Arthritis is one of the common causes of disability across the world, and also especially in our country. Arthritis, to put it very simply, is the degeneration caused in any of the joints, which leads to inflammation, pain, stiffness, and decreased mobility. Conventional treatment modalities include the administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, pain medication, cartilage building drugs, disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs that may be used in some cases of rheumatoid arthritis, and biological therapies. Surgery may be advised when day-to-day functionality is affected due to the arthritic condition.
Apart from the conventional medical systems approaches available to treat arthritis, there are also a large number of natural remedies for arthritis. Many spices are commonly available in our kitchens and can be used with relatively fewer side effects as home remedies for arthritis.
One of the top spices that are known to reduce inflammation is ginger. Freshly grated ginger can be consumed either independently or mixed in with your food in moderate quantities. Alternatively, an extract of ginger could be taken and sweetened with honey or organic sugar. However, it is important to moderate the dosage of ginger, as excessive consumption of ginger may cause acidity in some people.
Another spice that is topping the charts both for its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties is turmeric, which can be combined with a small amount of black pepper for better absorption. Turmeric and pepper powder can be mixed in a glass of warm water or milk and drunk once a day. Alternatively, many companies are also producing 500mg and 100mg capsules of turmeric, the active ingredient being curcumin.
Garlic is also one of the most effective home remedies for arthritis. A few pods of garlic can be finely chopped or grated and consumed every day. Alternatively, a few pods of garlic can be crushed and mixed with mustard seed oil, warmed slightly, and applied on the affected joint for relief from pain and inflammation.
These are but some of the popular and effective home remedies for arthritis.