What Herb Is Good For Joint Pain?

9 Herbs to Fight Arthritis Pain

• Aloe vera.
• Boswellia.
• Cat’s Claw.
• Eucalyptus.
• Ginger.
• Green Tea.
• Thunder God Vine.
• Turmeric.

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What herb reduces joint pain?

Learn some of the herbs that can help treat arthritis and how to take them. Humans have relied on plant-based remedies to treat disease from almost the beginning of our existence. The oldest evidence of using plants as medicine comes from a 5,000-year-old Sumerian clay tablet containing recipes made with plants like the poppy, henbane and mandrake.

• Several herbal remedies are promoted today for treating arthritis, including turmeric, ginger, Boswellia serrata, devil’s claw, willow bark extract and feverfew.
• Not all herbal products are the same.
• Some are only available as pills.
• Others come in a variety of forms, including capsules, tinctures and teas.

For example, turmeric is available in capsules, or as a spice you can sprinkle into your food. Ginger comes in a capsule, a powder you cook with or a tea. Often the herb you choose will dictate which form you take it in, because some herbs absorb better into the body when swallowed; others when steeped in liquid.

• When comparing forms, “The potency varies a little,” says Farshad Fani Marvasti, MD, MPH, director of Public Health, Prevention, and Health Promotion at The University of Arizona.
• Tinctures are generally somewhat stronger than capsules, for example.
• But the form you take mainly depends on your personal preference, he says.1.

Pills and Capsules Pills and capsules are probably the easiest way to take herbal supplements, and the most readily available in your local health food shop or drugstore. You just open the bottle and pop the pills into your mouth. Often these are the form of herbal remedies used in studies, which can make it easier to confirm that you’re getting an appropriate dose.

• With other forms, it may be hard to tell how much of the active ingredient you’re getting, or you need.2.
• Infusions and Teas Teas and infusions are made by adding boiling water to fresh or dried plant products – stems, leaves or flowers – and steeping them to release their active ingredients.
• Willow bark and ginger are two teas used for arthritis because of their anti-inflammatory properties.

To get the dose right using loose herbs, you can consult with an herbalist or a traditional Chinese medicine physician. However, today you can buy many herbal teas in pre-set doses at a health food store or supermarket. “There are a lot of different tea companies that provide standardized tea bags,” says Marvasti.

When you make your tea, he recommends a steeping time of 15 to 20 minutes. That’s just long enough to get the maximum benefits from the product without overdoing it. Some teas can actually be harmful when steeped too long. For example, black tea contains tannins that can become carcinogenic when steeped for over an hour, Marvasti says.3.

Creams, gels and other topical products Some herbal remedies come in the form of a cream, gel, patch or compress that you rub on or apply to your skin. Arnica and comfrey gels are both useful for relieving arthritis pain. Creams made with the chili pepper extract, capsaicin, can also help with pain, but they can cause side effects like a burning sensation and skin irritation.

The recommended dose for these products is usually on the package.4. Liquids, Extracts and Tinctures Herbs can also be sold in liquid forms, such as oils, extract-containing drinks and tinctures – preparations made with alcohol and water. Extracts can also be evaporated to dry them out. Dry extracts such as Boswellia serrata and curcumin are then put into capsules and tablets.

Tinctures and extracts are usually more concentrated than other products. “In general, tinctures tend to be a bit stronger than capsules. But then there are liquid capsules, which have the liquid of the tincture inside the capsule, which is very similar,” says Marvasti.

1. The dose of these products can vary, depending on their form.
2. For example, a dose might be three cups of tea per day or one to three teaspoons of tincture per day.
3. This is where it can be helpful to consult with an herbalist or integrative medicine specialist to make sure you’re taking the correct dose.5.

Herbs for Cooking Some herbs, such as turmeric and ginger, can be added to the foods you cook. You can grow these herbs yourself, purchase them fresh-cut at a market or buy them dried. “Generally, I think that the dry form is a little bit more potent, but it really depends on why you’re using it and what you’re using it for,” Marvasti says.

• Some herbs need a little assistance in the cooking process.
• Turmeric must be cooked with some type of fat, such as cooking oil, as well as black pepper for your body to properly absorb it.
• While cooking with herbs is a generally healthy idea, don’t expect a few curry dishes containing turmeric to be a miracle cure for your joints.

“It’s anti-inflammatory and an excellent spice for health promotion, but if someone’s dealing with arthritis pain that’s probably not going to be enough,” says Chris D’Adamo, PhD, director of Research & Education at the University of Maryland School of Medicine Center for Integrative Medicine.

• You’d need to eat jars of the whole spice turmeric to get the benefit of a supplement for serious pain conditions.” Cautions About Herbal Remedies Although herbal remedies are natural, they can have risks.
• Some products can cause side effects or interact with medicines you take.
• For example, ginger and chamomile may increase your bleeding risk, which could be a problem if you take blood thinning medicines like warfarin (Coumadin).

Before trying any herbal supplement, consult with your doctor. You can also see an herbalist to ensure you take the right dose, but make sure he or she knows what other medicines you take to avoid interactions, D’Adamo says. “You can get both the herbal and medical perspectives by seeing an integrative or functional medicine doctor,” he adds.

What Vitamin stops joint pain?

Vitamin D – Sometimes when you are deficient in a certain vitamin, your body lets you know. Such is the case with vitamin D. When you aren’t getting enough, you may get pain in your joints. Vitamin D’s anti-inflammatory properties help relieve joint pain.

What actually helps joint pain?

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process. Overview Many people deal with chronic joint pain in their knees, hands, elbows, shoulders, and elsewhere.

1. In most cases, this is caused by the most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis,
2. This form of arthritis affects almost one-quarter of people in the United States.
3. Pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil), are usually the first choice for joint pain relief,

There are also dozens of supplements that claim to treat joint pain, but which ones actually work? Here’s a look at 9 of the best options and what the existing research says about them.

What should I drink for joint pain?

Best Drinks for Arthritis There’s an old saying – you are what you eat. But what you drink, and how much you drink, can have an enormous effect on your body and health, too. Beverage Basics Start every day with a glass of water before you eat any food, since most people wake up a bit dehydrated, says Sonya Angelone, a dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

1. It’s also best to stick with water throughout the day, she says.
2. The typical recommendation is eight glasses a day.
3. In general, avoid soda since it can be full of sugar, aspartame and phosphoric acid.
4. The latter can negatively affect your body’s ability to absorb calcium.
5. Water can get a bit boring, but there are other ways to stay healthy and hydrated.

These recommendations can help you understand the benefits and drawbacks of popular beverages. Tea Tea is one of the most-studied drinks when it comes to its benefits for arthritis patients. Green, black and white teas are all rich in polyphenols – compounds from plants that have strong anti-inflammatory effects.

You’ll find the highest polyphenol levels in green and white teas. Green tea is generally viewed as the most beneficial of all because its active ingredient is a polyphenol known as epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG). EGCG has been shown to be as much as 100 times stronger in antioxidant activity than vitamins C and E.

Studies have shown it also helps preserve cartilage and bone, although there are no widespread controlled trials of it in people with arthritis. Tips: Green, white and black teas do usually contain caffeine, so you may still want to keep your consumption moderate and don’t drink it before bed.

Coffee Milk Juices Smoothies Alcohol Water

Research shows coffee also has antioxidant polyphenols. That means coffee can help fight free radicals in the body, which cause cell damage. Other research suggests coffee may have a protective effect against gout as well. The link between coffee and increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoporosis is debatable.

1. Some studies say coffee increases the risk, while others do not.
2. Tips: In general, the best rule of thumb is to drink coffee in moderation – no more than one or two cups of coffee a day.
3. Watch your caffeine intake and be mindful of coffee and espresso drinks that are full of whipped cream and syrups that cause calories and sugar levels to skyrocket.

Some claim that dairy-free is the way to go for arthritis, but the jury is still out when it comes to linking dairy consumption and inflammation. Like coffee, some studies show dairy can be inflammatory, while other studies show it helps reduce inflammation.

For the most part, the benefits of avoiding dairy are highly individual, and there is not enough research to suggest that people with arthritis should ditch milk. Tips: Drinking milk, which is a good source of calcium, vitamin D and protein, may help prevent gout and fight the progression of osteoarthritis (OA).

Make sure you opt for low-fat milk to avoid consuming extra calories and saturated fat. Orange, tomato, pineapple and carrot juices are all high in the antioxidant, vitamin C, which can neutralize free radicals that lead to inflammation. Tart cherry juice has been shown to protect against gout flares and reduce OA symptoms.

Tips: Be sensible when drinking juice: it’s delicious, but also high in sugar and calories. Check with your doctor if you’re a fan of grapefruit juice because it can inactivate or alter the effect of many medications. Many dietitians prefer smoothies over juices because they require using the whole fruit or vegetable– giving you the added bonus of fiber, which helps clean out arteries and fight constipation.

Colorful fruits and vegetables are also high in antioxidants. Adding berries or leafy greens like spinach or kale can give you big doses of vitamins and nutrients. Tips: Smoothies containing yogurt are full of good bacteria (probiotics) as well as vitamins.

• Also, adding a fermented beverage like kefir can boost probiotic content, which can decrease inflammation in your body.
• Make sure you’re choosing a low- or no-sugar yogurt or kefir.
• Red wine has a compound in it called resveratrol, which has well-established anti-inflammatory effects.
• Some studies show wine consumption is associated with a reduced risk of knee OA, and moderate drinking is also associated with a reduced risk of RA.

But many experts question the strength of these studies and argue it’s hard to distinguish confounding factors in this research. Other research shows that alcohol has detrimental effects on arthritis. Tips: Overall, experts agree there aren’t enough health benefits in alcohol to start drinking if you don’t already do it.

But if you do enjoy an occasional adult beverage, drink it in moderation, says Beth McDonald, a nutritionist at the Department of Integrative Medicine at Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital in New York City. The general recommendation is one drink a day (of alcohol) for women, two for men. Any more than that squanders any benefit and can actually promote inflammation, she says.

If there’s a magical elixir to drink, it’s water. Hydration is vital for flushing toxins out of your body, which can help fight inflammation. Adequate water intake can help keep your joints well lubricated and prevent gout attacks. Drinking water before a meal can also help you eat less, promoting weight loss.

What spice relieves arthritis pain?

Best Spices for Arthritis Often when prepping a meal, food is the primary focus and spices are an afterthought. But when following an anti-inflammatory diet, it’s important to not overlook the benefits of certain spices to season your meals. “I think people are often surprised at what a great anti-inflammatory source spices can be,” says board-certified sports dietitian Kim Larson, a national spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics.

Anti-inflammatory Spice Basics Garlic Turmeric Ginger Cinnamon Cayenne General Tips for Using Spices

When you have arthritis, your joints and sometimes other parts of your body become inflamed, and many spices inhibit certain inflammatory pathways in the body. And although a dash of cinnamon may not seem like a lot, spices can pack a significant punch when you consume them throughout the day.

“If you do a sprinkle of cinnamon in oatmeal or a smoothie, have some ginger tea mid-morning and something with pepper and garlic for lunch and dinner, it can certainly have an additive effect,” explains Beth McDonald, a nutritionist at The Center for Health and Healing in the Department of Integrative Medicine at Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital in New York City.

Try to experiment with new recipes and incorporate a spice with an anti -inflammatory benefit with every meal, she says. With that in mind, here are some anti-inflammatory spices to consider the next time you are in the kitchen. Garlic is a tasty addition to just about any savory dish.

Like onions and leeks, it contains diallyl disulfide, an anti-inflammatory compound that limits the effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, garlic can help fight inflammation and may even help prevent cartilage damage from arthritis. Tip: Opt for fresh garlic from the produce section of your market.

Preservatives may be added to bottled garlic and processing, which may decrease some of its strength. Curcumin is the active chemical in turmeric root; it blocks inflammatory cytokines and enzymes in two inflammatory pathways. Several human trials have shown an anti-inflammatory benefit, which can translate to reduced joint pain and swelling.

1. The yellow spice is popular in curries and other Indian dishes.
2. Tip: It is most effective when eaten with black pepper, which helps the body absorb it better.
3. Gingerol and shogaol are the chemicals in ginger that block inflammation pathways in the body.
4. Along with its anti-inflammatory properties, some studies have shown ginger can also reduce osteoarthritis symptoms, although other studies do not find such benefit.

Tips: Ginger is a versatile spice and can go in both sweet and savory dishes. It’s best to use it in its fresh form. A great way to add ginger to your diet is to boil it into a tea: Put a one- to two-inch piece of fresh ginger root in boiling water for 30 to 60 minutes.

Cinnamon contains cinnamaldehyde and cinnamic acid, both of which have antioxidant properties that help inhibit cell damage caused by free radicals. However, studies say more research is needed to make formal recommendations about its use. Tip: Cinnamon is delicious mixed with oatmeal or added to smoothies, but it’s not strong enough on its own to offer a therapeutic effect.

Used in combination with other foods and spices, it may offer a cumulative anti-inflammatory effect over the course of the day. Chili peppers contain natural compounds called capsaicinoids, which have anti-inflammatory properties. Cayenne and other dried chilies spice up sauces, marinades and rubs.

Tip: Chilies can be hot, so start with just a dash or two. When trying a new spice, start small and add more after you’ve taste-tested your dish. Anywhere from a half teaspoon to a full teaspoon is generally a good place to start for most spices, except cayenne (start with a ¼ tsp or less). A good rule of thumb with spices is “fresh is best.” But experts say bottled spices can pack a punch too.

“Spices are already dehydrated so the antioxidants are concentrated in a small, powerful amount,” Larson explains. Remember the wide variety of foods you can spice up. They are wonderful in rubs, marinades and sauces; on steamed or roasted vegetables; mixed into pasta, potatoes, rice, couscous and quinoa; and in soups and stews.

What is the main cause of joint pain?

If your joints hurt, you probably want to know why and what can be done to alleviate your pain. Here are the seven most common causes of joint pain and how they are treated.1. Osteoarthritis Sometimes called wear-and-tear arthritis, osteoarthritis is the most common culprit in joint pain.

It occurs when the lining of the joints, called cartilage, is worn down. Although osteoarthritis can damage any joint, it most commonly affects the knees, hands and hips. The primary risk factors for osteoarthritis are obesity, a traumatic injury or a lack of physical activity. To feel better, it helps to lose weight and to exercise, and physical therapy can make a big difference.

Over-the-counter pain medication and anti-inflammatory topical gels and creams can help, as can injections of either the steroid cortisone or platelet-rich plasma (PRP). In the knee, hyaluronic acid injections are also an option. Using PRP, doctors can extract platelets from the patient’s blood and then inject the platelets into the damaged joint or tendons to bring relief.2.

• Tendon Injuries The second most common cause of joint pain is injury to the tendons, which can range from inflammation and swelling to a partial or full tear.
• Tendons are the extension of muscles that attach on a bone, and these often attach around joints.
• This means you may feel like the pain is in your joint, but it’s really a muscle.

For college and professional athletes, a torn tendon may be treated with surgery. For most people, treatment may involve some combination of over-the-counter pain medication, rest, cortisone injections, PRP or physical therapy. Physical therapy can help strengthen the other muscles around the injured muscle, so it doesn’t have to work as hard.3.

Ligament Injuries Injured ligaments can cause joint pain, particularly around the knees and ankles. Ligaments are pieces of tissue that attach bones to each other. Trauma, such as a forceful hit, is the primary cause of an injured ligament. Just like the tendon, you can partially or fully tear your ligaments.

Some ligaments can heal on their own, while others require you to wear a brace. Surgery is necessary to repair large tears.4. Gout A common, painful form of arthritis, gout causes a chemical called uric acid to build up in the blood. This acid then leaks into the joints and makes crystals in the body’s joints, fluids and tissues.

The crystals can be very painful and cause lots of swelling, pain and redness in the joints, such as your big toe, hand, wrist or knee. People with gout should avoid alcohol, red meat and shellfish in their diets, because these can make gout worse. If diet modification does not ease your pain, your healthcare provider may prescribe medication to lower the amount of uric acid in your blood.5.

Injured Meniscus An injury to the meniscus, which is the cartilage in your knee that cushions and stabilizes the knee joint, is a common cause of knee pain. Although the meniscus is usually injured while playing sports, arthritis in the knee can also cause painful tears in the meniscus.

During some activities—especially contact sports—your knee can twist and tear the cartilage that provides cushioning between your thigh bone and shinbone. Surgery is sometimes needed, but meniscus injuries also can be treated with physical therapy or cortisone or hyaluronic acid injections.6. Autoimmune Diseases Many autoimmune diseases—lupus and rheumatoid arthritis in particular—cause joint pain.

People are born with a tendency to develop these conditions, which may be triggered by a viral infection. More common in women in their 20s and 30s than in men, these autoimmune disorders usually cause pain in small joints, like fingers, wrists and toes.

Being active can help with the stiffness in the joints caused by lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, but sometimes medication is needed to treat flare-ups.7. Frozen Shoulder Also known as adhesive capsulitis, frozen shoulder causes pain and stiffness in the shoulder. There is a capsule that connects the two bones of the shoulder and allows the ball and the socket joint to move.

This capsule can become inflamed, causing a lot of pain. Eventually, you’ll start to notice you just can’t move your shoulder. A frozen shoulder will usually resolve on its own over time, but a steroid injection can help reduce inflammation. Sometimes, doctors use hydrodilatation, the injection of a large amount of sterile fluid to expand the shoulder joint capsule, which helps the motion in the shoulder come back more quickly.

Can B12 reduce joint pain?

Vitamins B Complex Vitamin B complex is a type of non-antioxidant vitamin. We don’t fully understand how this type of vitamin may treat arthritis-related conditions, but evidence from trials suggests that vitamins B3, B9 and B12 might be of some benefit for treating, particularly in improving joint mobility and hand grip.

Family: Nutritional supplement Scientific name: Vitamin B3 (niacinamide), vitamin B12 (Cobalamin), vitamin B9 (folic acid)

Vitamins are nutritional substances which you need in small amounts in your diet. Except for vitamin B12, which can be stored in your liver for up to four years, your body stores all water-soluble vitamins for only a brief period of several weeks to several months and then gets rid of them through the urine.

This is why you need to take water-soluble vitamins daily. Vitamins can be found in foods (natural vitamins) or can be produced in laboratories (synthetic vitamins). You can buy vitamin capsules from high-street shops. Several studies have found that vitamin B12 plays a role in controlling bone metabolism.

Another study found that people with have low intake of vitamin B9 (folic acid). We don’t yet know what the best dose of vitamin B complex is for arthritis and related conditions, but RCTs have used daily doses of 3 g of vitamin B3, 6,400 μg of vitamin B9 and 20 μg of vitamin B12.

There was no reported difference in change in the disease activity score or number of painful or swollen joints. Those who received the Vitamin B9 and B6 combination demonstrated significantly greater reductions in some markers of inflammation. No side-effects were recorded.

‡ A trial of low quality. Results of this trial were given a lower weighting when we came to our conclusion about the compound. In the first trial, 72 people with were randomly selected to receive either 3 g vitamin B3 or placebo tablets once a day for 12 weeks.

Overall symptoms improved by 29% in participants given the vitamin and worsened by 10% in participants on the placebo, although neither group reported a reduction in pain. In particular, vitamin B3 seemed to be effective in improving joint mobility compared to the placebo. No major side-effects were reported, but the number of side-effects was higher in the vitamin B3 group.

What can I drink to ease joint pain?

Best Drinks for Arthritis There’s an old saying – you are what you eat. But what you drink, and how much you drink, can have an enormous effect on your body and health, too. Beverage Basics Start every day with a glass of water before you eat any food, since most people wake up a bit dehydrated, says Sonya Angelone, a dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

1. It’s also best to stick with water throughout the day, she says.
2. The typical recommendation is eight glasses a day.
3. In general, avoid soda since it can be full of sugar, aspartame and phosphoric acid.
4. The latter can negatively affect your body’s ability to absorb calcium.
5. Water can get a bit boring, but there are other ways to stay healthy and hydrated.

These recommendations can help you understand the benefits and drawbacks of popular beverages. Tea Tea is one of the most-studied drinks when it comes to its benefits for arthritis patients. Green, black and white teas are all rich in polyphenols – compounds from plants that have strong anti-inflammatory effects.

1. You’ll find the highest polyphenol levels in green and white teas.
2. Green tea is generally viewed as the most beneficial of all because its active ingredient is a polyphenol known as epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG).
3. EGCG has been shown to be as much as 100 times stronger in antioxidant activity than vitamins C and E.

Studies have shown it also helps preserve cartilage and bone, although there are no widespread controlled trials of it in people with arthritis. Tips: Green, white and black teas do usually contain caffeine, so you may still want to keep your consumption moderate and don’t drink it before bed.

Coffee Milk Juices Smoothies Alcohol Water

Research shows coffee also has antioxidant polyphenols. That means coffee can help fight free radicals in the body, which cause cell damage. Other research suggests coffee may have a protective effect against gout as well. The link between coffee and increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoporosis is debatable.

• Some studies say coffee increases the risk, while others do not.
• Tips: In general, the best rule of thumb is to drink coffee in moderation – no more than one or two cups of coffee a day.
• Watch your caffeine intake and be mindful of coffee and espresso drinks that are full of whipped cream and syrups that cause calories and sugar levels to skyrocket.

Some claim that dairy-free is the way to go for arthritis, but the jury is still out when it comes to linking dairy consumption and inflammation. Like coffee, some studies show dairy can be inflammatory, while other studies show it helps reduce inflammation.

1. For the most part, the benefits of avoiding dairy are highly individual, and there is not enough research to suggest that people with arthritis should ditch milk.
2. Tips: Drinking milk, which is a good source of calcium, vitamin D and protein, may help prevent gout and fight the progression of osteoarthritis (OA).

Make sure you opt for low-fat milk to avoid consuming extra calories and saturated fat. Orange, tomato, pineapple and carrot juices are all high in the antioxidant, vitamin C, which can neutralize free radicals that lead to inflammation. Tart cherry juice has been shown to protect against gout flares and reduce OA symptoms.

• Tips: Be sensible when drinking juice: it’s delicious, but also high in sugar and calories.
• Check with your doctor if you’re a fan of grapefruit juice because it can inactivate or alter the effect of many medications.
• Many dietitians prefer smoothies over juices because they require using the whole fruit or vegetable– giving you the added bonus of fiber, which helps clean out arteries and fight constipation.

Colorful fruits and vegetables are also high in antioxidants. Adding berries or leafy greens like spinach or kale can give you big doses of vitamins and nutrients. Tips: Smoothies containing yogurt are full of good bacteria (probiotics) as well as vitamins.

Also, adding a fermented beverage like kefir can boost probiotic content, which can decrease inflammation in your body. Make sure you’re choosing a low- or no-sugar yogurt or kefir. Red wine has a compound in it called resveratrol, which has well-established anti-inflammatory effects. Some studies show wine consumption is associated with a reduced risk of knee OA, and moderate drinking is also associated with a reduced risk of RA.

But many experts question the strength of these studies and argue it’s hard to distinguish confounding factors in this research. Other research shows that alcohol has detrimental effects on arthritis. Tips: Overall, experts agree there aren’t enough health benefits in alcohol to start drinking if you don’t already do it.

1. But if you do enjoy an occasional adult beverage, drink it in moderation, says Beth McDonald, a nutritionist at the Department of Integrative Medicine at Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital in New York City.
2. The general recommendation is one drink a day (of alcohol) for women, two for men.
3. Any more than that squanders any benefit and can actually promote inflammation, she says.

If there’s a magical elixir to drink, it’s water. Hydration is vital for flushing toxins out of your body, which can help fight inflammation. Adequate water intake can help keep your joints well lubricated and prevent gout attacks. Drinking water before a meal can also help you eat less, promoting weight loss.