Improve liver function, reduce inflammation & arthritis pain
Milk Thistle Silybum marianum is synonymous with the liver. Since the first century A.D. Dioscorides noted that milk thistle root was good as an antidote to poisoning. Besides the root the seeds were also used over the centuries, they were used to make a tincture that was prescribed for liver related disorders such as gall stones, jaundice, hepatitis and arthritis.
Read MoreRosehip ‘better than painkillers’ for arthritis
From The Telegragh by Kate Devlin, Medical Correspondent
The pain-relieving properties of rosehip, which has previously been linked to reduced inflammation in osteoarthritis, have been suggested for decades. Now scientists have found that powder made from a wild variety of rosehip, Rosa canina, is better at reducing pain in patients than paracetamol.
It is hoped that the fruit of the plant could bring relief to the more than two million sufferers of osteoarthritis in Britain, many of whom suffer acute pain.
A review of studies, published in the medical journal, Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, looked at the effect of the powder on more than 300 patients who were given different pain-relieving medications for an average of three months.
They found that rosehip was almost three times more effective than standard paracetamol at relieving pain. It was also almost 40 per cent more effective than another common therapy, the drug glucosamine.
Rosehip powder also did not have the side-effects associated with other pain medications, including constipation and
drowsiness.
The team which conducted the study, led by Dr Robin Christensen, of the Frederiksberg Hospital in Copenhagen, believes the powder works by also tackling the inflammation associated with osteoarthritis.
Dr Kaj Winther, an inflammation specialist at the Frederiksberg Hospital, said: “This is very exciting news for arthritis sufferers. Some of the main advantages of taking an alternative medication such as rosehip to reduce pain are that, firstly, it is readily available over the counter and, secondly, unlike traditional painkillers, it does not produce unpleasant side-effects.”
Osteoarthritis can occur in any joint in the body, although it is most common in the hands, knees, hips and spine. The disease is caused by the slow deterioration of the joint over many years and tends to run in families.
Boldo is good for your liver, hence good for Arthritis
Any thing that is good the the liver will help your arthritis condition.
The plant is an evergreen tree that grow to about 18 feet with small berries, but it is the leaf that is of most interest and been used for centuries medicinally. In this case the plant is either male or female, so will need to plant one of each for it to produce.
Legend has it that a Sheppard in Chile noticed when his sheep ate a certain plant (now known as boldo) they were healthier in general and had less liver problems. It’s hard to imagine sheep having too many liver problems – maybe it’s from too much Chilean wine!!!
Anyway the plant is now particularly well known for helping with liver conditions, or as a preventative measure maintaining the health of the liver. Besides its positive effect on the liver it also encourages the gall bladder. Boldo is also known to intestinal worms, rheumatism, cystitis, colds, hepatitis, constipation, gout, and jaundice. In a general sense it helps to protect the liver and encourage the production of bile. This in turn can lower cholesterol and improve digestion.
Boldo contains many plant compounds but one alkaloid in particular is boldine has shown in recent studies to have properties that protect the liver and encourages the production of bile something people have known for centuries. This alkaloid has shown during studies to have encouraged digestive juices. In other research boldine has been shown to be a diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and reduce uric acid plus an anti-oxidant with blood thinning properties. Some very new research is indicating that boldine increases heart flow, improving the heart function in general.
However, boldine is one of many plant compounds in boldo that work synergistically, this means it is better in the whole form with all it components in tack. This herb should not be used in high doses or for a long time without a break. If you have a sluggish digestion that makes you feel bloated and full then boldo might be the herb for you. Buy a couple of scrubs and plant in your garden. Make a tea pot of three heaped teaspoons of leaves to three large mug full of boiling water – leave to brew for 10 to 15 minutes. Drink one mug full and put the rest in the refrigerator, drink another cup around lunch time and one in the evening. Those other two cups can be warmed up or just drink cold. The taste is not too bad, the smell is quite distinctive and for this reason some people prefer drinking it cold. Do this for about 6 weeks and then take a break. If this does not appeal, tea bags are easy to find in most supermarkets.
Caution – avoid if you are pregnant as it has abortive properties. Avoid if you are taking a blood thinner like warfarin.
Read MoreKombucha Tea
Kombucha tea is an ancient health remedy that has been around for nearly 2000 years or so. Kombucha Fungus japonicus, it is often referred to as a mushroom, but is actually a colony of yeast and bacteria that looks like a jelly-like substance. First used in China to help relieve digestive problems. Advocates believe kombucha can reduce symptoms of arthritis, asthma, multiple sclerosis and shingles. In addition some say the tea turns gray hair dark, increases energy and curbs excessive alcohol consumption. I have to say I haven’t used or prescribed this tea to anyone, so I have no first hand experience of this tea.
Brewing the tea requires a starter containing the kombucha culture. The gelatinous pancake is floated on top of a mixture of brewed green tea. After a week or 10 days of fermenting, the culture replicates itself or “has a baby” and creates a carbonated drink that resembles cider. The tea is strained and put into the fridge and stored for daily consumption. It is not a taste that most people like it is probably an acquired taste.
Along with the health benefits of kombucha, researchers are analyzing its potential to cause health problems. There have been reports that caution is needed do not drink large amounts. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) cautioned the necessity to know how very important it is to prepare this tea properly. Since the tea is produced in individual homes under varying conditions, contamination with pathogenic organisms is possible. The FDA have advised people to make the tea in glass or ceramic containers, not to store the tea in enameled and lead crystal containers. The finished tea is acidic in nature which can encourage leaching of toxins into the tea.
Lastly, kombucha tea can trigger low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in those susceptible or with yeast problems (candidia). Though, kombucha tea has been extensively touted as immune enhancing. If you have an immuno-compromised disease or a serious illness like diabetes, you should not consider taking this tea without professional advice.
Read MoreArthritis, sulphur help for joints
When we think of sulphur we think of the smell – not a pleasant smell at that. But there is much more to sulphur than meets the nose!
It is an important part of our body’s make-up and has long been used as part of a healing program for arthritis. Sulphur has been prized since ancient times for healing throughout history by bathing in sulphur springs – often recommended for rheumatic or skin problems, high blood pressure, neuralgia or digestive disorders.
However, you do not have to bathe in smelly sulphur waters to benefit from sulphur’s healing powers. There are three common foods that are extremely rich in sulphur – garlic, onions and eggs. At least a hundred sulphur compounds have been identified in garlic, verifying its reputation in folklore. There are however plenty of other foods that contain sulphur be it in smaller amounts like fish, poultry, dairy products, brown rice, oats, beans, lentils, avocado, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and sunflower seeds. Also sharks cartilage.
Sulphur itself is a brittle non-metallic mineral, found in iron, gypsum and Epsom salts. It is also a major ingredient in amino acids – methionine and cysteine. What are amino acids? They are the building blocks of proteins, which provide the structural material for muscles, bones, joints, hair, teeth, blood, brain, skin, and other organs of the body. Proteins are also used to make enzymes and hormones, taking part in a huge number of biochemical processes that are continually taking place in the body. Sulphur, unlike other minerals does not have a recognised RDA (daily recommended allowance).
In the past it was assumed that because sulphur is so closely linked with protein, as long as people ate protein, everyone would be getting enough sulphur. Now it would seem not, many people are not getting enough.
The supplement MSM (methyl sulfonyl methane) is made from a form of sulphur that has been getting a reputation for helping with several conditions especially arthritis. MSM itself is a white, odourless, slightly bitter tasting crystalline substance, best taken with food. Some people have found it boosts their energy levels, so is best not taken at night. MSM is a natural form of sulphur that our bodies are able to absorb easily. It can be taken in powder form or in capsule form. Two grams is a good maintenance dose. It is fast becoming well known as a safe, natural and effective solution for pain and inflammatory conditions. The leading experts on MSM, US doctors Stanley Jacobs and Ronald Lawrence, believe that sulphur amino acid abnormalities and possible sulphur deficiencies maybe a contributing factor to many health problems, and that MSM can help to correct imbalances. Though a lot of research has been done on SAM (sulphur adensyl methionine), there hasn’t been as much work done on MSM. Only a few double bind placebo controlled studies have been carried out so far but with some good results. I need to point out that no one supplement is a cure for arthritis, or any other chronic condition, a full healing program would need to be undertaken in which there would be several aspects to the program depending on the individual case study. Like any natural supplement it will need to be taken for a few weeks before some of you will notice a difference.
One drawback of MSM, is its expensive and you need to take quite a lot of it, so change to a diet high in the above foods and soak your feet in a foot bath, several times a week in a solution of Epsom salts. Epsom salts is magnesium sulphate a really amazing substance, put one to two handfuls in some hot water and soak your feet for at least 20 minutes or longer if you wish, add more hot water if needed. Our feet are highly absorbent, soaking up what the body needs. Epsom salts can be readily found in most pharmacies, cheaply.
The importance of GLA in arthritis
Fatty acids are excellent for inflammatory conditions like arthritis. GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) maybe you know it in the form of evening primrose oil and an even better source is borage oil.
People found they had increased mobility and a reduction of stiffness in their joints. Their sleep patterns improved which will make anyone feel better. Other research has found that GLA reduced joint swelling and tenderness by more than 40% more than the placebo takers.
Couple this with a multi-faceted approach of changing to a healthy – anti-inflammatory diet and other measures outlined in this blog – you will have some affective tools for combatting your arthritis condition. It will take time and some preserverance.
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