Arthritis (from Greek arthro-, joint + -itis, inflammation; plural: arthritides) is a group of conditions involving damage to the joints of the body. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in people older than fifty-five years (aging baby boomers).

There are over 100 different types of arthritis. About 37 million people in America have arthritis of some kind, which is almost 1 out of every 7 people. Exercise (which is probably not aging baby boomers favorite activity(:>) for arthritis is necessary to maintain healthy joints, relieve stiffness, reduce pain and fatigue, and improve muscle and bone strength. Normal joints contain a lubricant called synovial fluid. In joints with arthritis, this fluid is not produced in adequate amounts.

In arthritic joints, however, inflammation may cause long-lasting or permanent disability. To treat the inflammation, diet should be the first consideration. The diet should be one that limits sugar, white flour, and fried foods. These all induce or encourage an acidic environment which helps to cause inflammation.

The following herbs are some of the more common as far as helping with arthritis inflammation.

The information is meant only as a starting point for your further research and no specific claims for effectiveness or healing are being made.

ALFALFA

How does alfalfa help arthritis joint pain? Alfalfa contains certain minerals such as magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. These minerals help neutralize and balance the acidic condition of the body. A strong acidic presence in the body tends to enhance the inflammation in the joints. Alfalfa helps to prevent and even reverse the arthritic condition.

BLACK COHOSH

Black cohosh is another herb that tends to reduce the inflammation associated with arthritis. In different studies, it has been shown that black cohosh contains at least two different substances, glycosides and isoferulic acids, that reduces the inflammation caused by arthritis.

BOSWELLIA

Boswellic acids in boswellia is the primary ingredient that reduces inflammation in arthritic joints. Leukotrienes, fatty molecules of the immune system, is what triggers the inflammation by promoting free radical damage along with other inflammation causing activity. The boswellic acids seem to block the synthesis of the leukotrienes and improve blood flow to the joints which in turn helps to reduce the inflammation.

CELERY

Celery contains a number of minerals, two of which is mentioned above, magnesium and potassium. These minerals help neutralize and balance the acidic condition of the body.

Celery also contains volatile oils, phytochemicals, one of which is called flavonoid. The flavonoids have a variety of uses, one being an anti-inflammatory agent. Another oil called coumarin acts as blood thinner which helps blood flow to the joints. The seed oil also has sedative effects that helps to reduce the associated pain of arthritis.

CHAPARAL

Chaparral is a powerful antioxidant and is also a strong anti-inflammatory. NOTE: The FDA has issued a warning in 1992 against the use of chaparral. Chaparral has been shown to have toxic effects on the liver and kidneys when taken internally.

COMFREY

Comfrey is an herb that has the ability to soothe and heal inflamed tissues resulting from arthritic conditions. It reduces the pain and swelling by acting as a healer. This is accomplished by a special ingredient known as allantoin. It acts in such a way that helps the cells to multiply quickly. This in turn allows the dead cells to be pushed away and out of the body.

There is a special note of awareness concerning comfrey. It should not be taken internally or even applied to broken skin. It has harmful compounds that can cause liver damage. For this reason, internal treatments are illegal in some countries, including the United States.

DEVIL'S CLAW

Devil's claw has been shown in different studies to reduce the pain of arthritis. What is not clear is how. Some experts believe that it is one or maybe all of the active ingredients in the plant from the iridoid glycoside family. They are harpagoside, harpagide and procumbide. They have been attributed to have the anti-inflammation and pain relieving effects provided by the plant.

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