The word “arthritis” comes from the Greek word arthron, meaning “joint,” and itis, meaning “inflammation.” When the condition is acute, joint swelling, pain, heat, and redness may be present. As a chronic condition, joint pain, stiffness, lack of mobility, and eventually bone deformity can occur. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory condition and autoimmune disease. Osteoarthritis affects the weight-bearing joints (knees, hips, and spine). Here’s how to ease pain and discomfort.
TOPICAL HERBS FOR ARTHRITIS RELIEF
Ginger compresses can be deeply comforting. Just dip a clean washcloth into 1 cup (235 ml) of hot (not scalding) ginger tea and apply it to the aching joint in question. Cover with a dry cloth to help hold the heat in until it’s cool. Replace as needed.
You can also apply cayenne pepper cream (available at health food stores and some pharmacies), using enough to cover the afflicted area to decrease the amount of a neurotransmitter, called substance P, which relays pain messages to the brain. The key ingredient in cayenne pepper is capsaicin. A study published in the Journal of Rheumatology in 1992 showed that capsaicin is effective in relieving the tenderness and pain associated with osteoarthritis. It can be applied 2 or 3 times daily.
To make your own liniment (a tincture applied to the skin) for topical use to alleviate arthritis pain, steep 1 tablespoon (5 g) cayenne pepper in 1 pint (475 ml) of apple cider vinegar for two weeks, shaking daily. Strain. Apply gently to the skin but wash your hands afterward and avoid getting it close to your eyes, which would sting.
Cures from Grandma’s Kitchen
Use a cabbage leaf poultice (see page 19) to help draw out the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. Another folk remedy that many people swear by is drinking a mixture of 2 teaspoons (13 g) raw honey and 2 teaspoons (10 ml) unpasteurized apple cider vinegar in 1 cup (235 ml) of warm water. The high potassium content of the vinegar dissolves calcium deposits around the joints. Potassium also promotes the growth of cells and tissues. This can be taken up to three times daily.
VITAMINS AND NUTRIENTS FOR JOINT HEALTH
Take 1,000 mg daily of calcium for healthy bones, as well as 400 mg magnesium and 1,000 IU vitamin D daily so that the calcium is properly absorbed into the body. Magnesium also relaxes tight muscles and inhibits the action of hyaluronidase, which can destroy synovial fluid and joints.
Glucosamine sulphate is essential for the formation of mucopolysaccharides, necessary for connective tissue. This nutrient reduces inflammation, helps to repair traumatized tissue, and cushions joints, so it is particularly helpful in relieving osteoarthritis. Glucosamine also thickens synovial fluid and stimulates the production of new cartilage and connective tissue. Take 250 to 500 mg three times daily.
Bromelain, an enzyme that comes from pineapple, also reduces inflammatory prostaglandins. Take 500 mg daily.
GOOD TO KNOW!
A deficiency of copper can contribute to osteoarthritis. Copper bracelets are reported to be beneficial by many people who suffer from arthritis. This may be because our skin is porous enough to absorb trace amounts of copper, which can stop free-radical damage to the tissues.
BEST FOODS TO FIGHT ARTHRITIS
Arthritis is an inflammatory condition, so anything you can ingest to “cool off” the body is important. Essential fatty acids found in fish oil can reduce inflammation, lubricating the joints. Take one to three fish oil capsules daily. For the same reason, include at least a couple of servings weekly of fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, and halibut in your diet. Chia seeds, hemp seeds, and flax seeds can also be consumed on a daily basis for their quality lubricating oils.
Other beneficial foods for arthritis include nutritive and anti-inflammatory almonds, avocados, barley, brown rice, carrots, celery, kamut, quinoa, millet, oatmeal, black beans, artichokes, beets, burdock root, endive, kale, okra, parsley, parsnips, sweet potatoes, water-cress, winter squash, yams, and pecans.
GOOD TO GROW!
Did you know that you can get relief from arthritis by stinging the afflicted area with nettles? That’s right. This sort of therapy is called urtication. Just cultivate a nettle patch or find some growing wild and wriggle any arthritic area in the plants, getting stung several times. Nettle sting contains formic acid, which stimulates a natural antihistamine reaction. Although the sting is less than pleasant, the technique provides excellent relief. My friend’s grandfather in Germany would roll naked down a nettle-covered hill to treat his arthritis!
Raw string beans have long been considered a therapeutic food for arthritis because of their ability to eliminate uric acid, which can contribute to joint pain.
Celery seed as a condiment helps eliminate uric acid in the body too. Cherries, hawthorn berries, and blueberries are rich sources of anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins, which are water-soluble colorful pigments in food that have antioxidant activity and help prevent collagen breakdown.
Use turmeric in food for its anti-inflammatory properties. Drinking a shotglass of aloe vera juice 10 minutes before each meal also reduces inflammation. Look for it at natural food stores.
SOOTHING PRACTICES FOR ARTHRITIS
Bathing in warm water to which 1 pound (455 g) of Epsom salts has been added is very pain relieving. Add 5 to 10 drops of essential oils of coriander, eucalyptus, fir, ginger, lavender, pine, rosemary, or wintergreen. All of these herbs help improve circulation, and winter-green even contains salicin, a pain-relieving compound. If you are feeling bold, practice dry brush skin massage and alternate hot and cold showers (ending with cold).
Skip This!
Minimize foods rich in oxalic acid, such as beet greens, rhubarb, Swiss chard, and spinach, which can contribute to irritating crystals forming in the joints. Nix foods in the nightshade family like tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, green pepper, paprika, and tobacco because they contain solanine, which is a neuromuscular toxin.
Exercising in water can be a soothing way to stay in shape, and such exercise has less impact on the joints. Swimming and bicycling are beneficial exercises that are less likely to cause stress on the joints. If it’s too much to be active every day, alternate one day on, one day off. Don’t exercise beyond feeling “good tired.” Otherwise, you will be wiped out the next day!
This Natural Arthritis Pain Relief article is taken from :
The Country Almanac of Home Remedies - Brigitte Mars
