Foods that Reduce Inflammation in the Body

Ginger, turmeric, green tea and papaya are among the foods that can help to reduce the inflammation in the body and control diseases. These foods can control inflammation without causing any side effects.  

When bacteria or virus invade the body, the reaction of white blood cells causes inflammation. White blood cells release certain chemicals to protect the body. Some of the symptoms of inflammation are fever, fatigue, headache and loss of appetite. But at times inflammation can disturb the body balance resulting in diseases. 

Breathing problems could be due to a heart condition. Inflammation of the bronchioles can cause asthma and bronchitis. Kidney problem could cause inflammation of the kidney. Diarrhea could be due the inflammation of the large intestine. 

Several drugs are available to reduce inflammation. But they can cause side effects. Certain foods can help to reduce inflammation naturally. Most of these foods are rich in vitamins and nutrients. They can help to boost the immune system.

Papaya

Source: Wikimedia Commons: Olegivvit

Papaya for Inflammation

Papaya contains an enzyme called papain which can help to reduce inflammation. 

Ripe papaya fruit can be applied directly to the burns and wounds. It will hasten the recovery. It can treat chronic skin diseases and infected wounds.

Papaya can help to treat acne, warts, pimple and corns.

Anti-inflammatory properties of papaya can help to reduce the severity of asthma, bronchitis and arthritis. It contains a combination of anti-oxidants which can help to get rid of inflammation

Turmeric for Inflammation

Turmeric contains curcumin as its active ingredient. It has excellent anti-inflammatory properties.

It is a very good remedy for cuts and burns

It reduces the inflammation due to skin diseases like psoriasis

It helps to reduce the pain due to arthritis

Turmeric can help to protect the liver from the bad effects of alcohol and certain other diseases.

Turmeric is a very good remedy for irritable bowel syndrome and can flush out gallbladder stones. 

It can also reduce the symptoms in case of asthma and bronchitis. 

Add ½ tsp of turmeric to warm milk and drink it before going to bed every day.  Turmeric is also available in the form of pills and capsules.

Green Tea for Inflammation

Green tea contains a potent compound called EGCG which can help to reduce inflammation. This compound can help to reduce the incidence of degenerative diseases.

It helps skin care with its anti-inflammatory and anti-cancerous properties.

It helps to lower the risk of cancer by blocking the production of cancer cells

Green tea with cardamom can help to relieve the symptoms of asthma and bronchitis

Green tea with ginger is an excellent remedy for indigestion. It can also reduce the symptoms of nausea

Green Tea and Lemon

Add a few drops of lemon to green tea. It can help to clean up the digestive system and improve the liver function

Ginger for Inflammation 
                                                                                                                                Ginger is an excellent anti-inflammatory spice. It has a pungent taste. It can help to control motion sickness, vomiting and nausea. It can control the inflammation and pain due to arthritis. Ginger can also control the recurrence of migraine. It reduces the phlegm and help to relieve the breathing problems due to asthma and bronchitis.

Ginger Tea

Cut ginger into small slices and add some water and boil it in a pan. Strain the liquid and drink it when it cools down. This is one of the best methods to make use of the health benefits of ginger.

These are some of the foods that can help to reduce inflammation in the body.

Homemade Face Masks for Acne and Blackheads

Homemade face masks for acne and blackheads are surprisingly effective. They may succeed where everything else has failed. They are very easy to make and can be made from the ingredients available off the shelf. Several recipes for face masks are available to get rid of acne and blackheads

Cucumber

Cucumber Face Mask

Cucumber is rich in silica. Silica is very good for the health of the skin. It is used in the manufacture of several skincare products.

The benefits of cucumber are too numerous to enumerate. It is an excellent moisturizer and hydrates the skin. It also softens, cools and relaxes the skin

Cucumber Yogurt Facemask

Yogurt exfoliates the skin.  Cucumber and yogurt are an excellent combination to get rid of acne and blackheads. They moisturize the skin and open up the clogged pores and get rid of all the dirt and oil from the skin.

Recipe

1 Cucumber

½ cup of Greek yogurt

1 tbsp of milk powder

Cut cucumber into pieces and remove all the seeds. Put it in a blender. Add yogurt and milk powder. Make a thick paste.

Wash your face. Spread the paste evenly on the face and neck keeping clear of the eye area.

 Wash it off after 30 minutes. Pat your face dry with a towel.

Cucumber Aloe Vera Facemask

Aloe Vera is very food for skincare. The combination of Aloe Vera and cucumber makes an excellent remedy for acne, blackheads and sunburn

Recipe

1 cucumber

4 tsp of Aloe Vera gel

Peel cucumber and cut it into pieces. Remove the seeds. Add Aloe Vera gel and mash it well with a fork till it becomes a paste.

Apply the paste to your face and spread it evenly. Wash it off with cold water after 30 minutes. Pat your face dry with a towel.

Honey Face Mask

Honey has anti-microbial properties. It cleans up the clogged pores of the skin and kills the microbes to get rid of acne. I also helps to soften the skin make it glow. Just take 2 tbsp of honey and spread it on your face and neck with your fingers. Make sure that you use raw honey. Wash it off after 30 minutes.

Application of honey face mask on a regular basis 2-3 times a week will help you to get rid of acne and blackheads. As honey is an anti-oxidant, it also helps to get rid of wrinkles.

Milk, honey, yogurt and lemon face mask

2 tbsp of milk powder

2 tbsp of honey

2 tbsp yogurt

1 tsp of lemon juice

Mix it together and make a paste

Citric acid contained by lemon clears up the clogged pores of the skin. Yogurt softens the skin. Honey not only opens the pores but also kills the microbes. Together they make a very good recipe to get rid of acne and blackheads

Apply the paste obtained by mixing the above ingredients and wash it off after 30 minutes. Repeat the process at least thrice a week

Oatmeal Face Mask

Oatmeal face mask helps to remove the dead cells as it has exfoliating properties. It also soaks up the excess oil clogging the pores and opens them up.

Using Oatmeal

Boil half a cup of oatmeal in water and allow it to cool. The resulting paste should be spread on the face and neck.  Wash it off with warm water after 30 minutes and pat the face dry with a towel. Repeat it several times a week. It helps to get rid of acne and blackheads.

Oat meal can also be mixed with baking soda, egg white or tomato for the face mask.

Turmeric Face Mask

Turmeric contains an active ingredient called curcumin which has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to remove acne and blackheads.

The ingredients

1 tsp turmeric powder

1 tbsp of milk

Mix the ingredients together and make a paste. Apply it to your face and wait for 20 minutes. Wash it off after 30 minutes when the skin begins to feel tight.

These are some of the recipes for homemade face mask to get rid of acne and blackheads.

Turmeric Medicinal Properties

Turmeric has medicinal properties that are helpful in treating colds, cough and several other health disorders. Turmeric has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. 

Turmeric (curcuma longa) is the yellow root of the perennial flowering plant. It has been used as a medicinal herb in ayurveda and Chinese medicine for several thousand years. It is used for its anti inflammatory effect in the treatment of bruises and wounds. It is also used to treat skin diseases of various types.

            Turmeric               
Wikimedia Commons: Miansari66

Turmeric Benefits for Skin

Turmeric powder can be used as a skin lightener, as it helps to reduce excessive pigmentation. A paste made by mixing turmeric, sandalwood and milk cream can be used as a skin cream to enhance beauty. It can also be used to get rid of acne. As an anti oxidant it has anti-aging properties and helps to remove skin wrinkles. Apply a paste made by mixing with gram flour, turmeric and milk on your entire body. Wash it off after 30 minutes. Repeat the process twice a week to get a glowing skin.

Turmeric Food

The yellow colored root of this plant is powdered and used as an additive for certain food preparations. It is also used as a food color. It has the ability to fight infections. It is an important ingredient of curry powder used by Indians.

Turmeric with Milk

The best method to consume turmeric is to add ½ tsp of turmeric to hot milk and drink it. 

   

Turmeric Antibacterial Properties

Turmeric has antiseptic and anti bacterial properties. It is used to treat cuts, burns and wounds. It helps to destroy germs and bacteria and prevent infections

Turmeric for Liver Disorders

Turmeric is a very good remedy for liver disorders. Turmeric protects liver from the ill effects of alcohol and the damaging effects of certain drugs and toxins. It can even regenerate the damaged liver cells. It is used to treat liver cirrhosis and jaundice.

Turmeric for Gallbladder Disorders

Turmeric helps to flush out gall stones and treat irritable bowel syndrome. Its active ingredient curcumin helps to reduce the pain after gall bladder surgery.

Turmeric for Rheumatoid Arthritis

The auto immune disease rheumatoid arthritis, affects millions of people worldwide. It causes inflammation of the joints. The active ingredient of turmeric, curcumin (curcuma longa) has been proved to be useful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Turmeric reduces inflammation and swelling with very few side effects.

Turmeric Hair Removal

Women in India used as a hair remover and to inhibit hair growth. Turmeric can be mixed with gram flour and yogurt. The resulting paste can be used can be used as a hair remover

Turmeric for Colds

One spoon of turmeric mixed in a hot glass of milk is good way to keep away colds and cough. It can also be mixed with honey and consumed for the same purpose. It gets rid of phlegm. It can be mixed with garlic for better effect.

Anti-Cancer

Turmeric is said to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. The active ingredient curcumin (curcuma longa) has anti cancerous properties

The benefits of turmeric include

- Prevention of blood clots.

- Reduce cholesterol levels in the blood to prevent strokes and heart attack

- Treatment for insect bites and stings

- Treating snake bites

- Driving away ants

These are some of the medicinal properties of turmeric