Home Remedies for Arthritis Pain
When the cartilage of joints wears away, bones rub against each other leading to arthritis. Arthritis is a painful health condition mostly seen among people in their mid-50s or older. You will sense pain mostly in your knees and joints. Arthritis is inflammation caused to bones and the pain is severe, which can cause extreme discomfort. There are two main kinds of arthritis generally know. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis both affects your joints. Arthritis can sometimes be mild and for some people it might be severe. You need to consult your doctor who can suggest pain reliever along with other medications. However, you can also try these natural home remedies along with medications to experience good results.
Ginger and turmeric
Ginger and turmeric (Curcuma Longa) are known for its anti-inflammatory properties that can help treat both kinds of arthritis. In addition, curcumin in turmeric can do magic because of its anti-oxidant properties. It also helps in lowering two types of enzymes that causes inflammation.
How to use
- Add half teaspoon of powdered ginger and turmeric paste in a pan filled with a cup of water.
- Let it boil and later strain it and drink this herbal tea.
- Add little honey to it and drink it twice a day.
Epsom salt
Magnesium sulfate in Epsom salt is wonderful compound that help in relieving pains. Good amounts of magnesium in Epsom salt is a natural occurring mineral and helps in relieving pains.
How to use
- In a large bowl filled with warm water, add half a cup of Epsom salt.
- Later submerge your joints where you experience severe pain.
- If you are suffering from pain in an area not convenient to soak such as knees, you can simply take bath using Epsom salts. In a tub filled with warm water, add 2 cups of Epsom salt and soak your knees for around 15 minutes.
Extra virgin olive oil
Olive oil does wonders especially in treating arthritis pains. OLEOCANTHAL in extra virgin olive oil will inhibit enzymes such as COX-1 and COX-2. However, not every olive oil is the same. Use extra virgin olive oil or the cold pressed one as heat destroys OLEOCANTHAL. You can also use it for cooking. It would be better to replace fats such as butter while cooking using extra virgin olive oil.
How to use
- Take little olive oil in your palm and rub it on your sore joints twice a day.
- Use around 2-3 teaspoons of olive oil in your cooking as well.
Blackstrap Molasses
Blackstrap Molasses is fully filled with magnesium, calcium as well as potassium. This remedy has been in use since years to treat arthritis. It is a dietary supplement and helps in relieving pain caused due to arthritis and other joint pains. Its vital constituents strengthen bones and regulate nerve and muscle functions.
How to use
- Add a tbsp. of blackstrap molasses to a cup of warm water.
- Drink it once a day. Make sure that water is not hot. It has laxative effect sometimes.
Eucalyptus and peppermint oil
Eucalyptus and peppermint oil cannot change the course of arthritis, but they have pain relieving and analgesic properties. The blend of eucalyptus and peppermint oil can help soothe your nerves and ease pain caused due to arthritis.
How to use
- Take around 5-10 drops of eucalyptus and peppermint oil.
- Blend them along with 1-2 tablespoons of any carrier oil.
- Carrier oil is used along with essential oil to make sure that it does not cause any itchy sensation. Olive oil would be best as carrier oil.
- Store the oil in a dark glass container and avoid it from sunlight.
- Rub it on your sore joints to get relieved from pain.
Dandelion leaves
Dandelion leaves are high in vitamin A & C and helps in repairing damaged tissues as well as helps liver in clearing toxins from blood. However, studies were limited but they have indicated that it is due to the presence of LINOLEIC ACID in them. LINOLEIC ACID is essential for body to produce prostaglandin, which helps in regulating immune response and suppressing inflammation. Thanks to LINOLEIC ACID and its involvement in suppressing inflammation, this is effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis.
How to use
You can use dandelion leaves in your salads or use them to brew tea.
For tea
- Add few dandelion leaves or a teaspoon of dried extract of dandelion leaves in a pan containing a cup of water.
- Let it boil.
- Strain and drink this tea at least twice a day.
- It tastes bitter. So, add little honey and sweeten it.
For salad
- Toss them along with your recipe or simply serve by topping it with extra virgin olive oil.
- Sauté leaves, if they are older and soften them.
White willow tea
White willow bark has properties similar to aspirin. SALICIN is an active component in white willow bark that is then converted to salicylic acid. It can be taken in the form of tea.
How to use
- Add dried white willow bark powder to a pan filled with a glass of water.
- Let it infuse for 10 minutes.
- Let it steep for few more minutes after turning off the flame.
- Add little honey and drink this herbal tea twice a day to see good results.
Juniper berry tea
Juniper berries help in dealing with arthritis pain and this is due to the presence of TERPINENE-4-OL. White blood cells or monocytes in our body respond to signals leading to inflammation and terpene can help suppress such cells. In case of rheumatoid arthritis, our immune system for no reason attacks normal joint tissue leading to joint inflammation. Juniper berry tea when consumed daily can help reduce inflammation because of terpene in it. Common juniper and prickly juniper varieties show effective results.
Caution
However, pregnant women should not drink juniper berry tea.
How to make Juniper berry tea
- Boil a glass of water in a pan.
- Place one tablespoon of dried juniper berries in a glass.
- Pour the boiling water over them and let it steep for few minutes. Drink it twice a day.
Dr. Sahib your articles are beneficial. It will help more if Punjabi terms are also used for English name of medicines.
I am looking forward for your article for ayurvedic treatment of kidney stones. I think it will beneficial.