Review of Solaray IbuActin, an All Natural Inflammation and Pain Reliever

I recently discovered IbuActin at WholeFoods when I was looking for a natural alternative to pharmaceutical pain relievers such as Tylenol and Ibuprofen. IbuActin is touted as an all-natural alternative to Ibuprofen and promises all day, all body comfort.

While I rarely pop pills (supplements included) to numb pain, I decided to try IbuActin when I experienced persistent, all-day, unexplainable and unrelenting pain that kept me from enjoying the moment and basically, living my life, after a recent trip to India. The all day, all body message resonated with me loud and clear and I decided that taking this supplement to relieve the pain I was experiencing would be a kind and loving thing to do for myself. The supplement helped take the edge off the pain, got me unstuck and helped me move forward, when I needed it the most. The pain finally resolved after a month, and even though I took the supplement only a few times, I have decided that it has earned a permanent spot in my healing cabinet.

IbuActin by Solaray is an analgesic and inflammation-reducing supplement comprising of six pain-relieving herbs as active ingredients. Let’s examine each of these ingredients, get to know them and how and why they treat pain in a gentle, yet holistic and effective way.

Hops

Yes, the same plant that makes the popular booze, also relieves pain, treats inflammation, calms anxiety and soothes digestion. Before you get ready to grab a bottle of beer, the beer making process destroys the alpha acids, responsible for treating inflammation and pain reduction in Hops. So it is best to take traditional herbal preparations for pain and anxiety. A study published in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that the alpha acids in Hops demonstrated COX-2 (an enzyme responsible for inflammation) inhibition comparable to 400 mg of ibuprofen, but without the side effects of gastric problems.

Bromelain

An enzyme found in pineapple juice and pineapple stems, bromelain aids in the digestion of proteins, reduces inflammation and treats indigestion. Central and South America have a history of using bromelain to reduce inflammation and swelling and treat sprains.

Most research studies on the enzyme are at least a decade old, but a recent 2014 study published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery showed that taking bromelain orally improved the quality of life of patients who had undergone surgery for impacted third molars. The study compared bromelain with the drug, diclofenac sodium and concluded that both the natural and pharmaceutical pain medications reduced pain significantly and improved the quality of patients after oral surgery. The study validated and strengthened the enzyme’s reputation as an inflammation and pain reducer. Earlier studies have reported bromelain’s role in reducing inflammation and pain in osteoarthritis and sinus infections. In Germany, the enzyme is an approved and widely used remedy to reduce swelling and inflammation in the nose and sinuses.

White Willow

White willow is the au naturel cousin of the ubiquitous pain and inflammation reliever, Asprin. The Greek Physician Hippocrates waxed lyrical about the qualities of white willow and ancient Egyptians used the herb to treat inflammation. The herb is extracted from the bark the white willow tree that is a native of Asia and parts of Europe. A study published in the American Journal of Medicine showed white willow’s ability to safely treat lower back pain. However, remember, if you are allergic or sensitive to Asprin, you are also allergic to white willow and taking the herb can cause undesirable effects.

Turmeric and Ginger

Inflammation is a normal response of a body’ s immune system to fight off infection from foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses. However, when things go awry, the body produces an inflammation response even when there is no infection to fight. Chronic low-level inflammation is the subject of a huge amount of research and is being implicated in every disease, ranging from arthritis to diabetes to Alzheimer’s to cancer. Time magazine called inflammation, ‘the silent killer’! Inflammation is not always silent though and can cause acute and chronic pain. Studies have consistently confirmed the role of two common kitchen spices, turmeric and ginger, to fight inflammation from arthritis and muskulosleletal pain. IbuActin contains 50 mg each of ginger and turmeric in a dose of 2 capsules.

Papain

Papain is a proteolytic enzyme found in the papaya fruit. While papain is often taken as an enzyme to aid digestion and soothe gastrointestinal upsets, an old German study confirms its ability to reduce pain caused due to Shingles. Smaller studies pinpoint to the enzyme’s role in stimulating the body’s own analgesia and relieve arthritis inflammation and pain. Further, due to enzymatic nature, papain gets rid of cellular waste that accumulates in arthritic joints. IbuActin contains 75 mg of the enzyme in 2 capsules.

To Sum it Up 

Two tropical fruits, two kitchen spices and a plant extract that makes a popular booze, combined together, make for a mighty fine supplement! With an ingredient list that reads like the who’s who of kick ass inflammation fighters, IbuActin is a good supplement to have around when you need some natural pain relief. Remember that it is not as fast acting as pharmaceutical analgesics and will only take the edge off the pain 

Sources: 

• Natural Health: A Hopping Good Pain Reliever
• Natural Health Research Institute: Hops, an Informed Opinion
• American Cancer Society: Bromelain
• About; Alternative Health; White Willow
• American Journal of Medicine: Treatment of low back pain exacerbations with willow bark extract: a randomized double-blind study
• International Journal of Rheumatic Disease; Protective effects of ginger-turmeric rhizomes mixture on joint inflammation, atherogenesis, kidney dysfunction and other complications in a rat model of human rheumatoid arthritis.
• Livestrong; Papain and Bromelain-for-Joint Pain and Arthritis