Herbs for Arthritis, Inflammation and Joint Pain

Arthritis is of many types and can attack a person of any origin and age. There are 100 different type of arthritis classified today in modern medicine. Treatment of herbs for arthritis is nothing new. Acute attacks of inflammation, redness and joint pain made their presence in the early ages of human evolution. Although the root cause for many Arthritis is still not known, it is accompanied with Immune system disorder.

Out of the many types of Arthritis, the prominent are “Rheumatoid Arthritis”, Psoriatic Arthritis, Gout and Osteoarthritis. The triggers for each of these diseases is inflammation, irritation, redness and acute pain of joints. The joints could be any joints out of the 360 joints found in human body.

There are at least 18 or more herbs that are used to treat inflammation viz devil’s claw, turmeric, basil, bay laurel and so on. In addition to herbs for inflammation treatment, certain spices like black pepper, garlic, cloves, saffron, ginger, cinnamon, cayenne are immensely popular and are considered anti-inflammatory natural spices to reduce pain.

The yellow turmeric root contains curcumin, an active chemical that blocks inflammatory cytokines. It is widely used in Indian curries. Raw garlic contains antioxidants and allicin. Allicin is briefly present after it is crushed. Raw garlic is antibacterial and antifungal. Many sulphur compounds present in garlic give rise to its pungent taste and smell.

Use of Herbal Therapies to Relieve Pain:A Review of Efficacy and Adverse Effects by James H. Wirth, BA, J. Craig Hudgins, BA, and Judith A. Paice, PhD, RN