Overview of Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a disease that attacks the cartilage and our joints. It can affect the hip , the knee or all the joints of our body. In the case of osteoarthritis of the hand, the disease attacks the fingers or the thumb (rhizarthrosis) .
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common joint pains in people over 50. Don't wait long to do something when the first symptoms appear. Mechanical joint pain, bone growth, stiffness in the morning...
The symptoms do not go unnoticed. Fortunately, you can act naturally on the pain of osteoarthritis of the hands. The doctor's treatment can be supplemented by natural treatments.
Herbs to relieve osteoarthritis naturally
Thanks to plants, it is possible to act from the inside to relieve pain. Certainly, plants can provide real effectiveness in relieving pain caused by osteoarthritis. However, it is advisable to use plants whose action has been proven.
Plants: an extra help
This is no longer to be demonstrated! We have always treated ourselves with plants. In addition, a plurality of scientific studies have revealed the effectiveness of plants on diseases. But it should be noted that each plant addresses a particular health problem.
This is why you must use them by being informed of their virtues. So, in the case of osteoarthritis of the hands, be sure that the plant you are going to use is suitable. Indeed, according to its specialty, the plant used will be able to relieve the pain of osteoarthritis or to calm any inflammation of the joint.
It's up to you to know how to select the plant extracts that can relieve your joint pain.
In what forms can plants hide?
Specialists have understood that for them to be better used, it is necessary for plants to take on other forms. This is why you can find them, for example, in the form of food supplements such as tablets, capsules, powders, ointments or even essential oils.
Here, the active ingredients of the plants have been selected and concentrated in a certain form. These tailor-made products actively contribute to the relief of osteoarthritis pain.
For example, your pain will fade if you take " Coxadol " tablets. This dietary supplement contains extracts of the plant whose common name is "devil's claw".
Which plants are known to relieve osteoarthritis pain?
It would be impossible to list all the herbs that fight joint pain and inflammation in this section. We have selected a few plants for you for their remarkable virtues.
Harpagophytum or Devil's Claw
Devil's claw is a plant used in a variety of ways. We will limit ourselves to its effectiveness in relieving joint pain or inflammation.
It is native to the Kalahari Desert in Africa. The roots of this plant are especially valued for their medicinal properties. It has been used for millennia to fight pain and fever. The roots of Harpagophytum have a proven analgesic or painkiller power. Devil's claw improves joint mobility in case of stiffness.
Clinical studies have revealed that the action of Harpagophytum is comparable to anti-inflammatories in conventional medicine. This plant also has a good action on synovial cells. Ingest devil's claw in pill form to combat your painful flare-ups.
turmeric
Turmeric is a popular spice in India. It is described as a herbaceous plant. This spice has interesting medicinal properties. It is used to relieve osteoarthritis and rheumatic pain. Turmeric also fights against free radicals.
Meadowsweet
It is a perennial plant from certain regions of Europe. It acts like a painkiller. This is why meadowsweet is used in cases of osteoarthritis or painful cellulitis. It has diuretic and toxin-eliminating properties. Its painkiller quality makes meadowsweet an ideal plant to end the pain of osteoarthritis, and it is useful in case of rheumatism.
Essential oils
They can be used on the skin. It is possible to use them while taking food supplements. Apply lemon eucalyptus essential oil 3-4 times a day. Another natural pain reliever is nutmeg essential oil. Apply fragrant wintergreen essential oil for its excellent anti-inflammatory power.
But be careful when using essential oils. Avoid applying them directly to the skin. They must be diluted in a vegetable oil beforehand. A combination of different essential oils can have a better action.
How to choose your supplements against osteoarthritis?
Avoid taking supplements without knowing what's inside. These wise tips will help you make the right choice. Ask the advice of an expert if you have any doubts or consult the article "How to choose your food supplements" .
What do the capsules contain?
Food supplements that relieve osteoarthritis contain powerful active ingredients. They are of natural origin, as they have been extracted from plants such as devil's claw, turmeric, blackcurrant, etc.
Let's take the example of the " Coxadol " food supplement which was presented to you above. The active ingredient taken from devil's claw is harpagoside. The latter effectively relieves osteoarthritis, rheumatism and tendonitis. It can also be used to relieve certain types of arthritis.
This food supplement , in the form of a gastro-resistant tablet, can be used in children over 12 years old. The treatment extends over 3 to 6 months. However, the dosage changes depending on the situation (maintenance or crisis).
What is their role ?
It must be said that a variety of dietary supplements that you will find on the market have a general action. However, tablets to combat osteoarthritis have a more specific aim. They can act on the pain thanks to the analgesic principles which contribute to attenuate the pain. The tablets also provide anti-inflammatory molecules. All the active ingredients act in perfect synergy.
Scientific evidence of their effectiveness.
Do we really have concrete evidence? We must rely on the results of clinical studies to continue to praise the power of tablets for osteoarthritis.
With regard to the Harpagophytum or the Devil's Claw, specialists have observed its performance for more than 30 years. Indeed, these actions were recognized for the first time by the German Ministry of Health in 1989. But its action on osteoarthritis pain was highlighted by ESCOP (European Scientific Cooperative On Phytotherapy). This discovery was made in 1996.
Note that the WHO considers the painkiller effects of Harpagophytum on pain due to rheumatism. There is also the recognition granted by the EMA (European Medicines Agency). This structure recognizes the effectiveness of devil's claw in joint pain. A 2007 study by Queen Elizabeth University in Edinburgh revealed the anti-inflammatory aspect of this herb.
Osteoarthritis: adopt good habits to relieve pain
The better you behave in the face of osteoarthritis, the less you will suffer during painful flare-ups. A few tips for finding peace.
Diet in case of osteoarthritis
It is important to favor a diet that is both healthy and balanced. Hence the importance of making a judicious selection of the foods you eat. Several foods are recommended for anyone struggling with osteoarthritis. Eat tart cherry, as it is a good source of antioxidants. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it a natural ally against osteoarthritis. You can opt for tart cherry juice available in the market.
Consume nuts because of their richness in omega-3s. They are good players in the fight against inflammation. Ginger also has anti-inflammatory properties.
Osteoarthritis, what diet, see our article.
Practice physical activity on a regular basis
Sport contributes to the maintenance of muscles. On the other hand, it helps to maintain the mobility of painful joints. Orient yourself towards a sporting activity adapted to your preferences. Exercise regularly, increasing the pace gradually. Avoid sports activities that could increase your suffering. This is the case of karate or judo.
Depending on your aspirations, you can do short sessions ranging from 30 to 60 minutes.
Take a spa treatment
Spa treatment can become a good ally during painful flare-ups of osteoarthritis. We can join an establishment for a kaolin mud bath. Specialists use hot mud with the aim of reducing pain.
Also, when there is a problem with being overweight, spas can do something about it. Hydrotherapy treatments also have slimming properties. Water jets applied in the joint area also provide relief.