This is a post about a specific product. I don’t usually do that, but I have to say Zyflamend is pretty special. It’s been New Chapter’s best-selling product for many years, and I’ve been taking it nearly that long.
Zyflamend Whole Body, as they’re calling it now, is an anti-inflammatory blend whose “10 herbs showed a powerful synergy when tested as a whole blend, compared with testing activity of the 10 herbs separately”. I have to say, I’ve found that to be true. The product is marketed primarily for joint and muscle pain, and it is very effective for that, but I’ve also used it for wound recovery, allergy-related coughing/wheezing, and tension headaches.
Rosemary, Turmeric, Green Tea, and Ginger, are the core of the Zyflamend blend. Turmeric and Ginger are both well-known anti-inflammatory herbs. In fact, I use Turmeric regularly to control gut inflammation, especially if I’ve eaten something I shouldn’t, which is more often than I should probably admit here. But hey, herbalists are human too! Rosemary isn’t the first herb you’d think of for pain, but it’s actually great for headaches as well as common aches and pains. Green Tea, among its many lovely properties, supports and intensifies the effects of the other herbs.
So New Chapter tells us that Zyflamend is intended for joint and muscle pain. Most often it’s used for the chronic lower back pain that so many suffer. I’d like to suggest that while, yes, Zyflamend is great for this kind of chronic pain, it also has uses that aren’t listed on the label*.
Digestive Inflammation
I’m sure you know someone who has food sensitivities, you may have them yourself. Gluten, Dairy, and Soy intolerances are more and more common these days. So are other gut disorders, like Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Heartburn and GERD. These disorders are painful and can really effect your day to day life. While complex, and potentially difficult to treat, inflammation of the gut can be helped by Zyflamend, in some cases. Be very careful, as the main ingredients in this formula can be very heating in the stomach. If you have a serious digestive disorder, it’s probably best to work with an herbalist to determine is Zyflamend will help or aggravate your particular condition. For myself, since I have a digestive system that “runs hot”, I’ll often use the Turmeric by itself just to be on the safe side.
Respiratory Inflammation
I discovered this use completely by accident. I don’t have asthma, but from time to time I have allergic reactions that give me asthma-type symptoms, particularly wheezing. Years ago I visited a friend who had just painted their living room. I had a strong reaction to the paint fumes, but all I had in my bag was a couple of Zyflamend capsules. I decided to go ahead and try it, and it worked beautifully! Within 30-40 minutes I was breathing freely and much more comfortable. Since then, I take Zyflamend regularly during the spring tree pollen season to improve my breathing, especially at night. It’s such a relief to have something on hand that makes me feel better so quickly.
A Note About Dosing
Product labels tend to have very conservative dosing instructions. This makes sense, because there certainly is such a thing as too much of a good thing! But herb dosing is very individualized, and depends on things like your weight, metabolism, body constitution, and overall health. If you’re trying an herbal product for the first time, start with the manufacturer’s recommendation. In Zyflamend’s case, this is 2 capsules per day with food. But if you find that this doesn’t work, don’t assume that Zyflamend won’t work for you. You can gradually increase the dose until you find what works for you. Go slow, and pay attention to your body. The most common side effect that I have seen with this product is heartburn or mild diarrhea. Taking the capsules with food can really help prevent the heartburn especially!
Zyflamend is one of those products that I really consider special, and always have on hand in my medicine cabinet. As it has very few side effects, and is much easier on the stomach than non-steroidal anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen and aspirin, I hope that you’ll try it too for your aches, pains, and inflammations.
In good health,
Susan
*Please be aware that New Chapter does not recommend these uses, nor does Smile Herb Shop or the author take responsibility for your individual experience. Please consult a health care professional and your own common sense before taking herbs in any way other than the manufacturer’s recommendation.
