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Re: Herbs for arthritis?
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Subject: Re: Herbs for arthritis?
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From: Steve Johnson <treelite@itsnet.com>
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Date: 18 Jun 1996 16:00:29 GMT
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Newsgroups: alt.folklore.herbs
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Organization: Tree of Light Institute
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References: <DssDq3.Kp@gil.com.au>
The two herbs that come to mind are yucca and devil's claw. A "newer"
herb for arthritis would be cat's claw or uÒa de gato.
Here is an article that appeared in our newsletter Sunshine Sharing
about four years ago. I hope its useful to you. Come see our homepage at
http://www.itsnet.com/~treelite for articles on other herbal subjects.
These articles are for educational purposes only. Thanks.
Steve Johnson
Arthritis
One out of every 11 Americans have this problem today, but it is also a very ancient disease. It has been found in skeletal remains of dinosaurs and Egyptian mummies. Socrates called it the most common disease of his time. To complicate matters, there are nearly 100 causes of arthritis.
Because there are several manifestations of this disease, we need to review what they are so we can better understand what a person can do for himself. Yes, it is possible to overcome each one of the arthritis symptoms listed below:
Osteoarthritis usually does not involve inflammation, but describes a degeneration of the bone of some joints (usually large) such as the hip or knee. It is also known as ³degenerative arthritis².
Rheumatoid Arthritis does involve inflammation, with pain and swelling. It often deforms joints, especially in the hands.
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis affects children and may affect internal organs as well.
Gout is the third most frequent arthritic ailment, caused by an accumulation of mineral deposits in the joints, involving uric acid. Kidney stones are common.
Bursitis and Tendonitis are localized ailments affecting the bursae and tendons around the joint, but not necessarily the joint itself.
Bacterial Arthritis includes joint infections from staphylococcus, gonorrhea, tuberculosis, German measles or Lyme's disease.
Syphilitic Arthritis is an infection; it is rather self-explanatory.
Ankylosing Spondylitis only affects the spine and commonly strikes young people, resulting in stiffness and deformities of the back.
Now that you have a better understanding of the several forms of arthritis disease, we must carefully trace the different or similar causes of each one. Then let common sense take over.
Never say never, no matter who the expert is that may proclaim there is no cure for arthritis. Many have been either relieved of pain, have stopped the progression of the disease, or have even seen tissue repair and a return to normal function. You cannot give up and say you did all you could!
It is not time to quit, but merely to proceed! Open your mind as a believer in possibilities, because there are many people who have overcome these crippling effects by being responsible. This means learning and doing the right things. Itıs up to you! So letıs begin the quest . . .
3 Causes of Arthritis
Letıs ask the question, ³Why did the problem settle in this or that area?² Why the hands, or the big toe, or knees?
Dr. Harold Manner, former professor of biology at Loyola University, says ³It seems like the arthritic patient always has a traumatic experience preceding [his] bout with arthritis. That traumatic experience could be an injury, a blow to a joint, or it could be a lifetime of using a particular joint which would be traumatic or weaken that joint.² (Total Health, December 1980)
Another ³traumatic event² might be an infection that weakens the tissue that later becomes arthritic. But letıs take another path of reasoning:
Those who have experienced excessive stress for a period of years often wear out their bodies. Worn out glands and other organs are unable to maintain proper functioning or adequately support the rest of the body.
In the case of inflammation, we know that the adrenal glands produce hormones that quell inflammation. Stress can deplete the adrenals and the normally protective function of inflammation remains ³turned on² because the ³turn off² hormones are in such short supply.
So now we have the two major causes of arthritis in all its formsphysical trauma to the afflicted area and excessive stress, whether it be mental, or emotional.
The third most common cause could easily be guessed if a person would think about itdiet. Many people have been relieved of their particular form of arthritis by taking a calcium supplement. Others have found magnesium more effective because it helps calcium go where it should without settling in the joints. We will list more supplements you may need hereafter.
People often balk when their diet comes into question. All of us seem to have a built-in oversensitivity to anyone controlling what we eat. It is especially true when we believe that some cherished eating pleasure is about to be taken away from us, thereafter making life miserable. But as we shall see, you will NOT be more miserable (please smile!). Take it from those who have gone through a program of smarter nutritionyou will be more alive as well as free of pain.
Pain!
You wonıt believe this, but pain is your friend. Without it you would use injured parts of the body until they became hopelessly destroyed. Hyped-up athletes have been known to run on broken ankles without realizing it because their pain-killing hormones were so abundant that they numbed the pain of the injury.
Pain lets us know where it hurts and approximately the seriousness of the injury. But remember, pain can also be caused by a lack of oxygen. Massage can do much to relieve pain. Begin gently and keep it up for 5 minutes and prove to yourself that in cases of soft-tissue stagnation of blood, the pain will diminish.
But in cases where minerals have crystallized in a joint and you feel like a hot knife is cutting you (and you are being cut all right), we need to dissolve those crystals. (Have you ever tried eating cherries?)
Notice that we havenıt mentioned aspirin. Rather than take a chance on internal hemorrhaging, stomach irritation or other negative effects that occur in some people, give herbs a chance . . . without the dangerous side-effects.
Sometimes ice and cold water treatments are helpful. Vitamin E is slower, but within a week the pain should diminish considerably. In clinical trials, between 300-600 I.U.'s were taken each day. Vitamin Calcium w/Magnesium works for some people, or even calcium as a single supplement. Herbal CA would be better because it contains other minerals needed to manage the calcium. Licorice Root may help by increasing adrenal cortisone. In addition, cod liver oil is famous for helping lubricate the joints. Vitamin A & D is recommended. And for stress, donıt forget B-complex.
Remedies
Below are supplements that have long been used by herbalists and nutritionists to strengthen the body. If you continue to over-stress yourself, worry and fret your way through life or maintain physical abuse to afflicted joints, donıt expect the supplements to take up the slack. At best, you will only get partial results .
We are not listing here the amounts that should be taken, but merely providing information which you can take to any medical counselor, or use as you see fit. The following products can be used safely by a layman.
Osteoarthritis: Some effective remedies for this condition would be: Vitamin Calcium w/Magnesium, Vitamin A & D, ART-A, Alfalfa, celery, Chaparral, Garlic, Zinc, Vitamin C w/Bioflavonoids.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: This painful condition has been relieved by using any of the following: Alfalfa, Chaparral, Garlic, ART-A, Pantothenic Acid, Vitamin B Complex, warm Epsom salts baths, a half cup of vinegar to 3 cups of warm water for hand/foot soak or bandage compress, Bee Pollen (and being stung has helped some build up their resistence to this form of arthritis ), Black Cohosh, Comfrey Leaf, honey (for stiff joints), Licorice Root, Niacin, Rice Bran Syrup, Rose Hips, Food Enzymes, PDA (HCl), Vitamin C w/Bioflavonoids, Vitamin A & D (or cod liver oil), Vitamin E, Vitamin Calcium w/Magnesium, Yucca and Zinc.
Also consider the amino acid histidine. Sometimes just a little more copper is needed.
In addition, some people react adversely to members of the Nightshade familypotatoes, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and tobacco.
Eliminate any foods causing allergic reactions like sugar, caffeine, pork, chocolate, soft drinks, MSG, mayonnaise, hot dogs and in some cases wheat.
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis: Use the same herbs as listed above but adjust the amounts for body weight and age.
Gout: Aromin, Sarsaparilla, Uva Ursi, fresh Cherry juice, Magnesium, Vitamin C w/Bioflavonoids, URY Mineral Maintenance, Pantothenic Acid and B Complex; stop eating white sugar.
Bursitis and Tendonitis: Alfalfa, ART-A, Yucca, Chaparral, Mineral Maintenance, SKL, Pantothenic Acid, B Complex, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C w/Bioflavonoids, HSN-W, Licorice Root, massage and light exercise.
Bacterial Arthritis: Cleansing herbs are the key here, such as: Pau dıArco, Chaparral, Red Clover Blend, Golden Seal, Echinacea/Parthenium, and Garlic. Then follow appropriate suggestions under ³Rheumatoid Arthritis².
Syphilitic Arthritis: Oregon Grape, Golden Seal, Red Clover Blend, Uva Ursi, and follow appropriate suggestions under ³Rheumatoid Arthritis².
Ankylosing Spondylitis: Master Gland, Licorice Root, Mineral Maintenance, Alfalfa, B Complex, Pantothenic Acid, Vitamin C w/Bioflavonoids, Black Cohosh, Yucca, watch for food allergies, apply poultices or compresses of Comfrey Leaf or Root to encourage healing.
Note the many helpful nutrients found under the heading of ³Rheumatoid Arthritis². Many afflictions and pain were relieved by the building and nourishing effects of these supplements and herbs.
Yucca
The Indians called it ³The Lordıs Candle because of its magnificent flowering, which takes place only once. It would help those with digestive allergies that cause arthritis. Most people who take this supplement have reported less swelling, pain and stiffness.
Yucca can also be used as a poultice on the afflicted joints. But internally, it is thought that the saponins it contains assist the adrenal glands in producing cortisone, your bodyıs natural anti-inflammatory hormone.
Alfalfa
With a name meaning ³Father of all Foods², Alfalfa contains all kinds of minerals and enzymes to help the body stop destructive arthritis and rebuild.
Alfalfa is a wonderful source of chlorophyll, protein, organic acids and is used to increase vitality, control weight and is also diuretic. It is a plant that even animals will eat when sick. It has been found to help reduce inflammation, relieve arthritic pain and return flexibility to the joints. It can be eaten in rather large amounts and is a tremendous tonic for the whole body.
In the case of arthritis, alfalfa aids in the digestion and absorption process of needed minerals.
ART-A
To help your body get the food elements it needs to battle arthritic pain , the formula called ART-A is designed to help relieve pain, stiffness, and eliminate congestion surrounding afflicted joints.
Bromelain powder is very healing (from pineapple) and is combined with hydrangea, yucca, horsetail, chaparral, alfalfa, black cohosh, catnip, yarrow, capsicum, valerian, white willow, burdock, slippery elm and sarsaparilla.
This formula can be used for various forms of arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, gout and rheumatism. It is a solvent for calcium deposits, kills infection and fungus and is rich in easily absorbed protein, calcium and other minerals which the body uses to repair local bone damage.
Additional advantages of this combination include: better digestion, stopping muscle spasms, reducing edema and high blood pressure.