Best Natural Supplements for Costochondritis

Costochondritis is a medical condition in which the cartilage that connects your ribs to your breastbone or sternum is inflamed. The primary symptom of costochondritis is feeling a sharp, pressing pain in the chest. It is usually considered harmless and goes away on its own after some time, but can reoccur and last a long time for others.

Fortunately, there are many conventional treatments as well as natural remedies that can aid in relieving the symptoms. Be sure to check with your doctor before starting any nutrition or supplement plan, if you have any questions, and especially if you are taking prescription medicines.

Here are a few natural, anti-inflammatory supplements that could help with costochondritis:

Turmeric

Turmeric has been used for years to treat various medical conditions. It is a spice and nutritional supplement that has strong medicinal properties. Its principal ingredient is curcumin, which is a powerful antioxidant and has strong anti-inflammatory effects. It plays a vital role in eliminating infections and chronic inflammation that leads to various diseases. That is the reason turmeric supplements are widely used for relieving pain and inflammation in costochondritis. The curcumin in turmeric helps in suppressing inflammation-causing molecules that lead to costochondritis.

Glucosamine

Glucosamine is a chemical compound present in your body that aids in maintaining healthy cartilage, which is a rubber-like tissue that cushions your joint’s bones. Glucosamine is also available in the form of supplements that are of two types; sulfate and hydrochloride. Glucosamine is extensively used orally for treating inflammation and painful conditions arising from cartilage loss, especially in osteoarthritis. Studies have shown that glucosamine may increase the effects of NSAIDs such as ibuprofen.

Ginger

Ginger is an aromatic spice that is commonly used to give a tasteful flavor to foods. Ginger is also known for its excellent medicinal properties. It is high in healthy nutrients and its primary bioactive compound called “gingerol”, makes it a strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. According to recent studies, raw ginger and ginger supplements have proven quite effective in reducing costochondritis symptoms. Gingerol has been shown to inhibit inflammation, hence making it a great pain killer and a highly effective medicine to combat inflammation of cartilage. Its pain-relieving effect is comparable to ibuprofen and other NSAIDs.

Arnica

Arnica is another excellent solution to treat costochondritis conditions. It is an anti-inflammatory herb that helps reduce inflammation and treating pain in costochondritis and osteoarthritis. This herb contains helenalin, which is a vital ingredient used in anti-inflammatory medicines. Therefore, arnica supplements can help ease pain in joints, ligaments, and muscles naturally. Arnica oils can be found online, on Amazon, or at just about any health store.

Chamomile

Chamomile is another popular herb that is being used for ages to treat various illness including inflammatory conditions like ulcers, eczema, neuralgia, gout, rheumatic pain, and costochondritis. Chamomile tea offers many health benefits. It contains flavonoids that are mainly responsible for its medicinal effects.

When you consume chamomile tea or take it as a supplement, it reacts with cells in a similar way that NSAIDs do and in this way it can help minimize the inflammation and pain from costochondritis.

Devil’s Claw

Devil’s claw is used as a herbal supplement worldwide. It is a flowering plant that belongs to the sesame family. The roots of the plant are packed with highly active chemical compounds that have healing properties. One of these is iridoid glycosides, which has shown strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. That is the reason why devil’s claw supplements can be used as a remedy to treat inflammatory conditions like costochondritis as well as other diseases like gout and arthritis. Devil’s claw can be consumed in the form of capsules, grounded powder, and concentrated extracts. All these forms are equally effective in alleviating pain and inflammation in cartilage.

Ginseng

Ginseng is a combined name of a variety of small plants with fleshy roots. It is popular in the world of herbal medicine because of its outstanding health benefits and restoring properties. Ginseng contains two important compounds, gintonin and ginsenosides, and these are believed to be antioxidants and possess anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, Ginseng supplements and extracts can be used in the management of inflammatory conditions such as costochondritis. Scientists believe that ginsenosides target cells in the immune system that minimize inflammation and pain.

The real cause behind the occurrence of costochondritis is unknown in most cases. Although the condition doesn’t last long for most people, it can last for years for some other people. For many people, the chest pain can be unbearable. Home remedies and anti-inflammatory supplements are one way to help manage costochondritis. Just as most of these supplements are helpful in fighting inflammation, an Anti-Inflammatory Diet may be considered as well to help reduce inflammation. All of the above supplements have been used by many cultures for ages to deal with inflammation and pain relief and as such they may have benefits in treating costochondritis as well.

As always, please speak with your doctor before any diet changes or taking any new supplements, vitamins, or medications.

Have you had success in treating your costochondritis with supplements or changes in your diet? Please leave a comment below and share your experience.

Costochondritis.com Staff

The Costochondritis.com writing team works hard to provide you with fact-based, properly researched information. Some of our staff actively work in healthcare, providing care to patients at some of the largest hospitals in their countries. Our team includes physicians and surgeons as well as specialists with experience in nutrition, exercise, and mental health. Please note: Our writing team does not provide medical advice or treatment.