Herbs for Arthritis - 10 Best Herbs for Anti-Inflammation & Pain

Strongest anti-inflammatory herb to fight arthritis pain

There are also eatable options to choose from when trying to prevent and heal arthritis. Among the best herbs for joint pain are:-

1. Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice that comes from the root of a turmeric plant. It contains curcumin, an powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect that helps to relieve a variety of afflictions like rheumatoid arthritis, headaches and inflammatory diseases.

Turmeric can also be applied topically to the skin for pain or swelling.

2. Ginger

Ginger may help in reducing arthritis symptoms naturally. There are many ways to integrate ginger into your diet. Throughout history, ginger has been used to treat digestive problems, nausea and also inflammation. 

Research shows that ginger’s benefits come from several different compounds, including gingerols and shogaols. These compounds are proved to have both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. 

The anti-inflammatory properties seem to help relieve pain and improve joint function in people with arthritis. 

3. Green Tea

Green tea has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. Made from unfermented tea leaves, green tea is a rich source of polyphenols.

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These compounds in green tea are powerful antioxidants that are able to fight other compounds that can damage your cells.

Based on a write up from Arthritis Foundation, polyphenols have strong anti-inflammatory properties that may help to preserve cartilage and bones.

4. White Willow Bark

White willow bark contains salicin, a compound similar to aspirin. Once salicin is metabolized in the body, it creates salicylic acid, a precursor to aspirin.

This herbal extract has long been used in native and folk medicine to help relieve pain, inflammation and fever.

In short, white willow bark can be used as a remedy for gout and rheumatic joint disease.

5. Celery Seed 

Celery seeds have been used extensively as medicine for years. This natural remedy is used in Ayurveda to treat cold, flu, water retention, digestion, inflammation and different types of arthritis.

It is high in phytonutrients and antioxidants and can potentially benefit patients with rheumatoid arthritis. 

This seed can be found as massage oils and supplements as well.

6. Dandelion leaf 

One of the most effective components in dandelion leaves is called taraxasterol. This is a molecular structure resembling a steroid hormone. 

This element exhibits a protective effect against rheumatoid arthritis. 

Dandelion leaf helps to relieve achy arthritis joints as it is rich with Vitamin K, which is vital for building bone and calcium absorption. 

7. Devil’s claw

This flowering plant originates from the sesame family. Devil’s claw roots consist of several active plant compounds and can be used as herbal supplements. 

It also has antioxidant effects and has the ability to ward off cell-damaging effects of unstable molecules (also known as free radicals).

For these reasons, devil’s claw is seen as a potential remedy to treat arthritis and gout.

8. Aloe Vera 

Aloe vera is commonly used in alternative medicine. It is a very common plant and also comes in the form of pills, powder and gels.

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Benefits of aloe vera include anti-inflammatory properties and it is commonly used for arthritis pain.

Some researchers also suggested that taking aloe by mouth may help relieve osteoarthritis pain.

9. Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus leaves can be used to treat wounds and prevent infection. Over the counter creams and ointments that contain eucalyptus oil is believed to soothe pain from conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Eucalyptus oil helps to reduce pain and inflammation associated with many conditions. 

It may also be helpful to people experiencing back pain or those recovering from a joint or muscle injury.

10. Cloves

Cloves contain a compound called eugenol. It is similar but stronger than cinnamon and protects against inflammation.

You can ground cloves up to be added to several recipes and as a seasoning for meat. 

Plus point, it can be a powerful antifungal herb as well. Therefore you can apply it to affected, local areas. However, be wary about clove oil as it can be toxic if it is overused.

Worst foods to eat when you have arthritis 

Of course, you have to be wary about what you put into your body. Your diet may affect or excrabarate pains in your joints.

Here is a short list of the worst food to eat.

Inflammatory food

Several types of fat in food increases inflammation in the body. According to the Arthritis Foundation, arthritis patients need to limit Omega 6 fatty acids (corn, sunflower and vegetable oil), saturated fats (meat, butter and cheese and trans-fat. 

Trans fat is harmful to human health because it reduces “good cholesterol” and increases “bad cholesterol, thereby causing inflammation.

Dairy Products

It is believed that dairy products may contribute to arthritis pain due to the type of protein content. For some people, protein may irritate the tissue around their joints. 

However, a study in 2017 revealed that milk has anti-inflammatory effects and the evidence in this research is conflicted.

If you are concerned about your body’s reaction to dairy, it is advisable for you to eliminate dairy for a few weeks and then try to reintegrate it into your diet to see how your body responds.

Check to see whether symptoms of joint pain exist after consumption of dairy products. It may be better to obtain proteins from vegetables like spinach, nut butters, tofu, lentils and quinoa instead of dairy and see if there is any improvement. 

Salt

A lot of food contains a high level of salt and other preservatives to ensure it lasts longer. Excess consumption of salt will result in inflammation of your joints.

Always remember to reduce your salt intake to a modest amount as it may help to ease arthritis.

Fried food

Who can deny that friend food is really yummy? Watch out though as fried food is highly saturated in fats which can potentially cause inflammation.

This can possibly worsen arthritis because fried food is high in omega-6 fatty acids like corn oil. 

How can I treat arthritis naturally?

There are more than 100 types of arthritis that affect joints, tissues that surround the joints and other connective tissue. It is also believed that more than 50 million adults and 300,000 children in America are suffering from arthritis.

Don’t panic!

There are many ways to handle this just by doing simple things like……

Water exercises

Water exercises are good for joints. People with arthritis find it hard to exercise as arthritis limits their movements. However, immobilizing your joints or not using them can actually cause joints, ligaments and muscles to lose range of motion.

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This can cause muscles to shorten and tighten up, causing you to feel more pain. If this continues, one may experience joint stiffness and as a result, you might not be able to do what you love to do.

To reduce and prevent arthritis, regular exercise is needed as it helps to restore, preserve and protect joints from further damage.

If you are already a sufferer from this disease, moving your body is definitely the last thing on your mind as it can be very painful and uncomfortable.

Thus, exercising in water is a gentle way to exercise joints and muscles. This is because the buoyancy of water helps to support body weight and this helps to support and lessen stress on the joints.

Weight management

Maintaining a healthy weight is vital for your overall well being. As body weight increases, so does the burden on our joints and this causes more strain.

If this is prolonged, there is a higher chance of developing arthritis.

It is thus concluded that people with a higher body weight have higher chances of developing arthritis at an early age.