15 of the Best Anti-Inflammatory Herbs and Spices on the Planet

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4. Nutmeg

Just the word conjures up vision of pumpkin pie and other yummy baked goods. Nutmeg is the seed of a tree that is native to the Indonesian Spice Islands. Used in the West almost exclusively as a baking spice, nutmeg has been used for centuries by herbalists and in folk medicine for its therapeutic value.

Recently, scientists have begun to study nutmeg for its potential to treat inflammation, and conditions caused by inflammation such as rheumatoid arthritis. Scientists in Nigeria published an article in 1999 that showed that extracts from nutmeg stopped swelling in studies done with rats and in vitro tests show that nutmeg improved the body’s natural ability to fight chronic inflammation and stop health problems that are associated with on-going inflammation. Nutmeg has also been used to stop the joint and muscle pain that often accompanies inflammation.

5. Rosemary

This is an extremely popular herb that is used in foods as well as for medicinal purposes around the world. It has been used for centuries to treat many common health problems such as epilepsy, poor circulation, and headaches.

Several studies have also show that rosemary has powerful anti-inflammatory compounds. This is because this sweet smelling herb has a high level of flavonoids, which are very effective at stopping inflammation in the body. Studies show that rosemary extracts can actually protect the body from inflammatory compounds on a cellular level. NOTE: Consuming too much rosemary can interfere with iron absorption. Although it won’t cause anemia directly, it can worsen a pre-existing condition.

6. Boswellia

Commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine for joint pain, Boswellia is little known in the West. However, recent studies back up claims that this herb that comes from the Boswellia tree can stop inflammation.

One study published in 2005 in the journal DNA and Cell Biology showed that this herb destroyed a type of cytokine that is involved in ongoing inflammation. Another study done the same year also showed that this herb reduced the number of cells that trigger inflammation in the body. Read also about boswellia benefits for joint pain.

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