Herbal Treatment for Arthritis

You don't have to look further to find relief for your arthritis, natural medicines can be found in none other than your kitchen or in your garden!

What are the natural remedies can be found from your kitchen? Take a look at these:

. Turmeric. The rhizome of Turmeric provides a tasty yellow herb that can also work magic on your joints. This herb is a first-rate anti-inflammatory ideal for the pain and swelling of arthritis. It also triggers better bile flow, improving digestive function which is often poor in arthritis sufferers.

. Cayenne pepper. Cayenne pepper is one of nature's finest hot spices, yet it ironically takes away the pain of inflammatory arthritis. It contains a substance called capsaicin, which when applied topically works partly as a counter irritant, but it also has the ability to block pain impulses with its salicylate content. Clinical trials have confirmed this plant's value in alleviating pain and discomfort from both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis.

. Ginger. If you suffer from ailing joints, here's another kitchen herb to help lift your spirits. The plant is particularly good news for arthritis sufferers as it contains zingibain and other phytochemical compounds which quench inflammation. It seems to be particularly good at keeping at bay pain-causing and tissue swelling substances. Ginger is also an expert at improving digestion and its antioxidant properties are great for protecting the body cells from free-radical damage.

. Pineapple. Another natural arthritic remedy, the Pineapple can also ease the ache of inflamed tissues. Concentrated primarily in the stems is a phytochemical called Bromelain, which is used to help quash arthritic flare-ups. Studies suggest that Bromelain simultaneously inhibits one body chemical involved in inflammation, whilst triggering the release of another chemical, which dampens down inflammation. It's also a protein-dissolving digestive enzyme, which once again targets the poor digestion commonly experienced by arthritis sufferers.

. Celery. This vegetable also posses advantages for stiff joints. The celery stalks are useful medicine, but the seeds of this plant may be even more effective. Celery seed extracts provide the arthritis sufferer with some 25 anti-inflammatory substances, plus other plant chemicals that are natural diuretics. In the herbal world, celery seeds are known as joint cleansers, as they are thought to help remove waste products and excess fluid from arthritic joints. Celery seed can be taken as a refreshing tea, as a single tincture or mixed with other effective plant extracts.

And what does your garden have to offer as natural relief for arthritis? You may be surprised at these:

. Stinging nettle. As a common treatment for arthritis, the Romans used to flay their ailing joints with nettles to reduce the associated pain. Stinging nettle contains natural anti-histamines and anti-inflammatories. Healing blood flow is also increased to the joint area and there's no doubt the pain of nettle rash temporarily displaces arthritic discomfort! Fear not, as taking nettle internally is still very beneficial. The diuretic action of this common weed helps to cleanse arthritic joints of waste materials such as uric acid and other impurities. Meanwhile, the anti-inflammatory substances in nettle combine with the minerals boron and silicon, also found in the leaf, to help ease the pain of rheumatoid- and osteo-arthritis.

. White Willow. If you are lucky, you may have a White Willow tree gracing your garden. You can thank this tree every time you reach for an aspirin to ease the pain of an arthritic knee. It provides us with salicylic acid and has been used to relieve arthritic pain for over 2,500 years. Aspirin is a synthetic cousin derived in the 1800s by Bayer, but has the disadvantage of being harsh on the stomach lining. An extract or tincture made from the inner bark of the white willow tree is a kinder alternative and it is revered by herbalists and arthritis sufferers alike for its pain-relieving properties.

. Ginkgo. Another garden tree is also praised for its healing actions. Ginkgo not only improves circulation to damaged joints, but also contains a dozen different anti-inflammatory chemicals and seven natural anti-histamines.

. Comfrey. If you have comfrey in your garden, this is another prized crop not to be disregarded merely as a weed. One of the main therapeutic substances in comfrey (allantoin) is an anti-inflammatory that boosts the immune system, speeds wound healing and encourages new cell growth. This is ideal for sore, eroded joints. It is best not to take comfrey internally but an extract from the root and leaves makes a very effective cream. Combine it with some cayenne pepper to encourage healing blood flow to the area.

. Borage. If you spot a pretty blue star-shaped flower in your garden it may belong to the Borage plant. This is highly prized by natural healers for its medicinal seeds. These contain GLA, a fatty-acid that the body requires to make an inflammation fighting and immune boosting chemical. The aerial parts, meanwhile, can be infused to make a tea that supports the adrenal glands. These organs produce stress reducing hormones and there is nothing that puts more of a strain on the body than a degenerative disorder such as arthritis.

Nature provides for natural and effective healing of complaints such as arthritis, many of which are found as close by as your garden.