Natural Steps for Arthritis (check the Evidence rating)
*** Good Evidence of a health benefit.
** Some Evidence of a health benefit.
* Traditionally used with only anecdotal evidence.
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Nutrition
The following foods are important in Arthritis:
Increase fish consumption *
Avoid the nightshade vegetables *
Avoid any Allergenic foods.
Vitamin/Mineral
These nutrients have been shown to help Arthritis:
Glucosamine ***
Chondroitin ***
B-complex vitamins **
Herbal
The following herbs are normally used for Arthritis:
Cat's Claw **
Ginger **
Devil's Claw **
Nettle **
Homeopathic
Homeopathics remedies to help Arthritis:
Belladonna *
Apis mellifica *
Bryonia *
Rhus tox*
Pulsatilla*
Ledum *
Alternative/Complementary Therapy
The most commonly used Complementary Approaches to Arthritis are:
Acupuncture*
Massage *
Exercise*
Please Note: This natural medicine guide does not replace the assessment and advice of your doctor.
Arthritis is more of an umbrella term for over 100 other diseases whose sufferers experience joint stiffness and debilitating pain. Degeneration of cartilage and the symptoms of arthritis, including pain, stiffness and swelling, may be relieved the natural way.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic condition (collection of signs and symptoms) characterised by inflammation of the peripheral joints (hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, knees and feet), usually on both sides of the body, potentially resulting in damage of the parts of the joints which are used in movement – the articular surfaces. Damage is caused by persistent inflammation of the synovium (membrane lining the joint capsule) with subsequent damage of the cartilage, bone erosion and joint deformities which are the hallmark of the disease.
Many people today are sporting copper bracelets to ward off joint pain, but unfortunately there's no scientific evidence to prove that this practice works.
Natural remedies
What to do
1. Change your diet
According to natural health expert, Dr Arien van der Merwe, "A small percentage of people with osteoarthritis might be sensitive to nightshade vegetables such as tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and eggplant. First eliminate them for two weeks, then add them one by one to ascertain whether you are sensitive to some. Some polyunsaturated vegetable oils favour the synthesis of inflammatory prostaglandins, as do trans fatty acids found in margarine and hydrogenated vegetable oils. So, avoid them."
Van der Merwe continues, "The omega 3 fatty acids (cold water fish oil) and gamma linolenic acid (black currant oil) favour the synthesis of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins and help for all forms of arthritis."
2. Exercise
There are a variety of types of exercise and physiotherapy which can help. Affected joints can be splinted to reduce inflammation. Exercises are aimed at maintaining muscle strength and joint mobility without exacerbating the joint inflammation.
Any stress-free exercise will help arthritis sufferers. Swimming is ideal as it helps strengthen affected joints without jarring them in the process, but even gardening has been known to bring relief.
Relaxation exercises will also help with the synthesis of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins and will help for all forms of arthritis. The gentle movements of yoga provide another ideal exercise for people with arthritis. Daily yoga exercises will help relax your muscles and joints and might even reduce your reliance on painkillers. The movements can also help boost the immune system, while stimulating blood and lymph circulation.
3. Massage joints
Make your own massage ointment for aching joints by mixing four parts olive oil, eight parts camphor spirit and one part cayenne pepper.
4. Acupuncture
The ancient practice of acupuncture centers around the principle of the flow of chi or vital energy in the human body. The pain-relieving effects of acupuncture are well- known and many arthritis sufferers have found relief through it.
An acupuncture session involves a practitioner inserting sterile stainless steel needles into the body at specific points along the energy pathways, known as meridians. By locating the meridian that feeds energy to the affected joints and muscles, the practitioner is able to decongest the flow of energy and restore health or at least bring relief.
5. Apply heat and cold
Arthritis sufferers may find temporary relief through the use of hot and cold packs. Heat can relieve pain by boosting circulation and easing stiffness; while ice can help a hot, swollen joint. A pack of frozen peas works very well as it can be wrapped around your leg, arm or hand.
For heat, you can wear gloves, socks and other winter woolies, or melt some beeswax or paraffin and when it is no longer boiling hot, dip your aching hands in for 10 minutes. Special bags that can be heated up in the microwave or a good old hot water bottle will also do the trick.
6. Aromatherapy
To relieve inflammation: Use German chamomile and lavender.
To reduce swelling: Try Juniper and cypress (pregnant women should not use these oils)
To warm and relax muscles: Use black pepper or majoram.
Run yourself a warm bath and add two drops of lavender oil. For severe pain, add two drops of Roman chamomile or cajuput.
Make a daily massage ointment for aching joints by mixing together two drops each of juniper, black pepper and Roman chamomile. Then add five drops of lavender oil with ten teaspoons of olive or jojoba oil.
What to take
1. Herbal help
Consult your doctor or a professional herbal practitioner before using any of the herbs mentioned in the following section, especially if you are pregnant, suffer from a chronic disease or are on other medication. Also read the section on herb safety.
Ginger, starflower and evening primrose all favour the synthesis of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins and help for all forms of arthritis.
Turmeric is a very spicy herb with powerful anti-inflammatory properties that will ease sore joints.
For rheumatoid arthritis: One small cup of ginger, cat's claw and celery-seed herbal tea three times a day. Also add ginger and celery seeds to your meals, they go well with curries and Thai foods. Or you could try one teaspoon of powdered devil's claw root to a cup of water, then simmer the mixture for 15 minutes. Drink a cup of this tea three times a day, but avoid it if you have ulcers or if you are pregnant.
For gout: Try buchu, nettle or coriander tea. Nettle and coriander assist the kidney's in uric acid removal and are their anti-inflammatory properties can help ease arthritic pain.
Take aloe vera capsules and juice for both arthritis and rheumatism.
Add two or three dandelion roots to one litre of water and boil in a covered pot for one hour. Drink a cup of this mixture three times a day before meals.
2. Homeopathic help
Arnica may help ease the pain, while causticum will help with the burning pain many arthritis sufferers feel after they have performed any activity or when it's cold. Rhus toxicodendron may soothe the pain experienced after resting.
Homeopath Dr Debbie Smith (M:Tech:Hom), recommends the following remedies for the following symptoms and types of arthritis:
Belladonna: Acute arthritis. Red swollen joint(s), burning, one can actually withdraw the hand on account of burning. Pains come and go suddenly. Symptoms are worse at night.
Apis mellifica: Acute arthritis. Generally swollen red joints. Symptoms are worse by heat and better by cold application – e.g. ice pack. There is swelling of the extremities (legs and hands) or perhaps somewhere else in the body. A strange symptom is that the patient is not thirsty at all.
Bryonia: The joints are swollen, but there is no temperature. The pain is worse by all forms of motion and better for rest. A symptom that can accompany Bryonia’s condition is constipation.
Rhus tox: The pains are worse on the first motion, worse from standing up from a sitting position but better from continued motion. Normally the patient experiences these symptoms first thing in the morning. Patient feels better by a hot bath. Symptoms also worse in cold weather.
Pulsatilla: Swelling and pain from one joint to another. Generally worse in the evening from heat and amelioration from cold. In female patients symptoms that might be accompany the joints pains would be menstrual problems. Pulsatilla patients tend to be timid and depressed.
Ledum: Ledum has works more on the small joints. The joint pains more form joint to joint in an upward direction – thus it will first start at the feet, then the hips etc. Pains are better for applying very cold water / compresses to the affected area.
3. Supplements
Take B-complex vitamins, glucosamine and chondroitin.
Arthritis
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