Guide To The Old-Fashioned Herbs And Spices For Arthritis

August 10, 2023

When individuals experience tenderness and swelling in one or more of their joints, they may be diagnosed with arthritis. There are many types of arthritis, including psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and gout. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, redness, decreased range of motion, and swelling in the joints. Potential causes include the breakdown of joint cartilage and an immune system attack on the joint's synovial tissues.

There are a few different options for arthritis treatment. Individuals can try medication for joint pain and even physical therapy to treat arthritis. Some information indicates that acupuncture for rheumatoid arthritis is effective. Everyone can find joint pain relief if they explore their options thoroughly. It may even come through cryotherapy for arthritis. Of course, the best supplements for joints may be a consideration too. This is part of the natural remedies for arthritis, as are old-fashioned herbs and spices for arthritis.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a popular spice and is often used in Asian dishes and Indian cuisine. It is the main ingredient in curry seasoning. The compounds in turmeric that are responsible for its anti-inflammatory actions are referred to as curcuminoids. Curcuminoids are known to reduce the immune system's response to tumor necrosis factor (TNF). This causes the majority of the joint inflammation in psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and rheumatoid arthritis patients. The curcuminoids also block certain enzymes called COX-1 and COX-2. COX-2 has a substantial influence on the process of inflammation in the body. Inhibition of the COX enzymes is another way in which turmeric can reduce symptoms of arthritis.

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Garlic

Garlic comes from the lily family of plants. Before being used for flavor enhancement, garlic was traditionally used for medicinal purposes. Garlic contains unique compounds that effectively reduce white blood cells that produce inflammation. Four different compounds that contain sulfur have been identified to have anti-inflammatory properties. The reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the body can reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune forms of arthritis. This is because these cytokines are the agents the affected individual's immune system directs to attack the joint's healthy tissues.

The compounds in garlic stop the production of other white blood cells that attack the joints. They can also prevent the immune system from producing prostaglandins, which are a type of lipid. They typically control inflammatory processes. By interrupting the usual cascade of actions that lead to inflammation, garlic effectively reduces arthritis symptoms.

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Black Pepper

Black pepper grows from a tall vine referred to as the pepper plant. The pepper plant produces small clusters of flowers that form into berry-like morsels known as peppercorns. When the peppercorns are ground into grain or powder, they produce typical table pepper (black pepper). The main ingredient in black pepper that helps with arthritis symptoms is piperine, a phenolic compound. This is made up of one or more phenolic acids. Piperine has the unique ability to decrease certain pro-inflammatory mediators in the body. These include prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α).

Black pepper is especially effective at reducing the symptoms of collagen-induced arthritis. This is because piperine destroys inflammatory cells that occur in the cartilage that should protect and lubricate the ends of an individual's bones in their joints. Furthermore, black pepper also reduces the sensitivity of a particular type of pain receptor in the body. This helps black pepper reduce arthritis symptoms.

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Ginger

Ginger is a common staple spice in Chinese, Japanese, and Indian cuisine. It is produced from the roots of the ginger plant, which has purple-green flowers and leafy stems. While ginger has traditionally been used to alleviate digestive problems and nausea, it can also be used to reduce the severity of arthritis symptoms. The compounds in ginger that produce its action in this context include shogaols and gingerols. These components are known to inhibit the actions of several chemical substances that cause joint swelling and pain.

One of the major chemical substances responsible for this inflammation is leukotrienes. Additionally, the body synthesizes salicylates in ginger root into another substance: salicylic acid. Salicylic acid stops the nerves from producing particular prostaglandins. This prevents joint discomfort and pain.

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Cinnamon

Cinnamon is produced from the bark that grows on an evergreen tree that is part of the Cinnamomum family. The main ingredient comes from the scraping of the inner side of the bark while it is still wet. Cinnamon is a staple spice in many fall and holiday dishes. It contains an active ingredient called cinnamaldehyde, which is partly responsible for cinnamon's anti-inflammatory properties.

This active ingredient stops the release of interleukin 6, interleukin 8, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha from certain cells in the joints (synoviocytes). The pathway through which these substances are released in the joints is the JAK/STAT pathway. Cinnamon can help alleviate some arthritis symptoms through polyphenol antioxidants. Polyphenol antioxidants are known to balance certain free radicals. Free radicals can produce damage in the joint tissues, which leads to the inflammatory symptoms of arthritis.

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