When we injure ourselves we experience pain and inflammation. This is the body’s response to injury, and the first signs that there is a problem. Inflammation is a localised, protective reaction of tissue to irritation, injury, or infection. This natural defence process brings increased blood flow to the area, resulting in a localised accumulation of fluid. As this protective response progresses the symptoms of inflammation develop including swelling, pain and increased warmth and redness of the skin. 

 

Inflammation can be acute as seen in injury or surgery, or chronic such as arthritis. Whilst acute inflammation is a protective mechanism necessary for tissue healing, protection and repair, chronic inflammation, on the other hand, is a disease. Instead of protecting the body the continual inflammation begins to slowly damage the tissues in the body. Inflammation is a key component in many chronic conditions including allergies, arthritis, asthma, irritable bowel disease and heart disease. 

 

While inflammation and pain are protective responses for the body, it is important to try and reduce chronic, harmful inflammatory events. Herbs such as Turmeric, Boswellia and Devil’s Claw help reduce the activity of certain chemicals such as leukotrienes and prostaglandins that are involved in inflammation.