The following herbs are excellent at relieving joint pain. The key is to use these daily so your body builds up the benefits and you will see results. Patience is key!
Burdock root (Arctium lappa or Arcticum minus) is known for its powerful anti-inflammatory abilities, even helping to soothe arthritis. You can eat burdock root in stir fries. You can make a tea from the fresh root, it improves inflammatory status and oxidative stress. To make a decoction which is a strong tea:
Burdock Root Decoction
Ingredients
- 2 TBS chopped fresh burdock root OR 2 tsp dried root
- 4 cups boiling water
Directions
- Chop 2 tablespoons of fresh burdock root—if you do not have the fresh root available you can use 2 teaspoons of dried root as an alternative.
- Add the root to the boiling water and allow to simmer for 10 minutes then turn off the heat.
- Strain and drink while still warm 3-4 cups a day.
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is an extremely effective anti-inflammatory herb and pain reliever. It contains at least two chemicals curcumin and curcuminoids which decrease inflammation. Turmeric is very much like the prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. Incidentally, this anti-inflammatory effect is also why turmeric is often recommended for treatment of cancer, cataracts and Alzheimer’s.
When cooking, try adding black pepper or dried ginger to help activate turmeric. The herb can also be applied topically as a salve to relieve pain. Sprinkle ¼ teaspoon of turmeric everyday on scrambled eggs, add it into soups, sauces, and salad dressings. After one week increase the turmeric intake to ½ teaspoon. After one month increase the quantity to 1 teaspoon. Follow this daily to prevent joint pain and inflammation. Or stir a tablespoon of turmeric into a glass of warm milk and drink this at night time to get relaxing sleep without any pain.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) the therapeutic benefits of ginger come from gingerols, the oily resin from the root that acts as a highly potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. This oily resin makes it very potent in relieving joint pain.
Ginger Tea
Ingredients
- 1 inch piece of ginger
- 1 cup boiling water
Directions
- Take a 1 inch piece of ginger and cut it into thin slices.
- Bring a cup of water to boil.
- Add the ginger slices and let it steep for 10 minutes.
- Discard the ginger slices and sip on this tea slowly.
Consume the ginger tea 2 to 3 times a day.
Ginger and Lemon Tea
Lemon is a rich source of vitamin C that promotes collagen health which is a major component of the cartilage present in the joints.
Ingredients
- 1 inch piece of ginger
- 4 cups boiling water
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp honey
Directions
- Slice or grate a 1 inch piece of fresh ginger and add it to 4 cups of boiling water.
- Cover the pan with a lid and let the tea simmer for 10 minutes.
- Filter the tea and add a teaspoon each of lemon juice and honey to it.
Consume this ginger and lemon tea 2 times daily.
My mom has had rheumatoid arthritis since she was 40 and was prescribed the usual medication cocktail to help with the pain. Sometimes the medication worked but mostly she was still in pain daily. Fast forward many years later when she turned 80 years old, every morning she started drinking a cup of green tea with honey and she stirred it with a cinnamon stick. She’s now 90 years and has eliminated all but one arthritis medication and has days of absolutely no pain! Her doctor is still surprised at her results.
By using these herbs daily as teas and in food, you can help alleviate joint pain and inflammation. Using natural pain relief herbs helps you reduce the use of NSAIDS.
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