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Topical Applications: All prescription and over the counter pain relievers take a toll on your internal organs, most notably your liver, kidneys and stomach. Even natural herbal pain killers, though much lower in side effects, need to be used in the lowest dose possible, when used for long term chronic pain. Using topical pain killers whenever possible bypasses the digestive system, and protects the internal organs.
Balm of Gilead The resin of popular buds contains salicin, the same painkiller and anti-inflammatory as aspirin. When infused in oil, they have a light, pleasing scent and are very soothing to arthritis pain(Mabey, Richard p36)
Black Cohosh Black cohosh has a pain relieving and anti-inflammatory action that makes it useful for arthritis(Grieve, Maude )
Black Pepper Black pepper oil is hot, warming, very yang. Externally it is rubefacient and gently analgesic, and stimulant, successful in cases of rheumatoid arthritis(Tisserand, Robert )
Bladderwrack Sea-pod liniment, is the expressed juice and decoction of fresh seaweed (bladderwrack) as dispensed by sea-side chemists for rheumatism(Grieve, Maude )
Bladderwrack The main herbal use of bladderwrack is to remineralize the body. External compresses and plasters are used to reduce the inflammation and pain of arthritis( p59)
Blue Cohosh The Iroquois used it to treat arthritis- research also suggests the plant possesses some anti-inflammatory, and anti-rheumatic properties.(Duke, James A, Ph.D. )
Blue cohosh Blue cohosh eases the cramping pain of dysmenorrhoea. It has also been used to treat arthritis and ease stomach cramps.(Mabey, Richard pp29-32)
Bogbean An extract is made from the leaves, which possesses strong tonic properties, and which renders great service in rheumatism, scurvy, and skin diseases.(Grieve, Maude )
Burdock Burdock roots and leaves can also be used to treat rheumatism and gout because they encourage the elimination of uric acid via the kidneys.(Mabey, Richard p41)
Cats Claw The traditional application of cat's claw has been to treat rheumatoid arthritis.Cat's claw contains quinovic acid glycodides that cool inflammation throughout the body. .(Duke, James A, Ph.D. )
Cayenne Clinical studies have demonstrated its value in alleviating pain and discomfort from rheumatoid arthritis. Salicylates (like those in aspirin) add to its pain-preventing power.(Duke, James A, Ph.D. )
Centaury Research confirms the plant's potential for treating rheumatism and gout, for the alkaloid gentianine has exhibited strongly anti-inflammatory properties.(Mabey, Richard p59)
Chinese goldthread, barbe The berberine contained in barberry is a selective COX-2 inhibitor, reducing the inflammation of arthritis.(Tisserand, Robert 58)
Comfrey The results of patients with painful osteoarthritis of the knee treated with comfrey root extract in an ointment showed a reduction in pain , mobility of the knee improved and quality of life increased
: . . Efficacy of a comfrey root (Symphyti offic. radix). (2007 Jan;14(1):2-10), Phytomedicine
Devils claw Devil's claw offers slow but sure relief of joint pain caused by both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, the tubers contain a group of chemicals called iridoids that have anti-inflammatory activity.(White,Linda B., M.D. )
Elder flowers Elderflowers have a mild laxative action and in Europe have a reputation for treating rheumatism and gout.(Mabey, Richard p37)
Eucalyptus oil Eucalyptus oil is an excellent topical remedy for aching joints and rheumatism.(Ericksen, Marlene )
Evening Primrose Oil The seed oil of evening primrose may significantly help arthritis pain, and reduce inflammation especially in cases of rheumatoid arthritis, due to it's GLA content(White,Linda B., M.D. )
Evening Primrose oil Research shows that GLA content of Evening Primrose is helpful against arthritis, eczema and premenstrual tension, among other conditions.(Duke, James A, Ph.D. )
Feverfew Feverfew calms inflammation by inhibiting the COX-2 enzyme process. ( )
Feverfew Sesquiterpene lactones in feverfew may inhibit prostaglandins and histamine released during the inflammatory process, so preventing spasms of blood vessels in the head that trigger migraine attacks..also important in the inflammation and pain of arthritis, promoting restful sleep, improving digestion, and relieving asthma attacks. Feverfew users involved in clinical studies reported that feverfew helped their depression.(Mabey, Richard p47)
Flaxseed oil The linoleic acid found in flaxseed oil may be beneficial for arthritis because it alters how the body breaks down prostaglandins, chemicals involved in inflammation.(White,Linda B., M.D. )
Ginger Ginger combines well with turmeric, which is also anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving, and inhibits the COX-2 enzyme(White,Linda B., M.D. )
Hops A hops bitter, humulone demonstrates significant COX-2 inhibiting effects and also slows the body's re-absorption of bone, significant for people with low bone density and damaged arthritic joints.(Newmark, Thomas M., Schulick, Paul 148)
Juniper Berry The diuretic and depurative actions of juniper make it an excellent remedy for arthritis and gout. It may be used externally, suitably diluted in a fatty oil, as a mild analgesic rubefacient to relieve rheumatic pain.(Tisserand, Robert )
Lavender A fomentation of lavender as external application relieves stiffness of the joints. For arthritic aches and pains, apply compresses, or massage with a lavender oil blend. Oil of lavender is sometimes effective in bringing back circulation to feet that have lost feeling.(Dawson,Adele )
Mustard Black mustard seeds make an excellent stimulating poultice (mixed with a soothing substance such as slippery elm powder) for stubborn coughs and arthritis joints. Mustard foot baths are good for poor circulation, chilblains, and upper respiratory mucus.(Mabey, Richard p53)
Oregano has 31 know anti-inflammatories, 28 antioxidants and 4 known potent COX-2 inhibitors, including rosemarinic acid.(Newmark, Thomas M., Schulick, Paul 132)
Oil of benzoin Oil of benzoin is warming and soporific - very good as a fixative element in blends for cold conditions of the joints such as gout and rheumatoid arthritis.(Tisserand, Robert )
Parsley The bruised leaves, applied externally are used by herbalists, alone or with celandine, comfrey and red clover to dispell tumors.(Dawson,Adele )
Parsley Parsley has a longstanding folklore reputation for the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis and sciatica. It's high concentration of boron and fluoride might help against bone thinning and osteoporosis.(Duke, James A, Ph.D. )
Pine A valuable remedy in bladder, kidney, and rheumatic affections and diseases of the mucous membrane and respiratory complaints; externally in the form of liniment plasters and inhalants. (Grieve, Maude 635)
Pine essential oil Compounds in pine are similar to cortisone. Therapeutically, pine essential oil is very effective in relieving the pain caused by conditions such as arthritis, rheumatism and gout and promotes circulation.
Pinnapple Research demonstrates bromelain helps the body eliminate substances related to arthritis and triggers the release of a prostaglandin that tamps down inflammation. (Duke, James A, Ph.D. )
Pleurisy Root It possesses a specific action on the lungs, assisting exporation, subduing inflammation and exerting a general mild tonic effect, making it valuable in all chest complains. It has also been used with great advantage in diarrhaea, dysentery and acute and chronic rheumatism, in low typhoid states and in eczema. (Grieve, Maude )
Rehmannia Root extract used against arthritis pain and asthma. Encourages fluid excretion, relaxes blood vessels and stimulates the adrenal glands.(Duke, James A, Ph.D. )
Stinging nettle The anti-inflammatory substances join with the rich concentration of the minerals boron and silicon to help ease the pain of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, tendinitis and bursitis. The leaves can be used raw and applied directly to the rheumatic pain area, they increase circulation and draw out pain.
Stinging Nettle In a scientific study of patients with acute arthritis, stewed stinging nettle leaves enhanced the anti-inflammatory effect of diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID). Stinging Nettle. (2007-12-13), www.umm.edu
Tamanu oil Fiji natives use Tamanu oil for joint pains, and arthritis. It’s also effective on gout.
Turmeric The curcumin and curcuminoids in turmeric are first-rate arthritis-alleviating anti-inflammatories and fight inflammation much like COX-2 inhibitors.(Duke, James A, Ph.D. )
Turmeric It's active ingredient, curmumin, inhibits the production of prostaglandins. Turmeric can be taken in food, or applied topically to the joint as a poultice to relieve pain(White,Linda B., M.D. )
White willow bark Willow bark is the original source of aspirin and many other medications for arthritis and rheumatism.Unlike aspirin, the salicylates in willow bark do not increase the risk of bleeding making willow bark useful for people who have chronic joint pain but cannot take NSAIDs or COX-2 inhibitors.
Wild lettuce Wild lettuce teas and tinctures are used to induce sleep and is included in some herbal mixtures used to treat arthritic pain.. Learn wild lettuce. (), Moutain Rose Herbs
Wild yam Wild yam is anti-inflammatory ( because of its steroidal saponins) and herbalists prescribe it for the inflammatory stage of rheumatoid arthritis. (Mabey, Richard p56)
Wormwood, Rue Combined with rue, wormwood is a powerful antirheumatic treatment. (Dawson,Adele )
Yarrow Yarrow also has anti-inflammatory properties, it's constituents cyanidin and azulene are anti-inflammatory, as is salicylic acid. This may account for the folk use of yarrow in treating rheumatism.(Mabey, Richard p40)
Yerba mate Mate has a folklore reputation for treating arthritis, gout and other inflammatory conditions and contains many healthy antioxidants.
Yucca Used to treat both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis The steroidal saponins in yucca work with the natural immune functions of the body, and assist the body in using and producing its steroid related hormones.
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