Bromelain is the name of a group of powerful protein-digesting, or proteolytic, enzymes that are found in the pineapple plant (Ananas comosus). Discovered in 1957, and widely studied since then, bromelain is particularly useful for reducing muscle and tissue inflammation and as a digestive aid. Supplements are made from enzymes found in the pineapple stem. *Bromelain is a natural blood thinner and anti-inflammatory. It works by breaking down fibrin, a blood-clotting protein that can impede good circulation and prevent tissues from draining properly. Bromelain also blocks the production of compounds that can cause swelling and pain. When inflammation is reduced, blood can move more easily to a traumatized area, easing pain and speeding healing.
* If you take blood thinners, please check with your doctor before taking Total Muscle & Body because Bromelain is a natural blood thinner.

Boswellia, also known as boswellin or "Indian frankincense," comes from the Boswellia serrata tree that grows in the dry hills of India. For centuries, traditional Indian healers have taken advantage of the anti-inflammatory properties of the tree bark's gummy resin, called salai guggal. Modern preparations made from a purified extract of this resin and packaged in pill or cream form are used to reduce inflammation associated with osteoarthritis and tendonitis. Unlike conventional NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen--the accepted treatments for joint inflammation--boswellia doesn't seem to cause stomach irritation.

Devil's Claw is a plant found in the deserts of southern Africa. It is named Devil's Claw because of the distinctively shaped tips of its fruits. For years, people indigenous to the African continent dug up the plant's large tuberous roots, chopped them up, and let them dry in the sun. From the dried roots, they then prepared healing formulations to treat arthritis, sciatica, fever, indigestion, and a number of other conditions.
It remains unclear just how devil's claw works to reduce inflammation and pain. The latest findings indicate that the plant does not exert anti-inflammatory effects in the same way that many standard anti-inflammatory medications do. Yet test-tube studies still point to painkilling and anti-inflammatory actions. A handful of studies support the use of devil's claw for easing the inflammation and pain that often afflict people with arthritis. In southern Africa, this herb also has a long history of use for arthritis, rheumatic diseases, lower back pain and other inflammatory disorders. Several studies have found that taking devil's claw for several months substantially reduces pain and improves physical functioning in people with osteoarthritis. In a large, well-designed 4-month study including 122 people with knee and hip osteoarthritis, devil's claw root powder reduced pain and improved functional ability as effectively as standard doses of a leading European medication for osteoarthritis. Additionally, those who received devil's claw experienced fewer side effects and required fewer pain-reducing medications throughout the study.

Devil's claw is nontoxic and safe, with virtually no side effects if taken at the recommended therapeutic dose.

White Willow Bark is a natural form of aspirin without the gastrointestinal side effects (stomach bleeding, ulcers, etc.) of synthetic aspirin. It helps to reduce prostaglandins safely to get rid of inflammation and pain. It was used by the Chinese for centuries as a form of pain reliever. It has also been reported to increase joint and muscular mobility.

Ginger is revered around the world for its pungent taste. It is a natural spice that is also widely prized for its medicinal properties. Since ancient times, traditional healers in a diverse array of cultures have used this plant primarily to help settle upset stomachs. Chinese herbalists have relied on ginger as a medicine and flavoring for more than 2,500 years. The early Greeks mixed it into breads (hence the first gingerbread), and North American colonists sipped nausea-quelling ginger beer, the precursor of modern ginger ale. Today, many cultures continue to rely on ginger for controlling nausea and also for reducing inflammation.
Ginger helps indirectly to relieve chronic pain by reducing inflammation and, particularly when taken in standardized extract form, by lowering the body's level of natural pain-causing compounds called prostaglandins. Ginger is also used to help support the immune system and bring blood to the area of inflammation to speed up healing.

Hops offers a calm, soothing effect for people with inflammation similar to valerian root. It is also used to help with pain.

Cayenne is an herb that alleviates pain naturally by reducing Substance P, a neurotransmitter that stimulates nerve cells causing pain. It also helps to support the immune system. It has been shown in human studies to improve the migration of white blood cells to attack foreign microorganisms and toxins in the bloodstream. It alleviates inflammation and can break up the deposits that contribute to the pain of tendonitis.

Echinacea is a natural anti-inflammatory that helps boost the immune system and even lubricates joints. Herbalists consider Echinacea one of the best blood purifiers and an effective antibiotic. It activates the body's immune system increasing the chances of fighting off any disease.

Vitamin D is called the sunlight vitamin because the body produces it when the sun's ultraviolet B (UVB) rays strike the skin. It is the only vitamin the body manufactures naturally and is technically considered a hormone. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium from food and supplements.