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Help For Arthritis
Freeze dried feverfew leaves are recomended by some doctors to ease the pain of arthritis. Compounds in the plant suppress the release of prostaglandins and histamines, chemicals that produce inflammation. It is also recommended that arthritis sufferers should drink plenty of water, get plenty of rest, and exercise aerboically on a regular basis.
To alleviate pain from gout, cherries often work. Eating 6 to 8 cherries a day (canned, frozen, or fresh) can be effetive. For centuries, the Japanese have treated joint pain with cherry juice. When an attack of arthritis or gout hits, they simply eat lots of cherries. Sometimes, they boilthem down into a syrup. This not only relieves pain in the joints - it also tastes deliious! Cherries are good soures of minerals, like magnesium (a natural painkiller) and potassium, (which acts as a diuretic, reducing inflammation by ridding tissue of excess fluid.
Cherry juice concentrate has been also been suggested to help headaches and may even decrease workout-related muscle pain.
The Chinese treat the pain of rheumatism with an herbal, topical preparation called Chinese Tiger Balm, invented more than 50 years ago by two Chinese brothers. Tiger Balm contains aromatic oils of camphor, menthol, peppermint, clove, and an East Indian oil called cajeput which increases blood flow to surface skin. Cloves are well known pain relievers - clove oil is a toothache remedy. Tiger Balm is sold as a liniment in most herb and health food stores. The sore or painful area is massaged with the ointment for 5 to 15 minutes, up to 4 times a day, preferably after a bath. Warning: Be sure to keep Tiger Balm out of reach of children. The ingredients can cause painful eye irritation.
Devil's Claw - an ominous sounding cure - comes from the Kalahari Desert of South Afria. For at least 250 years, the Hottentots, Bantus, and Bushmen (all native tribes of thisregion) have treated arthritis pain with this large claw-like fruit that can trap and injure livestock. The tribesmen's favorite method is to draw an extract from the root and brew it into a tea. Alternatively, devil's claw can be dried, powdered, and taken in tablet form. Recent French and German studies found that the pain-relief of devil's claw is similar to that of cortisone. The root acts mainly as an anti-inflammatory, an effect of harpagoside, its active ingredient. Preparations using the whole plant work even better because it contains additional compounds, such as flavonoids, that enhance the anti-inflammatory effect. Devil's claw is available in many forms through most mail-order herb companies and health food stores.
The Greeks have relied for centuries on meadow saffron, used in many Greek dishes, to prevent or alleviate arthritis attacks. The active ingredient of the plant, colchicum, was isolated in 1820 and became the first real "drug" for any of the arthritis pains, specifically for gout. It is now called colchicine, and is a well known and effective modern day anti-inflammatory treatment for gouty arthritis. It provides dramatic relief from acute attacks.
Phytolacca americana ("pokeroot", "pokeweed" or "pokesalad") has been used by the people of Appalachia to treat rheumatism. The dried rootan be boiled in water and mixed with a corn liquor preservative. The mountain people take 2 swallows of this 3 times a day before meals. An extract of pokeweed is still used in laboratories for what is called "pokeweed mitogen," which stimulates white blood cells of the lymphocyte variety to divide. Warning: The fresh plant, especially the root, seeds, and berries are poisonous, so the root must be dried and well cooked before you drink the liquid.
One of the best remedies for treating arthritic conditions probably grows right in your back yard: fresh young dandelion leaves. Because of the high vitamin A and C content, when eaten raw in salads, these greens help the body to repair damaged tissues and help the liver clear toxins out of the blood. European herbalists have used these anti-pain dandelion recipes for many years. Steam or saute - like spinach - older leaves (too tough to eat raw). Improve taste by cooking with garlic - a remedy used by Russians for gout. Add olive oil for a tasty dish. Or steep 1 tsp. of dried leaves or 3 tsps. of fresh leaves in 1 c. of boiling water for dandelion tea. Or make a coffee-like, but bitter tasting, beverage by boiling, and then straining, 4 ozs. of fresh root in 2 pts. of water.
Horse chestnut trees, originally from northern Asia, were brought to Vienna by Constantine in the 16th century. Today, they are common to most parts of the United States and Europe. In France, tea made from horse chestnut leaves is said to be very effective in treating arthritis, espeially rheumatoid arthritis. Although the nuts are poisonous, the plant leaves contain flavonoids, which help reduce inflamation.
Mashed yucca root mixed with water and swallowed is an American Indian arthritis remedy. It is also applied topially to the afflicted area. Since yucca contains a substance similar to cortisone, it reduces inflammation. The Cherokee Indians take the powdered root of the Aralia racemosa ("spikenard" - also called "Indian root" and "Life-Of-Man") as a tea for the rheumatoid arthritis. They also pound the root of the spikenard and apply as a poultice to painful areas of the body.
This Chinese arthritis remedy tastes and smells good: boil 20g of cinnamon twigs with 30g of fresh ginger in enough water to cover the spices. Boil until water is reduced by half. Drink a cupfull 3 times a day. Ginger, because of its ability to increase blood circulation, carries away inflammatory substances from the affected joint and warms the area. Cinnamon also has a warming effect. Since rheumatic pain usually worsens in cold weather, this mixture is especially soothing in winter.
The people of Appalachia use alfalfa leaves and seeds in teas as a remedy for gout and arthritis (probably because of the plant's nti-inflammatory properties).
The traditional Ayurvedic medical system of India holds that ginger is very effective in the treatment of arthritis and a host of other ailments. Recent medical resarch in Holland has indicated that this is much more than just myth. Eating ginger does, according to the Dutch dotors, help alleviate arthritis pain.
For thousands of years, the bark of the willow tree has been used to treat arthritis and fevers. Dioscorides, the ancient Greek physician, probably deserves as much credit as Bayer, the German who first marketed aspirin, for bringing pain relief to the people. The bark, leaves, and buds of the willow contain salicin, which is converted to salicylic acid in the body. Salicylic acid is almost identical to the synthetic pain reliever, aspirin (the scientific name of which is acetyl salicylic acid). In Dioscorides' day patients chewed the bark of the willow tree. The blak poplar tree, which also contains salicin, was used in a tea or in an externally applied ointment. There are many natural sources of salicylates, including oil of wintergreen.
Fish oils, especially those from fatty fish (herring, salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines) are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids act as anti-inflammatory agents. They are called "natural antioxidants" and soak up tissue-damaging oxygen free radical scavengers, which are released in some forms of inflammation. A daily serving of fresh fish (or fish oil capsules if you don't like fish) should produce results.
For gout and rheumatism, people in Europe and southern England prepare a tea of common ash (Fraxinus excelsior). Infuse 30g of dried leaves in 1 liter of boiling water with mint leaves - take 1 upful before meals 3 times a day. British herbalists recommend teas made from the flowering tops or leaves of European goldenrod as a remedy for the painful effects of arthritis. Because it stimulates elimination of wastes by the kidneys, goldenrod helps rid the body of toxins
produced during inflammation - and so reduces arthritis
pain.
Mix equal quantities of castor oil and lime juice. Massage the affected area with this mixture. Also drink 1 cup warm water mixed with lime juice and honey.
Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible and achieves the impossible.
--Anonymous
ARTHRITIS? EAT FISH!
Salmon, tuna, mackerel and sardines actually prevent arthritis. (fish has omega oils)
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Devil's claw is an herb which has been well-known in Europe and Africa for hundreds of years and is gaining popularity in the United States and the entire North American continent. It is known for its ability to nourish the skeletal system. Studies indicate that its action is similar to cortisone. It helps the body lessen the severity of pain in joints and connective tissues.
That orange-hued pumpkin on your patio may be the new symbol of arthritis prevention. Beta-cryptoxanthin is a carotenoid found in yellow-, orange-, and red-hued produce, such as pumpkins and red peppers. Studies show this caroteniod could help reduce the risk of inflammatory polyarthritis by up to 40 percent. Get your fill from orange juice, carrots, and watermelon as well.
To help the body speed recovery from broken bones: LOBELIA, SCULLCAP, MARSHMALLOW ROOT, MULLEIN, BLACK WALNUT LEAVES, WORMWOOD, QUEEN OF THE MEADOW, WHITE OAK BARK and COMFREY ROOT. This formula can be used externally and internally in this healing process. Also excellent for sprains, strains and muscle pulls. Effectively used by athletes to mend attendant injuries.
Eucalyptus oil is an effective analgesic and is often used to relieve muscle, nerve and joint pain. Apply a massage oil to the affected area before a warm bath,then massage the area again after your bath. I like a blend of Lavender and Eucalyptus for even better results. When massaging small areas like a shoulder you can double the amount of essential oils used. ex. 20-30 drops per 1 oz. carrier oil.
Linament: To one pint of cider vinegar add one ounce of aconite root, and a teaspoon each tincture of myrrh, oil of cedar, peppermint, clove, wormwood and thyme. If you do not have the herbs in oil form, the whole herb may be warmed in the cider then strained for use. For a lineament whcih will be warm to the skin, add two teapsoons camphor, one teaspoon bayberry and one teaspoon cayenne pepper to increase circulation.
Cat's Claw: Also known as una de gato. Used in treatment of arthritis, gastritis, tumors, dysentery, female hormonal imbalances, viral infections. It is effective in aiding treatment of the immune system, the intestinal system, and the cardivoascular system. This herb should not be taken by those who have received an organ transplant, nor by pregnant or nursing women.
Balance your vitamin A intake for bone health. Getting too much or too little vitamin A may increase your risk of bone fractures, a recent study revealed. To reduce your risk of excess, load up on foods rich in beta carotene, which your body converts into vitamin A as needed. Good foods to try include carrots, sweet potatoes, and cantaloupe.
Bissy nut (Cola acuminate) has been known to help relieve inflammation in disorders such as rheumatism and gout. It also is used as a diuretic, and contains metabolism-enhancing properties.
From the 1500's to the 1700's, tobacco was prescribed by doctors to treat a variety of ailments including headaches, toothaches, arthritis and bad breath.
Pain Reliever Salve -
Mix together 1 once of chickweed (reduces inflammation and aids in healing), 1 ounce of wormwood (a great pain reliever), and 1 ounce of yarrow (an anti-bacterial agent that also helps relieve pain). The yarrow plant contains achillein and achilleic acid. These substances reduce the clotting time of blood, sothey help stop any bleeding. Yarrow also has pain-killing and anit-inflammatory properties that are simular to asprin. Add the mixutre of herbs to 2 piints of olive oil and simmer 3 hours. Strain and add 3 ounces of beeswax and 1 teaspoon of tincture of benzoin. Test for consistency before pouring into wide mouth containers.
Arthritis Treatment - Mix 1 cup each of bucthorn bark, cayenne pepper, alfalfa, comfrey, white yarrow, yucca root, parsley, and black cohosh root. Grind up thoroughly and fill some #00 capsules with the herbal mixture. The first week take 1 capsule daily; the second week take 2 capsules daily; and during the
third week take 3 capsules daily.
