Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease. It affects the joints and manifests in the form of pain, swelling, redness, and inflammation in the affected areas.
It can make you immobile and drain out all fun and happiness out of your life. With more than 1.3 billion people of America fighting against rheumatoid arthritis, it is a widespread problem. However, it easily curable with herbal extracts and supplements.
Read on to find out more about herbs for rheumatoid arthritis.
Herbs for Rheumatoid Arthritis
[Also Read: How to Treat Arthritis Naturally]
1. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a herbal spice that has been in use since ancient times for the natural treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Cinnamon(1) bark consists of anti-inflammatory compounds which work to reduce the inflammation of the joints. Also, the analgesic nature of cinnamon is highly effective for curing joint pains.
Cinnamon is one of the best herbal remedies for rheumatoid arthritis. It also contains cinnamic acid and cinnamaldehyde. These are potent antioxidants that fight against oxidative damage of the joints caused by free radicals.
You can sprinkle finely ground cinnamon on your dishes to add spice to your diet. Also, add cinnamon powder to your smoothies, lattes, and oatmeal to alleviate the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
- Half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder every day is enough to cure the pain.
Although there is no specific dosage, an excessive intake of cinnamon can trigger adverse effects on the body. Hence, have it proportionately.
2. Willow Bark
Willow bark is the bark of willow trees. The bark possesses potent anti-inflammatory properties which aid in the alleviation of pain and inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis. The consumption of willow bark also helps with providing relief from the stiffness of joints, muscle spasms, and fever. It takes about a week for the cure of pain.
- You can take the extract of willow bark in the form of supplements.
- A dosage of 120-240mg of willow bark extract is apt for the cure of pain and inflammation. You can increase the dosage to 240mg with the consent of the doctor for a quicker treatment.
Do not exceed the dosage as this might cause renal problems. It contains the chemical compounds salicin which can trigger harmful side effects in large doses.
[Also Read: Best Foods for Arthritis Treatment]
3. Boswellia
Indian Frankincense or Boswellia is one of the most effective herbal remedies for arthritis. Boswellia contains boswellic acid and other active phytochemical compounds that act as analgesic and anti-inflammatory and help reduce the pain and swelling of the affected joint. The administration of Boswellia extract aids in the prevention of loss of cartilage and also helps in the inhibition of painful auto-immune process. Boswellia is, therefore, a remarkable herbal remedy for rheumatoid arthritis as well as osteoarthritis.
The extract of Boswellia herb is available in the form of tablets and capsules. You can take these supplements of Boswellia that contains about 60% of boswellic acid.
- You can take capsules that contain 300-400mg of Boswellia herbal extract thrice a day for the cure of rheumatoid arthritis.
[Read: CBD Oil for Arthritis]
4. Cat’s Claw
Cat’s claw is one of the most effective herbal remedies for arthritis. It is derived from the tropical woody vines of Central and South America, which contains anti-inflammatory compounds that work in the inhibition of tumor necrosis. The properties of cat’s claw stimulate the immune system, which helps cure joint inflammation and pain. Cat’s claw(2) is rich in potent antioxidants that combat oxidative damage of the cells inflicted by free radicals and accelerates the recovery process.
Cat’s claw herb is available in the form of tea bags, liquid tonics, tablets, and capsules. Take supplements of Cat’s Claw herb that consists of Uncaria tormentosa and is devoid of tetracyclic compounds of oxindole alkaloids.
- You can take 250-350mg of Cat’s claw supplements for the natural treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
- Do not exceed the dosage of cat’s claw, as that might trigger adverse side effects like headache, vomiting, dizziness, and problems with blood pressure.
5. Devil’s Claw
The Devil’s Claw herb is highly effective for providing relief from the inflammation and pain of joints. The consumption of Devil’s claw herb helps in decreasing the level of uric acid too. Devil’s claw contains Harpagoside, an active compound which aids in the alleviation of inflammation and pain in the joints and improves mobility and flexibility of the joints.
You can take supplements of Devil’s claw herbal extract for the natural treatment of the stiff joints, inflammation, and swelling.
Take the supplements between meals as it aids in digestion and can stimulate the appetite as well.
- The administration of 60mg of the Devil’s Claw supplement daily works wonders for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
[Also Read: Essential Oils for Rheumatoid Arthritis]
6. Ginger
The administration of ginger helps in the cure of joint pain and does away with swelling and inflammation of the joints as well. It is useful for the natural treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
The intake of ginger works in suppressing the leukotrienes and controlling the inflammatory genes, which makes it a potential painkiller.
Ginger can also cure nausea and do away with the other symptoms of arthritis. It can increase the circulation of blood in people who suffer from Raynaud’s syndrome.
Ginger is available in the form of powder, tincture, extract, oils, and capsules.
You can also take freshly brewed ginger tea and apply ginger oil to the affected joint to cure the pain and swelling.
- Divide 2g of ginger extract into three equal doses and take each dose thrice daily for the cure of rheumatoid arthritis.
- You can drink four cups of freshly brewed ginger tea daily for the natural treatment of arthritis.
[Also Read: Benefits of Ginger to Treat Arthritis]
7. Rose Hips
Rosehips is one of the most effective home remedies for rheumatoid arthritis. It is derived from rose seeds pods. The herbal extract of rose hips contains vitamin C, which is a potent antioxidant that can fight against inflammation and inhibit the generation of inflammatory enzymes and proteins such as COX-2 and COX-1. Rose hips(3) herb consists of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and disease-inhibitory compounds which work to cure rheumatoid arthritis.
The extract of rose hips herb is available in the form of capsules and powder.
- Take 5g of rose hips daily herb in the form of supplements for the herbal treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
8. Turmeric
Turmeric contains curcumin that helps in the alleviation of inflammation, pain, and stiffness of the joints by fighting against oxidative damage. It is useful for the treatment of bursitis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
You can take supplements of turmeric for rheumatoid arthritis treatment at home. The curcumin compound of turmeric works by blocking the action of inflammatory enzymes and cytokines that include celecoxib, and cyclooxygenase.
You can use turmeric in the form of capsules or use it as a spice for cooking.
Apply a paste of turmeric and mustard oil made with lukewarm water to the affected joints for the cure of arthritis.
- You can take the supplementary capsules of 500 mg of turmeric twice every day for the cure of rheumatoid arthritis.
Do not exceed the dosage as it might inflict harmful side effects like blood thinning and stomach troubles.
[Also Read: Benefits of Baking Soda for Arthritis]
9. Gingko Biloba
Gingko Biloba is derived from the leaves of the gingko Biloba plant that is native to Eastern Asia. The administration of Gingko Biloba herb can increase the blood circulation, which is essential for the alleviation of pain and swelling of the joints. Gingko Biloba also contains terpenes, lactones, flavonol glycosides, and other compounds that work to cure the pain and inflammation.
You can take Gingko Biloba herb in the form of supplementary capsules and tablets of the recommended dosage.
You can also drink freshly brewed gingko Biloba tea.
- You can take 120-240 mg of Gingko Biloba herbal extract in the form of supplementary capsules.
- Do not exceed the dosage of Gingko Biloba as this might trigger side effects like headache, dizziness, and stomach troubles.
Don’t let rheumatoid arthritis rupture your free movements. Drive out the excruciating pain and swelling with these amazing herbs for arthritis. Drink plenty of water to get rid of the inflammatory toxins and exercise regularly to stay fit and active.
FAQs
1. What Are the Most Effective Supplements for Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Some of the most effective supplements for rheumatoid arthritis are supplements of fish oil, flax seeds, ginger, Boswellia, and more.
2. What Are Some Other Home Remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis?
You can try the following home remedies for rheumatoid arthritis.
- Drink ginger tea
- Embrace aquatic exercise
- Shed the extra pounds with yoga and exercise
- Try cold and hot therapy
- Massage the joint with hot oil
