Arthritis is a joint disease which makes movement laboured and uncomfortable. It can eventually lead to complete lack of mobility. There are two pain types – osteoarthritis which is due to joints hardening and rheumatoid arthritis which is inflammation in the joints and is an immune system problem. Osteoarthritis effects mainly people over the age of 65 whereas rheumatoid arthritis effects people aged about 20-40 years of age. Therefore it may be that the remedies used may depends on the specific condition.
Some people do find that their condition is effected by food allergies or intolerances such as wheat or dairy. Some people find that foods like tomatoes, potatoes and other things from the nightshade family make their condition worse but others do not. It is therefore worth eliminating foods that you feel may be effecting the condition for a few months and then introduce them one at a time to see whether any difference is felt.
It is possible to use herbal remedies to relieve the pain of arthritis. It is important to try not to completely kill the pain as this may mean that you forget to rest the joints which are effected and therefore do not rest them appropriately.
Cayenne pepper has been found to be a product which can relive pain. It is often used in creams and has been found to be effective my many sufferers of both types of arthritis. Arnica is also used as a pain killer which can also be used in a cream or a massage oil.
Anti-inflammatories have been found to help rheumatoid arthritis and foods such as apples, parsley and hot peppers are sources of these. The effects of these can be found when they are eaten. There are many other herbs which help too and these can be picked and prepared in to a herb tea. Such herbs include chamomile, fever-few, licorice, nettle and yarrow.
It has been thought that toxins in the system can make joints irritates and cause problems with cartilage formation and therefore diuretics are believed to be useful as they will flush out these toxins. You can make a tea of a combination of herbs to do this such as dandelion, horsetail, parsley and burdock but be careful to ensure you have extra potassium in your body as this can be flushed out. Potassium can be found in fruit and vegetables so it is important to have a good variety of these if you are taking herbs as a diuretic.
It is important, as with any supplements, that you discuss your plans with your doctor as to taking herbal remedies. Do not replace any medication prescribed by your doctor with herbal remedies. Some herbal remedies may have an effect on your medication so it is very important you do not take anything unless under medical supervision.
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