Food and Herbs that Are Helpful in Treating Arthritis

Foods and Herbs That Are Helpful In Treating Arthritis

Arthritis is one of the most common, disturbing, painful physical problems experienced by men and women. While not oftenly leading to death, arthritis is extremely serious because it causes mild to excruciating pains upon millions of people causing disturbances in their sleep, work and other normal activities.

Medical researches estimate that nine out of ten of those over age forty already have the beginnings of arthritis, the thinning of the cartilage in the joints. Ant three out of five people with arthritis are younger than sixty-five. The following are herbs and foods that are helpful in treating the pains of arthritis.

*CURCUMIN*

It is derived from curcuma root and it is also known as turmeric root. Curcumin or Curcuma root has been used for centuries as a painkiller and anti-inflammatory. Scientists at Cornell University made a research on this and discovered that it was COX-2 inhibitor. COX-2 refers to the enzyme "cyclooxygenase-2" which triggers production of inflammation and pain in arthritic joints. A daily dosage of 100mg of curcuma root decreases inflammation and joint pain.

*TART CHERRIES*

Tart cherries have been also used for centuries to treat arthritis and gout. Once again scientists intrigued by its long-standing usage made a research on this, this time at Michigan State University. They discovered that extracts from the tart cherries also had COX-2 inhibitors, as well as compounds such as ursolic and oleonsolic acids which are ten times more effective than aspirin. To get the needed amount of COX-2 inhibitors to fight arthritic pain, you would have to eat twenty raw tart cherries a day.

*HOLY BASIL*

The healing qualities of holy basil has been recognized for five thousand years in native India. This herb has also chemical compounds containing natural COX-2 inhibitors with anti-inflammatory effectiveness similar to aspirin and ibuprofen. A daily dose of 150mg is recommended.

*FRANKINCENCE*