Arthritis is a condition in which the joints gradually harden and deteriorate. This eventually leads to joint stiffness, pain, swelling, and a decrease in mobility. Joint deformity can occur as well as a result of bone spurs. The most common types of arthritis include osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Traditional arthritis medications, while usually effective, can cause a variety of undesirable side effects so many patients turn to herbal remedies for arthritis.
Cayenne pepper can often be an effective herbal remedy for arthritis. Making a cream out of cayenne peppers and using it as a topical skin treatment is often most effective. Several studies have show that cayenne pepper can effectively reduce the pain associated with both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis when consumed or applied directly to the painful joint.
Arnica can be used as an herbal remedy for arthritis. This herb is said to be a powerful pain reliever. Patients wishing to use this herb must only use it externally. It is most effective when massaged directly into the affected joint.
Wild yam, mint, and yarrow are considered to have mild pain relieving properties making them useful as an herbal remedy for arthritis. These herbs can be made into a tea, alone or together, and consumed to help alleviate arthritis pain. Patients can also choose to use these herbs topically and apply them directly to the affected joint.
There are other pain relieving herbs that can be used as herbal remedies for arthritis. These include juniper, chamomile, rosemary, and thyme. These herbs can be consumed as teas, but are most effective when massaged directly into the affected joint.
Certain herbs possess anti-inflammatory properties making them effective herbal remedies for arthritis. Arthritis simply translates to “inflamed joint” so reducing the inflammation can help to alleviate the pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of mobility associated with arthritis. Consuming certain foods on a daily basis can help reduce the inflammation. These foods include parsley, apples, and hot peppers. The anti-inflammatory herbs that make effective herbal remedies for arthritis include chamomile, yarrow, elderberry, wormwood, feverfew, wild yam, goldenseal, skullcap, licorice, nettle, and marshmallow. It is most beneficial to infuse several of these herbs and sip them as a tea. Many can also be used as a topical treatment.
A build-up of toxins in the body may lead to further arthritic damage so using herbs that help to flush out these toxins can be greatly beneficial to arthritis. The herbal remedies for arthritis that help to flush out toxins include parsley, goldenrod, hydrangea, dandelion, burdock, and horsetail. These should be consumed as a tea and several of these herbs can be combined into one cup of tea. Because these herbs act as diuretics, patients should also make sure they are consuming enough potassium because it may get flushed out with the toxins. Eating a banana a day and taking a quality multivitamin is most often the best way to maintain normal potassium levels when using these herbal remedies for arthritis. If these are not enough, the patient can take an additional potassium supplement.
