If you think you need to bother about arthritis only after crossing 50 or only in the latter part of 50s, think again. Arthritis is beginning to engulf a major portion of our younger population, what with high impact sports and unhealthy lifestyles (read obesity). And if you say you are a slim individual who indulges only in video games...well you are also not spared...you could develop arthritis of the thumb!
Being aware of the onset of arthritis is a good idea, so that you can make some lifestyle modifications to beat arthritis. There are many home remedies which gives good relief from the pain of arthritis.
It is believed that bathing in the sea is beneficial for arthritic patients because of the abundance of iodine in it. Iodine nourishes the skeletal structures as well as regulates the acid-alkali balance in the blood and tissues that helps repair and regenerate worn out tissues. Iodine mixes with the thyroid hormone and helps cleanse the internal toxins. The natural iodine in sea water is helpful in relieving arthritic pain because of these properties. So go ahead, bathe in sea water to enjoy as well as get some respite from your arthritic pain.
Home Remedies for Arthritis
As with many other illnesses, treatment of arthritis also involves taking in many juices and herbs to treat the disease from inside out.
- Raw Potato Juice: This therapy is considered one of the most successful biological treatments when it comes to rheumatic and arthritic conditions. Folk medicine has used it for centuries. Without peeling the skin, chop a medium-sized potato into thin slices and immerse these slices in a large bowl of cold water overnight. Drink water from this first thing in the morning or dilute the fresh juice of a medium-sized potato with a cup of water and drink this on an empty stomach in the morning.
- Green Juice: Mix equal amount of juice from carrot, celery, red beet, and any greens. Drink about a cup of this. The alkali in this dissolves the accumulated deposits at the joints and other tissues, thus relieving the arthritic pain.
- Pineapple Juice: Fresh pineapple juice is also very beneficial in arthritis, because it contains the enzyme bromelain that reduces the swelling and inflammation seen in both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Lime: The citric acid in lime dissolves the uric acid that is the primary cause of gouty arthritis. Dilute the juice of one lime in water and drink this first thing in the morning.
- Bananas: Since bananas are rich source of vitamin B6, sometimes a diet of just bananas is suggested to be taken for 3 to 4 days at a stretch. The patient may be asked to eat 8 to 9 bananas daily during this period of time and nothing else.
- Green Gram Soup: Cook two tablespoons of green gram with two crushed garlic cloves in a cup of water. Take this soup twice a day.
- Herbal Tea: A tea made from the seeds of herb alfalfa has shown beneficial results in the treatment of arthritis.
- Powder 6 teaspoons of ginger, 6 teaspoons of caraway seeds and 3 teaspoons of pepper and mix well. Take half teaspoon of this mixture along with water twice daily.
Oil Massages to Relieve Arthritic Pain
Hot oil seeps through the pores of your skin and improves mobility as well as relief from pain.
- Coconut/Mustard Oil: Warm coconut oil or mustard oil with 2 to 3 pieces of camphor. This should be massaged on stiff and painful arthritic joints.
- Olive Oil Massage: Dilute any of the following oils in olive oil in a 1:10 ratio and massage the painful joints:
- Garlic
- Juniper
- Lavender
- Sage
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Sassafras
- Neem Oil: Massage painful joints and stiff muscles with neem oil.
Other Remedies
- Wrapping arthritic joints lightly in flannel and leaving it overnight gives good relief (some old timers suggest it should be with red-colored flannel)
- Doing yoga regularly relieves the pain of arthritis -- whether in hips, knees, or shoulders -- to a great extent.
Arthritic pain management is the biggest challenge for doctors and patients alike. Arthritis limits the smartest of the lot from performing to their optimum level. Although arthritis cannot be cured completely, a lot of relief to the pain can be brought about by some home remedies like these.
