Over the centuries, herbal remedies have been the treatment of choice for numerous people living with arthritis. It has been seen that all these herbal remedies promise relief from almost any type of arthritis symptoms without posing any adverse side effects.
As we all know, arthritis mainly takes a toll on the musculoskeletal system of people over fifty, and causes acute joint pain as well as inflammation. However, herbals remedies can potentially strengthen the body and treat the disorder by alleviating the pain and managing the condition.
It can be said that the herbal remedies for arthritis are indispensable in true sense. Here are some traditional herbal remedies for arthritis:
9 Herbal Remedies For Arthritis
Alfalfa
Alfalfa is the one of the most widely accepted herbal remedies for arthritis. Being rich in nutritive minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, and essential nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin C, and vitamin E, this herb promotes the growth of bones and muscles drastically which eventually combats with all the symptoms of arthritis.
It also prevents the development of arthritis by reducing acidity in our body. Generally, alfalfa tea is considered to be the most effective herbal remedy for arthritis. Add one ounce of alfalfa seeds to one quart of water and let the mixture boil for half an hour.
After straining, drink the concoction at least thrice a day. There should be a 7-10 days gap between each 3 week-long session for which the treatment needs to be continued. You can also eat sprouted or powdered alfalfa seeds by mixing them with salad.
Black Cohosh
The dried root of black cohosh is another strong and powerful herbal remedy for arthritis. It possesses amazing antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and aspirin-like properties which works like magic in lowering pain and tenderness.
Having black cohosh tea regularly is a great way to deal with arthritis related problems. Simmer one teaspoon of black cohosh root in a cup of boiling water for 20 minutes. The strained mixture should be taken twice a day for continuous 3 weeks, until you take a short break of 7-10 days.
Boswellia
Boswellia is a potent natural anti-inflammatory agent. This ayurvedic herb wards off pain and lowers inflammation just like other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).
It contains ‘boswellic acids’ that obstructs the development of inflammation-causing immune cells ‘leukotrienes’ as well as boosts the construction of free radicals.
The extract of boswellia also helps the patients of rheumatoid arthritis stay away from acute pain, engorgement and morning stiffness by maintaining proper blood supply to the joints and providing nourishment to soft tissue. Boswellia capsules, each of 300 milligrams, can be taken thrice a day up to 8-12 weeks.
5 Natural Treatments For Arthritis
Home Remedies for Arthritis
Effective Natural Cures For Arthritis
Ginger
The capability of ginger in curing arthritis is truly unquestionable. Being anti-inflammatory as well as analgesic by nature, ginger has been used for the successful treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis for long.
Research suggests that the herb is enriched with several minerals and nutritive elements including calcium, iron, silicon, protein, vitamin C and inositol. It hinders the production of two pain-causing elements – prostaglandins and leukotrienes.
Moreover, the anti-inflammatory compound ‘gingerol‘ present in the ginger root extract acts directly on cells and lessens joint pain and swelling by stimulating blood circulation. Generally, the root of ginger is recommended to take as extract, tea, powder, or capsule. The doses must be around 2000 milligrams per day.
Turmeric
Turmeric is one of the oldest herbal remedies used for arthritis. It can consistently and profoundly inhibit the arthritis symptoms, such as morning stiffness, joint inflammation, joint destruction, and increase physical endurance significantly.
Turmeric has an active component named ‘curcumin’. It is the major anti-inflammatory ingredient of the herb. Curcumin not only diminishes swelling of the joints and severe ache, but also prevents the chance of further occurrence of these by removing them from the root.
Turmeric can be used as tincture or capsules. It should be taken regularly in dosages of 1,200 milligrams up to 5 or 6 weeks.
Celery
It has been seen that various parts of the celery plant (dried and ripe fruits, seeds etc.) are loaded with more than 25 anti-inflammatory ingredients. Since one cup of celery holds around 340 milligrams of potassium, it can fight the symptoms of arthritis caused due to potassium deficiency.
It can either be taken as fresh raw fruits or can be cooked. Put a teaspoon of celery seeds in a cup of boiling water and leave it for 15 minutes. After straining the mixture, drink it thrice a day.
Devil’s Claw
The herb devil’s claw is so named as ‘its large fruit looks like a claw like hand’. It has extremely strong anti-inflammatory properties that keep swelling and pain at bay and enhances the mobility of joints.
This herb needs to be taken in 3 doses of 750 to 1,000 milligrams per day. However, due to its excessive power, arthritis patients having stomach ulcers or heart diseases are advised not to take it.
Dong Quai
Dong Quai or Angelica is known as one of the most popular herbal remedies for arthritis. Several researches have shown that the herb comprises of more or less 12 anti-inflammatory elements which drives away the symptoms of arthritis such as pain and swelling of the joints completely.
It also contains 10 antispasmodic agents that work as excellent muscle relaxants, and 5 anodyne components that decrease pain to a great extent. This is best taken as dong quai tea by boiling one tablespoon of dried dong quai root in one pint of water for 2 minutes.
After cooling and straining, the concoction should be taken twice or thrice a day for 3 weeks, followed by a gap of 10 days before resuming it again.
Capsaicin
Capsaicin is an active chemical compound found in cayenne pepper or red pepper. Being a potent endorphin (a neurotransmitter that acts as a natural pain reliever in our body) releasing catalyst, capsaicin helps eliminate joint pain and eventually provides a lot of relief to patients suffering from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It can be used both orally (in capsule form) and topically.
Caution: Please use Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.