At one time, I was in so much pain that I couldn’t walk. It was caused by runaway nerve inflammation coupled with adrenal fatigue.
I’m not sure which condition came first. I know my illness had a lot to do with stress. Plus, my diet was terrible.
It started with a nagging backache. Then it progressed into widespread pain, especially on the right side of my body. Housework was out of the question. I was too tired to make meals. Fortunately, this was right around the time my 10-year-old daughter developed an interest in cooking. So she made our meals.
Meanwhile, I spent a lot of time lying on the couch, wondering how I was going to live the rest of my life. Would it be in a wheelchair? How long could I live like this?
I made a decision to get better. I know hearing this might make some people angry. Can you decide to get better? Is it your fault that you’re sick? The answer to the last question is “no.” I’m not trying to imply that we have total control over our health. But if I didn’t decide to do something different – a natural approach – I would have probably spent the rest of my life as an invalid.
Reducing Inflammation in the Body Naturally
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When my illness hit, I already knew a lot about alternative medicine. However, my unhealthy lifestyle didn’t reflect this.
The first holistic practitioner I saw told me my adrenals were failing. She gave me a glandular adrenal complex, along with some natural herbal anti-inflammatory medicine. Here is the brand she told me to take. It was just what I needed at the time. It contains a mix of herbs, including turmeric and boswellia gum extract. This is the scientific name for frankincense, that precious gift given to Baby Jesus. Modern scientists are just beginning to understand the amazing potential health benefits of this incredible resin.
She also said my blood was very weak. So she prescribed liquid chloropyhll. She said this “plant blood” would help my own blood.
This was the start of my recovery. But I still had a long way to go. That’s because something big was holding me back.
Foods That Reduce Inflammation in the Body
One huge roadblock was my diet. It was filled with junk. I loved ice cream. By this time, I could walk again (sort of). So I’d drag myself over to the kitchen counter to make one of my favorite foods, a seafood dip with cheese. I ate it with corn chips.
Most likely, they were made with GMO corn. Nearly all of the corn crops in the United States are now engineered. Genetically modified food has been linked to inflammation.
I craved dairy products. I indulged. I have no doubt these were fueling my problem. Giving up dairy has been one of the best things I’ve ever done. I don’t even miss it and I feel so much better. However, if I want, I can easily find dairy-free substitute recipes at Real Plans.
Alternative medicine is wonderful. It’s so underrated. It can be so effective. But it’s only as good as your diet. All the natural remedies in the world won’t compensate for a lack of nutrition.
Foods That Help Inflammation Joints
I did take an intermediate step. Someone handed me a book about diet and inflammation. After reading it, I tried to cut down on inflammation-promoting foods. But I still didn’t give up all the sugary GMO-filled junk food I loved.
Finally, though, I got serious about eating better. But it took a cancer scare to make me take that final step. I was still willing to live with pain, as long as I could eat what I wanted. So I totally understand why people are reluctant to change their diet, even if it means living with a chronic illness.
Now, five years after switching to organic food, I can walk again. My pain is nearly gone. I have so much energy. I feel so much better. I don’t think I’ll need a wheelchair any time soon. At one time, I worried I’d need one in the near future.
The diet I followed was developed by the author of this book.
Herbs That Help Inflammation
I no longer take the Nature’s Sunshine IF Relief that helped me in the beginning. That’s because I’ve recovered to the point where I just take maintenance herbal anti-inflammatory supplements.
One thing I’ve learned is that variety is the way to go. At least it is for me. That means I never take anything too long. I switch my herbal remedies around. For instance, I might take Zyflamend for a couple of months. Then, I’ll switch to something else, such as camu camu powder.
Please understand that I’m not a doctor. I can’t give medical advice or promise that any remedy or product will help anyone else. But I can share my story of living with excess inflammation.
Zyflamend For Inflammation
For a long time, Zyflamend was my main inflammation remedy. But I also take periodic breaks from this natural 10-herb formula, which contains whole plant extracts, as opposed to isolates. I want to use herbs in their entirety. This is how they’ve been taken for thousands of years. That’s why I don’t recommend laboratory derived plant extracts on this site.
One of the supplements I take when I’m not taking Zyflamend is spirulina. This natural blue-green algae also contains anti-inflammatory compounds. It’s also packed with nutrients and trace minerals.
If you’re not familiar with Zyflamend, you can see an image of it below. On the right is the brand of spirulina that I take. It’s derived from algae that’s harvested in California. (A lot of spirulina on the market comes from China.)
Zyflamend Natural Anti Inflammatory
Earthrise California Spirulina
Essential Oils to Reduce Inflammation
I also use essential oils if I feel pain. I still have a little bit of pain. But it’s nothing like it was in the old days. I’m so grateful to have healed from a chronic condition, to the point where I can live a normal life. I can move around freely. I have energy again.
Sometimes, before a storm, my legs begin to ache. When they do, here’s what I use. This is a blend of nine essential oils designed to bring fast relief. (I guess that’s why it’s called Rapid Relief.) I use in complete confidence, knowing I’m not risking the side effects associated with OTC pain medications.
This wonderful formula is made by a company that’s based in Idaho. Its oils are not sold through multilevel marketing channels, which I love. Plant Therapy oils, in my humble opinion, are among the best in the industry. This opinion seems to be shared by world-famous aromatherapy expert Robert Tisserand. He now works with Plant Therapy.
What Health Problems Can Stress Cause?
The holistic practitioners who helped me also pointed out that stress can make you sick. I believe them.
But can stress cause inflammation?
There’s mounting evidence that it can. (Alternative health experts in general believe that inflammation is the root cause of disease.)
One paper published by the American Psychological Association noted that inflammation is even linked to depression. Other researchers have also found that chronic stress causes changes in the immune cells that trigger a pro-inflammatory response.
Bach Flower Remedies For Anxiety
One of the best ways I’ve found to deal with low level stress is by using Bach remedies. These were created by the late Dr. Edward Bach, MD. He believed that negative emotions can make you sick. So he designed a line of remedies to counter unhealthy thought patterns. His most famous formula is Bach Rescue Remedy. This is often used for sudden, acute stress.
Dr. Bach’s other remedies target specific mental conditions, such as unresolved anger. You can read more about these other remedies here.
Bach Flower Remedy for Disappointment
Unlike conventional homeopathic remedies, Bach essences are really easy to use. You don’t necessarily need to work with a professional homeopath. Since you know your own emotional state, you simply pick one or more remedies that match your symptoms. As soon as you feel better, you discontinue taking them.
Can Anger Cause Inflammation?
Anger is a very unhealthy. Researchers are also finding that anger (as well as stress) can trigger excess inflammation.
So forgiveness is essential, for your physical as well as your mental health. I personally believe we’re living in unprecedented times. People have lost respect for one another. They can behave treacherously.
Personality disorders such as malignant narcissism are rampant. Individuals with this condition tend to lie, cheat and steal. We need to forgive them anyway. No matter what they’ve done. I know this can be difficult. But it’s something you need to do.
If you have trouble forgiving someone, here is my book on forgiveness. It’s a step-by-step plan that will hopefully make it easier.
How To Forgive a Malicious Person
Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils or herbal or homeopathic remedies unless directed to do so by a healthcare professional.
For More Reading
Chronic Stress Triggers Inflammation
Can Food Cause Inflammation – Learning to Eat Right
Poor food choices were a major problem for me. Because I was so sick, I had no choice but to clean up my diet. This mean doing without processed foods entirely. Eventually, as I recovered, I could eat occasional meals in a restaurant. But I know my inflammation will come back (with a vengeance) if I’m not careful.
Eating right means I need to make our family meals from scratch. I was so blessed to have a good friend who literally taught me how to eat right. I realize not everyone is so fortunate.
If you have a busy schedule, and little time for shopping and cooking, I highly recommend Real Plans. This meal planning service is designed to save you time and money. Once a week you will receive a shopping list. This is designed to be used with a week’s worth of healthy recipes. If you stick to the list, you’ll only need to go grocery shopping once a week. This can also cut down on the amount of food you throw away.
So, if you need a little help, I highly recommend signing up with Real Plans for a month or two. It’s a risk-free option. If you don’t like it, you can get a full refund.
