How to Prevent Osteoporosis With Herbs

Osteoporosis is a silent disease, progressing gradually in older people and never presenting any warning signs until the person slips and breaks a bone. By that time, it’s difficult to replace the level of bone mass present when the person was younger. However, by following a good diet, having a weight-bearing exercise routine and regular bone density tests, and including specific herbs in your health plan, you can maintain bone mass and prevent osteoporosis.

Things You'll Need

• Pigweed
• Horsetail
• Red clover
• Alfalfa
• Dandelion
• Garlic

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Instructions

• 1

  Have an initial bone density screening at your doctor’s office or health clinic. The American Red Cross occasionally offers free bone density scans for their donors during a blood drive. Knowing how healthy your bones are is the first step to keeping them strong.

• 2

  Grow or gather wild pigweed to provide an easily digestible source of calcium. This herbal plant is tasty when steamed, in the same manner you would prepare spinach and it has a high calcium content to strengthen your bones, reducing the chance of developing osteoporosis. Nutritionists suggest that getting vitamins and mineral from our diet is the most effective method of nutrient absorption.

• 3

  Use dried horsetail as a tea, or fill gelatin capsules with the herb and take one or two daily. The use of horsetail dates back to ancient Greece as a remedy for excess bleeding and stomach ulcers. Modern research indicates that horsetail contains silicon, a beneficial ingredient in protecting bones from calcium loss.

• 4

  Replace lost estrogen with red clover. This herb contains gentle isoflavones that produce estrogen in the female body. In addition, women who include red clover before menopause may prevent early menopause and lessen the risk of calcium loss after menopause.

• 5

  Gather some dandelion leaves and add them to steamed cabbage or steam them alone. In many areas of the world, dandelion is a delicacy. Just make sure to gather leaves from plants that are free from pesticides. Dandelion contains high levels of boron, thought to strengthen bone density.

• 6

  Make a daily green smoothie to boost your overall health and provide bone-rich nutrients. Combine alfalfa leaves with the previously mentioned herbs, throw in a banana or a handful of blueberries and pour in a little of your favorite juice to sweeten up the drink.