The word 'arthritis' means 'inflammation of the joints'. It is derived from
two Greek words: athron, meaning joints; and itis, meaning
inflammation. It is, generally, a chronic disease process.
Arthritis occurs in various forms, the most frequent being osteoarthritis
and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease
which usually occurs in the older age-group. Rheumatoid arthritis is a
serious disease which affects not only the joints of the fingers, wrists,
hips, knees, and feet, but also the muscles, tendons and other tissues
of the body.
The main symptoms of osteoarthritis are pain and stiffness in the joints.
The pain usually increases after exercise. Rheumatoid arthritis is often
called the 'cooked food disease'. It usually develops gradually over
several months, with persistent pain and stiffness in one or more joints.
Ultimately the whole body is affected. Symptoms include anaemia,
colitis, constipation, deformed hands and feet.
Osteoarthritis results from structural changes in the "articular cartilage
in the joints, usually those which are weight-bearing, such as the spine
and knees. Rheumatoid arthritis is due to an inflammation of the
synovium or lining of the joints. This is accompanied by swelling and
eventually leads to deformity. The condition may be caused by
hormonal imbalance, physical and emotional stress, infection, severe
fright, shock, and injury. Hereditary factors may also be responsible for
the onset of this disease.
Arthritis Treatment with
Parsley
Add 1 teaspoon of fresh
parsley to 1 cup of boiling
water. Let steep 15 minutes.
Strain and sweeten. Add 1/2
teaspoon of fresh ginger to
the tea and drink hot. Drink
at every meal.
Arthritis Treatment with
Apple Cider Vinegar
Mix 4 cups of apple cider
vinegar to 4 cups of hot
water. Dip a cloth into the
hot vinegar water and apply
as a compress to the
affected area. Put a heating
pad over the compress and
keep on for 30 minutes.
Arthritis Treatment with
Barley Tea
Barley tea is an excellent
way to treat arthritis. Make
a tea by soaking 1 cup of
unhulled barley in 8 cups of
boiling water for 3 hours.
Strain and keep refrigerated.
Drink 1 cup twice daily.
Arthritis Treatment with
Brewer's Yeast
Put 2 tablespoons of
Brewer's yeast in a glass of
milk or juice and drink every
morning.
Arthritis Cocktail
Mix well 2 tablespoons of honey, 1 1/2 cups of water, and
1 ounce apple cider vinegar. Drink once a day. You should
be free of symptoms after using daily for 1 month.
Bath Treatment
Bath Treatment for Arthritis with Epsom Salts
Put 1 cup of Epsom salts in your bath water (draw the bath as hot as
you can stand it) and soak 20 minutes a day.
Bath Treatment for Arthritis with Sea Salt
Put several cups of sea salt in hot bath water and soak in the bath for
at least 20 minutes every day.
Arthritis Treatment with
Cod-liver Oil
Put 2 tablespoons of
cod-liver oil in a glass of
warm milk and drink twice
daily. This will reduce
inflammation of the joint
tissue, thus reducing pain.
Arthritis Treatment with
Herbs
Mix 1 tablespoon each of
corn silk, broom flowers,
skullcap, and boneset. Pour
1 cup boiling water over 1
tablespoon of herb mixture
and steep 15 minutes. Strain
and sweeten. Drink with
meals.
Home Remedy using Potato
Juice:
The raw potato juice
therapy is considered one of
the most successful
biological treatments for
rheumatic and arthritic
conditions. It has been used
in folk medicine for
centimes. The traditional
method of preparing potato
juice is to cut a
medium-sized potato into
thin slices, without peeling
the skin, and place the slices
overnight in a large glass
filled with cold water. The
water should be drunk in the
morning on an empty
stomach. Fresh juice can
also be extracted from
potatoes. A medium-sized
potato should be diluted
with a cup of water and
drunk first thing in the
morning.
Home Remedy using Sesame
Seeds:
A teaspoon of black sesame
seeds, soaked in a quarter
cup of water and kept
overnight, has been found to
be effective in preventing
frequent joint pains. The
water in which the seeds are
soaked should also be taken
along with the seeds first
thing in the morning.
Home Remedy using Raw Juices:
One cup of green juice, extracted from any green leafy vegetable,
mixed in equal proportions with carrot, celery, and red beet juices is
good for arthritis. The alkaline action of raw juices dissolves the
accumulation of deposits around the joints and in other tissues. A cup
of fresh pineapple juice is also valuable, as the enzyme bromelain in
fresh pineapple juice reduces swelling and inflammation in
osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Home Remedy using Calcium:
Studies have shown that calcium can help arthritis. Several patients
have discovered that joint pains have either been relieved or have
disappeared entirely after taking calcium. This mineral should be taken
in the form of calcium lactate. Two teaspoons of calcium lactate, each
teaspoon providing 400 mg of absorbable calcium, may be taken three
times daily in water, before meals for at least four months.
Home Remedy using Garlic:
Garlic is another effective remedy for arthritis. It contains an
anti-inflammatory property which accounts for its effectiveness in the
treatment of this disease. Garlic may be taken raw or cooked according
to individual preference.
Home Remedy using Bananas:
Bananas, being a rich source of vitamin B6, have proved useful in the
treatment of arthritis. A diet of only bananas for three or four days is
advised in treating this condition. The patient may eat eight or nine
bananas daily during this period and nothing else.
Home Remedy using Lime:
Lime has also been found beneficial as a home remedy for arthritis. The
citric acid found in lime is a solvent of uric acid which is the primary
cause of some types of arthritis. The juice of one lime, diluted with
water, may be taken once a day, preferably first thing in the morning.
Home Remedy using Alfalfa:
A tea made bum the herb alfalfa, especially from its seeds, has shown
beneficial results in the treatment of arthritis. One teaspoon of alfalfa
seeds may be added to one cup of water. Three to four cups of this
tea should be taken daily by arthritics for at least two weeks.
Home Remedy using Green Gram Soup:
Another home remedy found useful in relieving pains in the joints is the
use of green gram soup. This soup should be prepared by mixing a
tablespoon of green gram in a cup of water, with two crushed garlic
cloves. It should betaken twice a day.
Home Remedy using Coconut or Mustard Oil:
Warm coconut oil or mustard oil, mixed with two or three pieces of
camphor should be massaged on stiff and aching joints. It will increase
blood supply, and reduce inflammation and stiffness with the gentle
warmth produced while massaging.
Home Remedy using Other
Raw Juices:
One cup of green juice,
extracted from any green
leafy vegetable, mixed in
equal proportions with
carrot, celery, and red beet
juices is good for arthritis.
The alkaline action of raw
juices dissolves the
accumulation of deposits
around the joints and in
other tissues. A cup of fresh
pineapple juice is also
valuable, as the enzyme
bromelain in fresh pineapple
juice reduces swelling and
inflammation in osteoarthritis
and rheumatoid arthritis.
Home Remedy using Copper:
Drinking water kept
overnight in a copper
container accumulates
traces of copper, which is
said to strengthen the
muscular system. A copper
ring or bracelet is worn for
the same reason.
Arthritis Liniment with Turpentine
Mix together 1/2 cup each of apple cider vinegar, rectified turpentine,
and either olive or vegetable oil. Rub on the affected joints each night
before bed.
