1. Connective Tissue Nutrients
Glucosamine has the ability to support the body in manufacturing cartilage and connective tissue. Glucosamine is a substance that occurs naturally in the exoskeletons of crustaceans and is available as a supplement. Research has shown it to help at least half of those with osteoarthritis.
Glutamine, an amino acid, is also involved in the synthesis of the connective tissue, and shows promise in treating osteoarthritis. It can be taken in capsule form or stirred into water and drunk.
Hyaluronic acid is a component of connective tissue and a building block of bone and cartilage. Hyaluronic acid can be taken as a supplement, in pill or liquid form.
None of these nutrients relieves pain rapidly, but they support repair and regeneration of the joints, and may reduce pain over time while slowing the progress of the disease.
2. Connective Tissue Supportive Herbs
Nettles (Urtica), horsetail (Equisetum), celery seeds (Apium), lfalfa (Medicago) and Gotu Kola (Centella) are among the connective-tissue-building herbs that are appropriate for everything from broken bones to arthritis. These safe and nourishing herbs are high in minerals and have historically been used to treat connective-tissue problems, or simply as mineral tonic teas.
To get the most minerals out of the herbs, they should be taken in capsule form, but regular consumption of herbal teas will also provide a good dose of nutrients. You can steep 1 tbsp. of dried herb per cup of hot water and drink freely throughout the day. The flavors tend toward the bland and grassy, but the teas can be improved by combining them with mint, licorice, Stevia or other flavors. If you choose a flavor you like, you are likely to drink more.
3. Pain-Relieving Herbs
Many herbs have anti-inflammatory attributes, and can help reduce the need for pharmceutical pain relievers. Tumeric (Curcuma),Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga), willow bark (Salix), Devil's Claw (Harpagophytum), Boswellia , Feverfew (Tanacetum) and ginger (Zingiber) are among the most effective and readily available. Since most of these herbs are not particularly pleasant-tasting, they are most often used in a tincture or encapsulated form.
For severe pain, the dosage might be rather aggressive, such three or four capsules six times a day. In other cases, formulas are combined with the connective nutrients and herbs to control inflammation, limit further damage to the joint and slow the degenerative process.
