Best Natural Home Remedies for Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease. Treatment relies on a combination of conventional medicine and lifestyle changes. Medications can treat pain, but there can be side effects when you take these long-term. Home remedies, lifestyle changes, and natural remedies can help manage OA pain with fewer side effects.

Home remedies aren’t meant to replace your current treatment. But they may provide more relief for OA. It’s important, though, to discuss home remedies and lifestyle changes with your doctor before trying them.

Some of the Natural Home Remedies:

Epsom salt bath
Epsom salt baths can provide allover relief, especially for joint pain. The magnesium in Epsom salt may help with inflammation and pain. You can buy Epsom salt from a drugstore. These baths are safe enough to take as often as you’d like for 30 minutes at a time. Use 2 cups of Epsom salt in a bath of warm water at a temperature of about 102°F (38°C).

Capsaicin
Capsaicin is the substance that gives chili peppers their spicy heat. It works by depleting a neurotransmitter called Substance P. This protein transmits pain signals from nerve endings to the brain and helps to activate inflammation in the joints. Less Substance P results in less pain and inflammation.

Method: Gently heat ½ cup of olive oil in a sauce pan and add two tablespoons of cayenne powder. Whisk until the powder is dissolved, allow to cool, and transfer to a glass jar. Rub the oil onto affected joints whenever arthritis pain flares up.

Ginger
Ginger extract reduces the production of chemicals such as leukotrienes that promote joint inflammation. It also contains salicylates, which the body transforms into salicylic acid, the same pain-relieving substance found in aspirin.

Method: Bring three cups of water to the boil in a saucepan. Add a heaping tablespoon of freshly grated ginger root. Simmer for ten minutes and strain. Sweeten to taste with honey or stevia

Turmeric
The active component in turmeric root is curcumin. This anti-inflammatory polyphenol works by inhibiting the activation of genes and production of proteins that trigger pain and swelling.

Method: Mix one teaspoon of ground black pepper into 1/4 cup of turmeric powder. Store in a labeled spice jar. Use whenever recipes call for turmeric.

Rosehip
Rosehips are rich in anthocyanins, a type of flavonoid with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Anthocyanins may also help to slow the progress of arthritis by blocking protein-digesting enzymes that break down cartilage.

Method: Wash, top and tail your rosehips. Chop them up in a food processor. Add about a tablespoon of the puree to 3 cups of boiling water. Turn down the heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes. Strain and sweeten to taste.

Don’t let arthritis limit your lifestyle! You can try these arthritis remedies one at a time to find out which works best for you, or experiment with various combinations of foods or supplements.

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