Top 10 Home Remedies for Arthritis

Arthritis, a very common disease that affects roughly 23% of American adults and is also the most frequent cause of disability in the country, is actually a group of symptoms that mostly lead to pain and inflammation in the joint area of the body. There are 2 main types in general: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The basic difference between them is based on the nature of the disease. The former is a degenerative illness, a deteriorating condition caused by an increased wear and tear on joints over time, while the latter is autoimmune, which means the immune system mistakenly attacks the joints.

There are many warning signs one should look out for to begin suspecting arthritis. It includes but is not limited to 1) pain and swelling or inflammation, 2) redness and warmth, 3) stiffness and a tingling sensation, usually accompanied by numbness, 4) deformity, 5) fatigue and other flu-like symptoms, and 6) a loss of range of motion and limping. When you start to feel two or more of these symptoms in your joints such as the knees, hands, arms, legs, and feet, better consult your doctor right away. If diagnosed, here are some home Remedies for arthritis that you can easily try, along with proper medication that is.

Home Remedies for Arthritis – Ginger

First off, there are many ways you can enjoy the anti-inflammatory properties of ginger that will give relief to your arthritis. The simplest would be eating raw gingers regularly. If that’s too much for you, just make sure that it’s incorporated to your every meal. Ginger oil can also be used topically by applying it to the affected area. This will help alleviate the different symptoms of arthritis while enhancing blood circulation in the process. Try drinking three cups of freshly boiled water added with some grated ginger roots, along with some honey to taste. Or mix together 6 teaspoons of grated dried ginger, 6 teaspoons of seed powder, and 3 teaspoons of black pepper in its powder form in a cup of water and drink half a teaspoon of the mixture at least three times daily.

Home Remedies for Arthritis – Turmeric

Turmeric, a yellow spice commonly used in Indian and other Asian dishes, contains an anti-inflammatory component called curcumin that inhibits the activities of a certain gene that regulates pain and swelling. Make the most out of this amazing superfood by taking readily available turmeric capsules for not more than 3 times a day. Dosage should be between 500 to 1,000 mg only. You can also make a fresh turmeric juice, probably mixed in a glass of milk before you go to bed every night. Or try combining it with the preceding ginger by mixing half a teaspoon of both ingredients in 2 cups of water and some honey to taste.

Home Remedies for Arthritis – Epsom Salt

Epsom salt or magnesium sulfate is a mineral compound that has been tested through time as a natural exfoliant and anti-inflammatory home remedy; with various uses ranging from treating wounds and soothing sore muscles to even fighting illnesses. It is usually mixed in a bath or foot soak for a homemade spa experience and it certainly benefits arthritis too with its high magnesium content by balancing the pH levels and regulating the level of alkalinity in the body. High acidity basically aggravates the condition. Simply mix 2 cups of Epsom salt in a large bowl of warm water and soak the affected area in it. You can also combine Epsom salt with fresh lemon juice in half a cup of warm water. Drink one teaspoon of the solution two times a day in the morning and before going to bed at night.

Home Remedies for Arthritis – Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar as a superfood never misses a spot in any list of homemade treatments. In this case, its rich content in essential minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and again, magnesium, makes it necessary for the body to keep the bones in an optimum condition. And by removing toxins in the joints, it helps relieve the pain associated with arthritis too. Simply mix a teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar in a cup of warm water and add some honey to flavor. Drink it every day preferably in the morning and benefit from its alkalizing effect. Yes, you read it right. Despite being a vinegar, apple cider is the only one in the family that has an alkalizing effect on the body.

Home Remedies for Arthritis – Honey and Cinnamon

Another homemade remedy you could try is cinnamon. Half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder can be combined with one tablespoon of honey in a cup of water. Drink the solution first thing in the morning when you wake up and on an empty gut for several days. You can also make a honey and cinnamon paste to be applied gently on the affected area. This will help alleviate the painful sensation brought particularly by rheumatoid arthritis. The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties of cinnamon bark, from which cinnamon powder is extracted, largely contribute to its healing power. Just be careful not to take large doses because it has potentially harmful effects which include making one more vulnerable to blood thinning and blood clotting.

Home Remedies for Arthritis – Essential Oils

There are many types of essential oils you can use topically to the affected area to help relieve the pain. 2 to 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, for instance, can be rubbed 2 times a day on the affected area. Try using olive oil (and even castor oil) while cooking as well. You can make a peppermint eucalyptus oil blend too by mixing together peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil, both 5 to 10 drops, and up to 2 tablespoons of a carrier oil such as olive, grape seed, or almond, to dilute the essential oils that can irritate your skin. Consuming up to 2 teaspoons of fish oil, or even a supplement, per day can also greatly help.

Home Remedies for Arthritis – Borage Seed Oil

Borage seed oil is extracted from borage, an herbal plant native to the Mediterranean that is being utilized in varied European dishes. Its anti-inflammatory qualities make it a well-known homemade remedy even in the past. It’s also rich in GLA or gamma-linolenic acid, a type of fatty acid that supports the structure and function of the joint and helps in preventing inflammation. It certainly is effective then and now in relieving the symptoms of arthritis. Use this as a lubricant when massaging the affected area. It can also be consumed in a serving size of just one teaspoon a day. Do not eat the seeds and other parts of the plant because it can be toxic. There is also an available borage oil supplement which you should take in proper dosage and moderation.

Home Remedies for Arthritis – Pure Capsaicin

The substance capsaicin works by depleting or blocking a certain neurotransmitter that delivers pain signals from your nerve endings to the brain, relieving you from various symptoms such as pain, discomfort, and inflammation brought by arthritis. This is a commonly found component in cayenne or black pepper and is actually responsible for their spicy heat. Though there are readily available creams and lotions containing capsaicin and are specially designed to help you deal with the condition, you can still make homemade treatment using the basic ingredient. Simply mix in at least 2 tablespoons of cayenne powder in half a cup of olive oil that is being gently heated. Wait for the powder to be completely dissolved before allowing it cool down. Rub the oil on the affected joints and expect some relief from both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and even fibromyalgia.

Home Remedies for Arthritis – Cherries

Cherries are among the well-known superfoods that are always on demand for their incredible health benefits. Simply put, it is super rich in essential minerals like potassium and the ever celebrated magnesium that can fight inflammation and act as a natural painkiller, respectively. So incorporate cherries in your daily dietary program now and reap its benefits by eating up to 10 cherries a day. Be it fresh, dried, frozen, or canned, whichever is available, you can eat them without worrying about whether you’re getting the coveted minerals or not. You can treat them as snacks but try making cherry syrup, particularly when eating breakfast. Just boil the fruits in water to create a thick syrup and enjoy. Fun fact: cherries do not really belong with the berries family, along with strawberries, they are among the fruit group called drupes botanically speaking.

Home Remedies for Arthritis – Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Being overweight increases the risk for arthritis. Not only has an extra weight brought stress and pressure to the joints, aggravating symptoms with broken cartilages, fat cells also produce cytokines, an inflammatory compound that goes along with arthritis. Therefore, exercise is important. Contrary to popular belief that exercise worsens the pain, it actually helps your muscles and your whole body to support your bones, decreasing the symptoms in the process. Just stick with low to moderate intensity exercises and avoid intense one. Regularly massaging the affected area would also greatly help; along with maintaining an optimal amount of magnesium in your blood. The benefit of this mineral simply cannot be overstated. You can also use some medication but more importantly, never skip a visit to your doctor.

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