Treat Osteoarthritis with These 6 Simple Herbal Remedies

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease, a form or arthritis that is caused by inflammation and breakdown of the cartilage. After a period, that cartilage might even wear down.

Osteoarthritis is the most fairly known cause of arthritis, being a chronic disease and affecting over 27 million people in America. In fact, there are 2 types of osteoarthritis, one that tears and wears the cartilages and the second one develops in 10 years or so after an accident. The pain triggered by osteoarthritis is too big to even complete the smallest of tasks like holding a pen, a notebook, a spoon or a pan. Every object becomes too heavy and you are in constant pain. This disease is more common in women than in men and it affects the hands, neck, hips, lower back and knees most of the time. Symptoms include warm joints, pain in joints, muscle loss, cracking sensation in the affected areas.

Here is a list of herbs that can treat this disease:

• Turmeric is a yellow plant with the ability of reducing inflammations and relieving osteoarthritis symptoms. Curcumin, an ingredient inside the turmeric, has anti-inflammatory properties and other compounds that help treat osteoarthritis. 300 mg/3 times per day should help you with your osteoarthritis. Turmeric is not recommended during pregnancy and breast feeding.
• Rosemary is another herb with antioxidants that reduces the wear in the cartilages. An infusion made out of 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary and a cup of warm water, drank 2 or 3 times per day should do the trick.
• Birch is a plant that helps with swollen joints, by consuming a cup of infusion made out of 1 teaspoon of dried birch leaves and one cup of water 2 to 3 times a day. Birch also removes the liquids accumulated from cartilages.
• Stinging nettle is a herb with many properties, such as: antiviral, antibacterial, analgesic and anti-inflammatory. When stinging, it causes an irritation that decreases the pain by exhausting the substance, something that capsaicin does too. Pain is relieved due to the serotonin and histamine amounts stinging nettle contains. This herb has also diuretic properties, helping remove the liquid in the inflamed joints.
• White willow bark can be the best remedy for osteoarthritis. It can easily be procured from healthy food stores, specialized in dietary supplements. White willow bark is used as an alternative for aspirin, reducing back pain and other osteoarthritis symptoms. Aspirin can lead to stomach irritation, while this herb does not have any side effects. Ulcer and kidney patients should stay away from this herb.
• Boswellia is a herb used to block the enzymes that cause inflammation in osteoarthritis, leading towards pain. A study conducted on two groups of people showed that people given boswellia suffered from less pain and swelling compared to those who were given placebo pills. Pregnant women, cancer patients and breast-feeding women should not use this plant.

As you can see, these are the 6 herbal remedies that should help you with swelling, accumulated liquids and pain caused by osteoarthritis. You can start by trying all of them and see which one helps you more, and then stick to it.