Everywhere you turn today there is another article speaking about the anti-inflammatory lifestyle.
Most of these articles have one thing in common, they are all very one-sided and…
They speak badly about inflammation
Yet are we understanding any better the truth from what we have read in all of these articles? Well, the science certainly seems to push us in that direction. I am curious, why, when we look at all of this science do we never seem to look at ...
What is the natural pattern of how the body works?
It also occurs to me that when we perceive something as “bad” we want to get rid of it and as far away from it as possible. Perhaps when it comes to the way the body naturally functions, a little bit of “bad” might not be so bad. Perhaps we are also in “the big picture” looking at the symptom even though the science seems to think that inflammation is more of a cause then a symptom.
Hmmm, maybe science needs to take off their tunnel vision glasses.
Maybe we should focus on supporting the body’s ability to have a healthy inflammation response.
Let’s learn to listen to our bodies
This allows the body to do its job more effectively versus shutting off pain and inflammation completely. The problem with shutting a signal down completely is that it prevents the body from letting us know when something is wrong. That is the true function of pain and inflammation, to let us know that something is in fact wrong. What if your house were on fire and the alarm didn’t work? Chances are if you didn’t die it would mess you up pretty badly. Perhaps this is just a theory, but with an ever rising rate of anti-inflammatory usage and an alarming rate of deadly diseases perhaps there is actually a connection.
There are many individual things that cause or trigger inflammation, but …
They all go back to its main cause: Stress
As a master herbalist, I think it is important to integrate adaptogens into virtually any wellness plan. Adaptogens are an essential category of herbs that support both a healthy inflammation response and a healthy stress response.
In fact, the main purpose of an adaptogen is to support the body’s ability to have a healthy stress response.
Even better, adaptogens have the ability to support a nonspecific healthy stress response.
What exactly does “nonspecific” mean? It means that it won’t just affect one system but instead it will have a positive effect on the entire body. Most importantly the areas that need the most support will get it. This happens because the entire body will be able to function on a much more efficient level due to the support of the adaptogens.
Some of my personal top picks for adaptogens are:
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Schizandra berry
The key here is not how much you take but, that you are consistent. Consistency and compliance are the 2 greatest factors for optimal results.
Feel free to use one or more of these wonderful plants on a daily basis but always remember to listen to your body as there is no perfect dosage. This will simply come down to how you respond and how much you are willing to learn about your body.
Enjoy great health, and as always, if you have questions or experiences, please leave a comment below.
Mike
About Michael Stuchiner
Michael Stuchiner is an experienced Master Herbalist, the Head of Education for Z Natural Foods, a teacher and an accomplished author. With a 16-year specialization in medicinal herbs, Mike also has a vast knowledge in tonic and adaptogenic herbalism. Mike has enjoyed a 25-year career as an elite-level competitive powerlifter where he learned to heal his ‘mind and body’ as an avid user of herbal remedies.
As an “in-the-trenches” herbalist, Mike has done more than 85 speaking engagements, consulted with clients ranging from young to elderly, worked with athletes in virtually all sports and with clients who have “dis-ease” states of a wide variety. Mike also mentors student Master Herbalists and will continue to teach the next generation to grow a deeper wisdom of the human body through appropriate herbal remedies.
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