Inflammation, good or bad?

[Flyingtoaster18]

I have a question I'm hoping could be resolved regarding inflammation.

I've come across several articles explaining how inflammation after a workout is a good thing, and aids in muscle growth.

Most information I've come across explains that drugs like NSAID'S should be kept at a minimum to preserve muscle growth.

However, whenever I come across a natural/herbal anti-inflammatory, all information I see glorifies the fact that it has anti-inflammatory properties, and is expressed as helping to aid in muscle growth.

I am not looking at anti-inflammatory herbs for pain relief, but for other reasons. One of the several herbs I am looking at, Ashwagandha, for example, I want to take for its cortisol-blocking effect, but don't want it's anti-inflammatory properties getting in the way of muscle growth.

Really don't know where to turn. Are anti-inflammatories a good thing? Something to be minimized?

Or maybe the NSAID's and herbal anti-inflammatories exhibit their properties in different way, one harmful, other beneficial? Any information would be appreciated. More detailed/more sources the better.

Thank you for your time.

[SuffolkPunch]

Inflammation is part of a repair process. If you take medication to reduce inflammation it's usually to ease the symptoms rather than to speed recovery.

I don't think there is a wealth of evidence showing that NSAIDs will slow muscle growth and recovery from training but as a general principle, I prefer to avoid them except in certain circumstances - for example when pain prevents my sleeping properly.

Remember that 'natural' remedies often have unregulated doses of real drugs in them - things like asprin were originally found in nature. Don't fall for the naturalistic fallacy. Nature is an arms race, it's not a garden of eden. Nightshade and hemlock are natural and organic after all.

[air2fakie]

Really don't know where to turn. Are anti-inflammatories a good thing? Something to be minimized?

Or maybe the NSAID's and herbal anti-inflammatories exhibit their properties in different way, one harmful, other beneficial? Any information would be appreciated. More detailed/more sources the better.

Evaluate your own specific health needs & consult your physician if necessary. Plenty of people take things like glucosamine, fish oil, collagen, turmeric, etc. & have built muscle.