Arthritis
With osteoarthritis, your joints gradually lose their cartilage-the
smooth, gel-like, shock-absorbing material that prevents adjacent bones
from touching. Most commonly affected are the fingers, knees, hips,
neck, and spine. As cartilage loss continues, the friction of bone rubbing
against bone can cause pain and joint instability.
Osteoarthritis may be the result of decades of joint wear and tear, though
genetic factors, excess weight, and impairments in the body's ability to
repair cartilage may also play a role. Some cases are linked to a specific
cause, such as a previous injury to a joint; the overuse of a joint
occupationally or athletically; or a congenital defect in joint structure. If you
suspect you have arthritis, consult a doctor for proper advice.
Supplements and herbs
There is no sure cure for osteoarthritis, but
glucosamine, a cartilage
building sugar compound may help relieve arthritis pain. It appears to
slow joint damage over time, though whether it can actually reverse the
disease is unknown. To enhance its effectiveness, try glucosamine along
with one other supplement listed below. Allow at least three
months to judge results; then, if necessary, substitute another
supplement to use with glucosamine to see if it works better for you. These
supplements can be used long term, as well as with conventional pain relievers,
such as aspirin and acetaminophen. Diabetics should be aware
that glucosamine can raise blood glucose levels significantly.
Several large studies are assessing the impact of glucosamine when
it's combined with another cartilage-building compound, chondroitin
(some experts believe this compound is poorly absorbed and of limited
effectiveness). Other supplements that can be taken with glucosamine
include niacinamide, which may be particularly effective in relieving
knee pain; boswellia, a gummy tree resin that may inhibit inflammation
and build cartilage; and sea cucumber, Chinese remedy that may,
through unknown mechanisms, reduce pain and stiffness and boost grip
strength. One form of the amino acid methionine called
SAMe
(S-adenosyl methionine) has anti-inflammatory effects similar to ibuprofen and has
been shown to rebuild cartilage. Gelatin, containing the amino acids
glycine and
proline and other joint-building nutrients, may also be
worth trying if other measures fail; little is known about its effectiveness.
Any of these therapies can be used along with topically
applied cayenne cream for pain relief. The capsaicin in cayenne inhibits
production of substance P, a chemical involved in sending pain messages to the
brain. Initial applications, however, may cause a burning sensation.
Homeopathy
In the more acute phases, the remedies can be repeated as symptoms
dictate: hourly, every two hours, or less often.
In advanced arthritis, low potencies usually work best, taken over a
long period of time. In some instances these can be alternated. For
example, Calc fluor can be used in a 3x or 6x potency, twice
per day, for several months. Though not listed here. Several cycles of the remedies will usually be needed to really
affect the damaged joints.
Arthritis - acute
- Apis
Stinging, burning, wandering pains. Affinity to the knees, shoulders.
Great swelling around joints. Rosy red or waxy, transparent looking.
Awkward, drops things. Busy, restless, nervous. Jealous and irritable.
Worse: heat, touch, pressure. Better: cold applications, sitting upright.
- Belladonna
Sudden, intense onset: red, hot, throbbing, swollen, tender joint area.
Accompanied by headaches, eye inflammation,
fever, throbbing pulse.
Pains may be burning, with cramps and spasms.
Anxious, restless.
Worse: motion, touch, jarring, night, after getting chilled. Better: rest.
- Bryonia
Stitching pain. Joints hot, red, swollen, or may be pale red and shiny.
Irritable, seeks solitude. Worries about business, finances, future.
Pain worse from the slightest motion; stretching, walking, turning, etc.
Worse: morning, touch, jarring. Better: rest, localized heat, pressure.
- Dulcamara
Ailments caused or strongly affected by cold and damp conditions, wet
weather, cellars, air conditioning, warm turning cold or dry to damp.
Stiffness, pain and rheumatism, more in the muscles. Hives,
eczema.
Worse: cold, damp weather, rest, night. Better: motion, pressure, warmth.
- Pulsatilla
Changeable pain and location of inflammation. Pains appear suddenly,
leave gradually or with a sudden snap. Large joints affected (hip, etc.).
Worse: first motion, heat, evening. Better: gentle motion, cold compresses, open air. Mild, shy, emotional, sensitive.
Depressed and weepy.
- Rhus tox
Rheumatism after exposure to damp climates, many strains,
overexertion, getting chilled when overheated. Inflamed, red, hot, cracking joints.
Stiffness and pain after resting, better from limbering and getting warm.
Tearing, drawing, burning pains, heavy limbs, weakness. Restlessness.
Worse: cold, damp, midnight. Better: stretching, wrapping up, rubbing.
Arthritis - chronic
- Calc carb
Rheumatism from recurrent strains, damp, wear and tear, old injuries.
Stiffness; weak or lame joints, contractions. Painful nodes in joints.
Weak; no stamina; flabby muscles and lax ligaments. Sensitive to damp.
Chilliness, sour perspiration. Responsible, insecure, many anxieties.
Worse: motion, exertion, cold, damp. Better: warmth, rubbing, lying.
- Calc fluor
Chronic arthritis with hard nodules, bony overgrowth, at sites of sprains.
Stiffness, restlessness. Weak, overstretched ligaments and joints.
Cracking, creaking joints. Fear of poverty. Unstable, makes mistakes.
Worse: 1st motion, cold, damp, rest. Better: limbering, warmth, rubbing.
- Causticum
Stiffness, contraction, deformity; partially fused joints. Need to stretch.
Restlessness. Weak, atrophied muscles. Numbness,
cramps, twitches.
Chilly. Effects of burns, scars. Chronic suffering. Sensitive to injustice.
Worse: cold dry wind, lying, motion, night. Better: warmth, damp weather.
- Ledum
Arthritis, gout, rheumatism that travels upwards, joint to joint. Small
joints, elbows, hips, knees, ankles, feet, heels. Upper left and lower right.
Bony nodules, cracking. Stiff, swollen, hot or swollen, cold, pale joints.
Heat in limbs, yet worse from hot bed. Gout of large toe. Avoids people.
Worse: touch, motion, warmth, pressure, night. Better: cold compresses.
- Phytolacca
Sore allover. Shooting, shock-like electric
pains. Exhausted. Restless.
Changeable area and pains. Swollen, hot, red, joints. Stiffness
everywhere. Restless, yet worse from motion. Indifference, loss of shame.
Worse: motion, damp, cold, night, pressure. Better: warmth, dry, rest.
What else you can do
- Engage in moderate low-impact exercise such as walking or swimming
to strengthen muscles and improve overall joint condition.
- Apply heat or ice to joints for 20 minutes three times a day to ease pain.
Usual dosage
-
- Glucosamine
- 500 mg glucosamine sulfate 3 times a day.
Take with food. Not appropriate for diabetics.
- Chondroitin
- 400 mg chondroitin sulfate 3 times a day.
Often sold in combination with glucosamine.
- Niacinamide
- 1,000 mg 3 times a day.
High doses can cause liver damage and other serious
side effects; physician monitoring is necessary during treatment.
- Cayenne cream
- Apply topical cream to affected joints several times a day.
Standardized to contain 0.025%-0.075% capsaicin.
- Boswellia
- 1 pill 3 times a day,
Each pill standardized to have 150 mg boswellic acid.
- Sea cucumber
- 1,000 mg a day.
Also known as bêche-de-mer.
- SAM
- 400 mg twice a day for 2 weeks, then 200 mg twice a day as a maintenance dose.
May have mild gastrointestinal side effects. Should not be taken by people with manic-depressive illness.
More useful herbs
|
