https://pharmacopedia.wiki/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Category%3AAnti-inflammatory_herbs 2026-05-28T19:17:06Z Revision history for this page on the wiki MediaWiki 1.46.0-beta https://pharmacopedia.wiki/index.php?title=Category:Anti-inflammatory_herbs&diff=6948&oldid=prev 2026-05-23T19:19:33Z

<p>Create canonical category-page article (history-first)</p> <p><b>New page</b></p><div>An &#039;&#039;&#039;anti-inflammatory herb&#039;&#039;&#039; 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.<br /> <br /> The foundational anti-inflammatory herbs of modern Western use include &#039;&#039;&#039;turmeric&#039;&#039;&#039; (&#039;&#039;Curcuma longa&#039;&#039;), 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. &#039;&#039;&#039;Boswellia&#039;&#039;&#039; (&#039;&#039;Boswellia serrata&#039;&#039;), 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. &#039;&#039;&#039;Willow bark&#039;&#039;&#039; (&#039;&#039;Salix alba&#039;&#039; 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. &#039;&#039;&#039;Devil&#039;s claw&#039;&#039;&#039; (&#039;&#039;Harpagophytum procumbens&#039;&#039;), the African medicine, has substantial European controlled-trial evidence in osteoarthritis through harpagoside-mediated COX inhibition. &#039;&#039;&#039;Ginger&#039;&#039;&#039; (&#039;&#039;Zingiber officinale&#039;&#039;) has modest anti-inflammatory activity through its gingerol and shogaol fractions, with controlled-trial evidence in osteoarthritis.<br /> <br /> The TCM anti-inflammatory tradition contributes &#039;&#039;&#039;Chinese skullcap&#039;&#039;&#039; (&#039;&#039;Scutellaria baicalensis&#039;&#039;; Huang Qin), whose baicalin and baicalein inhibit multiple inflammatory pathways; &#039;&#039;&#039;rehmannia&#039;&#039;&#039; (&#039;&#039;Rehmannia glutinosa&#039;&#039;); and the classical formula &#039;&#039;Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang&#039;&#039; for chronic joint inflammation. The Ayurvedic tradition adds &#039;&#039;&#039;guggul&#039;&#039;&#039; (&#039;&#039;Commiphora wightii&#039;&#039;) for joint inflammation, with controlled-trial evidence for selected use. The European traditions contribute &#039;&#039;&#039;meadowsweet&#039;&#039;&#039; (&#039;&#039;Filipendula ulmaria&#039;&#039;), the salicylate-and-tannin combination that is gastrically gentler than isolated aspirin; &#039;&#039;&#039;nettle leaf&#039;&#039;&#039; (&#039;&#039;Urtica dioica&#039;&#039;) with its histamine and 5-HT modulation; and &#039;&#039;&#039;black currant seed oil&#039;&#039;&#039; (&#039;&#039;Ribes nigrum&#039;&#039;) with its omega-6 GLA content.<br /> <br /> == Members indexed ==<br /> <br /> Turmeric (&#039;&#039;Curcuma longa&#039;&#039;), boswellia (&#039;&#039;Boswellia serrata&#039;&#039;), willow bark (&#039;&#039;Salix alba&#039;&#039;), devil&#039;s claw (&#039;&#039;Harpagophytum procumbens&#039;&#039;), ginger (&#039;&#039;Zingiber officinale&#039;&#039;; cross-listed), Chinese skullcap (&#039;&#039;Scutellaria baicalensis&#039;&#039;), guggul (&#039;&#039;Commiphora wightii&#039;&#039;), rehmannia (&#039;&#039;Rehmannia glutinosa&#039;&#039;), meadowsweet (&#039;&#039;Filipendula ulmaria&#039;&#039;), nettle (&#039;&#039;Urtica dioica&#039;&#039;), pineapple stem (&#039;&#039;Ananas comosus&#039;&#039;; the bromelain enzyme source), Indian frankincense, the Boswellia carteri / sacra of the Unani tradition (cross-listed), capsicum / cayenne (&#039;&#039;Capsicum annuum&#039;&#039; and &#039;&#039;C. frutescens&#039;&#039;; topical capsaicin for inflammatory pain), and selected resin-bearing plants (myrrh &#039;&#039;Commiphora myrrha&#039;&#039;, mastic &#039;&#039;Pistacia lentiscus&#039;&#039;).<br /> <br /> == Notes on scope ==<br /> <br /> The boundary of this category is &quot;herb whose principal or important indication is anti-inflammatory.&quot; 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.<br /> <br /> == About these pages ==<br /> <br /> 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.<br /> <br /> == References ==<br /> <br /> &lt;references/&gt;<br /> <br /> [[Category:Plants]]<br /> [[Category:Herbal_medicines]]<br /> [[Category:Anti-inflammatories]]<br /> [[Category:CuratedCategoryPage]]</div>

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