We face increasing exposure to man-made radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (EMF). EMFs come from laptops, mobile phones, numerous Wi-Fi access points, smart meters, routers, Bluetooth devices, cordless phones, and antennas on cell towers.
Currently, it is nearly impossible to avoid man-made EMFs in our modern world.
The long-term health effects of low-dose exposure to EMFs were rarely investigated before the mass adoption of these technologies. A 2009 study published in Pathophysiology reported that long-term exposure to EMFs “increase the risk of both Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer.”
Specifically, EMFs can penetrate tissues and decrease the production of melatonin, which may contribute to the development or progression of Alzheimer’s disease and breast cancer.
In addition, EMFs may impact the fertility rates of both women and men. One study in 2014 looked at DNA fragmentation and sperm motility in healthy men after exposure to a cell phone in “talk mode” for five hours. Compared with the control group, mobile phone radiation exposure decreased sperm motility and increased DNA fragmentation levels.
Another study in 2017 found that women exposed to higher levels of EMF radiation had 2.72 times the risk of miscarriage compared to women with lower EMF exposure.
More studies are needed to replicate these findings. But they serve as a cautionary message.
EMFs have been implicated in increases in reactive oxygen species and free radicals resulting in higher levels of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress contributes to many chronic conditions including cardiovascular disease, aging, cancer, and brain dysfunction. Long-term exposure to EMFs may contribute to the formation of chronic disease.
The EU has determined that low-frequency EMFs are “possibly carcinogenic” based on evidence of increased incidence of childhood leukemia and Alzheimer’s disease in adults.
EMF exposure may also result in electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS), with symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, headaches, problems with concentrating or memory, depression, burning sensation of the skin, and sleep disturbances.
It seems logical to proactively reduce your exposure to man-made EMFs to improve your overall well-being. Options include distancing and shielding.
Another option is to incorporate certain herbs and spices into your daily diet.
Herbs and spices contain many anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds that can help heal the damage caused by exposure to EMFs. Let’s take a look at the herbs and spices best known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics.
Ginkgo biloba
Gingko Biloba has been identified to have at least 50 distinct beneficial physiological actions.
Gingko biloba comes from the ginkgo tree. Gingko Biloba was used in ancient Chinese medicine to help unblock stuck energy in vital organs and to stimulate blood flow throughout the body.
Today, ginkgo is used to alleviate headaches, assist with breathing issues, fight depression and anxiety, protect against free radicals, assist with diabetes, and protect the brain from the aging process due to its rich antioxidant properties.
Ginkgo may also protect against EMF radiation. In one study, rats were exposed to EMFs from a mobile phone for one hour each day for seven days. EMF exposure resulted in oxidative damage to the brains of rats in the control group. However, rats given ginkgo biloba prior to cell phone exposure didn’t suffer from oxidative stress. More research is needed, but this is promising information.
Ginseng
Fresh ginseng has anti-cancer and neuroprotective properties.
Ginseng is an adaptogen that has been utilized in Chinese medicine for its wide spectrum of medicinal effects, including anti-aging and antimutagenic activities.
Studies have verified ginseng’s numerous health benefits, including anti-cancer and neuroprotective properties, as well as pharmacological abilities in the treatment of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Ginseng may also protect against radiation exposure. A study published in 2014 demonstrated that when rats were exposed to cell phone radiation for four hours per day for 12 days, liver cells were damaged and oxidative injury was observed. However, rats that consumed ginseng did not experience damage to their liver cells.
Another similar study found brain damage in rats that didn’t consume ginseng as opposed to no brain damage in rats that did consume ginseng. Both groups were exposed to EMFs.
Ginseng may also provide protection against gamma radiation-induced damage due to its antioxidative capability to scavenge free radicals, as well as its immunomodulating capabilities.
Green tea
Green tea has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiarthritic, antibacterial, and antiviral effects.
Green tea has been used for treating numerous ailments in traditional Asian medicine. It contains an abundance of antioxidants.
Studies have confirmed numerous health benefits of green tea including prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease, as well as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiarthritic, antibacterial, and antiviral effects.
Green tea may protect against EMF exposure as well.
A 2011 study reported that green tea can protect neurons in the brain against cell phone radiation. Cell phone exposure for 24 hours resulted in neuronal cell death in cultured rat cells. Green tea, however, prevented cell death.
Another study in 2016 found that green tea provided a protective effect against low-frequency electromagnetic fields of high-voltage power lines. Oxidative damage to DNA was measured in workers exposed to the EMFs from high-voltage power lines. Following 12 months of green tea polyphenol supplementation (GTPS), the oxidative damage was diminished.
Turmeric
Turmeric contains anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects.
Turmeric has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine, especially for treating inflammatory conditions. Turmeric contains anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory compounds and helps treat inflammatory, oxidative, and immune dysregulation disorders.
Turmeric is also a powerful anti-radiation spice due to its ability to reduce inflammation. Curcumin plays a role in the ability of turmeric to inhibit inflammation and prevent damage triggered by EMF exposure.
EMF exposure can increase the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1beta. Those pro-inflammatory cytokines can contribute to the formation of neurological conditions and diseases. Studies show that curcumin can inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines following exposure to EMF radiation.
These studies suggest that the consumption of turmeric may help reduce the negative effects of man-made EMF radiation on the body.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a highly versatile herb that can be used in teas, essential oils, and everyday cooking. It is also an effective therapeutic with several uses. The use of rosemary dates back to at least 500 B.C. It was traditionally used for relief from conditions such as mental decline, epilepsy, pain, and infertility.
Current studies investigate its potential to alleviate inflammatory conditions and neurological deficits. It may also protect the body from potential damage caused by EMF exposure.
Exposure to EMFs decreased levels of male hormones in rats, including testosterone, according to one study. However, male hormone levels in rats supplemented with rosemary leaf extract were improved. In 2021, another study showed that rosemary leaf extract “offered substantial protection” against EMF-induced liver damage in rats.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immune-modulating, anti-stress, anti-Parkinson, anti-Alzheimer, anti-diabetic, cardioprotective, neuro-protective, and anti-cancer properties.
Ashwagandha has been used since antiquity for reproductive health and is currently used for a variety of ailments from relieving anxiety to increasing longevity.
Scientific studies confirm ashwagandha contains antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immune-modulating, anti-stress, anti-Parkinson, anti-Alzheimer, anti-diabetic, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and anti-cancer properties.
Ashwagandha’s powerful protective properties may be due to its ability to boost antioxidant capacity and combat oxidative stress. Ashwagandha has been used for several thousand years in Ayurvedic medicine to treat numerous neurological disorders.
Since ashwagandha contains powerful antioxidant properties and can protect against oxidative stress caused by physical and chemical stressors, such as radiation, it’s plausible ashwagandha may protect against other forms of radiation as well, including radiofrequency EMFs.
Holy basil
Holy basil has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antistress, anti-carcinogenic, radioprotective, neuro-protective, cardio-protective, hepatoprotective, and immunomodulatory activities.
Holy basil is not the culinary basil used to make pesto.
The medicinal properties of holy basil have been known for thousands of years, and the herb is considered sacred by the Hindus in the Indian subcontinent.
Holy basil has been shown scientifically to exhibit anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antistress, anti-carcinogenic, radioprotective, neuro-protective, cardio-protective, hepatoprotective, and immunomodulatory activities.
Holy Basil is an adaptogen that supports the body’s endogenous antioxidant activity to help combat oxidative stress. For example, it contains numerous phytochemicals such as Rosmarinus acid, eugenol, apigenin, and carnosic acid.
These compounds reportedly prevent chemical-induced skin, liver, oral, and lung cancers by increasing antioxidant activity, altering gene expression including upregulation of apoptosis, and inhibiting metastasis. They also prevent radiation-induced DNA damage.
Its ability to increase antioxidant capacity, decrease oxidative stress, and protect against gamma radiation sickness means it may help protect the body from EMFs as well.
Reishi mushroom
Reishi mushroom has many health benefits, such as preventing and reversing cancer, boosting the immune system, and reducing fatigue.
Reishi extract has also been shown to suppress inflammation, scavenge free radicals, and decrease oxidative damage.
Due to its ability to decrease oxidative stress and repair cells damaged by gamma radiation, it’s plausible reishi might help protect the body from radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as well.
Final thoughts
As always, check with your doctor if you have any health conditions or are taking prescription medications. Some of these herbs and spices may interact with medications. However, they also have the ability to help protect us from harmful exposure to man-made EMFs. Their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can help boost your overall well-being.