Table of contents:
- Choice of traditional or herbal remedies for arthritis pain
- 1. Turmeric
- 2. Green tea
- 3. Ginger
- 4. Aloe vera
- 5. Pineapple extract
- 6. Borage oil
- 7. Cat's claw plant
- Natural ways to deal with arthritis pain in addition to using traditional medicine
Joint pain is a fairly common complaint of physical pain and can be experienced by anyone. The causes of joint pain can be triggered by a variety of factors, including arthritis. So, how do you fix it? In addition to medical arthritis medication, joint pain due to arthritis can also be treated with traditional medicine, including herbs from natural ingredients. Check out some of the options below!
Choice of traditional or herbal remedies for arthritis pain
Herbal medicines and supplements made from natural ingredients are believed to be safe for consumption to treat various diseases, including arthritis. However, treating arthritis with natural remedies does not mean that it can be used freely.
Excessive use of natural medicines also carries the risk of side effects. In addition, some natural remedies can interact with certain medical drugs, which can pose other health risks to your body.
Therefore, you should first consult a doctor before deciding to use any natural remedies. Moreover, the evidence from existing scientific research regarding the effectiveness and safety of this type of drug is still limited.
In addition, it is important to understand that herbal remedies and natural ingredients do not completely cure arthritis. So far, the potential for herbal medicine and natural ingredients is still thought to be limited to relieving the symptoms of arthritis, one of which is pain in the joints.
The following is a list of traditional or herbal remedies to treat joint pain due to arthritis that you are experiencing:
1. Turmeric
Turmeric is reported to have the potential to be one of the herbal medicine options for treating arthritis, especially osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The curcumin content in turmeric is known to have anti-inflammatory properties, so it can reduce pain, stiffness, and swelling in joints due to inflammation.
Curcumin works by inhibiting cytokines and other inflammatory-inducing enzymes, including 5-LOX and COX-2. In fact, the effectiveness of this natural ingredient is said to be the same as NSAID drugs, such as ibuprofen and diclofenac, in reducing joint pain and inflammation.
However, the use of supplements containing curcumin needs to be careful. When taken in high doses, that is, more than 500 mg twice a day, this drug can thin the blood and cause stomach upset.
2. Green tea
Green tea is one of the most popular drinks in the world. However, not only that, there is also evidence that green tea can be used as a herbal or natural remedy to relieve pain in joints due to arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis.
Green tea or green tea is rich in polyphenols called epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG), which is antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Not only relieves inflammation, this content is also useful for protecting joints, cartilage, and bones from damage.
However, much of this evidence has only been demonstrated through animal studies. More extensive trials are needed on its effects in humans with inflammatory arthritis conditions.
3. Ginger
Ginger is a cooking spice that you can use as a traditional herbal medicine or for joint pain due to inflammation that occurs. This natural ingredient has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties similar to rheumatoid arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis drugs, namely ibuprofen and COX-2 inhibitor (celecoxib).
Not only helps with rheumatoid arthritis, reported by the Arthritis Foundation, ginger with a daily dose of 500-1,000 mg can also reduce pain in osteoarthritis in the hips and knees. In addition, this natural ingredient is believed to help reduce joint pain due to gout.
However, ginger as a natural remedy for joint pain should not be used in people with gallstones. This herb is said to interfere with the blood thinning drugs you are currently taking. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking herbal remedies from this natural ingredient.
4. Aloe vera
Aloe vera is one of the natural ingredients that can be used as a traditional medicine for pain due to arthritis. Based on research published in the Central European Journal of Immunology, consuming aloe vera extract can help relieve joint pain due to osteoarthritis.
Aloe vera contains anti-inflammatory properties, which work by preventing the production and release of inflammatory enzymes into the blood. However, this research is only limited to mice, so further studies are needed to prove it in humans.
Apart from osteoarthritis, aloe vera gel is also believed to help relieve symptoms of psoriasis arthritis, which is pain and redness in the skin around the joints. You just simply apply aloe vera gel to the affected skin area.
5. Pineapple extract
Not only fresh eaten as salad, pineapple can also be a traditional medicine to relieve pain due to arthritis. The reason is, pineapple contains bromelain which is useful for reducing pain and swelling due to arthritis, especially osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
You can take bromelain from pineapple extract in supplement form (tablet / capsule) at a dose of 500-2,000 mg, three times a day, or consume pineapple directly. However, bromelain can also cause side effects in the form of stomach pain or diarrhea, and should be avoided for those who are allergic to pineapple.
Apart from those mentioned above, some natural ingredients are also said to be herbal remedies for pain due to arthritis, such as nettle plants, brotowali, fish oil, boswellia, and others, depending on the type of arthritis you have. Always consult your doctor if you want to take these herbal medicines.
6. Borage oil
Oil from the borago plant or starflower contains a large amount of omega-6 fatty acids called gamma linolenic acid (GLA). GLA is an anti-inflammatory substance that can stop the body from activating genes that trigger inflammation.
Thus, borago oil (borago oil) is said to be a herbal remedy to reduce pain, stiffness, and swelling in joints, especially due to rheumatoid arthritis. Apart from the borago plant, GLA content as a natural remedy for rheumatoid arthritis can also be found in other oils, such as seed oil black currants and oil evening primrose .
7. Cat's claw plant
Cat's claw or the cat's claw plant (Uncaria tomentosa) is a natural ingredient in which the bark and roots of the tree can be used as an herbal medicine to treat pain due to arthritis. This plant from South and Central America is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties, so it can reduce joint inflammatory reactions, especially in people with rheumatoid arthritis.
Cat's claw works by inhibiting or suppressing tumor necrosis factor (TNF), which is medically similar to rheumatic drugs. In addition, this herbal remedy also contains compounds that can benefit the immune system.
However, cat's claw plants can cause some side effects, such as headaches, dizziness and vomiting, and lower blood pressure. Therefore, this natural remedy should not be taken together with antihypertensive drugs or blood thinners.
Natural ways to deal with arthritis pain in addition to using traditional medicine
In addition to joint pain medications, including herbal remedies, dealing with joint pain due to arthritis can also use other simple methods. Here are natural ways to help deal with arthritis pain that you can try:
- Routine moderate exercise can help maintain joint flexibility and reduce pain.
- Stretch after sitting for too long or before exercising. This is necessary to maintain a good range of motion for your joints.
- Maintain and maintain a normal weight range to reduce stress and stress on the joints.
- Doing massage therapy, acupuncture, warm soaking, and getting enough rest.