Herbal help for arthritis

http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/herbal-remedies/herbal-remedies-for-arthritis.htm

http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/guide/rheumatoid-arthritis-natural-treatments?page=3
Keep in mind that even natural supplements can interact with other medications. Be sure your doctor is aware of all drugs and supplements you are taking.

Supplements for RA that have the best medical research to back them up include:

Borage. Some studies show that borage seed oil, along with anti-inflammatory painkillers, can reduce RA symptoms. These findings show reduced tender and swollen joints of RA after six weeks. Borage seed oil appears to be safe, but may cause soft stools, diarrhea, and bloating. Borage seeds and other plant parts, such as the leaf or flower, may contain substances that are potentially harmful to the liver. Borage seed oil does not contain these harmful substances.

Fish oil. Studies show that omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil have an anti-inflammatory effect in the body. Several studies have shown that fish oil supplements may help reduce morning stiffness with RA. In addition, the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil help protect against heart disease. People with RA are at a higher risk of developing heart disease. Fish oil appears to be safe when used appropriately. Doses greater than 3 grams per day may increase the chance of bleeding.

Thunder god vine. A few studies have shown a decrease in pain and tender joints in people with RA taking this supplement. A large government-funded study is under way comparing thunder god vine with traditional medicine for rheumatoid arthritis. Thunder god vine appears to be safe. However, pregnant women should not take this supplement, as it may cause birth defects.

http://www.anniesremedy.com/chart_remedy.php?tag=arthritis
Herbal remedies provide a safer alternative to treating arthritis than relying solely on prescription and over-the-counter drugs. White willow, cayenne and other herbs contain salicylates, compounds like those in aspirin. They are among the many other herbal medicines that fight inflammation and relieve pain

From "Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs"
Dandelion can be used for arthritis. Parts used are the roots and leaves. To prepare you can eat fresh leaves raw in salads. It can be used as an infusion or a decoction.

Feverfew: Feverfew has recently become available in health food stores in the US, although the British have been using it for a long time. The report showed that it shares some of the same properties as aspirin.

From "Alternative Cures"
Tumeric works as an NSAID to reduce pain and inflammation, but with no side affects. It's available in capsules in healthfood stores.
Ginger has also shown antiinflamatory properties.

Thank you for sharing this.

You're quite welcome. Hopefully something here will help you. Just like the prescription meds don't help everyone, neither do herbal remedies. But also like the prescirption meds there are other things available so hopefully you can find one that helps you.

I think I have borage too.

I have found Glucosamine and Chondroitin to be very helpful for joint repair. I had a painful knee for about half a year and wondered if I was going to get it fully functional again. After a couple of days of GC, I found the pain gone and function returned.

They have been doing some major medical studies on the spice turmeric and its close cousin ginger. Both are made from the dried and ground up rhizome of the plant.

The turmeric in particular seems to decrease inflammation and releave pain. Combine the two and the effect is even better. Both are used as a long term medication. Daily consumption over a long period is when the effects are really noticeable, so eating a dinner of curry lamb won't make much difference.

There is enough interest in these plants by the big researchers that I think this might be one to give a try. You can either take it in tablet form or mix it into your scrambled eggs in the morning.

I have heard a lot of talk about turmeric and ginger. I started putting turmeric in a lot of my dishes when I heard that it might help prevent some types of cancer. I like the taste anyway so why not give it a try.

Me too, but I think we BOTH need to do it on a daily basis for it to really work the way they are talking.

It's a plan. If you have good recipes that this adds into easily let me know.

The ones I have found least noticeable are scrambled eggs or omelets at breakfast time and soups.

I need to be more proactive with this as well. I do good on it for a while, then I get busy and forget. Maybe I need to quit being wimpy and just mix a teaspoon full of turmeric into a glass of water before bed. ??

I bought ginger in capsule form a while back and have been using that whenever I have stomach issues. It works better than tums in my experience. It causes you to salivate slightly more as a side effect, so it also works if you have a sore scratchy throat.

Farmfresh wrote:They have been doing some major medical studies on the spice turmeric and its close cousin ginger. Both are made from the dried and ground up rhizome of the plant.

The turmeric in particular seems to decrease inflammation and releave pain. Combine the two and the effect is even better. Both are used as a long term medication. Daily consumption over a long period is when the effects are really noticeable, so eating a dinner of curry lamb won't make much difference.

There is enough interest in these plants by the big researchers that I think this might be one to give a try. You can either take it in tablet form or mix it into your scrambled eggs in the morning.

I've heard that too. In fact my pain management doctor has suggested I try tumeric because he knows I prefer herbal remedies.

It is a win win medicine. Works and tastes great too!

Without the side affects of most of the synthetic medications.

When they start listing all of the possible side affects of these different drugs, I almost always think I'd rather have what they're supposed to cure!

Sonshine wrote:Without the side affects of most of the synthetic medications.

Dizzy that's exactly why I live with my autoimmune disorders and manage the pain associated with them.   I'd rather try and strengthen my body/immune system naturally than overload it with who knows what chemical/pharmacedical stuff and their side effects.

I know there are different meds I could take for my Meniere's (or Mine Ears as I call it), but w/the problems they can cause, I figure I'm better off just trying to combat it naturally.  Mainly, I control it thru diet, and knowing what my other triggers are.  Some things, I just down right avoid!  Some things, I can more or less train myself to be OK with.  When we got our TV, I couldn't watch it-it was too big.  (Gift from son)  But, by watching it for a few minutes at a time, I got to where it normally doesn't bother me.

Dizzy, I'm learning that with most herbal remedies you don't have as many side affects as with the synthetics.  Of course, there are some, but not nearly as much as you see with OTC or prescriptions.