Vegan Collagen Boosting Foods, Plants & Herbs
Vegan Collagen Boosting Foods, Plants & Herbs
(Ocimum Sanctum)
Holy Basil
Collagen is beneficial for healthy joints and skin. A study on the wound healing effects of holy basil found that the plant increased cellular production and collagen synthesis. Research has also seen potential in anti-skin-aging activity and protection from collagen fiber degradation. Holy basil has been seen to possess anti-arthritic properties and anti-inflammatory properties. Holy basil contains properties that have been seen to help against arthritis, which is a condition that causes pain and inflammation in the joints. In addition to that, this plant acts as an analgesic (painkiller) and has multiple therapeutic applications.
(Urtica Dioica)
Stinging Nettle
Osteoarthritis (OA), according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), is the most common form of arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation shows that stinging nettle reduces the aches and pains from osteoarthritis. The foundation also claims that this plant reduces inflammation. There have been many studies that showed stinging nettle helps with arthritis. Research looking into stinging nettle's wound-healing ability saw an increased rate of collagen formation. It has also been shown that this plant has many benefits and can help with joint pain and inflammation.
(Boswellia Serrata)
Boswellia
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease that affects joints in the hands, knees, and wrists. The Arthritis Foundation shows that Boswellia reduces inflammation, treats bursitis symptoms, and treats both rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), and bursitis symptoms. Bursitis is a condition that causes pain and swelling around the bones and muscles. research has seen Boswellia to have positive effects on inflammation, bursitis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and osteoarthritis (OA).
Kale
Kale is high in Vitamin K, which plays an essential role in bone-related diseases. Vitamin K can help reduce the risk of bone fractures. Research shows that having lower vitamin K levels can increase fracture risk. Kale is rich in antioxidants, beta-carotene (which the body turns into Vitamin A), and Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid). Vitamin C has many benefits, but deficiency of it can cause pain and issues within the musculoskeletal system, such as joint pain in the knees, ankles, and wrists. In addition, Vitamin C is used by the body to build and maintain collagen.
(Calendula Officinalis)
Calendula
Arthritis is a condition that causes pain and inflammation in the joints. The European Medicines Agency recognizes calendula as an herbal medicinal product. One of its uses is anti-inflammatory. One study that looked into calendula's wound-healing abilities found that the plant increased the collagen amount in the wounds. The plant also contains polyphenols, which can stabilize collagen, improve collagen's resistance to degradation, stimulate bone formation, proliferation (an increase in the number of cells), and the survival of osteoblasts (osteoblasts are cells that make bone).
(Equisetum Arvense)
Horsetail
Osteoblasts are cells that handle bone synthesis and are responsible for new bone formation. An essential function of maintaining, remodeling, and repairing bones in the vertebral skeleton. Horsetail has been found to have positive effects on osteoblasts and negative effects on osteoclasts (cells that degrade or resorb bone).
Horsetail contains silica which has many different benefits. Some are for hair, skin and nails. This plant is known for hair growth and as an anti-hair loss treatment in certain parts of Asia. Research even found that taking Horsetail increased hair growth and hair strength and decreased hair loss in men and women with hair thinning.
(Harpagophytum)
Devil's Claw
The Arthritis Foundation lists this plant as recommended for arthritis since it can relieve pain and inflammation. The foundation even mentioned a study in which people who took Devil's Claw for 8 weeks reported improving pain, mobility, and flexibility. Devil's Claw has shown that it can help with arthritis, back pain, and joint pain.
(Uncaria Tomentosa)
Cat's Claw
Cat’s Claw was found to increase DNA repair and decrease DNA damage. A study discovered that the skin cell death from UV exposure was protected from Cat's Claw and DNA repair increased. The Arthritis Foundation's website noted that Cat's Claw has anti-inflammatoryproperties. Research has shown that it can be effective and reduce pain associated with osteoarthritis(OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). One study concluded that "Cat's claw is an effective treatment for osteoarthritis," as it saw in the study subjects that pain associated with activity decreased significantly.
(Zingiber Offcinale)
Ginger
Ginger was found to reduce muscle pain from exercise. The study concluded that daily ginger supplementation could help reduce muscle pain caused by eccentric exercise. This plant can help reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis, as one study with ginger extract saw a significant effect on reducing symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee. The Arthritis Foundation recommended it as it has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, with studies confirming that ginger extract can reduce pain in hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA). A scientific review in 2015 concluded that "Ginger was modestly efficacious and reasonably safe for treatment of osteoarthritis."
(Shilajit)
Mumie
This natural substance is created by the gradual decomposition of certain plants over a long period. Mumie (Shilajit) is made up of humic substances, such as fulvic acid and oligo-elements, which are minerals in the body with a tiny amount, yet crucial for the body to be functioning properly. One of those oligo-elements is selenium, which help against aging-related diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and skin aging.
Mast cells are involved in a few functions, such as healing wounds and angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels). These cells live in the bone marrow and in body tissues. A study using shilajit combined with other ingredients found significant protection against antigen-induced degradation of sensitized mast cells.
(Curcuma Longa)
Turmeric
Long used as a spice with many benefits from the curcuminoids found inside this plant. The most well-known curcuminoid is Curcumin, the main active ingredient in Turmeric. Curcumin has beneficial effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, skin health, antioxidant, and relieving arthritis. While Curcumin is the main ingredient inside Turmeric, it is essential not to confuse them. Turmeric does not contain a lot of Curcumin. Turmeric contains about 2–6% curcuminoid compounds, with pure Turmeric powder having about 3.14% curcumin. That is why many supplements sell curcumin extract.
Free radicals and oxidants are produced either from normal cell metabolisms or external sources such as pollution or cigarettes. When too many free radicals accumulate in the body, oxidative stress occurs, which is a significant development of aging and illness such as arthritis, autoimmune and more. Antioxidants help protect the body from free radicals, and Curcumin contains a lot of antioxidants. Curcumin increases the level of antioxidative protein markers that lead to suppressing oxidative stress.
Research shows that Turmeric can have benefits for skiing health, such as reducing scarring, acne and psoriasis, but more research is still needed. One study compared Curcumin to aspirin and ibuprofen. The study found that Curcumin was the most potent anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative agent they had studied. Another study saw that Curcumin could increase muscle performance in addition to its anti-inflammatory effect.
Due to the strong anti-inflammatory effects, it can be effective against arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation recommends Curcumin, and evidence has been more effective than anti-inflammatory drugs. Many studies have shown improvements in patients with rheumatoidarthritis and osteoarthritis.
(Red Panax Ginseng)
Korean Ginseng
One interesting study on wound healing used this ginseng and found that it significantly increased cell proliferation and collagen synthesis. Panax ginseng is well known in parts of the world as a medicinal plant to treat inflammatory diseases. Research has shown that this plant has anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties.
