Natures Healing Remedies - Arthritis‏

Hi SULAIMAN: 
In week 10 of our series, I'd like to discuss a very painful
disease that doesn't only affect the elderly, but in many cases,
children as well. I am talking about arthritis.
 
Just recently, a good friend of mine from my church suffered from
very painful arthritis before she passed away. I learned about it
too late to help her. But it's not too late for me to help you.
Below, you will find some natural treatments that will greatly
relieve your symptoms, without having to take dangerous drugs.
 
Arthritis is actually caused by nutritional deficiencies. So in
order to counter those deficiencies, the following is recommended
by the top nutritionists.
 
What follows is long, so please read it all.
 
- A dietary calcium/phosphorous ratio of 2:1 is ideal, yet can only
be attained by taking calcium supplements (see "Bones,
Strengthening"). Meat is especially bad; it has a ratio of 1:12
(organ meats, such as liver and kidney) is 1:44. So the more meat
you eat, the more calcium you need. It is as simple as that. 
 
- In addition, there is all the acid purines and uric acid in meat.
Eventually this hodgepodge of acids collects in the joints, to such
a degree that the bone is eaten away, the bursa becomes inflamed,
etc. 
 
- The sulfur-containing foods (asparagus, eggs, garlic, and onions)
helps repair bone, cartilage, and connective tissue, and aids in
the absorption of calcium. 
 
- Eat green leafy vegetables, whole grains, oatmeal, and brown
rice. These supply vitamin K, 
 
- Eat fresh pineapple frequently. The bromelain in it is good for
reducing inflammation. It must be fresh, since freezing or canning
destroys the enzyme. 
 
- The most beneficial vegetables include celery, parsley, potatoes,
alfalfa, wheat grass, garlic, comfrey, and endive. 
 
- The most beneficial fruits include bananas, pineapples, sour
apples, and sour cherries. 
 
- Foods containing the amino acid, histidine, include wheat, rye,
and rice. Histidine helps remove metals, and many arthritics have
high levels of copper and iron in their bodies. 
 
- Eat some form of fiber, such as oat bran, rice bran, flaxseed,
etc. 
 
- Vegetable juice therapy is especially helpful for arthritics, and
especially for those with rheumatoid arthritis. 
 
- Repeated juice fasts of 4-6 weeks are recommended, along with
about 2 months of an extremely nourishing diet. The alkaline action
of raw juices and vegetable broth dissolves the accumulation of
deposits around the joints and in other tissues. 
 
- Green juice, mixed with carrot, celery, red beet juice, and
vegetable broths daily, are specifics for arthritis and other
rheumatic diseases. 
 
- Drink raw potato juice. Slice a potato, with the skin on, cut it
into thin slices and place in a large glass. Fill the glass with
cold water and let it stand overnight. Drink the water the next
morning on an empty stomach. 
 
- Potato juice can also be made in an electric juicer. Make it
fresh, dilute it 50-50 with water, and drink first thing in the
morning. 
 
- Milk, wheat, eggs, corn, and pork have been shown to produce
arthritic symptoms. 
 
- Vitamin C is necessary, to prevent the capillary walls in the
joints from breaking down and causing bleeding, swelling, and pain.
Vitamin C is vital to joint health. 
 
- Folic acid, vitamin B12, and iron in food help treat the anemia
which frequently accompanies arthritis. 
 
- A British research study revealed that arthritic patients had a
low pantothenic acid level in their blood. This important B vitamin
should be included in the diet. 
 
- Take 6-8 bromelain tablets a day or, better yet, eat part of a
fresh pineapple each day. This helps reduce or eliminate swelling
and inflammation in the soft tissues and the joints affected by
rheumatoid arthritis. 
 
- Helpful herbs include black cohosh, parsley, slippery elm,
alfalfa, peppermint, buckthorn bark, ragwort, burdock root, and
chaparral. 
 
- To summarize part of this nutritional data, treatment of
arthritis should include calcium (2000 mg per day; assuming no meat
is eaten); vitamin C, to bowel tolerance; B6 (100 mg, twice a day);
B3 (450 mg, twice a day); vitamin E (1000 IU daily); copper (2mg
per day); selenium (300 mcg per day); and zinc (50 mg, three times
a day). 
 
- DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) is by-product of the wood industry. It
can be applied to the skin above the affected area--to relieve pain,
reduce swelling, and promote healing. Only obtain it from a health
food store. 
 
- Reduce the amount of fat in your diet. Avoid dairy products and
fatty foods. 
 
- Do not eat meat. The purines and uric acid in it inflame
arthritic conditions. 
 
- Avoid salt, caffeine, tobacco, paprika, and citrus fruits. 
 
- Do not eat anything with added sugar. 
 
- A high-protein diet induced arthritis in research on pigs. The
first symptoms occurred within a week. 
 
- Some arthritics are sensitive to foods in the nightshade
(solanaceous) family. This includes eggplant, white potato, bell
pepper, tomato, and tobacco. They have solanine, which interferes
with muscle activity. In one research study, 85% of arthritics were
benefited when they stopped using those foods. These foods are
sometimes included in other foods as "natural ingredients." 
 
- Chocolate, tea, coffee, and cortisone injections may also cause
problems. 
 
- Do not use iron supplements or vitamin/mineral supplements that
contain iron. Get your iron from food (blackstrap molasses,
broccoli, etc.) 
 
- Take a free-form amino acid complex regularly, to help repair
tissue damage. 
 
- Arthritic patients frequently have liver disorders. This can
deter the conversion of carotene into vitamin A. So additional
carotene-rich foods should be eaten. 
 
- Kombucha tea has nutrients needed to strengthen connective
tissue; so it tends to relieve pain, increase energy, and improve
mobility in arthritics. 
 
- Exercise is very important in both preventing and treating
arthritis. Joints which are not used tend to stiffen. Practice
bending all your joints (not merely the affected ones) in different
positions, 5-10 times twice a day. 
 
- If you are unable to exercise your joints because the pain is too
great, carry out an exercise program in a tub of warm water
(93o-98o F.). 
 
- Good posture is also important. Poor posture does not distribute
weight evenly and can intensify the problem. 
 
- Sleeping in a sleeping bag often reduces stiffness and pain in
the morning. An electric blanket may also help. Keeping the body
evenly warm at night is important. 
 
- If the blood is too acidic, the cartilage in the joints can
dissolve. 
 
- Place cold gel packs on inflamed joints, to relieve pain.
Alternate with applications of heat. 
 
- Charcoal poultices may be applied to affected joints. 
 
- Hot packs applied to stiff joints tend to decrease morning
stiffness. 
 
- Hot tubs and baths also provide relief. 
 
- In the morning, take a hot shower, to help relieve morning
stiffness. 
 
- Hot castor oil packs are very useful. Heat castor oil in a pan,
but do not boil it. Dip white cotton cloth into it, till saturated.
Apply it to the affected area, and cover with a piece of plastic
which is larger than the cloth. Place a heating pad over the area
and keep it warm for 1½ to 2 hours. 
 
- An arthritis liniment may be made in this way: Mix 1 pint
alcohol, 1/4 ounce menthol, and ½ ounce camphor. Rub it on the
affected joints, twice a day. 
 
- A 50-50 mix of mineral oil and alcohol is another formula. You
can add a tbsp. of wintergreen oil to the mixture, if you wish. 
 
- The following poultice has been used with good results on swollen
joints: Take 3 tbsp. of granulated slippery elm bark, 1 tbsp. of
lobelia, 2 tbsp. of mullein, 1 spoonful of cayenne, and mix in a
bowl. Add hot water to make a paste. Spread it on a cloth and cover
the swollen joints. Over it, wrap a plastic sheet and then a dry
towel. Leave it on for ½ to 1 hour or less, if burning sensation
becomes unbearable. 
 
- Mix eucalyptus oil with water, and rub on the affected area. Wrap
the joint in plastic wrap, and apply moist heat with hot towels. 
 
- Reduce stress in your life. Worry, anger, and similar emotions
weakens your body and helps induce arthritic problems. 
 
- Chlamydia (which see) has been linked to a form of arthritis that
affects young women. In one study, half the women with unexplained
arthritis were found to have chlamydia. 
 
- Overweight increases strain on the joints. Arthritics should try
to keep their weight slightly below average. 
 
- Avoid immunizations. Various immunizations have brought on
arthritis. 
 
- Food allergies can cause neck and shoulder pain, imitative of
arthritis. 
 
I know, it's a lot of information. But by following the above
suggestions you will see a big improvement in your arthritis
symptoms.