Joint pain is not limited to the old and weak, or those with arthritis. We can all experience joint pain, and living with it can put a damper on enjoying the beauty of life.
While it’s important to keep joints healthy with
exercise, a good diet and plenty of water, there are times where flare ups and inflammation takeover and finding relief is at the top of the list.
If you don’t want to take conventional painkillers, or want to cut back, and are looking to connect more with nature and its healing ability, there are plenty of holistic remedies for joint pain. Nature provides everything we need to thrive and some holistic remedies for joint pain may already be in your kitchen!
From reducing inflammation to relieving aches and pains, these 5 holistic remedies for joint pain will help you dance with life again!
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Cayenne Pepper
Long renowned for its healing properties, cayenne is a wonderful topical solution to relieve pain from the outside in. Cayenne contains capsaicin and acetaminophen is derived from capsaicin. This pain reliever sends chemical messages from the skin into the joints and blocks the nerves from firing off to the brain, indicating pain.
What to do: To make a topical paste, mix 2 tablespoons of cayenne pepper with ½ cup of coconut oil or cocoa butter. You can also soak sore hands and feet in one gallon of water mixed with ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper and 1 cup of apple cider vinegar.
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Turmeric
The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric make this spice of life a powerhouse for relieving a wide range of ailments. Joint pain among them, turmeric helps bring the body to a state of homeostasis—reducing the swelling, inflammation, irritation and discomfort of joint pain.
What to do: There are many ways you can consume turmeric to absorb its benefits. One way is buying capsules and taking them regularly. You can also put ½ a teaspoon of cayenne powder in a glass of coconut milk, water, orange juice or pretty much any beverage and drink it. Cooking with turmeric powder or root will also give you the benefits of the spice while adding a delicious flavor to your food.
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Flaxseed
This tiny seed is a super food. It contains omega-3 fatty acids which are important for joint lubrication and easing inflammation. Many people experience increased inflammation from animal fats so flaxseed is a great alternative.
What to do: Available in whole seed, ground seed powder, and oil, flaxseed is easy to include in your diet because there are so many ways to use it! Put flaxseed oil on your salad or include a teaspoon of whole seeds in your morning smoothie. You can also sprinkle the ground seed powder on yogurt, cereal and even ice cream!
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Water
While it may seem obvious, water is a powerful lubricant for our bodies and can help ease inflammation and promote the production of synovial fluid in joints. When the joints are hydrated, the synovial fluid remains thin and supple, rather than thick and stagnant with dehydration—making impact on joints painful and increasing irritation.
What to do: First thing in the morning, drink an 8 oz glass of water. This will awaken your organs, hydrate your tissues and lubricate your joints. Throughout the day, be sure to always have water with you and drink half your bodyweight in ounces (ex: a 150lb person would need to drink 75 ounces of water).
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Frankincense + Myrrh
This powerful combination of ancient essential oils has been proven by many studies to effectively reduce the inflammation and pain associated with arthritis. When combined, the boswellic acid (the active ingredient to reduce inflammation) found in the two oils is amplified and have been proven to decrease pain, increase mobility, and reduce inflammation in joints.
What to do: Combine 3 drops of each oil in your palm and blend by rubbing your palms together. Rub the oils directly on the affected area and allow them to be absorbed. You can repeat this throughout the day as many times as you like.
Living with mild to chronic joint pain, arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or other joint ailments can drastically damper quality of life. With these holistic remedies for joint pain, you can reclaim your health and life, and reconnect to the healing power of nature.
Have you had success with other holistic remedies for joint pain? Share your experience with us in the comments below!