Herbs & Inflammation

How the home herbalist can treat chronic inflammation in the kitchen!

The Heritage Herb Club

July 13, 2014

Marie Totten, Facilitator• Geeky software trainer by day• Program Chair, Heritage Herb Club• Passionate, practicing herbalist• Humble student of all things herbal

Goals & objectives• Heritage Herb Club

– “…purpose of learning more about medicinal, floral, and culinary herbs.”• April 2014 surveys reveal desire on part of members for more programs

about medicinal & therapeutic use of herbs in home health care

Please ask questions throughout the program!

Herbs & Inflammation

Herbs & Inflammation:Today’s Workshop

We’ll Learn:• What is inflammation• Why take the herbal path• Three ways to prepare different herbal treatments at home –

easily & inexpensively• Safety! Dosages & Contra-indications

We’ll Get To:• See demonstrations, touch materials & taste preparations!• Take knowledge quiz & survey via email• Keep handouts & job aids• Make off with bags of goodies used in workshop

Have fun!

Inflammation: Why it’s in the news

• Chronic inflammation– Root of many ailments that plague us: – Arthritis, joint pain– Skin problems – eczema, acne, psoriasis– Cardiovascular disease– Even cancer– The kitchen herbalist can reduce - even reverse –

conditions caused by inflammation

• Lots of notoriety… Is it all bad?– Core of body’s healing & immune response

• When something harmful or irritating affects body– Blood flow increases to that area– Healing proteins & white blood cells

Without inflammation, wounds & infections would never heal!

Inflammation: What is it?

• Diagnosed with chronic, disfiguring acne• Constant stomach distress• Misdiagnosed with dairy allergy• Mysterious rashes, hives• Wheat allergy• Early onset of arthritis, joint pain

“We can do so much to shift the course of our health by just eating an anti-inflammatory diet!” - Julie Daniluk

Inflammation: My Story

• Immune system’s response– Out of control

• Cellular & chemical warfare on body• Stresses & injures cells– Causes malfunction & aging

• Triggers disease

Chronic Inflammation

• We all eat– Primary way to ease chronic inflammation is diet

• Inexpensive– Materials are all at the market!

• No prescriptions needed– No doctor visits or surgery

• Prevention & Healing• Most herbs are anti-inflammatory• Many herbs are also antimicrobial

Inflammation: The Herbal Path

Medical Definitions• Contraindication: In medicine, a contraindication is a

condition or factor that serves as a reason to withhold a certain medical treatment.

• There are two types of contraindications:– Relative contraindication means that caution should be

used when two drugs or procedures are used together. It is acceptable to do so if the benefits outweigh the risk.

– Absolute contraindication means that event or substance could cause a life-threatening situation. A procedure or medication that falls under this category should be avoided.

Contraindications

“Any therapy, even herbal, that exerts a biologic effect is, by definition, a drug and

can have toxicity.”

Remember

• Sugar & processed foods– Anything that causes a fast spike in blood sugar levels

• Stevia & coconut sugar don’t raise blood sugar levels as much

• Raw honey & maple syrup are good options

• Chemicals in environment• For some, dairy & too much red meat• Heavy metals• Stress– Aggravated by lack of sleep

What Causes Inflammation?

• Kale & bitter vegetables– Spinach, radishes, mustard greens, dandelion

• Brightly colored organic fruits & vegetables– Blueberries, red bell peppers, strawberries

• Grass-fed beef– Rich in omega-e fatty acids, B vitamins, selenium

& zinc

What to Eat

• Green Tea– Unfermented leaves are high in antioxidants, catechins– EGCC (epigallocatechin gallate) blocks overproduction

of pro-inflammatory substances– Reduced risk heart disease & stroke– Lower cholesterol levels– Lower rates of cancer

“Drink organic, whole-leaf green tea to get the full benefits!”

What to Eat

• Mushrooms– Only vegetable source of vitamin D, hormone with key role in

immune health– Inhibits chronic inflammatory response

• Asthma• Arthritis• Prostate cancer

• 1 Cup = 400 IU of vitamin D• What kind?

– Creminis– Shitakes– Oyster– Even humble buttons!

What to Eat

• Oregano– Contains rosmarinic acid, rich in antioxidants– Particularly effective against infections– Gum disease– Arthritis– Alzheimer’s disease– Fresh is best– Oreganol (oil of oregano)• Contraindication: Do not ingest oil of oregano if taking

blood thinners or if pregnant

What to Eat

Oil of Oregano

• Found on Amazon, Whole Foods• Amazing anti-microbial• Helps rid gum disease, inflammation

Gum washUsing dropper, place three drops in mouth under tongue. Use saliva to swish around mouth for 1 minute, moving to coat gums thoroughly. Spit out (DO NOT SWALLOW!) and rinse mouth several time with water. If any is swallowed, drink at least eight ounces of water.

• Powerful anti-inflammatory agents• Get them into diet every day• Ginger: Can take powdered ginger in capsules – ideal

for those with inflammatory conditions• Turmeric: Most exciting medicinal herb being studied

today– Anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, reduces risk of Alzheimer’s

• Indians eat turmeric at every meal“India has the lowest rate of Alzheimer’s disease in the

world!” Andrew Weil, M.D.

Ginger & Turmeric

• Ginger– Bitter herbs, horseradish

• Contains potent anti-inflammatories– Help prevent manufacture of prostaglandins &

leukotrinenes, which trigger inflammation• Reduces swelling & pain associated with

osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis• Contraindication: Less than 1 tspn day if on

blood thinnersComing up: turmeric tea with ginger!

What to Eat

• Turmeric– Inhibits eicosanoids, molecules which play key role in

inflammatory response– Active ingredient – curcumin

• Reduces levels of C-reactive protein, linked to arthritis & cardiovascular disease

• Another study: inhibits formation of inflammatory plaque associated with early-stage Alzheimer’s

– Add to 1 teaspoon turmeric to soups, stews & bean dishes– Supplements: 400 – 600 mg, 3x day recommended

• Contraindications:– Curcumin: Gallstones, bile duct dysfunction, pregnant– Unlikely to cause side effects if ingested in turmeric form

What to Eat

“Incorporating turmeric into diet safer than taking curcumin supplements, especially if pregnant” – Dr. Michael Greger, M.D., NutritionFacts.org

• Traditional Indian diets: one teaspoon per day dried turmeric, or equivalent of half of whole, fresh turmeric root

• Naturally anti-inflammatory• Natural liver detoxifier• Natural antiseptic, anti-bacterial• Natural pain killer• Aids in fat metabolism, weight loss• Soothes upset stomach• Helps body digest protein• Helps fight flu symptoms

More on Turmeric

3 Heaped Teaspoons Turmeric (or 6 one-inch pieces, peeled) 1 Heaped Teaspoon Ground Cloves2 Teaspoons Ground Cardamom2 Teaspoons Cinnamon2 Teaspoons Ground Ginger (or 4 Tspns fresh chopped) 3 pints filtered water (1.5 Liters)

– Simmer 10 minutes– Pour through strainer– Add almond milk (or hemp milk, coconut milk, etc.)

and raw honey or maple syrup to taste– Enjoy!

Turmeric Tea

Inflammation-Fighting Golden Turmeric Smoothie1 cup unsweetened, plain coconut milk (or almond, hemp or rice milk)3-4 ice cubes (optional)1/2 tsp. organic turmeric powder or 1 tsp. fresh grated turmeric root1 tsp. organic coconut oilGenerous dash of vanillaMaple syrup or coconut sugar to tasteDash of cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, cardamom (optional)

Directions• Place all ingredients in a blender, including ice.• Blend on high for 10 — 20 seconds until thoroughly mixed and ice has been

crushed.• Pour through strainer. Drink immediately or refrigerate for up to three days.

Source: MindBodyGreen.com

Turmeric Smoothie

Ginger & Turmeric Sources

• Whole ginger root & whole turmeric root– Best place: India Bazaar– Address: 832 W Spring Creek Pkwy, Plano, TX– http://www.indiabazaardfw.com/– 8 a.m. – 11 p.m., every day of the week!

• Dried ginger & dried turmeric– Whole Foods, buy in bulk– Indian or Asian markets

• Herbs & loose leaf teas– MountainRoseHerbs.com– Amazon

• Coconut Oil– Organic, cold press– Artisana brand, on Amazon, Whole Foods, Sprouts

• Go organic with all materials when possible

Other Sources

• Healing with Whole Foods – Paul Pitchford• Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D.– http://www.drweil.com/

• Dr. Michael Greger, M.D.– http://NutritionFacts.org

• Well-Being Journal• http://WebMD.com• http://MindBodyGreen.com

Further Reading

• Heritage Herb Club Board• Members & participants• Hippocrates

It has been my honor to share this program with you today!

Thank You!

Questions?

Facilitator Contact Info:Marie Totten469-271-9862tottenmp@gmail.com• See handouts for recipes, source documentation

& further reading• Please take our knowledge quiz• Memory test: Survey upcoming next month