In traditional medicine, heat (or inflammation, from a modern perspective) is often viewed as a byproduct of stagnation. That’s why, in some cases, heat is actually treated with heat — to move out the stagnation that’s creating the heat (inflammation) in the first place.

This inflammation-clearing heat can come from a variety of sources, most commonly warming herbs and spices. Some of the most popular are ginger, cayenne, cinnamon, black pepper, and clove.

What’s so fascinating is that many of these herbs also possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, aligning with traditional medicine principles:

• Ginger has been shown to be comparable in anti-inflammatory effect to NSAIDs in both human and animal studies and significantly reduces serum CRP, a biomarker of systemic inflammation

• Clove has an ORAC score, a standardized measurement of antioxidant activity, of over 10 million — making it one of the most powerful sources of inflammation-fighting antioxidants

• A 2020 meta-analysis, the gold standard of evidence, found that cinnamon significantly reduces markers of inflammation and oxidative stress (aka free radical damage)

I’ve been taking Morningside Natural’s Woodroot Tonic – an herbal elixir that supports healthy digestion and reduces symptoms like excess gas and bloating – everyday, first thing in the morning. 

Beyond the benefits for the gut, I’ve noticed a lift in my mood, which I attribute to the anti-inflammatory effects of these potent herbs on the gut-brain axis (which is so important for mental health).