Various herbs for joint pain are available that have historically been used as healing remedies. Some of these herbs for joint pain are ginger, boswellia, stinging nettle, turmeric, and cayenne. Ginger, cayenne, and turmeric are versatile, acting as both medicinal and culinary herbs that can be used to flavor foods. Gotu cola, devil’s claw, willow bark, and flaxseed oil have also been recognized as effective herbs for joint pain. These herbs can be made into tea or ingested in pill form, and some are made into poultices and applied externally to the inflamed area.
Boswellia has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for years as an herbal remedy for arthritis. It can be applied topically as an ointment or taken orally to reduce swelling, stiffness, and pain in the joints. Boswellia also increases the supply of blood to the joints and can facilitate the growth of cartilage.
Ginger contains anti-inflammatory components that help reduce the pain of arthritis. Some doctors believe that ingesting ginger can help reduce the amount of painkillers needed to treat certain types of pain. Studies have shown that powdered ginger root can significantly reduce pain and swelling in patients suffering from the symptoms of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Often providing as much pain relief as analgesics sold over the counter, ginger has no adverse side effects.
Flaxseed oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce inflammation. The oil provides the additional benefits of helping to increase flexibility and lubricate joints. Raw flaxseeds can be sprinkled on food, and the oil can be used in cooking or ingested in the form of capsules.
Essential oils derived from some of the herbs for joint pain can be massaged into the skin to reduce pain, swelling, and tenderness in joints. Oils can also be added to bath water for a medicinal soak. The most popular ointments sold to athletes and people suffering from arthritis and backaches generally contain the oils of camphor and menthol.
Menthol is derived from mint, and camphor is a constituent found in several other plants. Both oils act as topical analgesics. Eucalyptus, chamomile, and peppermint oil can also be applied topically to reduce pain.
Other essential oils made from herbs for joint pain can be massaged into the joints to increase circulation and speed healing. An ointment made from the oils of yarrow, pokeroot and cayenne can be rubbed into the area around the sore joint to increase circulation. The cayenne found in most kitchens also contains capsaicin, a substance that causes the body to produce its own pain-killing agents called endorphins.
