Rheumatoid Arthritis & Migraine Herbal Remedy

Rheumatoid arthritis and migraines can be crippling to a productive day, and in the long term both can lead to a very restricted day-to-day life. There are plenty of medications to help with the pain and the muscle relaxation, but there is no drug without a side effect or two involved. Herbal and vitamin-related remedies for migraines and rheumatoid arthritis may be able to give some relief while curbing the typical side effects that come with prescription medication.

Herbs and Supplements for Arthritis

• There are multiple herbs and supplemental treatments that are claimed to deal with the pain and inflammation of arthritis. You should be aware, though, that many herbal remedies are not approved by the FDA and do not necessarily have scientific evidence to back up their claims.

  Boswellia has been linked to helping stiffness, pain and an improved joint function. It acts similarly to anti-inflammatory drugs but does not have the same problematic side-effects that long-term use of a pain killer would bring. You can take 400 to 800 milligrams, three times per day in a capsule or tablet.

  Chinese skullcap (scutellaria baicalensis) is speculated to have anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic actions, and has similar properties to prescription drugs like indomethacin and phenyl-butazone, but without the after-effects. Its therapeutic effect may have to do with a high amount of flavanoids that contain potent antioxidants and scavengers of free-radicals.

  In an Indian research study, ginger was found to give relief of the pain and swelling of arthritis, and after two years there were no side effects reported. It is recommended that you have six to 50 grams of powdered or fresh ginger a day.

  Tumeric and its yellow pigment curcumin have been found to have a great deal of anti-inflammatory properties. A dosage is typically 400 to 600 milligrams three times a day.

  Lastly, feverfew, an herb used with both arthritis and migraines has shown promising results in inhibiting inflammation. The extracts of feverfew stop the synthesis of pro-inflammatory compounds at the initial stages and decrease inflammatory particles from platelets and white blood cells.

Herbs and Supplements for Migraines

• Butterbur (also known as Petasites hybridus) has been shown to reduce the number of migraines with a 50 milligram to 75 milligram dose per day.

  Coenzyme Q10 is connected with reducing the number of days that patients have migraines with a 100 milligram per day dose.

  In an experiment with 600 milligrams of magnesium citrate, migraine attacks were reduced over 40 percent after 9 to 12 weeks of supplementation.

  Melatonin in a 3 mg dose before bedtime has led to a positive headache response, and vitamin B2 (riboflavin) has reduced migraines when taken as a high dose of 400 milligrams for three months.

  There are some tentative results with vitamin B12 that show a reduction of number of migraines by taking 1 milligram of intranasal B12 once a day for three months. Feverfew is believed to be able to reduce the frequency of migraine attacks, but not all studies have been conclusive.

Natural Treatments for Pain Relief

• There are many non-medicinal treatments that may help to relieve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and migraines. Exercise is quite important for those suffering from arthritis to help with flexibility, improve muscle, and strengthen the heart and lungs. Two great methods for helping these areas are the Eastern practices of t'ai chi and qigong. The Arthritis Foundation has recommended the two practices as helpful for the sufferers of the condition. Dr. Carol Greco, a clinical psychologist, has experimented with meditation and migraines and has found that the practice can keep symptoms at bay as long as the meditation continues to be practiced.