Highwood Highlights No. 22. January 2009
There are several different kinds of arthritis, but the commonest is osteoarthritis. The Australian Bureau of Statistics 2004-5 national health survey found that1.5 million Australians had osteoarthritis, which was 7.9% of the entire population.
In this newsletter we will focus on treatments for osteoarthritis (which I will henceforth abbreviate as "arthritis").
First, we need to have a lifestyle that is preventative. This means minimising free radicals, having plenty of antioxidants in the diet, having an alkaline diet and doing our best to avoid joint injuries. Smoking is about the worst lifestyle habit as far as arthritis is concerned and cessation should be a priority. I have seen symptomatic, x-ray proven arthritis in an 18 year old smoker. Exercise is both a preventative measure and a treatment modality for arthritis. Physiotherapists can advise on specific exercises to help with the particular joints involved.
As far as natural oral treatments are concerned, there are quite a few things to choose from. An interesting phenomenon regarding these treatments is that what may be marvelous for one person is useless for the next - with no obvious reason to be found. I have noted a similar occurence with arthritis medications. Because of this phenomenon I recommend that arthritis sufferers try several natural remedies one after another and see which one works the best. Use each remedy at a near maximum dose for a short period (usually not more than two months). If it does not work to your satisfaction then stop taking it and move on. Here are some of the natural options (in no special order):
- Turmeric. This is a natural anti-inflammatory herb or food that contains curcummin, a substance that inhibits pro-inflammatory Interleukin 1. I suggest trying half a teaspoon of the powder twice a day with meals for one month. The powder is quite strong and can be mixed with food or honey. I suggest not cooking it too vigorously before consumption.
- Ginger is similar to turmeric and can be used in the same way and at the same dose.
- Willowbark is where the drug aspirin was first extracted from. Willowbark has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-clotting properties. However, in my experience, it does not have the stomach irritating effects of aspirin. Highwood uses the Mediherb brand, called "Saligesic".
- Nettle leaf also may give symptomatic relief of arthritis. It is also good for a number of other conditions such as prostate trouble, weak kidneys and debilitated immune systems. I suggest trying a strong cup of nettle leaf tea three times a day for one month.
- Pecan nuts. An elderly German naturopath told me about pecan nuts for disc problems of the back a few years ago. Apparently this old Native American remedy has an enzyme in it that causes protruding discs to gradually recede back into a more normal place. I have tried it on quite a few people with disc trouble and so far, to the best of memory, it has never failed - but it usually takes a few months to work. I suggest trying six pecan nuts per day for up to six months. If it does work then keep taking them.
- DHA (not to be confused with the hormone DHEA) is abbreviated because the full name, docosahexanenoic acid, is a bit of a mouthful. It is found in fish oil and a vegan form made from algae (one brand is "Deva" available on the Internet). If you are going to use fish oil then be fussy about quality and use a fish oil from a specific type of fish rather than general fish oil. You will need at least four standard capules of DHA (either vegan or fish oil) per day for one month for a trial. Fish oil can lower blood pressure and "thin the blood". It also may deplete vitamin E and can easily become contaminated by free radicals.
- Glucosamine hydrochloride is available in vegan form (made from fermented corn) and can be tried for one month at a maximal dose.
- Boron is used to treat arthritis in some lifestock and may be useful at a dose of 3mg per day. I heard of a Gyppsland farmer "curing" herself of arthritis using boron.
- Comfry is usually excellent as an external application.
Highwood Testimonial:
The following is a testimonial from Larraine that we have on file for public release. "I wish I had this experience years ago. Everyone would benefit from a stay at Highwood. I would have no hesitation in recommending this experience to others."