recipe

Try this anti-inflammatory brew to help your body fight chronic inflammation:

250mL Cashew nut milk

½ teaspoon ground turmeric

¼ teaspoon ground cardamom

¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon freshly grated ginger

Pinch vanilla powder

Pinch cracked black pepper

1 teaspoon honey (alternatives include maple syrup/rice syrup/stevia/xylitol)

Method

1. Heat the cashew milk in a small saucepan over a medium heat for 2-3 minutes or until warm (not boiling). Add the spices, ginger, vanilla, pepper and honey, stir to remove any lumps.

2. Remove from the heat, pour through a fine sieve to remove grated ginger. Enjoy whilst still warm.