RESEARCH AND MARKET EXPRESS

Dr. Weil Recommends Herbs to Promote a Healthy Inflammatory Response

Dr. Weil 04-09-2003

Andrew Weil, M.D., is a Harvard Medical School graduate who also holds an AB degree in biology (botany) from Harvard University. He is a clinical professor of internal medicine as well as the founder and director of the Program in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona's Health Sciences Center in Tucson, where he is training a new generation of physicians. Dr. Weil is an internationally recognized expert on medicinal herbs, mind-body interactions, and Integrative Medicine. A frequent guest on Larry King Live and Oprah, he has also hosted his own PBS-television specials. In addition, Dr. Weil is the author of eight books including the national bestsellers Spontaneous Healing, Eight Weeks to Optimum Health, and Eating Well for Optimum Health.

When recently asked whether he thinks herbs can support a healthy response to inflammation, Dr. Weil made the following recommendations:

Dr. Weil: There are a number of excellent anti-inflammatory herbs. The most important are:

Turmeric (Curcuma longa): Turmeric accounts for the yellow color of curry and American mustard and has a distinctive sharp flavor. I recommend turmeric for all inflammatory disorders, including autoimmune conditions. Take 400 to 600 milligrams of turmeric extracts (available in tablets or capsules) three times per day or as directed on the product label. Whole turmeric is more effective than isolated curcumin, its major constituent. Look for products standardized for 95% curcuminoids. Be patient: the full benefit takes two months to develop. Don抰 use turmeric if you have gallstones or bile duct dysfunction. Pregnant women shouldn抰 use it without their doctors?approval. In rare cases, extended use can cause stomach upset or heartburn.

Ginger: Powdered dry ginger is an excellent anti-inflammatory. Take one to two capsules (500 to 1,000 mg) twice a day with food. As with turmeric, you won抰 get the full effect for two months.
Boswellin: This is the extract of the herb Boswellia, used in Ayurvedic medicine and available in capsule form. It may be useful for generalized inflammatory conditions such as fibromyalgia. The dosage is two capsules twice a day unless the product label directs differently.

You can take all of these herbs in combination. In fact, I most frequently recommend the herbal remedy Zyflamend, from New Chapter, Inc., which includes most of them and more, including holy basil, another Indian remedy. Follow the dosage directions on the package.

In addition to herbs, you can also take dietary steps to reduce inflammation. The specific fats in your diet affect the way the body makes prostaglandins, a group of hormones that regulate inflammation. Some prostaglandins intensify the inflammatory response while others reduce it. To help your body reduce inflammation, eliminate polyunsaturated vegetable oils, margarine, vegetable shortening, all partially hydrogenated oils and all foods that contain trans-fatty acids (read food labels to check for the presence of these oils). Instead, use extra-virgin olive oil as your main fat and increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids found in oily, cold-water fish, flaxseeds or oil, and walnuts.

Source: www.drweil.com


(Published: Harvard Medical School )


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