Arthritis is a chronic condition which can be simply defined as ‘inflammation of the joints’. The term, arthritis is formed of two Greek words- arthro-, joint + -itis, inflammation. There are more than a hundred different types of arthritis of which Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis and Gout are the most common. However, the symptoms of the disease are common to all forms, i.e., swelling, stiffness and pain in the joints, muscles and other connective tissues. The most common cause of arthritis is age, genetics, infections, nutritional deficiency, mental or physical strain, trauma, obesity, cold climate or excessive intake of rich foods. Though this ailment is common in elderly but arthritis can affect people of all ages, races and ethnic groups.
Home Remedies to Treat Arthritis
Find here some of the simple and time-tested home remedies to treat arthritis effectively.
- Mix a teaspoon of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) powder to a tablespoon of honey and take it in the morning. It is a great remedy for arthritis.
- Boil about half inch of fresh ginger (Zingiber officinale) in two cups of water. Strain and add about two teaspoon of castor (Ricinus communis) oil to the water. Drink the mixture before going to bed.
- Prepare a powdered mixture of long pepper (Piper longum), Kantakari (Solanum virginianum), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Harada (Terminalia chebula), Arjuna (Terminalia bellirica), kachur (Curcuma zedoaria), amla (Emblica officinalis) and castor (Ricinus communis) in equal amounts. Patient suffering from arthritis should take a teaspoonful of the mixture an hour before meals with water.
- Having half a teaspoon of powdered guggulu (Commiphora mukul) with warm water (after meals) is known to help in relieving arthritis pain.
- Slice about half an inch of ginger (Zingiber officinale) and have it twice a day with meals. It is a good remedy for arthritis
- Consuming about a teaspoon of turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder with milk everyday is said to give significant relief from arthritis.
- To relieve joints pain, drink about two teaspoon of bathua (Chenopodium album) leaves juice on an empty stomach everyday.
- Fry a few garlic (Allium sativum) cloves in clarified butter and have it with meals.
- Take about 100 ml of mustard (Brassica juncea) oil and to it add three peeled and crushed garlic cloves. Heat the same on low flame. Regular massage of the aching joints with this oil relieves the pain.
- Consuming about 1-2 teaspoons of cod liver oil in diet is known to be beneficial in arthritis.
Preventive Measures against Arthritis
Eating a diet rich in calcium, zinc, vitamin C and E is said to be helpful for the prevention of arthritis. Green leafy vegetables and fruits like banana, apple and chickoo are good for those suffering from arthritis. One should restrict the consumption of fried and starchy foods, sugar, salt and soda in the diet. Patient should cut down on tea, coffee, cold drinks, yogurt, cocoa and alcohol consumption.
People suffering from arthritis should protect their body from atmospheric cold and the air conditioning. Wrong sitting and sleeping postures may worsen the joint aches. Intake of painkillers, antibiotics and steroids may also contribute in the development of joint inflammations. One should take care of that. Learn to cope with anxiety, stress, grief and fears as these factors may induce joints pain. Those who are overweight must reduce weight.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
References
- Glass GG. Osteoarthritis. Dis Mon. 2006;52:343-362.
- Arthritis Joint inflammation February 5, 2010. Pubmed health
Garima Sancheti - Dr Garima Sancheti is a PhD in Radiation and Cancer Biology from Rajasthan University, India. She has written various research articles in ...
