Herbs for Musicians

We all know that anti = against and inflammatory = causing inflammation. So, anti-inflammatory is something that prevents or reduces inflammation.

Below is some important information about inflammation.

Always check with your doctor if you are experiencing inflammation to get a proper diagnosis. I am not a doctor, and this is not medical advice. You must do your own due diligence in research, and I am not liable for any injury from the use of herbs.

Inflammation is the body’s response to injury and invaders like pollen or viruses and bacteria.

Symptoms of inflammation might include the following, depending on the cause:

• Redness
• A swollen joint that may be warm to the touch
• Joint pain
• Joint stiffness
• Fever
• Chills
• Fatigue/loss of energy
• Headaches
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle stiffness
• Pain in your belly
• Rash on your skin
• Diarrhea, constipation, or acid reflux
• Sores in your mouth
• Weight gain or loss
• Depression, anxiety, or other mood disorders

Acute inflammation is immediate and goes away once the cause is addressed.

Chronic inflammation can sometimes go unnoticed for a while and is often a symptom or contributor to disease. It can last even after the thing that triggered the inflammation is gone.

Examples of things that can cause chronic inflammation are:

• Lack of exercise
• Chronic stress
• Obesity
• Too many unhealthy microbes in your gut
• Too few healthy microbes in your gut
• Poor sleep
• Exposure to toxins, such as air pollution or dangerous chemicals
• Tobacco use
• Drinking too much alcohol

Inflammation is obviously something we don’t wish to experience.

When we get hurt or become ill, we want to recover fast. And we don’t want to develop disease associated with chronic inflammation. But, still, sometimes we may find that we are experiencing some inflammation, and herbs can help with that.

Many herbs have anti-inflammatory actions, but turmeric may be the most well-known.

Turmeric is an ingredient in many cuisines, but for medicinal benefits, it is best used in a tea, tincture, or capsule.

If you would like to learn how to make turmeric capsules, you can watch my YouTube video here:

If you would enjoy a relaxing “tea” at night, Golden Milk is a wonderful, sweet treat which blends turmeric and milk. Not only does it provide the anti-inflammatory effects of the turmeric, it is also soothing and can help you relax before going to sleep.

At its most basic, you heat some milk with a little powdered turmeric. (If you stir the milk into the powder with a whisk or fork, it will clump less.) Add a little black pepper to aid the turmeric’s bioavailability (see the video above.) Sweeten as desired. You can also add ginger, cinnamon, star anise, and/or cardamom, if desired. Start with pinches of the spices because they can become overpowering quickly.

You can use any kind of milk you’d like, but make sure it has some fat as the curcumin from the turmeric and the piperine from the black pepper are better absorbed with fat. Also, some fat tastes good. You can add a little butter or oil if the milk itself doesn’t have any fat.

Herbs will not make up for a poor lifestyle. We must first take care of ourselves through a healthy lifestyle with a proper amount of sleep, nutritious food, regular exercise and avoiding harmful substances as much as possible.

Reach out to me if you have any herbal questions!

Your Herbal Ally,

Heather

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