Herbs for Arthritis: Getting the Relief You Need from Nature

by Kaye Fretz

Have you heard about herbs for arthritis? Although there is no natural or synthetic cure for arthritis, there are ways and means to help reduce the pain and swelling caused by arthritis. One way is to take some helpful herbs. Here are some of the possible herbs you may want to take.

-Nettle Leaves- Stinging nettle is believed to be the natural counterpart of NSAIDs. The anti-inflammatory components of this herb reduce arthritis swelling. The herb also has boron which is a recommended nutrient for those with arthritis. Nettle can be eaten or used for tea.

-Devil’s Claw- Its name is actually derived from the appearance of its fruits that look much like claws. This is a herb found in Africa and is prized for its pain relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also believed to help improve the joint movement of arthritic patients.

-Ginger- Who would’ve thought this common food ingredient can help ease pain and swelling? Arthritis patients can find relief from ginger by eating it mixed with dips and food or taken in tea form. This is one of the herbs that have the least or no side effects.

-Celery- This is another herb mixed with food that can be good for arthritis. That is probably what early Europeans probably discovered when they started using this herb. The herb can reduce inflammation. It also has potassium which is a beneficial nutrient for people with arthritis.

-Red Pepper- Lists of herbs for arthritis can’t do without cayenne or red pepper. Nearly everyone knows that red pepper is a good pain reliever even for those who suffer from pain not associated with arthritis. The substance in cayenne that is popularly known to relieve pain is capsaicin. This substance blocks the perception of pain and facilitates the release of more endorphins or the body’s own natural pain relievers. Cayenne also has salicylate which is an ingredient in aspirin.

-Alfalfa- Vitamins and minerals are the contribution of alfalfa for people with arthritis. This is therefore a beneficial nourishing herb. It is usually taken as tea. Although alfalfa also comes in powder form, those with arthritis are not advised to take it. Powder alfalfa can promote the symptoms of arthritis.

-Angelica- This is another species for what is also known as dong quai. For centuries, this herb has been taken as a form of tea to help relieve swelling and pain.

These are only some of the herbs used for arthritis. There are many others that are considered beneficial for people suffering from arthritis symptoms. Although many people swear by the benefits of natural arthritis relief options, it is still important to be careful with the use of herbs. Some herbs may interact with medications that you may be taking for arthritis or some other medical condition.

Herbal remedies also typically do not have standard measurements. Different sources have different opinions on how much you should take of a remedy. There is always the possibility that you could take the wrong advice resulting in the intake of incorrect amounts.

Herbs for arthritis should be taken with your doctor’s knowledge. This is the best way to be sure that you are not putting yourself in danger.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 4th, 2008 and is filed under Alternative Medicine. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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