We take the freedom of movement for granted, until it becomes
limited. The cause of this for many people comes in the form of arthritis, or
the inflammation of one or more of your joints.
There are two main kinds, osteo and rheumatoid, both of which
affect the joint in different ways.
Osteo arthritis is when the cartilage between bones wears down,
until bone grates on bone.
Rheumatoid is little less straightforward, being caused by an autoimmune
disorder that causes inflammation of the synovial membrane (a soft tissue that
protects joints in the body) and that can lead to bone loss.
Whichever you experience, there are home remedies for arthritis
to manage the pain and ease the symptoms naturally.
Try
These 14 Home Remedies for Arthritis
1. Turmeric & Ginger Tea
Turmeric
and ginger are both anti-inflammatories, and will help with oseto and
rheumatoid arthritis.
Turmeric
in particular has gotten a lot of attention lately. Its active ingredient is
something called curcumin, which is a powerful antioxidant. In addition, it
lowers the levels of 2 enzymes responsible for causing inflammation (which is
what we’re often fighting with arthritis.)
You
can take these in a capsule form or make a nice spicy tea to enjoy daily.
You will need…
-2
cups of water
-1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
-1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
-Honey to taste
-1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
-1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
-Honey to taste
Directions
Bring
2 cups of water to a boil, and had ½ teaspoon each ground ginger and ground
turmeric. Reduce to a simmer and let it be for 10-15 minutes. Strain, add honey
to taste, and enjoy twice daily. This yields 2 servings.
2. Epsom salt soak
Epsom
salt contains magnesium sulfate which sounds kind of scary, but it’s really
quite a wonderful substance.
A
naturally occurring mineral, magnesium sulfate has been used to get relief from
pain for years, namely because of its high levels of magnesium (more on
magnesium below.)
You will need…
-1/2
cup of Epsom salt
-A large bowl
-Warm water
-A large bowl
-Warm water
Directions
Fill
a large bowl with warm water and add ½ cup of Epsom salt. Stir it around, and
then submerge your sore joints in the liquid.
If
you are experiencing pain in a less convenient place to soak, such as your
knees, try taking a bath with Epsom salts. Run a tub full of warm water and add
2 cups of Epsom salt. Soak for 15 minutes (at least.)
3. Get more magnesium
(seriously.)
Magnesium
is something our bodies need, but we can’t make it ourselves. It is used in
over 300 different biomechanical responses in our body. It relaxes all our
muscles and nerve endings, relieving stiffness and pain.
It
is even part of what makes our heart beat. Not only does it relax muscles and
ease pain (this goes for arthritis pain too, of course) it helps bones to
mineralize.
The
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition conducted one of many studies on
magnesium that showed people who had a diet high in magnesium/took supplements
had higher bone density, and overall stronger bones.
There
are several ways to get more magnesium and utilize it for arthritis in
particular.
Supplements: Magnesium capsules
are a good thing to add to your day-to-day life, but they work best when used
in conjunction with an improved diet.
Diet: Really this is the
clincher-as great as supplements are, they can’t do everything. Eat foods that
are high in magnesium, which include dark leafy greens (like spinach), nuts,
and legumes (beans.)
Oil: There is
magnesium oil that can be applied topically and absorbed through the skin. Try
rubbing it on sore joints to relieve pain.
4. Lubricate With Extra Virgin
Olive Oil
The
very consistency of olive oil makes it seem like something that would lubricate
your joints and ease arthritis pain, and it turns out, it actually does.
A
main compound in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) called oleocanthal inhibits
inflammatory enzymes COX-1 and COX-2, just like Advil or aspirin does. A study
showed that 1 ½ tablespoons is equal to 200-mg of ibuprofen.
However,
not every oil is created equal. Heat destroys oleocanthal, so it is necessary
to use extra virgin olive oil or “cold-pressed.” The ripeness of the olives at
the time they were pressed also determines the level of oleocanthal-generally
the stronger tasting the oil, the higher the level there is present.
It
can be taken internally to reap the benefits, but being high in calories
consider replacing any fats, such as butter, with it in cooking instead.
You will need…
-2-3
tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
Directions
Rub
a bit of olive oil onto your sore joints twice a day, massaging in to each one
gently. You can also take 2-3 tablespoons daily, but be sure to give up some
other form of fat due to the high calorie count in the oil (rest easy, these
are good calories.)
5. Dandelion Leaves
Incredibly
high in vitamins A and C, dandelion leaves can help repair damaged tissue and
help the liver clear toxins out of the blood. Studies, although limited, have
also shown anti-inflammatory properties due to the linoleic and linoleic acid
in them.
Linoleic
is an essential fatty acid required by the body to produce prostaglandin-which
basically regulates immune responses and suppresses inflammation.
Because
of its involvement with immune responses, dandelion shows great potential when
it comes to treating rheumatoid arthritis in particular. You can enjoy
dandelion leaves in nice salad, or brew tea with them.
You will need…
-3
teaspoons of fresh dandelion leaves, or 1 teaspoon of dried
-1 cup of boiling water
-A handful of fresh leaves (if making a salad)
-A dash of extra virgin olive oil (if making a salad)
-1 cup of boiling water
-A handful of fresh leaves (if making a salad)
-A dash of extra virgin olive oil (if making a salad)
Directions
For
fresh dandelion tea, steep 3 teaspoons of fresh leaves or 1 teaspoon dried in 1
cup of boiling water. Strain and drink twice daily.
Dandelion
tea is very bitter…you have been warned! You can add honey to sweeten it up if
you’d like.
To
make a salad, simply toss the greens in with another recipe, or eat them plain
with a bit of extra virgin olive oil. Older leaves can be gently sautéed to
soften them up a bit.
6. Blackstrap Molasses Drink
High
in valuable minerals such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium, blackstrap
molasses has been one of the most cherished home remedies for arthritis for a
number of years.
Blackstrap
molasses is what remains after the 3rd boiling of sugar syrup, and is nothing
like the nutrient lacking refined sugars used today.
As
a dietary supplement (easily consumed as a drink) blackstrap can help relieve
symptoms of arthritis and joint pain, thanks to its vital constituents that
regulate nerve and muscle function, and strengthen bones.
You will need…
-1
tablespoon of blackstrap molasses
-1 cup of warm water
-1 cup of warm water
Directions
Heat
1 cup of fresh water until warm, but not hot. Stir in a tablespoon of
blackstrap molasses and drink once daily. Do note that it can sometimes have a
laxative effect.
7. White Willow Tea (the
original aspirin)
Before
there was aspirin, and I mean way before aspirin, there was white willow bark.
The Greek physician Hippocrates wrote about it all the way back in 5th century
BC.
It
wasn’t until 18-something or other (1829, I believe) that it was found that
white willow was so effective because it contained an active ingredient called
salicin.
Salicin
is converted in the body into salicylic acid-similar to acetyl salicylic acid,
the active ingredient in aspirin. But because the naturally occurring salicin
is converted after it passed through the stomach, it resulted in less
irritation/side effects.
While
it can be taken in a capsule form, I usually opt for the tea version of just
about everything.
You will need…
-2
teaspoons of powdered or chipped white willow bark
-1 cup of water
-Honey or lemon to taste
-1 cup of water
-Honey or lemon to taste
Directions
Bring
1 cup (8 oz.) of water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Add 2 teaspoons of
powdered or chipped white willow bark and let it infuse for 10-15 minutes.
Remove
from heat and let it steep for 30 more minutes. Drink twice daily-it’s bitter,
so honey and lemon are usually welcome here.
8. Exercise
When
it’s painful and difficult just to move, the last thing you feel like doing is
getting up and exercising. As unpleasant as it may sound though, exercise is
vital for those who suffer from any form of stiffness, joint pain, or arthritis.
Exercise
will help control weight (an excess of which puts more strain on your joints)
strengthens the muscles that support the joint, even when the cartilage is
thinning, and lubricates the joints, allowing them to move more freely.
When
we are inactive the synovial fluid in the joints is the consistency of a thick
gel, but once we get moving and warming up, the liquid becomes more viscous and
can do a better job of lubricating our joints and keeping them going smoothly.
Just
imagine if you were to be sedentary every day, pretty soon you’d be so stiff
it’d be just about impossible to move. But if you get up and move around every
day, you’ll get stronger and will loosen up as well.
Try…
-Going for a brisk walk-start with 15 minutes and work your way up into a solid daily routine.
-Doing joint-targeted exercises-certain stretches and exercises specifically target joints to help rid them of stiffness and pain.
-Getting a dog-doing so backs up the first point, because you’ll have no choice but to walk!
9. Peppermint Eucalyptus Oil
Blend
Peppermint
and eucalyptus don’t change the course of the arthritis itself, but they do
have analgesic, or pain-relieving, properties. The cooling sensation that they
produce can temporarily override your discomfort, and create a soothing
sensation that can ease the pain of arthritis.
You will need…
-5-10
drops of Peppermint oil
-5-10 drops of Eucalyptus oil
-1-2 tablespoons of carrier oil (olive, almond, grape seed, etc.)
-A small dark glass bottle
-5-10 drops of Eucalyptus oil
-1-2 tablespoons of carrier oil (olive, almond, grape seed, etc.)
-A small dark glass bottle
Directions
Blend
5-10 drops of eucalyptus and peppermint oil together, and then mix into 1-2
tablespoons of carrier oil.
Carrier
oil is needed to dilute the essential oil so that it does not irritate the
skin, and can be olive oil, grapeseed oil, or something of the like (not oil.)
Store
the oil blend in dark glass bottle away from direct sunlight, and rub into your
joints when they ache.
10. Juniper Berry Tea
A
2009 research trial published in the “Journal of Ethnopharmacology” found that
juniper berries do indeed help with arthritis pain thanks to a component called
terpinen-4-ol.
Terpene
suppresses a type of white blood cells called monocytes which, as a part of our
immune system, respond to signals of inflammation.
In
rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks normal joint tissue for no
reason, leading to inflammation, pain, and loss of function.
If
taken daily, juniper may be able to reduce the uncomfortable inflammation
thanks to its terpene content. Only prickly juniper and common juniper
varieties were effective.
Note: Do NOT drink
juniper berry tea while pregnant.
You will need…
-1
tablespoon of dried juniper berries
-1 cup of fresh water
-Honey (optional)
-1 cup of fresh water
-Honey (optional)
Directions
Bring
1 cup of fresh water to a boil, and place 1 tablespoon of dried juniper berries
in a mug. Pour the boiling water over the berries and let them steep for 20
minutes before straining. Drink 1 cup twice daily, and add honey to taste if
you like.
11. Golden Raisins & Gin
First
off I am not recommending that you go and drink gin, but I thought this was one
of the most interesting old home remedies for arthritis.
Gins
flavor is derived from juniper berries (see #10 for a more in depth explanation
of juniper berries) which contain anti-inflammatory properties.
Golden
raisins (only golden can be used in this recipe) require sulfides in their
processing to give them their characteristic color.
Sulfides
are found in both glucosamine and chondroitin, which many people have found to
be helpful home remedies for arthritis.
This
remedy stretches back at least 20 years, and some people swear by it, while
others have had limited success.
You will need…
-Around
1/2 cup of gin
-1 cup of golden raisins
-a shallow dish
-1 cup of golden raisins
-a shallow dish
Directions
The
amounts will vary depending on how big of a batch you are making, but basically
you just need raisins and enough gin to just cover them, and the above amounts
are just to give a general guideline.
I
am one of those people who, even if it is a loosely interpreted recipe, like to
have some numbers to start with. Anyways, place 1 cup of golden raisins in a
shallow dish, and pour in enough gin to just barely cover them.
Cover
with a towel and store them away in a dark place until the gin has evaporated
(around 2 weeks.) Eat 9 of the raisins daily, keeping in mind the results may
take several weeks to show.
12. Bosweilla supplements
Also
known as Frankincense, Bosweilla is a flowering plant native to Africa and
Asia. The gum resin or extract of the plant works as an anti-inflammatory and
pain-killer.
It
works against inflammation by ‘disabling’ white blood cells that would cause
swelling, and also helps shrink tissue that has already become inflamed and
painful.
I
am afraid I don’t have a tea recipe for this one, as it is generally taken in a
tablet supplement form, much like a vitamin. It is sold at many health stores
and online, and is fairly reasonably priced compared to what some other
supplements cost.
13. Pectin & Grape Juice
Pectin
is a water soluble carbohydrate substance found in the cell walls of plants,
where it helps keep cell walls together, and gives fruit firmness as it ripens.
It
is extracted from fruit to use as a setting in jams and jellies, and has become
popular as a home remedy for arthritis when combined with grape juice.
It
has been tentatively hypothesized that it helps return the synovial tissue to a
more elastic and lubricated state, which results in pain-free movement.
Despite
the fact that more studies are needed on pectin and connective tissue many
people have found, for whatever reason, great relief from their arthritis with
it.
The
grape juice is the liquid of choice due to the fact that it can help with
inflammation.
You will need…
-1
tablespoon of liquid pectin
-8 oz. of grape juice
-8 oz. of grape juice
Directions
Mix
1 tablespoon of liquid pectin with 8 oz. of grape juice and drink 1-2 times
daily. It will take a week or two for the effects to show.
14. Cayenne ‘Capsaicin’
Ointment
A
common OTC pain reliever for joint pain contains capsaicin, a component in hot
peppers that inhibits something called Substance P.
Substance
P is involved in transmitting pain signals to our brain, and when the capsaicin
interferes with it, it minimizes the alert to the discomfort, and therefore the
discomfort itself.
It
has been one of the more effective topical treatments for arthritis, and you
can make your own at home with humble cayenne.
Keep
in mind, however, that it is only a temporary fix and should be used sparingly
if possible.
To
prepare Original Capsaicin Cream Recipe
for treating arthritis
You will need…
-3
tablespoons of cayenne powder
-1 cup of grapeseed oil (or any other oil like almond, olive, jojoba)
-1/2 cup of grated beeswax
-A double boiler
-A glass jar with a tightly fitting lid
-1 cup of grapeseed oil (or any other oil like almond, olive, jojoba)
-1/2 cup of grated beeswax
-A double boiler
-A glass jar with a tightly fitting lid
Directions
Mix
together 3 tablespoons of cayenne powder with 1 cup of your oil of choice and
heat in a double boiler for 5-10 minutes over medium heat. Stir in a 1/2 cup of
grated beeswax and continue to stir until it has melted completely and
everything is blended together.
Chill
the mixture in the refrigerator for 10 minutes, and then whisk together. Chill
for another 10-15 and then whip again before putting it in a glass jar with a
tightly fitting lid and storing in the refrigerator. It will keep for 1 ½
weeks-apply daily as needed for pain.
Our body is an incredible structure that takes a great amount
of strain and stress every single day-it’s really no wonder our joints, the
things that allows us movement, begin to feel the burden.
In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, the complexity of
the body provides a mystery that we may or may not ever solve. Whichever form
of arthritis or joint pain you happen to suffer from, a deeper understanding of
what is causing it can help you determine the best way to treat it.
Nature also does a surprisingly good job at healing-we
wouldn’t have made it very far otherwise-and you may find great success in
naturally treating your condition and regaining the freedom of movement.
By Claire Goodall
(a bee-obsessed natural-convert from Minnesota) who is a holistic health lover.
She is the author of Everyday Roots Book.
It's a Book that
she creates to help you replace the toxic products and medications in your home
with healthier, all-natural alternatives.
It contains 215+
effective home remedies and covers everything you will need to protect your
family and save money every month.
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