Arthritis is defined as the inflammation of one or more joints. Serious deformities occur in the bones and joints. These may occur in the form of tumours, swellings, and new growths. It occurs usually during the later years of life but it can occur at any age. One or two joints may become completely deformed.

Exact cause of the arthritis is not known. Germs, which cause the tuberculosis, pneumonia can also affect the joints.

Syphilis and gonorrhea can be another cause for arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is the most serious condition that involves the joints but also the muscles, tendons and other tissues of the body. It begins slowly with mild swelling, pain and tenderness in the joints of the fingers, wrists, knees and feet. Joints of both side of the body are involved in this disease. The joints feel red and warm. During the early phase of the disease the patient complains of fatigue, weakness and pain.

During the time of pain the patient should take rest for one or two hours in a day. The patient must not lie in bed for too long. It will aggravate the symptoms.

Exercise is important in rheumatoid arthritis. It will help to prevent the stiffness of muscles.

Osteoarthritis is a chronic form of arthritis involving any joint but it mainly occurs in largejoints such as fingers. It mainly occurs in women after the menopause, but it may occur in young age also.

In osteoarthritis the cartilage of the joints is destroyed and the bone surfaces become rough and enlarged. This disease begins slowly and with some pain in the joints. The main complaint is pain, which is severe after exercise.

There are several drugs that are used for the pain and inflammation of arthritis, but most of them are not very effective, because they cause lot of side effects. For example ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve), and even other more powerful prescription drugs, causes severe gastrointestinal problems, such as, bleeding ulcers, acidosis, stomach pain, and they interfere with the synthesis of collagen, which is fundamental for the formation of cartilage, if cartilage is not rebuilding itself, more damage is going to occur in the joints.

"There's no one magic food or diet that's going to do away with arthritic pain," says Art Mollen, D.O., director of the Southwest Health Institute in Phoenix, Arizona. "But if a person is overweight and helose weight, it will reduce the stress and pain in spinal column, knees, hips, ankles, and feet."

HOME REMEDIES FOR ARTHRITIS

· Vitamin C is a good home remedy for rheumatoid arthritis.

· Bog bean is another remedy. It works as an anti-inflammatory, eating this herb or taking the herb in a supplement form can help in combating arthritis.

· Ginger is also known for its properties in fighting joint pain and stiffness.

· Take two teaspoons of lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey in a cup of warm water twice daily. It is highly effective for the treatment of arthritis.

· Half teaspoon of turmeric powder taken with warm water twice a day is also beneficial in curing arthritis.

· Drinking alfalfa tea twice daily is also helpful for the treatment of arthritis.

· Radish juice mixed with sugar is also helpful to fight with arthritis.

· Drinking 15 grams of fresh bathu juice daily with an empty stomach without adding any salt or sugar to it helps in reducing the symptoms of arthritis.

· A cup of papaya seed tea taken six or seven times daily for two or three weeks gives relief in the joint pains.

· Eat porridge of 2 teaspoonfuls of winter cherry with ghee and molasses with an empty stomach for 15 days.

· A tablespoon of fruit pectin in a small glass of cranberry juice taken every morning gives relief.

· A person suffering from arthritis should eliminate sugar, white flour, macaroni, pie, cake, and sweet drinks from diet.

· A drink consisting of four raw finely sliced beets soaked in a quart of berry wine for one day. Drink one small glass of this liquid before meals, three times a day.

· Dissolve 4 teaspoons of blackstrap molasses in one quart of cranberry juice and drink one glass everyday.

· Two parts pure olive oil and one part kerosene makes a wonderful solution to be applied on the affected joints.

· Add one-tablespoon cod liver oil to the juice of one orange, and drink before going to bed.

· Rubbing the aching joints with hot vinegar before going to bed also gives relief to the pain.

· Mix 2 tablespoons mullein, 3 of granulated slippery elm bark, one of lobelia, 1-teaspoon cayenne. Use boiling water to make paste. Spread on cloth and place on swollen joints.

· Bake one or two egg- plants. Mash and fry in about 2 tablespoons of castor oil. Spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, garlic and salt can be added while frying. Take once daily for two to three months for relief.

· Another herb known as Guggulu is very helpful in curing arthritis. If available, eat half a teaspoon twice a day after meals with warm water. ·Paste of 1 teaspoon red chilies and fresh ginger mixed in half a cup of sesame oil and strain. Gently rub this oil on the affected joints.

· Camphor, wintergreen and cinnamon oils are also beneficial for external application.

· A vegetable-juice fast significantly reduces pain for many patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Carrot juice, celery juice, cabbage juice, or tomato juice can be used

· Application of hot packs and ice packs for 10 minutes also provides relief from joint pains.

· Soak Spiegel seeds in water, make a paste and apply it on the joints for quick relief from pain.

· Omega 3 fatty acids reduce inflammation of joints. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in salmon, sardines, other oily fish, walnuts, flax, soy, olive oil, nuts, and avocados.

· Two teaspoons of lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey mixed in a cup of warm water taken twice a day is good for curing arthritis.

· Two teaspoons of juice of fresh leaves of bathua, drink every day on an empty stomach for 2-3 months.

· Half a teaspoon of turmeric powder with warm water helps cure arthritis.

· Taking alfalfa tea twice a day makes a good cure.

· Two teaspoons apple cider vinegar and 2 teaspoons of honey dissolved in a small glass of warm water taken once or twice a day brings relief.

· Rub the aching joints with hot vinegar to get some relief from pain.

· Two parts pure olive oil and one part kerosene makes a wonderful liniment to bathe afflicted joints.

· Add one tablespoon cod liver oil to the juice of one orange, whip and drink before sleeping.

· Apply a cooling substance, such as sandalwood powder paste to the affected part. Make the paste by taking 1 teaspoon of sandalwood powder and adding sufficient water to make a paste. Rub it gently onto the joint.

· One raw clove of garlic every day is very beneficial. This clove can be fried in ghee (clarified butter) or castor oil. Take for 2 months.

· Guggulu is very helpful in curing arthritis. Eat half a teaspoon twice a day after meals with warm water. ·

· Exercise the afflicted joints in tub full of hot water.

· Drink Carrot juice, Cucumber juice, cooked vegetables, vegetable soups, Coconut water for healthy body & massage daily to cure arthritis.

· On an empty stomach eat 2-3 walnut or some coconut.

· Avoid mental tensions like stress, depression, grief etc.

· Lose weight and get close to your ideal weight. If you weigh less, there is less weight on your joints, and less pain.

HERBAL REMEDIES
The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. The following have been used traditionally to treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthcare Oil and Capsules: Arthcare is an anti-arthritic herbal formula which not only gives a sure relief in rheumatic arthritis but also strengthens the bone tissues, the skeletal and the neuromuscular systems, giving a comfortable movements of joints and muscles. It is a powerful antioxidant and increases the energy level. Arthcare penetrates the body tissue faster than any other ointment because of its strong anti-inflammatory action. It removes stiffness and improves mobility of limbs. It brings relief from backaches, muscular strains, rheumatic pains, joint pains etc.

Shallaki also known as boswellia (Boswellia serrata): In clinical trials, promising results were observed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, chronic colitis, Crohn's disease. Researchers found that standardized Boswellia extract significantly reduced swelling and pain and usually reduced morning stiffness for people with rheumatoid arthritis. Also known as boswella, this herb is native to India, used for centuries by Ayurvedic physicians in arthritis herbal remedies. It has well proven anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects through the inhibition of inflammatory-causing substances, speeding up of cartilage formation, and improved blood supply to the joints.

Ashwagandha (Withania somniferum) is an Asian plant of the potato family. Its roots have long been used to treat "rheumatism," high blood pressure, immune dysfunctions, erection problems and also to ease inflammation. Because of all this, it's sometimes called the "Indian ginseng." More.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Research suggests ginger root inhibits production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which are involved in pain and inflammation. In an uncontrolled 1992 Danish study, 56 patients who had either RA, OA or muscular discomfort took powdered ginger. All of those with musculoskeletal pain and three-fourths of those with OA or RA reported varying degrees of pain relief and no side effects, even among those who took the ginger for more than two years.

ADVICE
Various oils may be applied to the skin in order to help the body clear toxins, relieve pain and restore mobility. Arthcare is an anti-arthritic herbal oil which not only gives a sure relief in rheumatic arthritis but also strengthens the bone tissues, the skeletal and the neuromuscular systems, giving a comfortable movements of joints and muscles. Read More on Massage Therapy and

EPSOM SALTS
Epsom Salt (magnesium sulfate): Magnesium has both anti-inflammatory and anti- arthritic properties and it can be absorbed through the skin. Magnesium is one of the most important of the essential minerals in the body, and it is commonly deficient in the American diet. A New England remedy for arthritis is a hot bath of Epsom salts. The heat of the bath can increase circulation and reduce the swelling of arthritis.

Dosage and Directions: Fill a bathtub with water as hot as you can stand. Add 2 cups of Epsom salts. Bathe for thirty minutes, adding hot water as necessary to keep the temperature warm. Do this daily as often as you'd like.

Enter supporting content here