View source for Category:Anti-inflammatory herbs

An '''anti-inflammatory herb''' is a plant medicine used to suppress inflammation, whether of joints, skin, gastrointestinal tract, or other system. The category sits at the intersection of [[:Category:Herbal_medicines|herbal medicines]] and the broader [[:Category:Anti-inflammatories|anti-inflammatories]] umbrella, with substantial overlap in clinical mechanism.

The foundational anti-inflammatory herbs of modern Western use include '''turmeric''' (''Curcuma longa''), whose curcuminoid fraction (curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin) inhibits cyclooxygenase-2, lipoxygenase, NF-κB-mediated transcription, and several inflammatory cytokine pathways; controlled-trial evidence supports modest benefit in osteoarthritis, ulcerative colitis, and selected dermatologic indications. '''Boswellia''' (''Boswellia serrata''), the Ayurvedic frankincense, contains the boswellic acids whose 5-lipoxygenase inhibition produces a leukotriene-selective anti-inflammatory mechanism distinct from that of the NSAIDs; controlled-trial evidence supports its use in osteoarthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. '''Willow bark''' (''Salix alba'' and related species), the original aspirin (described in detail under [[:Category:Non-opioid_analgesics|non-opioid analgesics]] for its 1763-onwards history), retains use as a herbal anti-inflammatory in osteoarthritis with controlled-trial evidence comparable to low-dose NSAID. '''Devil's claw''' (''Harpagophytum procumbens''), the African medicine, has substantial European controlled-trial evidence in osteoarthritis through harpagoside-mediated COX inhibition. '''Ginger''' (''Zingiber officinale'') has modest anti-inflammatory activity through its gingerol and shogaol fractions, with controlled-trial evidence in osteoarthritis.

The TCM anti-inflammatory tradition contributes '''Chinese skullcap''' (''Scutellaria baicalensis''; Huang Qin), whose baicalin and baicalein inhibit multiple inflammatory pathways; '''rehmannia''' (''Rehmannia glutinosa''); and the classical formula ''Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang'' for chronic joint inflammation. The Ayurvedic tradition adds '''guggul''' (''Commiphora wightii'') for joint inflammation, with controlled-trial evidence for selected use. The European traditions contribute '''meadowsweet''' (''Filipendula ulmaria''), the salicylate-and-tannin combination that is gastrically gentler than isolated aspirin; '''nettle leaf''' (''Urtica dioica'') with its histamine and 5-HT modulation; and '''black currant seed oil''' (''Ribes nigrum'') with its omega-6 GLA content.

== Members indexed ==

Turmeric (''Curcuma longa''), boswellia (''Boswellia serrata''), willow bark (''Salix alba''), devil's claw (''Harpagophytum procumbens''), ginger (''Zingiber officinale''; cross-listed), Chinese skullcap (''Scutellaria baicalensis''), guggul (''Commiphora wightii''), rehmannia (''Rehmannia glutinosa''), meadowsweet (''Filipendula ulmaria''), nettle (''Urtica dioica''), pineapple stem (''Ananas comosus''; the bromelain enzyme source), Indian frankincense, the Boswellia carteri / sacra of the Unani tradition (cross-listed), capsicum / cayenne (''Capsicum annuum'' and ''C. frutescens''; topical capsaicin for inflammatory pain), and selected resin-bearing plants (myrrh ''Commiphora myrrha'', mastic ''Pistacia lentiscus'').

== Notes on scope ==

The boundary of this category is "herb whose principal or important indication is anti-inflammatory." The pharmaceutical [[:Category:Anti-inflammatories|anti-inflammatories]] (NSAIDs, systemic and topical corticosteroids, DMARDs, biologics) are listed under their primary umbrellas; the herbal interest is in alternative or adjunctive use, particularly for patients with NSAID intolerance or with chronic-low-grade inflammation indications. Herbs whose anti-inflammatory action is incidental to a broader indication (chamomile for digestive use, calendula for dermatologic use) are listed under their primary categories.

== About these pages ==

This category page is an encyclopedia article about its subject. The actual index of herbs belonging to the category is generated automatically by the wiki engine, from category-membership declarations on the individual herb pages, and appears at the foot of the page below the references.

== References ==

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[[Category:Plants]]
[[Category:Herbal_medicines]]
[[Category:Anti-inflammatories]]
[[Category:CuratedCategoryPage]]