Millions of people suffer from the various forms of arthritis.  So many, that once you mention you have it, you’ll be getting advice from everyone!  Everybody has an arthritis remedy that may or may not work.  You may find some arthritis relief from the pain-relieving prescriptions your doctor gives you.  You may find that over-the-counter medicine works well for you.  Those don’t have to be the only options, though.  There are many natural remedies for arthritis that may be just the ticket to getting around like your old self again.

The Causes And Symptoms of Arthritis

Causes of Arthritis

To be able to get to the bottom of any problem, you must first know what you’re dealing with.  Arthritis is generally caused by the wearing away of your joint’s cartilage over time.  This cartilage acts as a shock-absorber, shielding your joints during motion.  Over time, the gel-like cartilage wears away, causing painful bone to bone contact every time you move.  Ouch!  The most common form of arthritis, Osteoarthritis, can occur at any age, but usually waits to rear it’s ugly head after we hit 45.

Symptoms of Arthritis

It’s usually pretty easy to tell when your joints are feeling arthritic.  Maybe you’re not hopping out of bed quite as quickly as you once did.  Perhaps you find that arthritis has attacked your hands and they are no longer nimble.  The most common symptoms of arthritis are swollen joints that are painfully stiff.  However, with rheumatoid arthritis,  a more serious form of arthritis, in addition to the painful, stiff joints, you may also experience fatigue, poor circulation, eye problems and anemia.

Arthritis-Natural Remedies

For Arthritis Pain Relief

Glucosamine and Chondroitin

Taken together, these supplements can be very effective for people suffering with mild to moderate arthritis.  Why’s it work?  There are natural components in the supplements that will not only reduce pain, but slow the loss of cartilage.

Ginger

Ginger is known for its ability to relieve arthritis pain.  Start taking a ½ teaspoon of powdered ginger (or 6 teaspoons of fresh) every day.  Why’s it work?  Studies have shown that ginger increase blood circulation, which in turn moves the chemicals that cause inflammation away from the pained joints.

SAM-e

SAM-e is present in every single living cell in the body, but unfortunately, as we age, production in the body goes down.  Its role is critical in cartilage formation, which is why when our bodies slow production, our joints start to become stiff.  Start off by taking 800 milligrams a day.  If after 2 weeks, you are getting results, reduce the dose to 400 milligrams.  SAM-e has no known side effects and seems to be safe when taken with all prescription drugs.

Heat It Up

For significant, fast-acting, arthritis pain relief, apply heat.  Whether it’s heating pads or hot water bottles, using heat for 20 minutes will lessen the swelling and stiffness of those painful joints.

Cool It Down

Though it may seem contradictory, applying a cold treatment could very well be just as effective as applying heat to inflamed, swollen joints.

Oil It Up

By eating just a serving or two of cold water fish a week, many people have gotten significant arthritis relief.  Why’s it work?  Cold water fish, such as Salmon, contain Omega-3 fatty acids.  These substances are known to lessen pain and stiffness and also discourage inflammation.

Hate fish?  Take 2,000 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) in capsule form 3 times a day.  Although safe for most, if you are on blood-thinning drugs, please run this supplement by your doctor first.

Don’t want to take fish oil?  Try flax seed oil instead.  You’ll receive the same benefits if you take a tablespoon a day.

Rub It In

Capsaicin creams are effective and can be found at your local drugstore or even grocery.  Why’s it work?  Capsaicin is the component of hot peppers that makes them hot.  Believe it or not, this remedy works by irritating your nerve endings, causing your brain to take the attention away from your arthritis pain.  Give this remedy a week or two to decide if it works for you.

Get The Forecast

It is commonly known that arthritis symptoms can be aggravated by changes in the weather.  That’s because sudden pressure drops or increasing humidity, will affect the way the blood flows to your joints.  Next time a storm is heading your way, try this:  Turn on your air conditioner to dry out the air.  If you have a dehumidifier, that works great, too.

When To Call The Doctor

If you’ve never been diagnosed with arthritis, you may want to see your doctor, if only to find out what specific type of arthritis you have.  Another good reason to go in for a visit is that the symptoms of arthritis can mimic other conditions, as well.

If you already know that you have arthritis, then please see the doctor, if you notice any new types of swelling in your joints.

To try out this method, one must first obtain some golden raisins. This variety, commonly called bleached can be gotten in just about any grocery store. Calling them bleached, however, is a misnomer as they are never bleached but rather sulphur dioxide gas is introduced while the grapes are drying and this in turn prevents them from turning the darkish black and purplish color raisins often have. While no proof has been offered, some believe that it is the introduction of this gas that has something to do with their ability to provide relief.

Place them in a container and then pour in just enough gin to cover them. They should then be allowed to sit until the gin has evaporated, this will usually take between one and two weeks. Following this process, the user should eat a handful each day to help relieve the symptoms of arthritis. While many believe the raisins are the cure, others look to the gin as it is distilled and gathers much of its flavor from juniper berries. These berries have been used in many folk remedies and are what give the gin its distinctive flavor. As with all health related endeavors, a physician should be consulted before introducing any new health regimens.

Nausea

Ginger is well known as a remedy for nausea. Whether nausea and vomiting are caused by a stomach bug, pregnancy, chemotherapy or surgery, inhaling ginger or drinking ginger tea or ginger ale can often help.

Studies suggest that ginger in doses of one gram per day over no more than four days can be a safe and effective treatment for morning sickness.

Researchers have also found that ginger can relieve symptoms of nausea in people undergoing chemotherapy treatment although the spice does not reduce the severity of vomiting in these patients.

Motion-Sickness

Ginger is a simple and effective treatment for motion-sickness. Travel industry experts recommend travelers prone to motion-sickness to take doses of ginger every quarter hour during the hour before setting out on a boat or car trip,repeating the dose at the first sign of nausea during travel. Ginger may be taken by drinking a cup of ginger tea, or by ingesting a quarter teaspoon of dried powdered ginger or a half teaspoon of grated fresh ginger root.

Studies comparing the effects of ginger, placebos and prescribed medications have found that ginger may perform better than placebos. While less effective in combating motion-sickness than prescribed medications, ginger is also less likely to cause unwanted side effects such as drowsiness and dry mouth.

Migraines

When taken at the onset of migraine symptoms, ginger may help to prevent a full-blown migraine attack from developing. Recommended dosage of ginger is several slices of fresh root or one third of a teaspoon of powder. The explanation put forward by Danish scientists is that ginger works by blocking the effect of prostaglandins, the hormone-like substances that inflame blood vessels in the brain and cause migraine headaches.

Arthritis

Ginger has been shown to help relieve pain and inflammation in patients with osteoarthritis, and it is less likely to cause side effects than the anti-inflammatory drugs often used in the treatment of arthritic conditions.

Blood Clots and High Cholesterol

Studies of the blood thinning properties of ginger suggest it has effects similar to those of aspirin and in addition tends to soothe the intestinal tract while aspirin can irritate the stomach. Ginger can inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis, helping to lower levels of cholesterol in the blood. Ginger can therefore reduce the risk of strokes or heart attacks resulting from blood vessels being blocked by blood clots; its antioxidant properties are also said to strengthen the muscles of the heart.

More Health Benefits

Taking ginger is said to boost the effectiveness of antibacterial treatments for viruses by 50%, and research is currently being undertaken to investigate whether ginger has potential benefits for fighting cancer or treating disorders of the immune system.
There is always a risk of side effects or reactions when taking herbs and medicines. Ginger in high doses has been found to cause stomach upsets or heartburn, and ginger should be avoided by anyone who has a bleeding disorder or is taking medication such as aspirin that thins the blood. If you are uncertain whether it is safe for you to take ginger, discuss the matter with a health professional.

Dosage

Do not give ginger to children under two years of age.

Small doses of between one and four grams of ginger per day can be taken by adults; this dosage is based on an adult with a body weight of 150 pounds (70kg), and in the case of children aged over two years the dosage should be adjusted in proportion to the fresh ginger root or in the form of powder, capsules, tablets, extracts, tinctures and oils.

For oral treatment of nausea, recommended adult dosages are 2-4 grams daily of fresh ginger root, half a teaspoon of powdered ginger every 4 hours (no more than 4 doses daily), or 1.5-3.0 ml daily of liquid ginger extract. Drinking ginger tea or chewing fresh ginger root can also help relieve nausea. If you prefer to inhale ginger, place a drop of oil or a few slices of fresh root in hot water and inhale the steam.
For arthritis, pain may be alleviated by taking ginger orally; treating painful joints directly with rubbing with ginger oil or applying warm ginger root compresses may also be effective.

Brewing Ginger Tea

To make ginger tea, steep slices or shreds of fresh ginger root in boiling water and allow the brew to cool before drinking.