If you are among those people who never know what it is to have aching joints, muscles, bones, you are lucky. It could be only a lucky few, these problems are near-universal. In as much as joint disease is said to be on the increase nowadays, there is nothing new about the condition, either: even ancient skeletons uncovered by archaeologists often show signs of arthritis.
There are many reasons we develop joint problems:
Our body structure affects our posture and so, our skeleton bears the brunt of excessive wear and tear on its weight-bearing joints.
Habits or lifestyles are not healthy. We spend much more time sitting around- at the desks, in cars, or bus; in front of the TV; and we are far less physically active at work or in our leisure time. Our lives are more stressful and our diets are faulty (high in calories and lacking vitamins); improper eating habits, excessive alcohol intake, and wrong choices that lead to wear and tear of our joint cells.
Toxic overload is another causative factor. In traditional medicine, poor digestion and constipation are seen as the root cause of many health problems. They interfere with the body’s ability to eliminate waste products. Toxins build up in the system leading to- and aggravating -a host of illnesses, of which arthritis and rheumatism are prime examples.
Rheumatoid arthritis, an acute inflammatory disease, sometimes results from intolerance to certain foods or chemicals. If you have a family history of asthma, hay fever, rhinitis, or eczema, this could be significant to your case: watch out for allergens. Like other allergy-related ailments, many joint problems are improved following a switch from poor eating habits to high quality nutrition which can help improve your joint health and total wellbeing.
Rheumatism, fibrositis and all the conditions of muscular inflammation also respond well to dietary change; even gout can successfully be controlled by very careful eating. I have seen many cases of rheumatoid and osteoarthritis and even gout respond dramatically to a change in diet and eating pattern. For example: a three-day fast followed by a raw diet for some weeks. Following this process, victims are able to eliminate a whole lot of‘ danger foods’- dairy products, wheats, oats, eggs, refined carbohydrates and processed foods; all yeast and meat extracts, chicken, beef, pork, tea, coffee, chocolate, alcohol, cocoa, cola drinks, sardines, oranges; as well as nightshade family of plants (potatoes, peppers, paprika). The list of foods to avoid may seem rather restrictive at first. But anyone with severe arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis will find it well worth following for a few weeks. Even modest improvement will encourage you to adopt new eating habits that will bring increasing relief from pain and discomfort. It is worth mentioning that the foods listed above are termed “danger foods” for gout sufferers because they contain purines, which increase the level of uric acid in the body. This exacerbates joint pain. Alcohol, though not food, is also dangerous because it inhibits excretion of uric acid.
Traditional medicine for these problems has always included herbs and foods which assist in cleansing and improving digestion. Any protocol or eating plan which achieves this is vital. And the best possible introduction to your new way of eating is a cleansing-detox protocol.
The following herbs have been found beneficial:
Stinging nettle: The herb has been used for hundreds of years to treat pain and inflammation. Consuming nettle leaf helps to ensure strong and healthy joints. Infuse a tablespoon in a teacup of boiled water for 15 minutes, sieve and add honey, if desired. Take 2 X daily. Stinging nettle is available as dried leaf, extract, capsules, tablets, and as root tincture (a solution of the herb in alcohol), juice, or tea.
Chamomile: Contains a lot of flavonoids, compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties. You can massage chamomile essential oil onto affected joints to provide relief from pain. Taking chamomile tea at bed time helps to relax your body. Infuse 1 teabag/Tsp. of the flowers in a teacup of freshly boiled water for 10 minutes.
Equisetum: Common horsetail, bottle brush, misin-misin goro (Yoruba): this wonderful herb supplies silicon, which aids in absorption of calcium and repair of connective tissues. Taking a teacup of the infusion or decoction 1- 2 X daily is particularly beneficial for bacterial arthritis, which causes painful inflammation of the joints.
To prepare horsetail infusion: ¼ liter of freshly boiled water is to be poured over 1-2 tsp of dried horsetail and steeped for 15 minutes. Sieve before consuming. To make the decoction, bring to a boil a handful of the fresh horsetail and then simmer for a minimum of 5 minutes. Allow to cool before consumption.
Capsaicin: A substance found in cayenne pepper, is a natural muscle relaxant. It can be added to food, or you can find cayenne pepper in capsule form and as a cream. Rubbing cayenne as a cream, on the affected areas helps to relieve joint pain.
Dandelion: Fresh or dry leaf of this herb is a powerful diuretic (improves the body’s fluid-flushing capabilities and increases urination). For better results, use along with horsetail, stinging nettle or parsley. 1 teaspoon of each should be infused in a tea cup of boiled water for 15 minutes and taken 2 X daily, preferably with a meal. (Do not take it during pregnancy or if you are taking prescription drugs).
Rosemary: Amongst the kitchen spices, rosemary has one of the strongest protective effects against inflammation and oxidation. This spice will not only take your dishes from good to great but will also keep inflammation at bay! Rosemary can also be used as tincture, wine or essential oil.
The body’s faculties of self-repair and healing need the support of good body weight. A very important tool in the successful management of joint problems is to reduce any excess weight. As so often happens in chronic illnesses, a vicious circle is easily established. Carrying extra weight causes wear and tear on the joint surfaces, which in turn causes pain, which in turn restricts activity- and adds to the initial weight problems. Weight loss will help you feel better and help your joints.