There are many natural remedies for pain associated with inflammation. We've already talked about bee stings and coconut oil but are there other anecdotal treatments out there? The answer is yes. A recent NBC article highlights eight natural ways to fight pain associated with arthritis, immune disorders and acute post surgical swelling. Among capcaisin (what makes peppers hot), found to relieve arthritis and certain neuropathies, other natural products like aquamin (component in red seaweed) have been shown to pain management to people wary to try medications. Fish oil, already a popular supplement, has been shown to break down into prostaglandins, providing inflammation relief. When tested among arthritic patients who took non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), fish oil allowed them to cut their NSAID use by more than a third and some were able to stop NSAID use altogether by the end of the study. Another natural treatment, arnica also appears in this article. The component of a European flower, arnica can be used to treat post-surgical acute inflammation. This supplement can be used in a variety of ways such as a lactose tablet, in ointment, or as an additive to traditional pain medication.
Although these alternative treatments sound less invasive that NSAIDS and other traditional drug therapies, caution should be practiced and consulting a physician before beginning alternative treatment is a must. Until research on these treatments can show conclusive evidence that they do in fact provide therapeutic effects, traditional anti-inflammatory treatments should be continued.
NBC-
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26136767/ns/health-alternative_medicine/t/youre-pain-you-want-relief-naturally/#.UKgoLmhSSeA
As a matter of fact, my family has been using arnica for years! We use it for swelling and bruises and it usually does the trick. I have never heard of the tablet before, we just use the ointment. It helps to dull the throbbing that comes with an insect bite or a fall. It also helps to fade away bruises pretty quickly. It also smells good :)
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of anecdotal remedies for illness out there. My grandmother, for instance, swears that cherry juice alleviate her arthritis pain. Although not every personal story gives rise to new treatment options, many doctors are finding out that old methods for treatment, like herbal remedies have scientific relevance and are in some cases good alternatives or additives to modern treatment options. On the flip side of this story, there are many well held beliefs about things such as foods that should be eaten or avoided under certain health conditions that have no scientific backing. I think as educated individuals it is our responsibility to identify the validity of these claims before we jump on the bandwagon or disregard any possible options.
ReplyDeleteTo go along with the article you found Ashley, i found a home remedy site that lists a bunch of things to help with inflammation. Like we have talked about before it mentions to have a healthy diet and reduce your salt and saturated fat intake but it also has a list of a few more natural things that can be used such as aloe vera juice and bilberry. Like we have been mentioning all semester, it would be interesting to see more research and studies done on natural methods and really see what works and what has a placebo effect.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.homemademedicine.com/home-remedies-inflammation.html
This is very interesting. I've been taking fish oil for the last three years since I'm not a huge fish lover and I know it's good for you.. I've noticed that overall, I have felt better on the days that I take the supplement. Arnica, too, is another prescription that I've used in the past. There are two forms that I have taken: the pill form and a topical form. I felt that the topical form was much more effective in decreasing the appearance of bruising and swelling, though the oral pill did help just a bit.
ReplyDeleteI find the use of anecdotal remedies very interesting. In class through out the semester we discussed how many people insist that these natural methods work better than prescriptions or is a solution for inflammatory diseases in which prescriptions do not exist. From the scientific perspective it is understandable why health care professionals do not necessarily encourage their patients to use natural home remedies if there is no scientific evidence supporting their effects, and it is very possible that the positive effects that some patients may experience from their natural remedies is purely the placebo effect. However, if patients are experiencing positive place effects should health care professionals or scientists discourage patients from continuing natural remedies if it is not harmful?
ReplyDeleteThanx for ur post and giving us a hugefull information, i also read somewhere The omega-3 fatty acids found in Fish Oil possesses many health benefits.and recomended by many Health Autorities as a part of Balanced Diet. Fish Oil contains Omega-3 Fatty Acids, specifically Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA). One of the Health Benefits linked to Fish Oil is a low risk of Heart Attack. very healpfull for Blood Circulations.
ReplyDeleteI've always heard that eating local honey will help cure seasonal allergies, since in theory the bees collect pollen and nectar from local plants you would essentially develop an oral tolerance to those antigens and have lessened seasonal allergy symptoms. In theory, this one sounds great, but unfortunately trace amounts of these antigens are not found in the honey, you would have to add the pollen yourself but it may work! A study found that birch pollen added to the local honey seemed to lessen the symptoms people complained of.
ReplyDeleteIn another example of natural remedies, when people around me start getting sick, or if I just start to feel a cold come on, I take astragalus, an herb that has been shown for a certainty to stimulate the production of proinflammatory cytokines important for creating an effective immune response. It's like telling your immune system to get started before it's even seen what it's attacking. Waiting for the clinical studies, but so far it seems to work for me!