In an ideal world, going through our everyday lives would be a breeze. We would be jumping from one task to another and ticking off our to-do lists easily, but in reality, some circumstances may come in our way, including health issues.
One of these health-related problems is arthritis. Coming from the Greek words arthro meaning joint and itis meaning inflammation, arthritis is the blanket term for the condition of joint inflammation. The disease results in swelling and redness of the joints. In some instances, people with arthritis find it difficult to perform certain activities and even take some time before resuming their routines. Thankfully, science has treatments that make arthritis manageable and nature has an abundant supply of herbs that may help in easing the symptoms.
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What Causes Arthritis?
Joints are our bones’ point of connection and they can get swollen, reddish, and painful depending on the type of arthritis. Although the exact causes for most types are unknown, some factors are seen to increase the likelihood of getting the disease. For instance, people with a family history of a type of arthritis are predisposed to acquire the same condition. Likewise, biological sex is also one of these factors. Women have a higher risk of getting the condition than men, although gout, a type of arthritis, is more common to the male population. While arthritis is generally known to affect people in their old ages, certain kinds of this illness target children.
Fortunately, the other risk factors can be managed or prevented to minimize the onset of the disease. People whose line of work requires frequent squatting and heavy lifting should practice extra care and caution since these activities could strain the joints. The same goes for athletes or those who enjoy a strenuous type of sports. Joint injuries are likely to become the site of joint pain in the future. Our lifestyle factors can influence the possibility of arthritis too. A routine devoid of exercise increases your chance of having the condition, as well as unattended excess weight.
Out of more than 100 types of this disease, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are the most common. Osteoarthritis happens when our cartilages degenerate. The cartilage, which lines our joints and supports our bones, causes our bones to bump against each other upon damage. This contact is also the reason for joint pain and swelling and osteophytes or bone spurs. It often occurs in the joints of the knees, hips, and spine. Osteoarthritis can be categorized into two: primary and secondary osteoarthritis. The former is seen to come in old age since older people have the condition; the latter is caused by external conditions like weight gain, hormonal and congenital disorders, and joint pressure and trauma
Meanwhile, rheumatoid arthritis starts in the immune system, which mistakenly targets the lining of our joints called synovium and causes inflammation. It consequently affects the whole joint and causes both cartilage and bone loss. This may damage other joints and organs and is linked to other conditions such as atherosclerosis and osteoporosis.
Gout, on the other hand, takes a more definitive cause. High levels of uric acid settle in joints, producing swelling and pain.
Common Symptoms of Arthritis
Although arthritis has numerous types, there are general symptoms that are often experienced by those suffering from the condition. This includes stiffness, pain, redness, swelling, and reduced motion activity. People who suffer from osteoarthritis are likely to endure joint pains in hips, knees, hands, and spine. It could also come with crepitus, or the cracking sound you hear when using the inflamed joint. Some may also see an alteration in their posture, especially when the spine joints are swollen.
For an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, the start of the symptoms is gradual and mainly manifests in older age. It affects the joints of the hips, spine, hands, and knees like osteoarthritis, but the main characteristic of RA is stiffness after hours of sleep. Symptoms seem to get worse over an inactive period.
Depending on the individual, some symptoms may become manageable over time. However, there are also people whose symptoms worsen and stay over the years. Whatever your symptoms may be, it is best to consult your doctor once you feel the onset and especially when grave symptoms occur. In the meantime, allow yourself to relax with these herbal remedies that can help in subsiding the pains induced by arthritis.
Herb for Arthritis: Stinging Nettle Tea
Choosing to use the stinging leaves of nettle as an arthritis relief may seem counterintuitive, but the Urtica dioica is observed to alleviate the symptoms of osteoarthritis. A small study conducted on 27 people who have mild osteoarthritis showed that the small spines of the nettle leaves eased the pain on their fingers compared to those who did not use the leaves. Nettles are also seen to reduce a person’s intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, a common form of medical treatment for arthritis. Get Yours Here!
Although these trials focused on topical application and more research are still needed, nettle tea has anti-inflammatory properties that could aid with swelling, so go ahead and brew yourself a cup.
Herb for Arthritis: Chili Peppers
The chemicals found in chili pepper which makes them hot and spicy are called Capsaicin, these are natural anti inflammatory which could help fight and reduce swelling. One can consume any type of chili peppers for the mild ones to the hottest ones, if you have a high tolerance in spicy food. Fresh, dried, and even in powdered forms are all beneficial for one who is suffering from arthritis. Get Yours Here!
Herb for Arthritis: Turmeric
The bright yellow and flavorful turmeric from the ginger family has been essential in our spice racks and it deserves its rightful place there, particularly when you wish to reduce swelling brought by arthritis. The spice’s scientific name, Curcuma longa, points to the underlying power of turmeric: the curcumin compound. Aside from giving the spice, its savory taste and its golden yellow color, curcumin is also responsible for turmeric’s anti-inflammatory characteristics that could help with rheumatoid arthritis.
Consuming turmeric doesn’t have to be difficult too. The spice can be added to a variety of dishes along with black pepper for better absorption. It comes in tea bags and in powdered form for a healthy drink option too. However, be on the lookout for turmeric packages that may have added ingredients in them, since it would be ideal to drink turmeric tea in its pure form. Get Yours Here!
Herb for Arthritis: Burdock Root
Burdock root’s home is in Asia, which explains its popularity in their dishes. The dark-colored root has lots of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory qualities that have long been used in traditional and alternative medicine. It is demonstrating itself as a way to relieve osteoarthritis too. In a trial published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information of the National Library of Medicine, burdock root, infused and consumed in tea form, was seen to decrease inflammatory markers of people with knee osteoarthritis. Get Yours Here!
To prepare the tea, steep a fresh burdock root in hot water for a few minutes. If it isn’t available, the root now comes in powdered, dried, or extracted forms.
Herb for Arthritis: Thunder God Vine
The herb thunder god vine or lei gong teng has been in Chinese herbal remedies for years. It is popular for reducing inflammation and managing the immune response, both of which are the causes of rheumatoid arthritis. A 2014 study in the British Medical Journal reported that patients with rheumatoid arthritis showed a 50% improvement of their joint pains when they took thunder god vine in supplement form. The herb is also available in extracts, but experts advise to be cautious of potential side effects, such as headache, hair loss, and change in the menstrual cycle. Get Yours Here!
Herb for Arthritis: Ginger
Similar to turmeric, ginger is one of our culinary constants that could be used in several ways. Slice some fresh ginger and simmer in water for 5 minutes, add the powdered form to several dishes, or have it pickled to include in salads. However you choose to prepare it, ginger packs anti-inflammatory properties that may help in preventing and managing arthritis. Get Yours Here!
Ginger is observed to reduce muscle pains due to intense exercise, possibly lessening the chance of joint pains and injuries that can contribute to arthritis in the future. The intake of ginger’s extracts has shown positive effects on decreasing knee pain of people with osteoarthritis, as well as its topical application in the same area.
Herb for Arthritis: Boswellia/Indian Frankincense
The Boswellia serrata is also one of the herbal gifts from India. The deciduous tree produces an extract that is believed to help with chronic inflammation, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Despite being traditionally used as incense in ceremonies, studies have shown that the intake aided in knee flexibility and diminishing pain for those with osteoarthritis. Get Yours Here!
Herb for Arthritis: Willow Bark
This herb has stood the test of time. Hailed as an alternative to aspirin, it has also been used in managing the symptoms of arthritis over the years. There is a study that shows willow bark’s capabilities on joint pains. The extract was administered to people with back pain, rheumatoid, and osteoarthritis and was recorded to reduce discomfort weeks after its consumption. Willow bark comes in supplement or capsule form, but if you like to consume it naturally, you may prepare it as tea. Soak the willow bark in boiling water for about three minutes and serve immediately. Get Yours Here!
Arthritis can be debilitating and can be a nuisance when the joint pain strikes, but it can be manageable with the combined forces of modern science and herbs that you can find in your kitchen. Seek your physician’s advice on living with the condition and on taking these herbs for a healthier life.
