Does the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug — NSAID for short — that you are taking effectively controls the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis or RA, but leaves you experiencing all sorts of unfavorable side effects such as heartburn, sharp stomach pain, dizziness, ringing or buzzing in the ear (tinnitus) and high blood pressure?
Maybe it’s a good idea for you to try some all-natural remedies for RA, such as those from the world of Ayurveda, which is a form of holistic healing invented in India over 3,000 years ago.
What’s so great about Ayurvedic remedies for RA is that they can help control the common signs and symptoms of the said joint disease and keep flare ups at bay, but without leaving you going through the various side effects that NSAIDs are known to bring. Here are some of the things that you may try for relief:
Drink Ginger Tea
Everyone knows that ginger tea is a phenomenal remedy for queasiness and indigestion. Did you know that it’s also a well-known Ayurvedic solution for RA because of its superb anti-inflammatory properties? Aside from consuming ginger tea on a regular basis, you may also consume lots of ginger-containing dishes.
Count on Turmeric, too
Other than ginger, you may also employ turmeric if you want to attain Ayurvedic relief from RA without the side effects. You may utilize the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric by taking a cup of hot water with half a teaspoon of the said herb. Also, you may sprinkle generous amounts of it on your soups, stews and salads.
Supplement With Ashwagandha
Lots and lots of herbs are involved with Ayurvedic healing, and one of the most popular is ashwagandha. Also known as Indian ginseng and winter cherry, it helps control RA because it can deal with inflammation. Ashwagandha is a wonderful stress-buster, too, and it’s no secret that stress can worsen RA symptoms.
Take Boswellia Plus Curcumin
You can also obtain a particular herbal supplement for RA from an herbalist, and it’s something that consists of a couple of powerful anti-inflammatory herbs: boswellia serrata and curcumin. Ayurvedic experts say that the combination of those herbs not only helps ease RA symptoms, but also reduce the occurrence of flare ups.
Apply Heat and Ice
Using heat or ice packs is a cheap, highly accessible and effective solution to RA-related pain and swelling. It’s important to note which of the two should be employed at a given time. If the affected joint is achy but not really swollen, a heat pack can offer tremendous help. But if it’s swollen, opt for an ice pack instead.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Everybody knows that the body gets the deep repairing that it needs during sleep. Since RA causes significant damage to your joints, enjoying 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night can help in bouncing back from the debilitating disease. See to it that you also address sleep-wrecking matters in your life, such as stress and anxiety.
Steer Clear of RA-Aggravating Foods
It’s also a good idea for you to avoid dairy products like milk and cheese as well as wheat and wheat-containing foods in order to keep at bay flare ups. Ayurvedic experts also say that meat, eggs, tomatoes, peanuts, coffee, citrus fruits, and soybeans and soy-based products should be avoided, too.
Add More Fish to the Diet
While there are foods to avoid, there are also those that should be consumed on a regular basis. It is recommended for RA sufferers to include fish in the diet, in particular oily ones such as herring, trout, mackerel, sardines and tuna. That’s because all of them are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids that are good for the joints.
JUST A FEW WORDS OF CAUTION: Above, a number of herbs have been mentioned. Although they are proven safe and effective for people with RA, it’s still a good idea for you to inform your doctor about your plan on using them to manage your RA naturally. This is true most especially if you’re pregnant, nursing a baby, or diagnosed with a medical condition and taking prescribed medications for it.
