| Arthritis is the word used to describe inflammation | | | | wine, white vinegar, and some fruits such as |
| of the joints. It is often described as an | | | | oranges, strawberries and other berries which can |
| auto-immune disease as it relates to the system | | | | aggravate joint problems. It is best to stay off |
| within the body which produces antibodies. | | | | these foods for six weeks and introduce them |
| In the modem medical approach to arthritis, | | | | back into your diet slowly and see if they affect |
| anti-inflammatory drugs are used which are either | | | | your level of joint pain in certain quantities. |
| steroidal or non-steroidal. Unfortunately joint | | | | Drink lots of pure, filtered water. |
| disease is poorly understood and the treatments | | | | Encourage mobility of the joints through exercise |
| have not advanced for a long time. Hopefully | | | | such as water exercises and walking. Running is |
| more research into the causes and the cure of | | | | very aggravating to any joint, especially on a hard |
| joint diseases will be done over the next few | | | | surface. |
| years. | | | | Supplements |
| Naturopathic approaches are certainly worth | | | | Two omega 3 and 6 oil capsules twice daily. It |
| trying. They may not cure the disease but they | | | | lubricates joints. Double the dose if in severe pain. |
| can certainly relieve much of the discomfort and | | | | One glass of celery juice daily or two celery |
| slow down the debilitating symptoms. Diet plays a | | | | tablets daily. For taste and health, mix with carrot |
| huge role in controlling the symptoms and some | | | | juice. |
| plant medicine and nutritional supplements can be | | | | Two tablets of the standardized extract of |
| very beneficial. | | | | boswellia twice daily or one tablet daily as a |
| My father, who had severe arthritis in his knees, | | | | preventative. Boswellia, which acts as a natural |
| was always joking about the fact that there was | | | | anti-inflammatory, is excellent for arthritis (and |
| no cure for joint problems, and he was very | | | | also for inflammation of the bowel). There is often |
| disturbed that the anti-inflammatories he was | | | | a link between inflammation of the bowel and |
| prescribed were upsetting his stomach, which is a | | | | arthritis. You may find this herb mixed with ginger |
| very common side effect. Just by increasing his | | | | and turmeric (both natural anti-inflammatories). |
| intake of water each day (elderly people tend to | | | | One or two ginger capsules three times a day. |
| be dehydrated because they don't consume | | | | Ginger tablets have relieved many joint problems |
| enough water daily) and including some vitamins | | | | because they stimulate the circulation. They are |
| helped him. | | | | especially useful for those in cold countries, to |
| In all treatment of joint problems, solutions must | | | | assist mobility. In fact they are very useful when |
| be looked upon as long-term: a lifestyle change | | | | skiing or participating in water sports in cold water. |
| and a commitment to taking the supplements | | | | Glucosamine sulfate one tablet two to three times |
| regularly to stop degeneration and further | | | | a day. |
| damage to the immune system are essential. | | | | I have made many wonderful tonics for arthritis |
| Treatment & prevention program | | | | using traditional herbs, and if the client stays on |
| Follow the diet for health and vitality. This is | | | | these daily over the winter period, when joints |
| imperative. All junk food, white sugar and white | | | | seem to be at their worst, the aches and pains |
| flour products must be eliminated. Foods that | | | | are kept under control without the long-term |
| nourish joints are those containing omega 3 and 6 | | | | effects of anti-inflammatories. The following tonic |
| oils, such as deep-sea fish, flaxseed oil, and | | | | is recommended. Equal parts of celery, dandelion, |
| vitamin E in avocados and wheatgerm oils. | | | | prickly ash, boswellia (you can also take this herb |
| Eat high-quality proteins such as legumes, eggs | | | | separately as a tablet for better results), willow |
| and white meat, which are more suitable than red | | | | bark, devil's claw, liquorice, ginger and astragalus |
| meat, as one of the waste products from | | | | (which helps the immune system in chronic |
| digestion of red meat is uric acid which can | | | | conditions). Take one teaspoon in water twice |
| aggravate joints. | | | | daily. |
| Drink celery juice daily as it assists the balance of | | | | A liniment containing the Chinese herbs kadsura, |
| potassium and sodium being carried to the joints. | | | | pothos and curcuma, and menthol, camphor and |
| It can be mixed with carrot juice. | | | | some wintergreen oil. These are available at your |
| Avoid acidic foods such as rich sauces, white | | | | health store. Rub on the affected area. |