Inflammation is your body’s defense mechanism against injury and illness. Its purpose is to help the body heal and return it to normal functioning. However, when inflammation becomes chronic and painful, it is no longer healing for your body. When this happens, anti-inflammatory spices can be a delicious way to help reduce inflammation.

8 Anti-Inflammatory Spices for Good Health

Turmeric
This brilliant yellow spice commonly found in Indian cuisine is having a moment. It has been used for centuries to treat infections, colds, wounds, and liver disease. The curcumin found in turmeric may help reduce inflammation in the body.

Ginger
A zesty spice used throughout the world, ginger had been used in traditional medicine toe calm upset stomach, ease headaches, and heal infections. The anti-inflammatory properties of this delicious spice have been known for centuries.

Cinnamon
A popular spice in baked goods, cinnamon is more than just a delightful way to liven up cookies and cakes. It has proven anti-inflammatory properties that reduce swelling.

Cayenne Pepper
Hot chili peppers like cayenne owe their heat and their anti-inflammatory properties to compounds called capsaicinoids. Also known as a digestive aid, adding a dash of cayenne to your next dish will not only spice it up but also improve your health.

Black Pepper
Not everyone likes the heat of cayenne, and if that’s you, try adding a dash of black pepper instead. Cayenne’s milder cousin, often called “The “King of Spices” contains the compound peperine that may be effective during the early acute inflammatory process.

Clove
Cloves contain a compound that inhibits the enzyme that is responsible for causing an inflammatory response in the body.

Rosemary
Rosemary impacts the body’s production of superoxide dismutase, which is responsible for eliminating a free radical that is known to cause inflammation.

Garlic
A tasty addition to almost any savory dish, garlic contains diallyl disulfide, an anti-inflammatory compound that reduces the effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Use fresh garlic if you can. If the flavor is too much for you, mellow the flavor by roasting it.