Top 5 Herbs Against Arthritis

Arthritis comes in many shapes and forms, with more than 100 types being recognized at the moment. Its symptoms can lower the quality of life significantly for the sufferer, as even the most basic activities can pose serious challenges. The most common effects it shows are joint pain, swelling, stiffness, fatigue and redness – as difficult as these are to withstand on their own, they can also lead to joint damage and disability over time.

The risk of arthritis appearing increases with age, so the remedies presented here can be essential in order to receive protection against this disease as well. It is important to know that the best approach is a combination of healthy lifestyle choices: diet and exercise are crucial to any treatment. Medical advice remains extremely important as well since the disease is serious enough to require professional attention.

With that being said, here are a few natural remedies that will help you battle arthritis.

• Green tea

Green tea is known for its wide variety of healthy benefits, yet its help against arthritis remains among the most impressive. First of all, its ability to boost the immune system and improve bone health is well known. The tea also contains EGCG, a highly potent substance used in numerous dietary supplements, as it is believed to help with a wide range of diseases. When it comes to arthritis, EGCG is known for blocking inflammations from causing cartilage damage.

• Aloe Vera

While Aloe Vera is most often used topically in order to treat various skin problems (including inflammation), it can also be used internally, as it will act on your whole body. Drinks made from this plant can either be bought or prepared at home, following various simple recipes that are available online. When applied topically, it does not only fight inflammation of the skin, but it can act on painful joints as well.

• Turmeric

This natural remedy has been found in studies to be just as effective against arthritis as ibuprofen, a drug commonly used to calm the pain caused by the condition. The plant also comes with the huge benefit that it avoids the common side effect seen in drugs, that of damaging the cardiovascular system.

Turmeric can be used internally, as part of your diet or you can massage it gently into your painful joints.

• Boswellia

This plant contains strong acids that act as analgesics and anti-inflammatories, helping reduce pain and improve mobility. You can usually find it in essential oil form at health food stores; the way you apply it is by simply massaging it into your painful joints.

• Ginger

Ginger is excellent for both preventing inflammation and fighting existing cases of it. Besides reducing the pain, it also improves your mobility as it neutralizes the uric acid in your joints.

You can apply it in essential oil topically or drink it as a tea in order to find relief from pain.

As mentioned, while these remedies provide great help against arthritis, they should come as part of a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise and consumption of anti-inflammatory foods. The relief you will find makes it all worth it.