Herbal Remedies for Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease, is a chronic disorder characterized by degeneration of joint cartilage and adjacent bone that can cause pain, stiffness, localized soft tissue swelling, redness, heat, inflammation, and decreased movement of the joint. It is the most common joint disorder and affects many people to some degree by the age of 70. It also affects almost all animals with a backbone, even fish, but two animals that don’t develop it are sloths and bats — both of which hang upside down. Interesting. I’m going shopping for inversion boots!

Treatment can include appropriate, low-impact exercises that stretch and strengthen the muscles, tendons, and ligaments, such as yoga and Pilates, plus a daily gentle walk or swim, in order to help increase a joint’s range of motion, maintain healthy cartilage, and strengthen surrounding muscles so that they better absorb shock. Application of heat to the joint, very warm baths, and dressing properly to avoid chill are also beneficial.

On a dietary note, many people find significant relief from the severity of arthritic flare-ups when they eliminate the eight foods most likely to cause food sensitivities: wheat, soy, dairy, chocolate, eggs, peanuts, refined sugar, and corn. These foods, which we modern folk eat far too often and in too great a quantity, often can result in bloating, inflammation, pain, fatigue, stiffness, and myriad other uncomfortable symptoms. A blood test can determine if you do indeed have food sensitivities or allergies. The addition of probiotics, gamma-linolenic acid from evening primrose oil or borage oil, and omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseeds, walnuts, fish, or chia seeds can help ease inflammation, as can eating a predominately vegetarian diet.

A holistic physician, naturopath, herbalist, massage therapist, or acupuncturist may be of therapeutic assistance, if need be. The following herbal remedies can also deliver comfort, easing the pain and other unwelcome symptoms that accompany this disease.

HEALING HOT PEPPER AND GINGER LINIMENT

This formula has the opposite energy of Arthritis Pain-Away Mentholated Oil (on the next page). Instead of being chilling, it is quite heating and is recommended for treating arthritic joints with poor circulation that are cool to the touch while being quite stiff and painful. Both cayenne pepper and ginger rank at the top of the herbal “heat list” and help break up stagnation in the joints and surrounding tissues, stimulating blood flow and circulation. This is a nongreasy formulation. The herbal properties will remain on the skin after application, but the alcohol will evaporate.

Note: Do not apply to abraded, cut, punctured, or recently shaved skin, as it will sting like crazy! A tingling, warming feeling is to be expected, but if an uncomfortable reaction such as a red, stinging rash or a burning sensation occurs, wash the area with soap and water immediately and discontinue use.

1 cup fresh ginger, finely chopped, sliced, or grated
1 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin
2½ cups unflavored vodka

EQUIPMENT: 1-quart canning jar, plastic wrap, strainer, fine filter, funnel, glass or plastic storage containers

PREP TIME: 10 minutes, plus 4 weeks for extraction

YIELD: Approximately 2½ cups

STORAGE: Store at room temperature, away from heat and light; use within 2 years

APPLICATION:
1 or 2 times per day, or as tolerated Place the ginger, cayenne, and glycerin in a 1-quart canning jar and pour the vodka over them. Place a piece of plastic wrap over the mouth of the jar (to prevent the metal lid from coming into contact with the herbs), then screw on the lid. Shake the jar for about 30 seconds to blend the contents thoroughly. Store the jar in a cool, dark place for 4 weeks so that the vodka can extract the valuable chemical components from the herbs. Shake the jar for 15 to 30 seconds each day. At the end of the 4 weeks, strain the herbs through a fine-mesh strainer lined with a fine filter such as muslin or (preferably) a paper coffee filter, then strain again if necessary to remove all herb debris. You want to remove all the pepper particulate. Press or squeeze the herbs to release all the valuable herbal extract. Discard the marc. Pour the liquid into storage containers, then cap, label and store in a dark cabinet.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Briskly massage a small amount of liniment into any area that is cool to the touch and affected by arthritic stiffness and pain. Always wash your hands afterward.

Bonus
Massage this liniment into tight muscles and cold feet to increase warmth and blood flow.