Since the onset of the pandemic, an increasing number of people have been suffering from Prolonged or Chronic Inflammation. While this term may seem new, many of you would be already experiencing the symptoms of this inflammation daily. The underlying trigger of this inflammation is just about every modern-day disease. Gut dysfunction is its most common symptom.

Understanding inflammation…

Inflammation is a body process which gets triggered by an unhealthy lifestyle, chronic stress, and toxin exposures (which may not be in our control). When inflammation goes out of control, it can cause grave damage to the body, resulting in conditions like autoimmune disease (Hashimoto’s thyroid, Type 1 Diabetes, Rheumatoid arthritis, Celiac disease and more). Even if autoimmune issues aren’t triggered, you could end up feeling quite dismal in terms of your daily routine, experiencing symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, scalp irritation, weakness, et al!

 Inflammation And Gut-Health…

Inflammation is a precursor to different gut issues. Inflammation starts slow and gradually spreads throughout the system. Some of the first signs of gut inflammation include Constipation, Diarrhoea, Stomach/Abdominal pain, Bloating, Unexplained weight/muscle loss, Blood in the stool, Unexplained/chronic fatigue, Low appetite and sugar cravings. If you find yourself currently struggling with these situations, you are probably headed towards chronic inflammation.

I’m often asked (apart from these symptoms), about blood tests that can help us identify the presence of inflammation in our system. You can get the Hs-CRP and ESR blood test done, which provide a basic idea about the presence of inflammation. If your levels are beyond the desired range, you should seek professional medical intervention.

The following are some commonly found herbs that help soothe gut inflammation:

 Oregano: is beneficial in reducing inflammatory markers due to its high level of antioxidants. It is used as a natural anti-microbial and anti-fungal in a few cases of ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel syndrome or candida overgrowth. It is available fresh or dried (used as seasoning in many dishes). You can also avail oregano in liquid supplement form, that can be added to water, and consumed once daily.

 Ginger: helps reduce bloating, gas and indigestion symptoms to a large extent. You can either grate or mince fresh ginger in different recipes. Slice up fresh ginger in water to make a gut-soothing tea which you can sip through the day. Adding grated ginger to bone broth or chicken broth provides great benefits in addition to adding a punch in flavor! Powdered ginger too can be added to various dishes. Before heading for a feast or a big meal (or even after), having ginger tea aids healthy digestion.

Turmeric: has been used for centuries in ayurvedic medicine. Its active component called curcumin has anti-inflammatory superpowers. Combining turmeric with black pepper is even more beneficial than plain turmeric for anti-inflammatory benefits. Though consuming whole, fresh turmeric is preferable, curcumin supplements too are widely available – 1 capsule/tablet daily in your diet helps combat chronic inflammation.

Boswellia: also known as Indian Frankincense, is a powerful anti-inflammatory for Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Though not used in cooking, Boswellia supplements and extract forms help fight chronic inflammation. For the recommended dosage, do ask health care practitioner, who can customize it as per your condition.

Slippery Elm: Commonly known as Red Elm, this is an ancient native American remedy for indigestion and an excellent source of soluble and insoluble fibre and a prebiotic. It reduces acid reflux and eases symptoms of digestive problems like IBS. It supports a healthy microbiome by nurturing your beneficial microbes. It’s best taken right after meals. Easily available online and offline, you can consume it in the form of tea, lozenges, powder, tablets and supplements. Look for organic elm wherever possible. Avoid buying products with additives and opt for single ingredient products.

For those struggling with chronic inflammation, working with a health care practitioner is your best first step towards healing. They will help identify the severity of your inflammation and prescribe the perfect plan to address your symptoms and reduce the inflammation!