Many of the estimated 1.5 million Americans living with the pain of rheumatoid arthritis are hesitant to take prescription medications. Many prescription RA drugs on the market cause side effects that are more dangerous and often every bit as painful as the condition itself, so if you’re living with this chronic condition and looking to avoid pharmaceuticals, here are a few natural remedies that can help you through a flare without compromising your health.
Black pepper contains a chemical called capsaicin, a natural pain reliever that can also reduce joint swelling. Try adding a few peppercorns to your black tea blend for temporary pain relief that’s much like aspirin.Swimming is a low-impact exercise that keeps you moving, which helps ease arthritic pain, and the weightlessness of water reduces pressure on the joints and alleviates joint tenderness.Turmeric contains curcumin, known to relieve pain and suppress inflammation. Try a cup of golden milk, have a bowl of curry, sprinkle turmeric on your meals, or even just add a few tablespoons of yellow mustard to your next nosh!Crushed ginger can be mixed with olive oil to create a homeopathic, pain-reducing salve. Wrap the affected area with gauze or woven cotton for 15-30 minutes for maximum relief.Lose the shoes! Walking barefoot (even if it’s just around the house) eases pain by reducing both pressure and the weight load on joints, especially the knees.
Cinnamon can be helpful for its anti-inflammatory properties, but remember to monitor your cinnamon intake if you’re on blood thinners.Chamomile tea bags can be used as a poultice for joint inflammation—use 5 teabags to steep a strong brew for 30 minutes, then soak cloth in tea and apply to inflamed area to reduce swelling and pain.Willow bark is another homeopathic remedy to treat inflammation, but like cinnamon, don’t overdo it, because it contains a chemical called salicin, which can affect kidney function in large doses.Green tea is rich in polyphenols, an abundant source of antioxidants which are believed to suppress inflammation and immune system disorders.Garlic suppresses the production of cytokines, which helps to prevent arthritis inflammation before it even starts.
