There are many possible causes of joint pain, including rheumatoid arthritis, gout, certain infectious diseases, septic arthritis, fractures and degenerative joint disease. Joint pain may occur in multiple joints. Joint pain sufferers can turn to natural herbs to help manage their discomfort. Check with your physician before using natural herbs to manage your joint pain.
Joint Pain
Joint pain, also known as arthralgia, is often accompanied by joint stiffness and reduced joint range of motion. The Mayo Clinic states that swelling, redness, warmth and tenderness in one or more of your joints is cause for concern. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should schedule a visit with your physician to evaluate your condition. Intense pain, sudden and unexplained joint swelling and joint deformity should be evaluated as soon as possible, the Mayo Clinic notes.
Natural Herbs
According to Joseph E. Pizzorno Jr., a naturopathic physician and author of "The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine," three of the most common causes of joint pain are gout, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Natural herbs for gout, Pizzorno states, include cherries and devil's claw. Natural herbs for osteoarthritis include yucca, devil's claw, noni, willow bark and boswellia. Herbal remedies for rheumatoid arthritis include turmeric, bromelain, ginger, cat's claw, ginseng and licorice.
An Effective Natural Herb
Cayenne is one of the most effective natural herbs in helping joint pain. According to certified nutritional consultant Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," cayenne contains a substance called capsaicin that relieves joint pain. Capsaicin can be absorbed through your skin, and it is therefore used topically to help heal your joint pain. Balch notes that cayenne powder is often combined with wintergreen oil to make a paste that is then applied to your painful joints.
Disclaimer
Natural herbs may help manage your joint pain, but the use of herbal remedies does not guarantee a cure or even long-term resolution of your ailment. A trained heath care professional can provide you with plenty of treatment options that may best suit your condition and constitution. A naturopathic physician or a medical doctor trained in clinical nutrition or botanical medicine may provide you with the most relevant information about herbs and their likely benefits and risks.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Joint Pain
- Mayo Clinic: Joint Pain
- "The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine"; Joseph E. Pizzorno, Jr., N.D.; 2002
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
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