Known for serious joint stiffness and pain, rheumatoid arthritis is a serious medical condition that can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender. Just like most other medical conditions, both traditional medicines and herbal medicines can be used to treat the symptoms. If you are suffering from this condition, you may want to consider taking an herbal medicine for rheumatoid arthritis.
Rheumatoid Athritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful medical condition that occurs when the tissue and cartilage around the joints become damaged and inflamed. Once this damage occurs, scar tissue forms and replaces the damaged tissue. This build-up of scar tissue takes up a significant amount of space in the joint, which leaves the joint with only a narrow space in which to move. Because of this, people with rheumatoid arthritis often experience serious stiffness in the joints. This joint stiffness results in limited mobility and pain in the affected areas.
Herbal Medicines To Consider
While there are a variety of traditional medicines that can be used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, some people prefer to use herbal medicine to treat the disorder. Before taking any herbal supplements, it is important to speak with your physician regarding any serious side effects or complications that may arise. Although these medicines are made of entirely natural ingredients, many of them can result in serious medical conditions.
Cat's Claw, or Uncaria, is a powerful antioxidant that also has anti-inflammatory effects, which should reduce the swelling around inflamed joints. Made from the bark of an Amazon vine, Cat's Claw may also lower blood pressure, cause nausea, headaches and mild dizziness.
An Omega-3 fatty acid supplement, such as fish oil, has been shown to decrease pain and joint stiffness in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. You will want to find a fish oil supplement that does not contain mercury, as this poses serious health risks. Taking fish oil supplements may cause gas, bloating and increased risk of bleeding.
Surprisingly, blueberries, cherries and hawthorn berries may help alleviate the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. These berries are good sources of flavonoids, which act as antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory effects.
Ginger is widely known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory abilities. Drinking ginger tea or taking six to fifty grams of fresh or powdered ginger per day should provide relief from pain, improve the mobility of the joint, and decrease stiffness of the joint.
Herbal Medicines To Avoid
Although the following herbal medicines are sometimes suggested to treat rheumatoid arthritis, most physicians recommend that you not use them due to their serious side effects. When ingested, arica may be poisonous and can cause serious burns. Colloidal silver has a variety of negative side effects, including kidney problems, fatigue, nausea and neurological problems. Taking colloidal silver may also turn your skin permanently blue. Thunder god vine may cause temporary infertility in men, as well as serious skin reactions. If used over a long period of time, thunder god vine may cause a decrease in bone density.
Tags: rheumatoid arthritis, joint stiffness, side effects, anti-inflammatory effects, condition that, herbal medicine