Herbal Medicine For Arthritis

Arthritis is disabling, painful, and very common, usual medical care can be very helpful, but some additional treatments might help, too. Certain herbs may have anti-inflammatory properties that can help with arthritis by reducing pain in all forms of the disease.

Turmeric

Most research conducted on turmeric proved its anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties extensively over the past couple of decades, even earning kudos from within the medical establishment. The spice also matches or surpasses OTC and prescribed medications for handling arthritic inflammation.

This herb is used mostly as a spice with food, but the best way to consume turmeric easily on a daily basis and get the most bio-available form of its active ingredient, curcumin, is mixing it with fats like coconut oil or milk and heating. Add some pepper to increase bio-availability.

Ginger:

ginger has been used medicinally for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine as a natural anti-inflammatory food. Recent research on the therapeutic effects of spices, conducted at Odense University in Denmark, confirms what the ancient Indian doctors knew.

In the clinical studies done at the university, people suffering with arthritic pain showed significant improvements in pain, swelling and morning stiffness by eating ginger daily.

The research also found that ginger was superior to non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Tylenol or Advil – in addition to blocking the formation of the inflammatory compounds, ginger also has antioxidant effects that break down existing inflammation and acidity in the fluid within the joints.

Ginger’s active ingredients, gingerols, possess anti-inflammatory characteristics responsible for its medicinal actions. Gingerols work by preventing the formation of cytokines, an immune chemical that triggers inflammation.

Boswellia

For thousands of years Boswellia has been used as a natural anti-inflammatory. Extracts of the gum of this tree, which is mainly found in India, have long been used to relieve joint pain and inflammation. Modern scientific research has confirmed that boswellic acids contained within the herb are able to stop the formation of leukotrienes, the immune cells responsible for inflammation. With regular use blood supply to the joints is also maintained allowing for soft tissue to be nourished and viable.

Scientific research has shown that boswellia has the ability to inhibit the inflammatory mediators in the body, reducing pain and inflammation without irritating or ulcerating the lining of the stomach. Boswellia has also seen to be highly effective in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

Raw Apple Cider Vinegar

Raw means unpasteurized. It should also be unfiltered, with the “mother” still in the bottle. Bragg’s raw, unfiltered ACV is a popular brand, but there are others. Raw ACV’s acidity is, like lemons and limes, alkaline producing as it’s processed in the body’s pH balancing buffer system. If you don’t know by now, apple cider vinegar is an amazing solution for countless health issues

Always shake the bottle to mix in the “mother” and pour out a tablespoon or two into four to eight ounces of purified water. Doing this two or three times daily will allow ACV’s malic acid to rinse out those uric acid crystals from your joints.

Desert devil

Devil’s-claw – an ominous-sounding cure – comes from the Kalahari Desert of South Africa. For at least 250 years, the Hottentots, Bantus, and Bushmen (all native tribes of this region) have treated arthritis pain with this large claw-like fruit that can trap and injure livestock. The tribesmen’s favorite method is to draw an extract from the root and brew it into a tea. Alternatively, devil’s-claw can be dried, powdered, and taken in tablet form.

Recent French and German studies found that the pain-relief of devil’s-claw is similar to that of cortisone. The root acts mainly as an anti-inflammatory, an effect of harpagoside, its active ingredient. Preparations using the whole plant work even better because it contains additional compounds, such as flavonoids, that enhance the anti-inflammatory effect. Devil’s-claw is available in many forms through most mail-order herb companies and health food stores.

Herbal Teas to Treat Arthritis:

Tea prepared from the herbs ginger, celery, black cohosh and alfalfa is very effective in reducing pains and inflammation of arthritis. These herbs are packed with anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic compounds that help in reducing arthritic pains. Celery, enriched with potassium can reduce symptoms of arthritis arising out of potassium deficiency. You can use dried leaves available in the stores and prepare a decoction out of them.

Green tea is rich in antioxidants like polyphenols, and it is also a useful herbal remedy for arthritis. According to a research conducted in Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, the polyphenols present in green tea are quite effective in reducing the severity of the Rheumatoid arthritis. You can drink 2-3 cups of herbal teas throughout the day to alleviate the pains.

Treatment with Essential Herbal Oils:

Massaging the sore joints with essential herbal oils is considered as an effective herbal remedy for arthritis. Essential oils from pepper, German Chamomile, Roman Chamomile, Juniper, Eucalyptus, Ginger, Peppermint, Rosemary and Lavender have anti-inflammatory properties and are good analgesics too.

They stimulate the blood circulation within the affected joints and reduce the severity of the condition. You can also add few drops of essential oils in lukewarm bath water and immerse painful joints in it. Remain immersed till the water cools off. This will provide some relief from the pains. It is necessary to dilute the concentrated essential oils in a carrier oil like coconut oil or jojoba oil in a definite proportion before application. The oil gets absorbed fast and improves the blood circulation.

Weight Loss

This is considered the best remedy maintaining a healthy diet, and losing weight if necessary—is not the easiest.

Still, every pound you pare off means 4 pounds less pressure on your knees, says Laura Robbins, senior vice president of education and academic affairs at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.

Some people will see their symptoms disappear if they lose 10 to 20 pounds, says Roy Altman, MD, a rheumatologist and professor of medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Hot / Cold Therapy

A long warm shower or bath first thing in the morning can go a long way toward easing stiffness from joints, making it possible to start your day with less pain.  Add eucalyptus to a hot bath for the added benefit of muscle relaxation.  Also, the use of heating pads and electric blankets may help you to sleep easier as they can prevent joints from stiffening during the night.  During the day, cold packs can offer immediate pain relief in the short-term when arthritis symptoms flare up.

Aloe Vera for Arthritis

Aloe, by its self does not cure or heal anything; it is the beneficial effects of over 200 different nutritional constituents and the way they react to help reduce inflammation and pain which promote healing. Aloe Vera gives a great boost to the immune system and energy levels. So, In other words…..Aloe Vera provides the body with the right agents to take care of itself and to restore and repair body functions and the body’s own healing process.

Celery

A plant that can be used to treat arthritis. The celery seeds and other portions of the plant contain over 25 anti-inflammatory compounds, as well as providing massive amounts of potassium, which is important because a deficiency in potassium is often a culprit of arthritic pain.