Herbs for Arthritis

By: Dawn Gates

Arthritis is a disease that affects millions of people a year and is an umbrella term for over 100 diseases causing pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints. Arthritis affects people regardless of age, gender, races, or socioeconomic levels. The main forms of arthritis involve joints. Joints are found where two bony processes meet, and help to prevent bones from rubbing together during movements. All joints are composed of cartilage of varying flexibility. The joints that are in the hips, knees and arms are moveable joints and are held together with fibrous cartilage and strong ligaments. This cartilage is encased by a synovial membrane which actually secretes its own lubricating fluid in membranous sacs, known as bursa. This fluid fills the joint cavity and lubricates the joint to reduce friction.

The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis which is also known as degenerative joint disease. Osteoarthritis affects about 28 million Americans, 80% of which are women. In osteoarthritis the cartilage wears out which causes the bones to rub together, and is attributed to many things including genetic predisposition, age, injury, and obesity. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint but is most common in the hips, hands, feet, spine, and knees.

Another common type of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis which is considered to be the most painful and disabling of arthritis. It usually affects people between the ages of 20 and 40; usually around 2.1 million Americans. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs in the same joints on opposite sides of the body. It often occurs in the hands, wrists, elbows, ankles and feet, and is not only extremely painful but also disfiguring. Rheumatoid arthritis is often associated with an overactive immune system. The problem occurs when the immune system causes the disease fighting cells of the body to attack the bodies own tissue.

There are several common sense things that you can do to help diminish problems. One of my favorite common sense type suggestions to my clients is to drink more water. This combined with herbs that help to regulate the oil and water balance helps to reestablish fluids in the places where they are supposed to be. Another common sense thing I tell my clients to do is to exercise even if it is in small amounts. One of the things with joints and the bursa sacs is that movement can help stimulate fluid production and distribution. Exercise also causes the joint to move which keeps the cartilage from getting stiff and resistant.  Movement also brings blood and lymphatic flow to the joint; blood which brings nutrients to the joint and lymph which takes away wastes. Rest is also a well-known component in treating arthritis, most Rheumatologists recommend a minimum of eight hours a sleep a night. Most MD’s agree that this simple treatment does wonders in treating the disease even though most are not sure why it works so well.

There are many herbs and supplements that can be used to treat these conditions once they have started but there are also a few that help prevent both the synovial fluid from drying up and causing further deterioration. One of my favorite herbs for arthritis is Solomon seal. Solomon seal reduces inflammation, but it also somehow increases the natural balance of synovial fluid as well as helps the cartilage re-gain some flexibility. I usually combine solomon seal and lavender in an external salve as well as recommend internal use of solomon seal to help with not only arthritis but also other joint problems such as bursitis, carpel tunnel, and rotator cuff injuries. Solomon seal can be taken internally in a tea or tincture form. I usually blend Solomon seal with other herbs like burdock, alfalfa, peppermint, rosemary or nettles in a tea.

There are several good herbs to help treat arthritis symptoms. Another good herb for arthritis and some joint injuries is shepard's purse. Shepards purse’s Latin name is Capsula bursa and even though it was not traditionally used for arthritis, or bursitis, it works wonders on the joints especially in the upper extremities. Historically it was used to staunch bleeding and was often used as a minor herb for "rheumatism". I have used it as a gentle alterative along with herbs such as nettles which also purify areas and help rebuild cartilage. Nettles is a plant that likes wet areas even if they are stagnant and actually thrives in areas of city run off  or in septic drain fields, this is because of the high nitrate content in the soil. One of the theories in natural health care is that arthritic conditions can be instigated by eating high amounts of nitrates and proteins that can be found in some foods, especially meat. Nettles have been used for centuries to cure arthritic pain, although usually this was by flagellation of the affected joint.

Some supplements that can be used to treat arthritis are Vitamin C ( 1000 mg) and Vitamin E ( 800iu.). Other supplements such as chondroiten and glucosamine have been shown to help with arthritis as well. these products are wonderful but I do not highly suggest them because they are created from animal parts.