Ease Arthritis Pain with Nature: Herbal Blends

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Do you suffer from painful arthritis, despite prescription or over-the-counter pain medicines? Perhaps it’s time to try something different. The following herbal ingredients have eased arthritis pain for centuries. While natural remedies such as the following aren’t for everyone, it might be worth a try if other treatments have failed to deliver results.

Alfalfa’s anti-rheumatic effect is probably due to its extremely high nutritive value. Alfalfa has a proven cholesterol lowering effect and it generally helps to improve overall health, vigor and vitality. Alfalfa, as fiber, is also good for cellular detoxification.

Celery seed is a traditional diuretic and blood cleanser, well-suited for treating rheumatism, especially when combined with Damiana. Its inclusion in arthritic blends is a rather modern tradition, but has repeatedly proven itself in clinical trials. A famous Chinese study showed that it lowered blood pressure in 14 of 16 human patients with chronic high blood pressure. In Europe celery seed is a common medicinal treatment for gout and rheumatism.

Burdock root is an effective blood purifier and pain killer. This property would partially explain its observed effectiveness in treating rheumatism. American herbalists have testified for the past two hundred years that burdock can effectively alleviate symptoms of arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.

Chaparral, according to modern science and the best American Indian folklore has good anit-rheumatoid properties. The primary constituent of chaparral, NDGA (nordihydroquaiaretic acid) possesses analgesic (pain-relieving) and vasodepressant (circulatory depressing) properties. NDGA also increases ascorbic acid levels in the adrenals and has antioxidant and anti- cancer activity. Finally, NDGA stimulates the process by which cells utilize foods for energy, a fact that may eventually provide the key to its effectiveness in treating arthritic conditions.

Sarsaparilla was independently discovered in the United States, as well as other countries around the world, to be an effective treatment for rheumatism. Mode of action may stem from its high content of saponins.

Licorice and its derivatives have been found to possess substantial anti-arthritic activity. This property is no doubt due to the herb’s anti-inflammatory effects, although certain enzyme systems have also been implicated. The anti-inflammatory property of licorice root has been used in treating dermatological problems as well. In one study, the herb’s derivatives were subjected to four established tests for anti-inflammatory properties. The test results were positive on all counts. Since that time, several studies have been done to verify and extend those initial findings. The advantage in using licorice root is that is has none of the side effects associated with the use of glucocorticoid-type drugs such as cortisone and hydrocortisone. Yet licorice root and/or its derivatives can be every bit as effective as hydrocortisone.

Queen-of-the-meadow herb has been established clinically as an effective treatment for the rheumatic and gouty conditions caused by uric acid deposit in the joins. Because of the stimulating effects on glands and organs that clear the body of toxins and waste, it is also helpful in most forms of inflammatory distress.

Kelp and cayenne provide nutritive support as well as improve good circulatory stimulation. They measurably enhance the overall effectiveness and usefulness of the blend. The trace mineral content of Kelp is among the highest of any source known, a fortunate circumstance for arthritic patients who use it.