Natural Solutions for Relieving and Eliminating Joint Pain

by Tony Isaacs

Joints are natural shock absorbers for the body and are cushioned by cartilage and supported by muscles, tendons and ligaments. In addition to osteoarthritis, the wear and tear of daily activity as well as injury, aging, obesity and repetitive motion places stress on joints and causes them to wear down. Often this results in joint pain. When joint pain occurs, nature offers several remedies which can relieve and even eliminate such pain.

A low-fat, low-cholesterol diet filled with the complex carbohydrates found in vegetables and grains helps reduces the fat in tiny arteries that supply blood to the joints, allowing more oxygen.

Many juices are effective against joint pain. Black cherry juice is one such juice and it is particularly effective against gout. Pineapple juice is another such juice and is a rich source of the enzyme bromelain (see below for more information about bromelain). Other useful juices include carrot, celery, and cabbage juice especially if used in combination with a bit of added parsley, and the juices of potato, beet, cumber, radish, and garlic.

Other important dietary considerations:

Bromelain, a chemical in pineapple, helps prevent and treat inflammation. Bromelain also helps digest fibrin, which can lead to some types of joint pain.

Boron plays a major role in bone health and helps keep calcium from leaving it from leaving the body and weakening the bones. Apples, nuts and green leafy vegetables are good sources of boron.

Omega-3 essential fatty acids increase the production of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. Black currant seed oil, flaxseed oil, borage oil, evening primrose oil, and fish oil all contain essential fatty acids.

Sulfur is an essential component of connective tissue. Sulfur is naturally found in meat, milk, poultry and fish. Methylsulphonylmethane (MSM) is also a natural source of sulfur.

S-adenosylmethionine (SAM or SAM-e) is an amino acid derivative that has effects comparable to the combination of glucosamine and chondroitin.

Vitamins and minerals which can help with joint pain include:

*Selenium
*Vitamin C
*Vitamin B6
*Vitamin A
*Copper
*Zinc

Herbal and other remedies for joint pain:

One herbal remedy calls for mixing equal parts the herbs black cohosh, genitian root, angelica, colombo, skull cap, valerian, rue and buckthorn bark, and take one heaping teaspoon in a cup of boiling water after letting the mixture steep. Drink half a cup three times a day.

Wild Cucumber Bark has been described by herbalists as "the best plant for treating rheumatism and arthritis".

Angelica is an herb that has been used in European folk medicine since antiquity. The Western variety of angelica has multiple anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic and pain-relieving constituents.

Feverfew has been used for centuries for joint pain and arthritis and has anti-inflammatory which may be greater than NSAIDs

Other useful herbal items include:

*Boswellia
*Celery
*Ginger
*Hop Tea (Humulus lupulus)
*Licorice
*Curcumin
*Oregano
*Alfalfa tea
*Devil's claw
*Sarsaparilla tea
*Wild yam
*Yucca.

The following combination has been highly effective for many people, including the author and his friends and family:

*Plant minerals.
*Colloidal gold
*MSM, glucosamine, chondrotin, and collagen (often found in combination in supplement form)
*Silica (from horsetail and/or shavegrass)
*Colloidal silver
*GTF Chromium

Hot Epsom salts baths are often used to relieve pain. Epsom salts contain magnesium, an anti-inflammatory mineral which can be absorbed through the skin. Magnesium is one of our most important minerals and it is commonly deficient in the American diet.

Capsaicin ointment, made from fiery cayenne peppers, interrupts joint pain signals and can often make joints feel as good as new. Be sure to keep your fingers and hands away from your eyes until they have been washed thoroughly.

Sources included:

http://www.jointpaincauses.com
http://www.tbyil.com/Joint_Pain.htm
http://www.holisticonline.com/remedies/Arthritis/arth_herbal_medicine.htm
www.naturalnews.com/023045_arthritis_water_vitamin_E.html