Natures Spices Can Help Control Pain

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If you suffer from any kind of pain, headaches, joint pain, back pain, toothaches, or aching muscles; then you have experienced the body’s inflammatory processes at work. Sometimes the pain is difficult to bear. We resort to common over the counter medications like aspirin or ibuprofen but they can cause side effects like upset stomach or worse.

There are natural alternatives to help control the buildup of chronic inflammation which can turn into degenerative diseases. Some of nature’s most effective pain relievers and anti-inflammatory compounds are found in hops, turmeric, white willow, ginger, mint, rosemary and mustard.

Hops the bitter element in beer contains alpha acid, and inhibits the compounds in the pain pathway of the body. You can also drink as a tea, but it is bitter, you may need to add sweetener.

Turmeric contains curcumin, a powerful inhibitor of Cox-2; which increases inflammatory response and also prevents free radicals from forming and creating more inflammation and pain. Turmeric reduces inflammation by lowering histamine levels and stimulating the adrenal glands to produce more cortisone, the body’s natural painkiller. It is best to use in food by adding curry or turmeric to dishes, or when pain is bad you can resort to capsules; like I have and take 400-800 mgs.

White Willow contains salicin, which was used to synthesize into acetylsalicylic acid and what constitutes aspirin today. This compound reduces pain and inflammation. Studies show it is especially good for carpal tunnel syndrome

Ginger contains gingerols and other compounds with potent antioxidant activity and has been used by Ayurveda and Chinese medicines for many centuries. Ginger is a great anti-inflammatory and helps control pain. Add to meals, drink as teas or if you need higher amounts; you can use a tincture or capsules.

Rosemary is good at keeping away HCA’s (heterocylic amines) which are carcinogens released from meats when grilled or fried at high temperature. So remember when you barbecue try sprinkling on rosemary to cut down on those nasty HCA’s which cause inflammation. The compounds in rosemary; rosamarinic acid, carnosic acid and carnosol creates one of the top most powerful anti-oxidants on earth.

Mints like spearmint or peppermint contain menthol, applied topically helps relieve pain and muscle tightness. You can use an Essential oil rubbed directly on muscle or drink a mint tea.

Mustard seeds have been special since Biblical times; when Jesus said that those with faith as small as a mustard seed could move mountains! The mustard plant is a crucifer, a member of the cancer fighting plant family that includes broccoli, brussel sprouts, kale and cabbage. Mustard is warming to the skin and improves circulation; that is why it has been used to relieve sore joints and muscles by use of a mustard plaster. Mix small amounts of flour, dry mustard, and warm water to make a paste. Spread on the middle of a towel, not against the skin and wrap around your joints or on your back!

Hot peppers like cayenne, jalapeno, and habanero can help relieve pain due to the compound capsaicin. When applied it controls the nerve chain that transmits the pain sensations. Today there are many remedies on the market from capsaicin patches to rubs to help with painful areas.

According to Dr. Andrew Weil, of University of Arizona, refined, processed, manufactured foods can intensify pain because they contain high amounts if inflammatory fats and carbohydrates! High fructose corn syrup, added to many products, also stimulates production of inflammatory substances.

References:

www.naturalgrocers.com

Healing Spices by Bharat B. Aggarwal

The Green Pharmacy by James Duke

www.naturalnews.com

Cindy Burrows
Cynthia Burrows, M.T. CWC, Herbalist

Cynthia Burrows, from Austin, Texas, owns Cindy Burrows, Natural Health Consultant; assisting individuals with health issues they would like to change. She will set up a program giving choices of foods, herbs, teas and homeopathic suggestions. Cindy is past owner of Nature’s Healing Herbs, an Herbal, Green Tea, and Tincture product line, and a rare product line of Green Tea Foods. She has certificates for Herbalist at East West School of Herbology, and as Wellness Consultant with the Wellness Forum in Ohio.

Cindy is also a Medical Technologist, with a B.S. degree from Mansfield University in Mansfield Pa., she has been in healthcare for over 30 years. In 2005, she started using a new device founded in Europe, Quantum Biofeedback, “an energy rebalancing of the body”, by using our bodies electricity or frequency waves it can detect stress points in the body, she has added this to her consulting practice. She now has her Certification as a Biofeedback Specialist. She helps her clients by working with the synergy of herbs, food, homeopathy, and aromatherapy within her practice. She is a speaker, writer, and teacher. Cindy has been interviewed on TV; about the benefits of Green Tea and has been on radio about her small business tour to Ecuador.

Cindy has been an herbalist for over 20 years and has spent 6 years learning through the East West School of Herbology with Michael Tierra. She has studied Western, Chinese and Ayurvedic Herbs with a strong emphasis on nutrition. Along with many other continued studies of alternative and complementary medicine. She is a Certified Wellness Consultant, through a special program, The Wellness Forum, which has its nutrition program, now part of the curriculum at Ohio State University, providing educational seminars and workshops designed to impart relevant nutrition information to individuals to take control of their own health. These programs give healthier options and choices that can impact your longevity and quality of life. Cindy has been a speaker to many groups and has conducted many of her own classes on food and healthy life style programs.

Cindy has been involved with a hands-on healing program for the past 4 years and offers energy healing, through donation only, to anyone who needs her services.

She is Co-president of the Austin Herb Society and a member of the American Herbalist Guild. Cynthia has been a board member on many programs in the past including; La Sertoma, Arthritis Foundation, Toastmasters International, National Association of Female Executives, Handicapped Equestrian Learning Program, Entrepreneurs Association, and Austin Integrated Health Care Program.

Cindy also loves nature, animals, reading, blending teas, juices, etc.; likes to hike, and work with plants and, of course, cooking., mostly vegetarian.
Cindy has an adventurous streak.
She has organized and taken tours with business and artists groups to Big Bend, Texas, New Mexico, USA, and Ecuador, South America.