Various types of arthritis make life much more difficult for a person. Expensive treatment sometimes leads to nothing, so you should not put the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in last place with folk remedies and nutrition.
Of course, there is no guarantee that it will help immediately, but if you skillfully combine it with traditional therapy, then positive changes will certainly occur. The only condition for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with folk remedies is constant monitoring by the attending physician and his approval of certain methods.
The treatment standards for rheumatoid arthritis are as follows:
- medication treatment;
- traditional therapy;
- non-drug treatment - physiotherapy, spa treatment, massage, diet;
- orthopedics;
- rehabilitation after surgery.
When using folk remedies to treat rheumatoid arthritis, remember that only the symptoms are eliminated, but not the root of the disease, therefore it is only recommended to combine it with traditional medicine.
Basic information about the disease
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune process associated with pathological proliferation of macrophages and mast cells in joint tissues and inflammation.
Under the influence of such factors, the joints are irreversibly destroyed and deformed, which often leads to complete disability of the patient. The prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis in the population ranges from 0.5% to 2%, which allows it to be classified as one of the most common types of inflammatory arthralgias of our time. What is arthritis
Among other types of autoimmune joint diseases, rheumatoid arthritis is not only the most common, but also the most severe. If for other pathologies of a similar nature the prognosis is conditionally unfavorable and does not affect life expectancy, then with rheumatoid arthritis there is always a persistent decrease in the quality of life. The disease also shortens life expectancy by an average of 5 years. Without treatment, disability may occur within several years.
Rheumatoid arthritis of the joints is 3 times more common in women (spondyloarthritis is more common in men) and is associated with the presence of the HLA-DR4 antigen in the body. In most cases, there is a genetic transmission of the disease, so it is associated with heredity. The exact mechanism of development of autoimmune aggression is unknown. The pathology often debuts at a later age, between 40 and 50 years.
The trigger for the disease may be the following:
- Hypothermia.
- Previously suffered ARVI, STD, intestinal infection.
- Nervous and physical stress.
- Injuries.
Therapy includes the use of immunosuppressants to suppress proliferation and inflammation, symptomatic drugs to eliminate pain and stiffness. If the joint is worn out and deformed, the patient is referred for endoprosthetics. During the rehabilitation period, physiotherapy, exercise therapy, massage are prescribed and recommendations are given on a healthy lifestyle.
What symptoms indicate the onset of arthritis:
- Stiffness in the joints in the morning, which goes away some time after waking up.
- Inflammation and pain in the joints without signs of severe swelling and redness.
- The onset of the disease begins with damage to small peripheral joints.
- Back pain is usually not observed, there are no axial manifestations.
- In advanced cases, the hands and fingers become twisted due to deformation.
- There are signs of general malaise - weakness, increased body temperature, decreased performance, chronic fatigue.
If such symptoms appear, it is important to promptly seek diagnosis from a rheumatologist.
Baths against pathology
Treatment of arthritis of the hand joints with folk remedies includes all of the above recipes. In addition, baths will have a beneficial effect. A wide variety of medicinal infusions are used for them.
The following recipes will significantly alleviate the patient’s painful condition:
- Pine needles. You will need about 300 g of this component. Fill the pine needles with water - 500 ml. Bring the mixture to a boil. Then let the broth brew for 4 hours in a warm place. After straining, pour the mixture into the bath. The duration of the procedure is 20 minutes. It is recommended to take such baths every other day. To achieve maximum effectiveness of this therapy, you will need to complete the entire course. It usually consists of 12-15 baths.
- A mixture of herbs. If arthritis of the elbow joint is diagnosed, treatment with folk remedies can be done as follows. Take 200 g of sage and chamomile leaves. Pour 0.5 liters of boiling water over this mixture. Leave the product for about 2 hours. Strain the infusion and pour into the bath. The water temperature should be 38 degrees. Take a bath for 20 minutes. It is recommended to repeat this procedure every other day. The therapeutic course is 15 baths.
- Fir oil. For patients diagnosed with ankle arthritis, treatment with folk remedies using this component will bring significant relief. Such baths can also be performed if the hands are affected by the disease. Pour warm water into the basin (its temperature should reach 39 degrees). Add 5-6 drops of fir oil to the liquid. Immerse your feet or hands in the water. The event lasts 10-15 minutes. After the procedure, rub the pre-prepared mixture into the affected joints. It consists of fir oil diluted with neutral cosmetic oil (1:1). It is recommended to repeat such baths 10-12 times. If the disease has become chronic, then the event should be carried out regularly for 1 year.
Important Warning
There are a number of diseases that can be easily treated at home. These are usually not serious illnesses that do not require hospitalization, constant monitoring by a doctor or being registered with a clinic. Examples are cuts, abrasions, rare tension headaches, one-time gastrointestinal disorders, mild acute respiratory viral infections. In this case, it is even recommended to avoid taking serious medications, it is better to give preference to safe methods of home therapy (for example, you do not need to take antibiotics for a runny nose, just drink warm tea and stay in bed until the symptoms of the disease go away).
A separate case is chronic and severe diseases. In this case, self-medication and the use of unproven methods of therapy will not only not have a therapeutic effect, but can also seriously harm the body. You may also miss the “window of therapeutic opportunity,” a period after which medications will no longer be able to work.
Treatment of arthritis with herbs
In this particular situation we are talking about rheumatoid arthritis. If the patient ignores the first signs of the disease, refusing drug therapy, then within 3-6 months from the onset of the exacerbation the joints become deformed. This is how long the “window of drug therapy” takes, and if medications are not prescribed, the joint will be lost. For joint inflammation due to RA, no alternative medicine method is effective or safe, and cannot replace medications. You should always remember this when you have this diagnosis.
Black currant
Now we’ll talk about how to treat rheumatoid arthritis with folk remedies. In this section of the article we will talk about black currants. Let us immediately note the fact that black currant is not only a good aid in recovery, but also has an analgesic effect. To prepare medicinal blackcurrant tea we will need:
- 30 grams of rose hips;
- 30 grams of black currant leaves;
- 30 grams of lingonberry leaves (it can be replaced with berries).
Mix all ingredients and pour boiling water. Let the product brew well and infuse. You should not add tea to it; take the decoction in its pure form before meals. Doctors recommend drinking this remedy twice a day before meals, one glass.
When can traditional treatments help?
There are exceptions where home therapy can complement traditional treatment well. To understand when folk remedies are appropriate, you need to find out what degree of disease activity the patient has.
There are 4 degrees of the disease, depending on the aggressiveness of the autoimmune processes in the patient’s body:
- The patient is able to fully care for himself. He performs daily and work duties without problems, and the manifestations of the disease are minimal and practically do not bother him. Exacerbations are also not observed.
- The patient can carry out household chores himself and tolerantly do work. The patient is unable to play sports. For the most part, the disease is moderate, but can develop into rare exacerbations.
- The patient no longer goes to work and has difficulty doing housework, including self-care. He needs help from his family and friends.
- The patient cannot perform basic self-care activities. Relatives' supervision is required. This condition is preceded by a strong and chronic exacerbation, without going into remission.
The addition of folk remedies to drug treatment is appropriate in the presence of the first and second degrees. In other cases it will be useless. Home remedies help in relieving mild joint discomfort. Compresses, lotions, ointments and tinctures are effective. Among oral remedies, teas based on medicinal plants help.
We should not forget about non-drug ways to influence the condition. After diagnosis, it is important to change your lifestyle by adjusting your diet and giving up bad habits. During the period of recovery and remission, it is important to adjust household activity through walking and physical therapy. It is important to work on mental health and eliminate stress, which can already aggravate a difficult physical condition.
Treatment with bees and leeches
Bee stings have a locally irritating, distracting effect. Bee venom is an active biological substance that improves tissue repair processes. It must be remembered that apitherapy (treatment with the help of bees) must be carried out by a specialist. It should be used with great caution due to the possibility of developing severe allergic reactions, including death.
Hirudotherapy is safer - treatment with leeches. These animals inject a special substance into the human body - hirudin, which prevents clotting, improves blood fluidity, normalizes microcirculation and tissue nutrition. The use of leeches helps to get rid of swelling and pain in the joints, and improve the effect of the medications used. They should be treated by a specialist.
Slideshow on the topic “Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: traditional medicine recipes”:
Arthritis treatment with folk remedies - diet correction
Arthritis of the joints is a disease accompanied by periods of exacerbation and improvement, which depend on the course of autoimmune processes in the patient’s body. What enhances the autoimmune reaction is not completely known. It is assumed that the disease is associated with a genetic predisposition, but the pathological process can be caused by stressful physical and nervous conditions. The first point also includes food. It is recommended to change your eating habits to improve your health and reduce the risk of exacerbations.
What foods in your diet should be limited as much as possible:
- Coffee, chocolate, cocoa products.
- Alcoholic drinks and smoking.
- Spicy, salty and fried foods.
- Too fatty food.
- Carbonated sweet drinks.
- Foods rich in purine compounds and oxalic acid - green leafy vegetables, red meat.
In rheumatic diseases, the level of uric acid often increases, which provokes the occurrence of gout. With the simultaneous debut of rheumatoid arthritis, the appearance of a gout attack is an unfavorable sign, as it accelerates the destruction of joints due to the deposition of uric acid salts in the joint cavities.
What products are recommended for your daily diet:
- Whole grain porridge – oatmeal, buckwheat, rice. Porridge should become the main source of carbohydrates, as they have a good effect on the gastrointestinal tract.
- Sources of bakery products are rye bread. It is recommended to limit white bread and flour foods.
- Fruits and vegetables are unlimited, with the exception of dietary sources of oxalic acid and purines.
- For sweets you can eat honey, jam, marmalade.
It is important to maintain the correct drinking regime, drinking at least 1.5 liters of clean water per day. It is better to limit black tea and store-bought juices. The diet should be followed for a long time.
Nutrition for arthritis
It is necessary to comply with the norm for vitamins and minerals. If for some reason a person cannot get the daily requirement from food alone (illness, hypovitaminosis, excess weight), then it is necessary to add multivitamin complexes prescribed by a doctor.
The most useful supplements for arthritis are:
- Calcium. In rheumatoid arthritis, this mineral is actively consumed from the bones due to pathological proliferation and inflammation in the bones and joints. Patients with this disease should consume sufficient amounts of calcium-rich foods. The daily norm is at least 1 g per day. Hard cheese contains the most calcium. It is enough to eat 70 g of parmesan a day to completely cover the daily requirement of the mineral.
- Iron. With chronic inflammation in the joints, the level of hemoglobin drops, so this mineral is periodically used to improve hematopoietic function. As a result, the condition improves. The daily norm in supplements is 10-15 mg. Natural source: red meat, liver.
- Folic acid. Many basic antirheumatic drugs wash this vitamin out of the body, so a compensatory intake is required. Without folic acid, immunity decreases, regeneration processes decrease and liver function indicators deteriorate. While taking Methotrexate, the weekly dose of folic acid is 5–10 mg. If a patient takes Sulfasalazine, he needs to take at least 500 mcg of the vitamin per day. The main source is leafy vegetables.
- Vitamin D. Strengthens the immune system, promotes the absorption of calcium in the body. With a lack of vitamin D, a loss of strength is felt, and the patient often suffers from ARVI. The element is available on the supplement market in various forms, but it is preferable to use D3, as it is better absorbed. Natural source: sunlight, fatty fish. The norm per day is 1000 – 2000 IU.
- Zinc and selenium. These are antioxidant minerals that have a positive effect on the immune system and thyroid function. With a lack of zinc and selenium, chronic fatigue develops, acute respiratory viral infections and a decrease in muscle strength are observed. Selenium deficiency is less common, since there is enough of it in food and a person needs little - no more than 70 mcg per day. The norm for zinc is 15 mg per day. Zinc deficiency is more common. Food sources of selenium are nuts. Zinc is found in meat and seafood.
- Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. It has been proven that a lack of PUFAs in the diet provokes a failure of the immune system, inflammatory reactions and arthralgia. The norm per day is 1 g of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Food sources of omega-3 are fatty fish.
- Vitamins A and E. Natural antioxidants. With a lack of these fat-soluble compounds, skin peeling occurs and inflammatory processes intensify. The norm of vitamin A per day is 3000 IU, vitamin E is 15 mg. High vitamin A content in liver, eggs, dairy products. Sources of vitamin E are nuts and dried fruits.
- Ascorbic acid. Sources: citrus fruits. The daily norm is 70 mg per day. With a lack of vitamin C, protein metabolism worsens, inflammatory processes occur in the body, and immunity decreases.
It is equally important to monitor the intake of magnesium and B vitamins.
What properties make plants useful for arthritis?
Let's name the specific pharmacological effects of plant substances that make herbs especially useful for arthritis.
- Pain relief, temperature reduction, fight against inflammation and swelling
Phenolic glycosides are responsible for these properties. For example, the glycoside salicin , contained in the leaves, buds and bark of willow and aspen, buds of black poplar, meadowsweet (also known as meadowsweet), peony, shoots and leaves of raspberry. It has analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which do not appear immediately after taking herbal remedies. The fact is that it takes several hours for the liver to convert salicin into salicylic acid (we know it as aspirin). But there are no side effects of aspirin. Sesquiterpene lactones present in mountain arnica, chamomile, calendula, elecampane, wild rosemary, yarrow, etc. also have an analgesic effect 60–62].
Terpenoids of calamus and wormwood are known to have anti-inflammatory properties Essential oils from many plants, and in particular conifers, are also good at helping fight pain and inflammation.
- Stimulation of regenerative processes in cartilage tissue
taraxacin and taxacerin have a particularly powerful regenerating effect on joints . They are found in large quantities (about 10%) in only one plant - dandelion.
Nutrition
Herbs for arthritis are also used to supply cartilage and other joint tissues with minerals and vitamins. Calcium, an essential macroelement for the musculoskeletal system, is contained in large quantities in snakeweed, fireweed, and meadow clover. Real natural vitamin and mineral complexes for healthy bones and joints are dandelion, burdock, nettle, pine and birch buds.
- Improving blood circulation, microcirculation and metabolism
For these purposes, hawthorn, rose hips, St. John's wort, strawberries, mint, plantain, dandelion, licorice, and birch sap will be useful.
- Suppressing the production of enzymes that destroy cartilage
This effect was noted in dandelion, arnica, oats, meadowsweet, walnut, knotweed, and cinquefoil [2, p. 62].
- Removing uric acid from the body. This property is especially useful for gouty arthritis. The above-mentioned plants containing salicin effectively combat the problem of salt deposits.
- Normalization of hormonal levels
The processes of renewal of bone and cartilage tissue depend on the balance of hormones. Therefore, women during menopause develop arthritis five times more often than men. Phytoestrogens, plant analogues of female hormones, can compensate for the lack of their own estrogens. They are found in many herbs: licorice, sage, red clover, burdock, parsley, flax and sesame seeds, hop cones, etc.
How to treat the disease during remission
If the patient, with the help of timely drug therapy, has achieved laboratory remission, and his health has improved, it is necessary to engage in active restoration of the body.
What non-drug methods of combating the consequences of the disease are usually used:
- Massage. The procedure improves blood flow due to external mechanical effects on the skin. This helps relieve chronic pain associated with degenerative processes and improve joint mobility. General metabolism and well-being also improves.
- Spa treatment. It is recommended to visit medical institutions 1-2 times a year in order to generally strengthen the body and immunity. During the patient's vacation, the institution also offers a range of procedures to improve physical condition. This is a good way of rehabilitation, allowing you to slow down the course of chronic inflammation in the joints.
- Therapeutic exercise. This is a mandatory point for rehabilitation. With prolonged and severe inflammation, bones, muscles and joints are subject to various pathological changes that appear due to the disease. When the inflammatory process is stopped, the patient needs to restore muscle tone. With the help of a set of exercises, it is possible to achieve significant improvements - it is enough to devote 20-30 minutes daily to properly selected morning exercises. It is recommended to conduct the first few classes under the supervision of an instructor, then, if technical skills already allow, the patient can do exercise therapy independently.
- Daily physical activity. You should spend 30-60 minutes a day walking. This will increase household activity, which will allow you to slightly reduce excess weight, improve your well-being, blood circulation in the body and metabolism. Active movement gives uniform loads to any muscle group of the lower extremities, which has a very good effect on the health of the joints. Movement is beneficial at any age, especially over 50 years old, when you are overweight and prone to heart disease.
Following simple rules will improve the condition of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis of the joints. If conservative therapy does not help, the patient should be prepared for surgery to perform endoprosthetics (replacement of articular cartilage).
Herbs for arthritis: list of the best
What herbs are most effective for arthritis of the joints? Ancient and modern recipes often include: willow and aspen bark, dandelion roots, elecampane, cinquefoil (calamus), angelica, meadowsweet (meadowsweet), horsetail, nettle, yarrow, birch buds, hawthorn, St. John's wort, mint, lemon balm, strawberries , lingonberries, hop cones, pine buds and shoots, wormwood, licorice and many other plants.
How to cure an attack of arthritis at home - traditional recipes
If the affected joint is slightly inflamed, then joint pain can be treated with lotions, ointments and rubs. The main condition for effectiveness is the correctly selected components, the absence of severe inflammation and the concomitant use of medications. If a person has no effect from using traditional medicine within 2-3 weeks, he should seek medical help. It is also necessary to warn the leading specialist that the patient wants to try home therapy. If your doctor allows it, you can carefully try some methods, having previously agreed with your doctor.
The most effective rubbing recipes:
- You need to mix 150 g of gum turpentine, 20 grams of 70% alcohol, several teaspoons of vegetable oil and 2-3 drops of racemic camphor. All components are mixed until smooth. This product has a local irritant effect. The rub is applied to the sore joint 2-3 times a day. After which he must be wrapped in a blanket for several hours.
- 50 g of camphor and 50 g of mustard powder are mixed with 100 ml of alcohol or vodka. Next, you need to beat the whites of two eggs and add to the mixture. Apply to sore joints daily until completely absorbed, 2-3 times a day for several weeks. The mixture can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 3 days.
- You need to melt medical paraffin in a water bath. Next, goose fat and camphor are added in equal parts. When the mixture is ready, an anesthetic or warming ointment is first applied to the joint, and then paraffin is applied. Cling film is placed on the paraffin for an hour, and then everything is removed. The procedure with medical paraffin should be carried out 2-3 times a week, no more often.
At the end of the procedures, a mixture of herbal medicinal ointments is applied to the joints, which can also be prepared at home.
What recipes are suitable:
- You can mix a teaspoon of butter, chopped celandine leaves and medical Vaseline. The mixture is stirred until smooth and applied to the skin.
- The second way is to mix camphor and peppermint oil in equal proportions, adding a few tablespoons of olive oil. The ointment is rubbed into the affected joints 1-2 times a day.
- Arnica extract and dry chamomile leaves are mixed with medical Vaseline and egg. The ointment has an anti-inflammatory effect. The duration of treatment is several weeks. The product is applied 1-2 times a day.
You can also use other home remedies to relieve arthritis attacks:
- One of the most popular home remedies is to apply a cabbage leaf to the affected joint. A fresh leaf is slightly cut and heated in the oven for several minutes. Then the cabbage is coated with honey and the mixture is applied to the affected joint. The procedure must be repeated over several weeks.
- Chalk and kefir are mixed in equal proportions, after finely chopping the chalk block to a crumb state. The result is a paste that should be applied to the sore joint and covered with a plastic bag on top. The finished mixture is then washed off. The frequency of repetition of the procedure is several times a week.
- Some people benefit from chicken egg wraps against inflammation. Beat one raw egg and mix it with two tablespoons of table salt. Next, the mixture is applied to gauze and applied to the affected joint.
- Some medicinal herbs have an anti-inflammatory effect - coltsfoot, burdock, celandine and chamomile. You can make lotions based on dry plant extracts. It is enough to pour a few tablespoons of the dry plant mixture into 50 g of boiling water and leave for half an hour. Then the water is drained and the steamed herbs are applied to the affected joint. The procedure is harmless and can be repeated daily.
In addition to external remedies, you can use teas and infusions for oral administration. Safe and effective herbs to take as tea are chamomile, St. John's wort, coltsfoot, rosehip, sage, mint. These herbs can be purchased at the pharmacy. The plants should be brewed like regular tea according to the instructions, but first steeped in hot water. These herbs have a mild anti-inflammatory, soothing and strengthening effect.
Sprouted wheat
Wheat germ can help in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with folk remedies. It is important to mention that both grains and legumes are a storehouse of nutrients and help improve your condition. You can also germinate other grains: beans, rye, and so on.
Now you can learn about how to treat rheumatoid polyarthritis with folk remedies, namely wheat germ. First, let’s talk about how to germinate it correctly. Rinse the grains well under running water, place damp gauze on the bottom of a clean plate, then the grains. Place another layer of damp gauze on top of the grains. Repeat all these steps several times: you need to germinate the wheat in several layers. Good grain will germinate within two days. If this does not happen, then zero is not suitable for treatment. It is also worth paying attention to the fact that the sprouts should not exceed 3 millimeters in height. If your crop is a little overgrown, then you cannot use them for treatment, they can be poisonous.
After you have harvested, you need to rinse the sprouts under running water. The first possible use case is to eat them in their original form. The second way is to grind the wheat through a meat grinder and mix it with dried fruits, honey, nuts, and so on. This medicine should be taken in the first half of the day, and the portion should not exceed 100 grams of the product.
Causes of rheumatoid arthritis of the hands
Among the most likely causes of pathology localized in the wrist joints, it is customary to highlight:
- age characteristics
– in particular, mechanical damage and hormonal changes;
- injuries received
– leave damage on the joint, the likelihood of inflammation of which is quite high;
- features of professional activity
– a particularly relevant reason for people whose fingers and hands are under constant tension;
- heredity
– genetic predisposition is a fairly high risk factor;
- reduced immunity
– a decrease in the body’s protective function can lead to various types of diseases;
- infectious diseases
– localization of infection in the joint capsule provokes the development of a strong inflammatory process.
In addition, allergic reactions, constant stress and diseases such as rheumatism, diabetes, etc. are also considered to be indirect causes of the disease.
Dandelion to restore cartilage tissue
Those who are planning or are already using herbs for arthritis should pay attention to dandelion officinalis. This is the only plant that stimulates the repair (restoration) of cartilage tissue.
The specific glycosides taraxacin and taraxacerin (10% in the roots and rhizomes), which are not found in any other herb, are responsible for the reparative effect. They activate the liver's production of so-called cartilage regeneration factors. As a result, the number of chondrocytes increases - cells that produce intercellular substance, which ensures the strength of cartilage.
In addition, dandelion contains a number of substances that have a beneficial effect on joint health:
- inulin (40% in the roots and rhizomes) – normalizes the intestinal microflora, the state of which directly affects the stable functioning of the immune system, which is especially important for autoimmune arthritis; improves the absorption of minerals (Ca, Mg, Zn), vitamins and other nutrients necessary for cartilage renewal in the gastrointestinal tract;
- vitamin B3, or PP , is involved in the synthesis of growth hormone necessary for the birth of new cartilage cells;
- amino sugars (20%) – activate the production of synovial fluid, serve as material for the construction of collagen, acting as plant analogues of glucosamine;
- rubber – helps increase the elasticity of the articular matrix;
- Arnidiol – has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects;
- essential oils - also help relieve pain.
In addition, dandelion is traditionally used in herbal medicine as a powerful detoxifying, vitaminizing and metabolism-improving agent. All these properties are also of considerable value for arthritis.
As you can see, dandelion is simply an indispensable herb for arthritis. Its main disadvantage is the difficulty of collecting and preparing plant materials. After all, the roots and rhizomes of the plant have the greatest healing potential. Moreover, they should be dug up in the fall, when the active substances in them have a peak concentration.
Another most important condition for collecting dandelions is that they grow in an extremely environmentally friendly area: further outside the city, away from roads and fields pollinated by chemicals. The fact is that the ability of this plant to cleanse the human body also extends to the environment, from which it extracts heavy metals, pesticides and other harmful substances. Some problems may arise with drying the roots.
Fortunately, modern pharmaceuticals come to the rescue. you can buy an easy-to-use tablet preparation of dandelion root - Dandelion P. The raw materials for its production are carefully grown by the manufacturer without the use of hazardous chemicals in the environmentally friendly zone of central Russia. And cryoprocessing technology helps preserve the biologically active components of the plant in full.
Attention! If you are interested in the tableted herb for arthritis Dandelion P, then you can purchase this drug in pharmacies, specialized stores, departments of retail chains, and even easier - order it online.