Herbs to Take for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful condition with symptoms that include joint swelling, pain and fatigue, symptoms that may increase in intensity when the weather changes. Toxic buildup is thought to be one of the causes of rheumatoid arthritis. Practitioners of herbal medicine use many herbs and blends to treat the buildup of toxins that may contribute to rheumatoid arthritis.

Getting Started

• Many gentle and safe herbs are available for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Herbalists also use more potent and dangerous herbs to treat more serious cases that do not respond to the gentle herbal treatments. Ask questions about the herbs you are prescribed to make sure that they are gentle and safe enough for your personal level of health. If you have any concerns about an herb, get a second opinion from a doctor or other medical professional whom you trust.

Turmeric

• If you think you have seen turmeric before, you probably have. Turmeric is a common spice, used widely in Indian cooking. It is also a powerful antioxidant with potent anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the swelling associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

  "The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook" by Tillotson et al. recommends 500 mg of turmeric powder twice per day. It is tasty and convenient to include turmeric to spice vegetable dishes or, in smaller amounts, cakes, pies, and breads. For best absorption and potency of the herbal remedy, check your local health stores for a turmeric tincture. A tincture is a preparation of drinking alcohol and herbs that your herbalist can prepare if it is not available in stores near you. Herbalists prefer tinctures for herbal medicine because they allow the active components of the herb to be better absorbed into the body. A tincture is never made from nondrinkable alcohol like rubbing alcohol, since rubbing alcohol is poisonous.

Milk Thistle

• Milk thistle is a well-known liver herb that has received attention in the media for its liver detoxification and liver cell healing properties. According to "The Pharmacy Guide to Herbal Remedies" by Jan de Vries, milk thistle stimulates your liver to promote the production of damage-healing antioxidants. It also helps your body remove environmental toxins such as pesticides, toxins that are thought to contribute to attacks of rheumatoid arthritis.

Dandelion

• Dandelion root and leaf are commonly used as a liver tonic. The active components in dandelion increase production of bile, which flows to the gall bladder and releases congestion in the liver and digestive system. A healthy, functioning digestive system is an important part of removing the toxic buildup that can cause flare-ups of the pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Due to its bile-increasing properties, dandelion root can also act as a mild laxative, improving the movement of waste through the digestive tract. "One Earth" suggests that dandelion be taken in a tincture or tea.

Retail Herbs

• If you don't have an herbalist near you, many gentle detoxification teas are available at supermarkets, health food stores, and major retail establishments that carry tea. Dandelion tea may be difficult to find on its own, but detox teas are widely available that contain dandelion, chamomile, licorice root, and other herbs thought to treat rheumatoid arthritis.