Arthritis is a prevalent and chronic and inflammatory condition affecting a growing portion of the population. Inflammatory symptoms can be controlled naturally with the best herbs for arthritis for reducing swelling and pain.
About Arthritis
Arthritis is a broad group of conditions characterized by stiff, swollen joints that often cause pain and aching. Arthritis is considered one of the most common chronic conditions currently affecting the population. According to the CDC, over 54 million Americans suffer from some form of arthritis.1
There are over 100 types of arthritis conditions, with osteoarthritis being the most common.2 Over half of arthritis cases in the U.S. are attributed to osteoarthritis—a condition caused by long-term wear and tear on the cartilage and bones in between joints.3
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is another common form of arthritis caused by an autoimmune response. In people with RA, the immune system mistakenly attacks the joint fluids and tissues, causing an inflammatory reaction.4
Other forms of arthritis include:2
- Gout
- Fibromyalgia
- Childhood arthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis
- Lupus
Left untreated, many forms of arthritis can lead to a loss of mobility, which can negatively affect even daily activities. Managing arthritis symptoms with dietary and exercise changes can help you restore your quality of life.5
Natural Remedies and Herbs for Arthritis
To heal and manage arthritis, it’s important to target inflammation in the joints to help bring down the swelling, which will relieve pain and stiffness. The best herbs for arthritis have natural anti-inflammatory and analgesic benefits to reduce swelling and pain.
Cayenne - Cayenne pepper contains a chemical called capsaicin, which has pain-relieving properties. Applying cayenne-based ointments and gels to arthritic joints can help alleviate pain and stiffness.6
Cinnamon - Cinnamon has long been used in herbal medicine for its natural anti-inflammatory benefits. Cinnamon has been studied for its ability to help reduce joint swelling in people with rheumatoid arthritis.7,8
Boswellia - Boswellia is a natural anti-inflammatory herb that has shown to be effective in reducing joint inflammation in people with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Boswellia is also a natural analgesic, helping to alleviate arthritic pain and soreness as well.9,10
Turmeric - Turmeric is a spice that contains a beneficial compound called curcumin. As a natural anti-inflammatory, curcumin can help to reduce joint swelling and pain in people with a variety of arthritic conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis.11
Ginger - Like similar herbs, ginger also contains compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties and help reduce inflammation markers in the body. Taking ginger regularly for arthritis may help to reduce joint swelling, stiffness and pain.12
References:
- https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/data_statistics/arthritis-related-stats.htm
- https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/pain-management/understanding/types-of-pain.php
- https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/osteoarthritis.htm
- https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/rheumatoid-arthritis.html
- https://draxe.com/effective-all-natural-treatments-for-arthritis/
- https://www.livestrong.com/article/442473-the-effect-of-cayenne-pepper-on-arthritis/
- https://www.livestrong.com/article/385614-arthritis-cinnamon/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29722610
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3309643/
- https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/treatments/natural/supplements-herbs/9-supplements-arthritis-3.php
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5003001/
- https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/treatments/natural/supplements-herbs/9-supplements-arthritis-10.php