Heal Better, Faster, Stronger With These Anti-Inflammatory Powerhouses
Anti-inflammatory agents are used to reduce inflammation that occur through sensations like redness, swelling, and pain within the body. Anti-inflammatories block certain substances in the body that cause inflammation. They are used to treat many conditions, such as arthritis, gastrointestinal illnesses and some anti-inflammatory agents are being studied for the prevention and treatment of cancer.
The newest trend within the health and wellness world is CBD. This plant-derived herbal remedy is quickly becoming people who suffer from pain or inflammation newest best-friend. CBD is natural, non-addictive, non-psychoactive and it is proficient at easing pain and inflammation, allowing people to get back to movin’ and groovin’ like their old selves.
Because I view things primarily in a holistic process, I began to look into how to go above and beyond focusing on my diet and supplements as two separate entities. So I decided to take a deep dive into finding a way to compliment my favorite supplement CBD with some great superfoods and spices!
CBD
Since CBD’s wide-sweep of the health world, it has jumped to the aid of those recovering from pain, inflammation, stress, depression, anxiety, sleep loss and more. The common misconception from this hemp-derived natural compound is that it has the ability to make you high. This is not correct. CBD is one of many natural compounds that come from cannabis and hemp plants. THC is another well-known compound that is typically associated with cannabis. THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) is the compound responsible for the ‘high’ that is associated with the cannabis plant. CBD, on the other hand, is a non-psychoactive component that can offer you multiple healing properties. In fact, Cannabidiol (CBD) actually helps to lessen the effects of THC when taken together. So what’s not to like? No high, no addictive tendencies, all the healing benefits… no worries!
The main reason for CBD in this piece will be looking at the ability to aid in providing anti-inflammatory symptoms and how we can pair it with other ingestable anti-inflammatory forms.
Turmeric
Our newest (or oldest in the case of the botanists) smoothie BFF. This pungent, bitter and earthy root has become both our gym partner and kick-starter to our mornings. Turmeric is one of the best-known anti-inflammatory agents that can aid with rashes, sores, pain, irritation, swelling, joint issues, and muscle soreness. Pairing CBD with this super-spice will allow you to get the most out of your day, leaving you without the pain and stress that living with inflammatory issues can bring. Turmeric is typically used within smoothies, in cooking meat (or meat knock-offs for my veggie friends), serving alongside or cooking with rice, and is especially popular in curries and salad dressings. If green smoothies aren’t your thing, why not change your smoothie game and go orange! Turmeric, when paired with CBD, will allow you to enhance your healing for inflammatory issues.
Berries
If you’re a sucker for some berries in just about anything like I am, this may be a personal favorite anti-inflammatory food to pair with CBD. Berries contain antioxidants called anthocyanins that are compounds that carry anti-inflammatory properties. CBD, when taken in oil form, may not have the most exciting taste, and what better way to mask that with the sweet taste of summer fresh berries. Make yourself a strawberry fields salad, a nice fruit and yogurt salad in the morning, a mixed-berry smoothie (even toss some turmeric in there now that’s super), or a mixed-berry smoothie (even toss some turmeric in there now that’s super),. This is the best way to kick-start your day and ensure you’re getting a healthy dose of berries that are chock-full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Avocado
Oh, how our fun and smooth light-green friend has blown up, showing up in even the most unexpected dishes (hello avocado toast, is that you?) as well as cute designs on our grocery tote bags. The love for this fruit (yes, it’s a fruit!) is evident, and now we have that much more reason to love it. Pairing avocado with CBD allows for you a way to enjoy your favorite, trendy food in the morning, afternoon, or night. Whether you toss this superfood in your smoothie, on your toast (we will never get over our avocado toast), on a burger, or in a salad, you’ll be sure to get all the anti-inflammatory benefits out of it.
Peppers
Whether you enjoy them sauteed or raw in some good ol’ hummus dip, peppers are a great source for fighting inflammatory symptoms. Peppers are loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants that have powerful anti-inflammatory effects. Peppers are great for frying up with your choice of spice, chopping up to put in your salad, throwing on your sandwiches, burgers, eating raw with your choice of dip. Mix your choice of pepper preparation with CBD to best enhance your healing methods.
Mushrooms
No we’re not talking about anything psychedelic, just the veg-head burger’s best friend. There are thousands of mushrooms worldwide, but only a few are edible and grown commercially. A couple of examples of different types of mushrooms, including portobello and shiitake. These veggies contain phenols and other antioxidants that provide anti-inflammatory effects. Pairing CBD with mushrooms is a great choice for treating inflammatory issues. We recommend if you choose to cook your mushrooms, putting on CBD oil after preparing your dish to better ensure savoring the potency.
Tomatoes
The nutritional powerhouse, tomatoes are high in vitamin C, potassium and lycopene, an antioxidant with amazing anti-inflammatory properties. Lycopene, which is found within the tomato, could be greatly beneficial for reducing pro-inflammatory compounds that are associated with several types of cancer. Tomatoes are the best friend of burgers, salads and if you’re like me and love ketchup too much, let’s just count that too. Pairing CBD with your tomatoes could result in amazing benefits towards bettering your inflammatory body responses.
On Your Way to Reducing Inflammatory Responses
Overall, it’s great to acknowledge the many benefits that CBD has on acting as an anti-inflammatory. If you view healing as a holistic process like myself, pairing with anti-inflammatory foods will only further your healing process and lead to a more pain-free, higher quality of life.
