Home Remedies for Arthritis

Arthritis can be a crippling and debilitating disease or one that only produces mild symptoms that can be treated easily. Arthritis is most often associated with aging but young people can develop arthritis, as well. Because of this, many people turn to Natural Home Remedies and search for home remedies for arthritis for treatment.

Arthritis is an equal opportunity disease. All races are afflicted with arthritis and there is no one race more inclined to be stricken with it. Arthritis affects the joints. Joints become inflamed, stiffen, and deteriorate. Here are some effective home remedies for arthritis.

Arthritis is one of the oldest diseases on planet earth, so it stands to reason that people have been attempting to relieve the pain it causes for centuries. Arthritis is not a fatal disease even in its most crippling form, Rheumatoid Arthritis. It is has been said that people don’t die from rheumatoid arthritis, they die with rheumatoid arthritis.

Since the joints are affected, it stands to reason that herbal medicine for arthritis would tend to lean toward direct application to the joints for relieving pain – and they do.
Rubbing aching joints with warm vinegar is an old-time home remedy that many who suffer with the disease today still use.

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis comes in various forms, but it’s always painful. The typical medical approach is to take some sort of pain medication (usually non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NASDs) that might result in various side effects, such as stomach pain. Thankfully, there are some natural, herbal approaches to arthritis pain management.

White Willow
The bark of the willow – especially the white willow – has been used to relieve pain and inflammation for decades, even centuries. It contains a substance called salicin, which is the basis for aspirin. White willow can be taken as a tea or in capsule form, preferably with food.

Stinging Nettle
This persistent weed may provide significant relief for arthritis sufferers. You can use it topically or take it internally. If you use it topically, you take advantage of stinging nettles’ sting, slapping the plant onto the area of your body that is experiencing arthritis pain.Cooking and eating stinging nettles (the stings disappear when it’s cooked) as a vegetable can also help. Stinging nettles contain significant amounts of the mineral boron, which is said to help the bones and joints retain calcium.

Red Pepper/Capsicum
Red pepper’s heat comes from a substance called capsaicin, and it’s this same substance that helps relieve arthritis pain. Capsaicin acts as an endorphin trigger – endorphins are the body’s natural pain killers. If you like spicy foods, add some red pepper to your daily diet in the form of hot pepper sauce, or by adding ground red pepper to foods.Red pepper can also be applied topically. Red pepper/capsaicin creams are available in most drug stores, but make sure you wash your hands after applying it, or wear gloves when applying. You don’t want to get it in your eyes!

Foods and Spice Remedies

There are various foods and spices that you can incorporate into your foods for arthritis relief. Here are some of them.
Ginger
Drinking a cup or three of ginger tea every day is said to help arthritis pain. It works as an anti-inflammatory, relieving the pain and swelling of arthritis.

Turmeric
This yellowish spice can be added to curries, rice pilafs, and other dishes. Its effects are similar to those of ginger. Turmeric can also be taken in capsules.

Oregano
In addition to containing anti-inflammatory properties, oregano is also reputed to be an antioxidant. Sprinkle it liberally on your pizza, add it to your spaghetti sauce, or mix it into meatloaf. Oregano can be added to a lot of Greek and Italian foods.

Other Herbal Medicine Remedies for Arthritis

• Apple cider vinegar and honey taken daily is said to relieve the pain of arthritis.
• Cold liver oil whipped into orange juice is also supposed to help.
• A cup or two of alfalfa tea is said to relieve the pain and stiffness caused by arthritis, as well.