Herbal Remedies For Arthritis Joints

Arthritis, a degenerative condition that targets the joints, may cause you to lose your range of movement and dexterity as the disease progresses. Two types of arthritis, Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis result in inflamed and painful joints. Consult a physician about severe arthritis that compromises your ability to perform daily tasks. After an initial diagnosis, you may use herbal remedies to treat your arthritis or to supplement your doctor's treatment plan.

Osteoarthritis

The more common of the two forms of arthritis, osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease, may start with achy stiff joints and gradually worsen until the patient loses most or all of his movement in the affected joints. Bony spurs develop in the joints and the cushioning cartilage recedes. Osteoarthritis occurs in some patients as part of the natural aging process. The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine reports that as many as 85 percent of people older than 65 experience osteoarthritis to some degree.
Hawthorn, devil's claw and the yucca plant, when taken as dietary supplements, may offer some relief from inflamed arthritis joints. Gale reports that herbal essential oils, derived from chamomile and rosemary, may be soothing in combination with a carrier oil, such as jojoba, and gently massaged into the joint and the surrounding tissue. The herbal oils may also be soothing with used with daily acupressure treatments.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease, according to the Mayo Clinic, and herbal treatments will focus on reducing inflammation and bolstering the body's immune system.
Anti-inflammatory herbs, including turmeric, feverfew, ginger, devils claw, licorice, and Chinese thoroughwax may reduce swelling when taken as a tea or as herbal supplements. A poultice made from cramp bark or lobelia and applied directly to the affected joints may offer pain relief.
The Mayo Clinic reports that the root of the thunder god vine may help some rheumatoid arthritis patients. Evening primrose oil, borage oil and black currant oil, when taken as dietary supplements, may ease symptoms.

Additional

Urtication, a centuries-old practice that consists of picking the stinging nettle plant with a gloved hand and then swatting the affected joints with the rest of the plant creates a stinging sensation that may alleviate localized pain in arthritis joints. Like most herbal treatments, start using urtication slowly, applying only a few swats to the joint and building up to more swats later if you find it offers relief.