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Articles > Arthritis: What is it and how can it be helped?

Arthritis: What is it and how can it be helped?

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic or acute inflammation of the joints. It belongs to the group of rheumatic illnesses and is classified as an auto-immune disease. The newest research discusses the possibility of a viral or bacterial infection as one of the triggers of this debilitating and often painful illness. Genetic susceptibility also plays a role. Arthritis often starts with great sensitivity towards cold, a sensation of tension in the skin and inflammatory swellings of the joints, which are hot and painful. Arthritis can affect one or several joints and can move from joint to joint. Symptoms can be aggravated by cold, damp living and working conditions, pollutants in the environment and by stress. Also inflammation of tonsils, teeth, gallbladder and kidneys, an excess of uric acid and an imbalance in the metabolism aggravates the condition. In acute arthritis the heart function needs to be monitored.

Gout is an arthritic disease, caused by an accumulation of urate crystals in the joints. Medicinal herbs like Birch leaves, Dandelion and Nettle are particularly beneficial in increasing the elimination of urates from the body tissue via the kidneys. These alkalising herbs also help together with a good diet to prevent a recurrence of gout, providing a simple and safe treatment for this very painful condition.

Osteo-arthritis is different from the rheumatoid arthritis described above, as it is a degeneration of cartilage and joints, this means a wear and tear condition. Here the synovial membrane of weight bearing joints (hips, knees, spine and ankles) begin to degenerate. The nourishing, regenerating, tissue mending, and pain relieving herbs; Comfrey, St John's Wort, Rue, Arnica and Willow bark are appropriate here. If, however, the tissue is swollen and inflamed, then it is appropriate to use, like in rheumatoid arthritis, the anti-rheumatic, anti-inflammatory and pain relieving herbs Meadowsweet, Willow bark, Comfrey, Birch leaves, Dandelion, Nettle, Thyme, Arnica and St John's Wort.

- Avoid cold damp areas.
- Diet: a healthy digestive system is indispensable in improving arthritic conditions. A diet rich in organic vegetarian wholesome foods is most beneficial. This will provide a low purine diet (reduced red meat, offal, red wines), so that urate metabolites are reduced as much as possible thus preventing an uric acid build up in the body and slowing the inflammatory cascade. Fish rich in Omega 3 provide essential fatty acids (EFA's) and are a good source of additional protein (for EFA's also consider flax seed oil) whilst refined sugars and flours can aggravate the condition. Studies have shown that inflammation of the gut often precedes the onset of arthritis, even if the patient was not aware of it. Therefore a treatment should also aim at supporting a healthy digestive system. Regular emptying of the bowel is indispensable.
- Fluid intake should be increased to help flush metabolic wastes and toxins out of the body. Drinking kidney supporting herbs with cleansing, alkalising and re-mineralising properties can assist this process.
- A liver regeneration program to reduce toxic load which can trigger inflammation is most beneficial to ease the symptoms of arthritis and detoxification can be supported with a course of the liver supporting herbs St Mary's Thistle, Globe Artichoke, Peppermint, Dandelion root and Fennel as a tea infusion.
- Moderate exercise helps to prevent stiffening of the joints.
- A reduction in stress will support the healing process.