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Herbs
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The traditional medicine of India, Ayurveda, has been using various herbs from thousand of years for the treatment of arthritis and other joint ailments. Some of the herbs used are:- Ginger ( Zingiber officinale )
Ginger is a powerful anti-inflammatory herb. It has been used for centuries to treat various rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. It works in two or even more ways. It blocks formation of both prostaglandins and other inflammatory substances called leukotrienes. Its antioxidant activity breaks down inflammatory acids in the joints synovial fluid. In one experimental study, Indian researchers gave three to seven grams of ginger a day to 18 people with osteoarthritis and 28 with rheumatoid arthritis. More than 75 percent of those participating in the study reported at least some relief from pain and swelling. Even after more than two years of taking these high doses of ginger, none of the people reported side effects. Many people drink ginger tea for osteoarthritis.
- Turmeric ( Curcumin longa ) It is a potent anti-inflammatory food. The active ingredient of turmeric is curcumin that gives the turmeric its cadmium yellow colour. Studies show that curcumin is an anti-inflammatory agent on par with cortisone. It has been found to reduce inflammation and swelling of joints. Recent researches indicate that 1,200 mg of curcumin had the same anti-arthritis activity as 300 mg of the anti-inflammatory drug phenylbutazone. According to various studies it inhibits prostaglandin production and stimulates the creation of cortisol that relieves inflammation .
- Frankincense ( Boswellia serrata ) It is used in the treatment of chronic inflammatory arthritis. It has unique anti-inflammatory action, like the conventional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used for inflammatory conditions. India's council for Scientific and Industrial Research undertook various studies to discover herbal-based anti-inflammatory products having beneficial effects on rheumatic diseases without any adverse side effects. They concluded that boswellic acids, as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, are more beneficial, less toxic, and more potent than the standard drug, Ketoprofen. According to research scientists it inhibits the production of leukotrienes that cause inflammation.
- Ashwagandha ( Withania somniferum) The roots of ashwagandha are widely used for the treatment of arthritis. The Ayurvedic system of medicine termed it as Indian ginseng. Extensive research has been done on this herb and all these studies revealed that ashwagandha have anti -inflammatory and immune-boosting properties. Ashwagandha has been effective in relieving the inflammation associated with joints such as arthritis.
- Alfalfa (Medicago saliva) Alfalfa is an anti-inflammatory food. Its use has been found beneficial in the treatment of arthritis and other inflammatory disease. A tea prepared from alfalfa seeds has been found very valuable.It is rich with nutritive minerals as it has the ability to penetrate as much as 12 metres into the subsoil and its roots bring the nourishment of the trace minerals from the depths into the plants own chemical system.
- Devil’s claw It is a good inflammatory agent that shows beneficial results in chronic inflammation rather than acute inflammation. The major constituents of devil’s claw are harpagoside and monoterpene glycoside. Its regular intake shows reduction in pain sensitivity and increases the joint flexibility in arthritic patients.
- Celery It is an anti-inflammatory food and helps in reducing inflammations in arthritis and other rheumatic affliction. This is attributable to its high sodium content compared with calcium. Its organic sodium tends to prevent and relieve the arthritic joint deposits by keeping lime and magnesia in solution. It has a well-balanced content of basic minerals, vitamins and nutrients, good concentration of plant hormones and essential oils.
- Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) Licorice is considered expectorant, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and soothing to irritated mucous membranes. The therapeutic amounts of licorice come in two forms: either with glycyrrhizin and a form known as deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL). Glycyrrhizin has beneficial effects on the body that makes licorice a valuable herb for the treatment of various health problems. It can help reduce inflammation. It prevents the breakdown of adrenal hormones such as cortisol making the hormones more available to the body. Licorice also enhances immunity by boosting levels of interferon, a key chemical of immune system that fights against attacking viruses. Licorice root also contains powerful antioxidants and phytoestrogens that can perform some of the functions of the body's natural estrogens.
- Guggul (Commiphora mukul) It is considered as a strong rejuvenating and purifying herb. It is highly beneficial due to its aphrodisiac properties. The traditional system of medicine, Ayurveda, uses the herb to treat inflammatory conditions, like Osteoporosis, Bone Density, arthritis, especially rheumatism and gout. It is a powerful anti-oxidant, and stimulates the immune system's white blood cells. In an autoimmune disease, the immune system attacks its own tissue and makes immune complexes that accumulate around the joint, causing inflammation and choking the blood supply to the joint and leads to degeneration of joint. Intake of guggul stops the formation of these immune complexes and stops the hypersensitivity reactions, reducing the inflammation. It rejuvenates and strengthens the skeletal and neuromuscular systems, supporting flexible movements of joints and muscles. Its regular use helps in reducing pain, swelling and tenderness of the inflamed joints.
- Bromelain Bromelain is an anti-inflammatory that works by breaking down fibrin, a blood-clotting protein that can increase blood circulation and prevent the draining of tissues. Bromelain also blocks the production of compounds that can cause swelling and pain. Some studies revealed that bromelain provides relief to the swelling and severe pain of joint and tissues. Its regular intake prevents the gout attacks.
- Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) Since centuries Ayurvedia is using feverfew for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, menstrual problems, stomach upset and headaches . Its main function is to inhibit the release of two inflammatory substances, serotonin and prostaglandins; both believed to contribute to the onset of migraines. By inhibiting these amines and the production of the chemical histamine it controls inflammation that constricts the blood vessels in the head and prevents blood vessel spasms that may contribute to headaches and other body pains.
- Erand (Ricinus communis) It is also known as castor and has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce pain and swelling of the inflamed joints. It is highly beneficial in the treatment of rheumatism. The erand seed is the rich source of castor oil. It contains alkaloid ricine and toxalbumine ricin that yield a fixed oil. It has analgesic, carminative and abdominal worm-removing properties but in traditional indian system of medicine it is well known for its anti-rheumatic property.
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