Natural Herbs And Supplements For Arthritis & Joint Pain
Arthritis is a broad term that refers to a group of medical disorders marked by inflammation, pain, and stiffness in the joints. Herbs and other natural therapies may be useful in the treatment of joint pain.
In addition to natural cures, medical therapies, moderate exercise, and adequate nutrition can help patients manage their arthritis symptoms.
The Arthritis Foundation estimates that over 350 million people globally suffer from the disease. Herbs and vitamins, for example, may be safe and effective therapy choices with few severe adverse effects.
Natural therapies, on the other hand, have received little research. Animal models or cell lines are frequently used in scientific studies to evaluate plant chemicals. Natural remedy clinical studies are quite rare.
Existing studies have yielded encouraging findings, and additional research will provide even more crucial information for the medical community.
Continue reading to learn about the top nine herbs for arthritis.
Ashwagandha
Ayurvedic medicine uses Ashwagandha as a natural therapy. It has anti-inflammatory qualities and may serve as a pain reliever by preventing pain signals from travelling through the central nervous system. As a result, it has been shown in certain studies to be effective in treating various types of joint inflammation, including rheumatoid arthritis.
A tiny study with only a hundred people suffering from joint pain discovered that the spice could be used to alleviate rheumatoid joint discomfort. Several studies suggest that ashwagandha may have a variety of medical benefits, including the reduction of anxiety and the improvement of arthritis.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a ginger family plant that is commonly used in South Asian cuisine, such as curry. It contains curcumin, a crucial component that can aid in inflammation reduction. Turmeric should be absorbed with fatty oils, such as avocado or olive oil, and black pepper, which most supplements contain, to be beneficial as a supplement or meal, rather than merely digested and expelled.
To see if turmeric has any benefits, doctors recommend including it in your daily diet for three to six months. Turmeric pills are costly, and inflammation can be addressed in a variety of ways. So, if your pain doesn't go away after this period, we'll try something new.
Omega-3 fatty acids
In studies, omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects. It can be difficult to get a therapeutic dose of omega 3 through food unless you consume fatty fish like salmon and mackerel two or more days a week. Taking a supplement may be beneficial.
Fish oil is the most common omega 3 supplement. However, I advocate taking an omega 3 supplement made from flax seeds, which is sourced from plants. Some poorly made fish oil supplements contain mercury, which can be avoided by using a plant-based supplement. If you eat a vegetarian or vegan diet, a plant-based omega-3 supplement may be beneficial. Keep in mind that omega 3 fatty acids in fish oil can be different than those in plant-based sources.
Cherry juice
Anthocyanin is the red pigment that gives cherries and other red fruits and vegetables their colour as well as their anti-inflammatory properties. Most of my patients who believe cherry juice helps them sleep consume one glass per day, but you may also eat a handful of cherries every day or take supplements that include the pure juice extract because cherries are high in anthocyanin. However, owing to its high sugar content, it is not suitable for diabetics.
Glucosamine sulfate
Glucosamine aids in the maintenance of joint cartilage and may have anti-inflammatory properties. Glucosamine sulfate is found in a lot of arthritic supplement items. These supplements are manufactured from the shells of seafood such as shrimp or crabs (avoid if you have a shellfish allergy). Glucosamine is used to reduce joint cartilage degeneration, treat osteoarthritis-related joint discomfort, and increase joint mobility. According to positive clinical trials, they may provide small-scale pain relief by helping to regenerate worn-out cartilage in your arthritic joints.
Chondroitin
Chondroitin is frequently used with glucosamine to treat osteoarthritis. Chondroitin appears to alleviate discomfort, promote joint mobility, and lessen the need for medicine, according to researchers.
The evidence regarding glucosamine and chondroitin's usefulness in treating arthritic symptoms is conflicting. Doctors do not promote these supplements, but they are not against their use if they provide assistance to a patient. Glucosamine hydrochloride is not recommended by doctors.
CBD (cannabidiol) oil
More patients are inquiring about the advantages of CBD oil, and research is only getting started. CBD has been shown in studies to help activate the endocannabinoid system, which helps your body control important functions including pain, emotion, temperature, memory, and appetite. CB2 receptors are more often associated with the immune system. In a rather complex way, they can inhibit the inflammatory response. Because of this, CB2 oil helps reduce pain and inflammation, and in turn may help to reduce disease progression, such as in those with inflammatory arthritis and OA.
Despite the fact that some CBD products for pain have been promoted as such, the FDA has not approved any over-the-counter CBD medicines for pain. I strongly advise you to keep up with current research and safety reports.
Terpene Essential Oil
During the harvesting of pine trees, a colourless liquid is produced that is frequently utilised for therapeutic purposes, such as the treatment of infections and some forms of discomfort.
The findings revealed that terpenes have promising biological effects in the treatment of arthritis, with the 24 terpenes discovered in a survey beneficial in modulating inflammatory mediators relevant to the physiopathology of arthritis, such as IL-6, IL-17, TNF-, NFB, and COX-2, among others. It's worth noting that the majority of the studies used animal models, which limits the experimental evidence's direct translation to people, at least in part.
Terpene oil can be added to your regular diet to help relieve congestion, or it can be applied directly to the skin to induce warmth and redness, which can help ease pain in the tissue beneath.
Vitamin C
A water-soluble vitamin that is found in various foods, such as citrus fruits, and is also known as L-ascorbic acid. It has been demonstrated to help the body manufacture collagen and connective tissue.
Vitamin D
It’s a hormone produced by the conversion of inactive vitamin D to its active form by skin exposure to sunshine. It is used by every cell in the body. This vitamin promotes bone density and is inadequate in many patients who do not get enough sunshine. Vitamin D pills can help people who are low in the while also protecting their skin from sun damage. Vitamin D can be dangerous if taken in high doses for an extended length of time, so have your doctor check your vitamin D-25 OH levels on a regular basis.
Physical Activities
One of the best "tools" in your toolkit is physical activity. Your muscular tissues stiffen and harden if you don't move often, so exercise is always recommended for inflammation. "Motion is lotion," I often remark, because it keeps your musculoskeletal system lubricated by providing blood to areas of your body that haven't had enough.
Summery
Supplement dosage recommendations might be controversial. Before beginning a new supplement, consult your doctor or pharmacist to ensure that the supplement's contents and dosage are appropriate for your condition and will not interact with any other medications or supplements you are taking. When taken in large doses or in combination with other vitamins and pharmaceuticals, some supplements might cause major health concerns.
Also, remember that supplements aren't a quick fix for arthritis pain. They may take weeks or months to take action and provide just a minor reduction in pain. There may be more significant pain alleviation when supplements are combined with other treatments, such as an anti-inflammatory diet and exercise.
