Herbs for Joint Pain and Stiffness

Are you an elderly or young person suffering from lupus, arthritis among other severe chronic ailments that are making your life miserable due to the constant pains, aches and joint stiffness?

If so, then this article is a must read for you as it is going to inform you about the safest natural herbs that can help alleviate your pain just as or better than other conventional prescription drugs.

What is even better is that most of the natural herbal remedies do not result in life-threatening side effects as seen after using some modern prescription drugs. So keep reading to discover some of the best herbs for joint pain and stiffness.

Natural herbs for Joint Pain and Stiffness

Before getting to know the most appropriate herbal remedy for your condition, it is vital to discover the root cause of your pain. This will help you in identifying the most suitable herb that is likely to aid in alleviating your pain. The pain relieving herbs discussed below can either be applied topically, taken internally or used in both ways.

However, it is important to note that most herbal experts might recommend that you combine various herbs for even faster pain relief. Below are the effective natural herbs that are going to help you minimize or completely eliminate the use of prescription pain relieving drugs like naproxen, ibuprofen among others that are often harsh to your body.

Stinging Nettle

Stinging nettle is a natural plant with incredibly fine hairs on its heart-shaped leaves as well as a stem that is highly irritating to the skin. The beneficial herb contains various components, including calcium, iron, and protein, magnesium, beta-carotene, phosphorous, along with vitamins A, B complex, C, and D that are easily absorbed into the body.

Stinging nettle is very effective in relieving joint pain and stiffness making it an ideal remedy for gout and all types of arthritis.

Touching the hairs of the stinging nettle plant can be quite a painful experience. However, the same hairs can be used to minimize pain when placed over the affected area. This is primarily because the hairs of the plant have the ability to either interfere with the transmission of pain signals or decrease the levels of the inflammatory chemicals available in the body.

The natural herb also contains essential minerals, including silicon, boron, magnesium and calcium that not only alleviate pain but also aid in building stronger bones. Stinging nettle is available in most health stores in various forms, including capsules, extracts, tinctures, teas or whole leaves that can be topically applied to the affected skin area.

Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper which is widely known for its spicy hot taste can be an excellent topical ointment for relieving joint pain. The anti-inflammatory herb is gentle on the stomach, making it highly effective in managing ulcers and alleviating joint pain, particularly in the gut that is caused by aspirin overdose.

Rubbing the natural herb or any other cream made from the plant on the affected skin area causes a moderate irritation that in turn “distracts” body nerves from the severe joint pain being experienced temporarily.

Repeated topical application of the natural remedy that has a powerful component called “Capsaicin” which is a potent counter-irritant can greatly reduce arthritis pain. One should be careful not to overuse the herbal remedy as it can result in severe skin aggravation.

Licorice

Licorice can reduce inflammation as it acts just like the body’s own corticosteroids. The natural herb also has the ability to reduce the free radicals present in the inflammation site. “Glycyrrhizin” is the main licorice component that aids in both the blocking and relieving of inflammation.

The essential component assists the body in releasing cortisol thus suppressing the immune system while easing the frequency of arthritis flare-ups and general pain in the process. The homeopathic remedy which should be avoided by individuals with blood pressure issues at all costs is readily available in various forms including supplements, tinctures or teas.

Flaxseed

Flaxseeds are among the best natural sources of “Omega-3” fatty acids which are very important for fighting inflammation and building a strong immune system. These amazing properties make flaxseeds a very important alternative natural remedy for people suffering from arthritis.

Animal fats have long been known to increase inflammation; hence replacing them with flaxseed in one’s diet can assist them to obtain Omega-3 fatty acids without necessarily having to use animal fat. Individuals suffering from joint pain and stiffness should consider including 2 tablespoons of flaxseed oil in their daily diet for even more beneficial results.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha whose botanical name is “Withania somnifera” is the most popular natural remedy for relieving arthritis pain. The herb has strong anti-inflammatory properties that help in minimizing both pain and swelling brought about by the inflammation of the joints.

Experiencing joint pain is one of the most common symptoms of arthritis; hence, it is crucial to take immediate action to prevent the condition from developing further. The plant contains components called “sterols” which provide it with its unique anti-inflammatory properties.

Withania somnifera is not only beneficial in aiding fatigue and stress generally but is also a major herbal adaptogen helpful in treating adrenal gland fatigue symptoms. Ashwagandha works as well as, if not better than hydrocortisone which is a popular prescription drug used to treat joint pain.

An added advantage of the natural remedy over hydrocortisone is the fact it doesn’t cause the common side effects, including immune system depression that are experienced after using the drug.

Ginger

Ginger which is probably the most popular used natural cooking and medicinal herb can also be used to alleviate all types of pain including joint pain.

Gingerols are the main active ingredients found in ginger that provide the natural herb with its unique healing abilities.

Ginger is probably one of the best herbs for relieving joint pain as it helps prevent the formation of specific immune chemicals called “cytokines” that are responsible for causing inflammation.

These immune chemicals can also cause pain and swelling in the joints making ginger an effective natural remedy for such conditions like arthritis. A three-year scientific study that was carried out on various people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis revealed that powdered ginger can alleviate swelling and pain by up to 75%.

Turmeric Root

The Turmeric natural herb which has been used for hundreds of years in Ayurvedic medicine thanks to its amazing healing properties is also one of the most potent herbal pain remedies today. Turmeric root which is a strong anti-inflammatory herb can be used in various ways to alleviate joint pain and stiffness among other severe medical conditions.

The homeopathic remedy which is very effective in treating gout pain is also helpful in healing all types of arthritis conditions especially rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Willow bark

Willow bark, which comes from the “white willow” tree, can be easily referred to as ‘the natural aspirin’ thanks to its primary active ingredient that is similar to that of aspirin. Having been used for over two thousand years now, Willow bark is probably among the oldest homeopathic remedies still in use today.

This natural herb was even noted in ancient scrolls as being an effective remedy for treating back pain.

Willow bark, although known to aid all types of medical conditions alleviated using aspirin possess unique analgesic properties that slightly differ with aspirin in one way or another. Apart from not having most of the common side effects associated with prescription aspirin, Willow bark’s effects last even longer. Willow bark is also much superior to aspirin as it does not affect the lining of the stomach walls and doesn’t result in bleeding.

CONCLUSION

You should not allow joint pain or stiffness to ruin your happiness as there are various readily available and easily affordable natural herbal remedies that you can use. We hope by reading this article you have found what herb is good for joint pain.

However, it is important to discuss with your doctor or herbal expert about deciding to use any natural herb as some homeopathic remedies may prove dangerous when consumed by specific groups of people.

You should also ask your health practitioner to prescribe the most appropriate dosage that is likely to result in even better results.