Arthritis: natural, healthy foods to help. Part 2

Which fruits and vegetable juices help alleviate arthritis pain without surgery or drugs:

A natural supplement that works with alleviate inflammation in the joints is glucosamine. This is only part of want your body needs for overcoming arthritis.
Black cherry juice (four ounces diluted with four ounces of water) twice a day help relieve the pain symptoms.
Fruits and vegetables that are high in beta-carotene such as, parsley, broccoli, spinach. Carrots, apples, and ginger all contain copper. Also drinking pineapple juice, since it is the only source of the strong anti-inflammatory enzyme bromelain. Bromelain helps the body breakdown proteins.
Other juices that can help include bilberry, celery juice, green barley juice, and aloe Vera juice. Juices and diet changes may provide an equitable solution to the pain caused by arthritis.

Natural Remedies:
Dilute 5 drops of Ginger essential oil in 20 drops of carrier oil, such as wheat germ oil or almond oil, and massage into the painful areas.

I have heard that gin and golden raisins help.
Put 3 shot glasses or small containers not he counter. In each glass put 9-10 golden raisins and pour enough gin to barley cover the raisins. Let sit for 3 days, the gin should absorb into the raisins. Eat the raisins from one shot glass, and set the glass up again with 9-10 more golden raisins and enough gin to cover them. Put glass at the end of the line. Each day, eat the 9 oldest raisins, then set it up again. Repeat until pain-free, I have heard usually within 72 hours.
If you like drinking tea, alfalfa is rich in nutritive minerals. Place 1 ounce of herbs in a pot and cover with 1 quart of water. Let it boil for 30 min and strain and drink throughout the day.

Vitamins that are also helpful are:
Vitamin A (contains beta-carotene) has antioxidant effect on the cells, neutralizing destructive molecules called free radicals.
Vitamins C, B6, and E, and well as Zinc, help enhance collagen production and the repair of connective tissue.

Fatty acids in flax seed oil, fish oil, borage oil, evening primrose oil, and black current seed oil help increase the production of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. Take 500-1000 milligrams of these oils twice daily. It could take a few weeks to notice an improvement.

Magangese: many people with arthritis are deficient in this trace element enzyme. This is necessary for normal skeletal development. Take 5 milligrams twice daily for one month.

Foods to avoid are nightshade vegetables which are potatoes, eggplant, peppers (although direct application of peppers on the joints is helpful), and tomatoes. These vegetables all contain an alkaloid called solanine, which have a negative effect on calcium balance, which can even cause headaches.

Trouble with Arthritis?? Part 1

Since going back to school for Natural Health I have learned what herbs and essential oils are great for helping with those aches and pains of the joints.

There are two types of arthritis: Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis involves the breakdown of the cartilage that forms a cushion between the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is where your own body attacks your own immune system which in return attacks the joints. The follow are many different ways to help improve or become aware of fighting off arthritis.

Herb 101(www.achs.edu) for helping Arthritis:

• Follow an Alkalizing Diet
• Use Alfalfa, celery, nettle infusions
• Take cayenne capsules
• Get regular exercise

Here is how to make an Infusion: 

1-oz dried herbs

1-pt purified water 

Place your herbs into a ceramic or glass teapot. Bring to a boil. DO NOT use an aluminum pot. An electric kettle or kettle on the stove is fine. Turn off the heat and pour the water over the herb. Cover the pot and let steep for 10-20 minutes. Strain the tea in a non-aluminum strainer and then drink. Store for no more that 24 hours in the refrigerator. 

Aroma 101(www.achs.edu): Essential oils and their Theraputic Properties

~~~ Always do a skin patch test before using any oils listed as possible irritants or sensitizers( such as asthma, allergies, or rashes). Any reaction, such as redness, blisters, or itching indicates irritation. If this occurs dilute the oil or choose a different oil.~~~

• Chamomile: Anti-inflammatory and analgesic, so this helps relieve the inflammation.  This is great to add to a bath with Epsom salt and 2-3 drops of Chamomile. You can also add a few drops to lotion to rub into your joints that are causing you pain.
• Eucalyptus: Anti-rheumatic, helps with pain and stiffness caused by rheumatism. Add 5 drops to 1-oz base oil to massage the area or apply a hot and cold compress.
• Ginger: Analgesic, which helps to relieve pain. Add 3 drops to 1 tsp sunflower oil and apply directly to the area, or use a cold compress.
• Juniper: Analgesic-rheumatism, Add 3 drops to 1oz cold pressed peanut oil and rub into the area as frequent as needed.
• Pine: Anelgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic. Prepare a cold compress and use 1-3 drops in 1/2oz of peanut oil and massage the area.
• Rosemary: Anelgesic, apply dirrectly to the skin, hot/cold compress, hot bath, or massage directly into the skin with oil.
• Tea Tree: Rheumatism and analgesic, helping relieve pain when applied topically.

* The rosemary, and tea tree essential oils are highly antimicrobial which helps destroy infectious organisms*

Carrier oils:

Peanut oil: Helps with arthritic or rheumatic conditions

Sesame oil: Top-quality lubricant for rheumatic conditions and it's a natural skin cleanser.
* Peanut oil and Sesame oil are two of the best oils for arthritis*


If you are looking for high grade essential oils for a decent price check out http://www.apothecary-shoppe.com or www.rockymountainoils.com.  For those of you who have used Young Living Essentail Oils I would say these two sites are just as good if not better quality for a much better price.

Winter is here which means Dry Skin -Here are a few tips:

Sweet Almond Oil (Prunus amygdalus var. dulcis):  is the nearest oil found naturally in the skin. This also helps to soften and nourish the wrinkles around the eyes. This oil is also great for you if you have eczema.

** People with known nut allergies should avoid use.

Apricot Oil (Prunus armeniaca): Apricot oil may be used for similar purposes as sweet almond oil. It is taken orally for it's vitamin and mineral content, particularly vitamin A and C.Apricot oil is a moisturizing tonic for the skin of the face and hands, and it can be massaged in the hair as well.

** This makes for a nice hair treatment, add a few drops of essential oil and leave in your hair for 30 min. Your hair will look and feel soft and silky.***

Camellia Oil (Camellia japonica): This is one of my personal favorites**** Camellia oil is very light on the skin, nourishing. I make a serum for my sister with Camellia oil and essential oils for acne. You can apply after washing your face and let it soak into the skin then apply make-up.

Coconut Oil (Cocos nucifera): I use coconut oil just about everyday on my arms and legs. I also add 2 large spoonfuls to my morning smoothie. This is great for so many things such as balancing your thyroid.
I had recently had to go to the Endocrinologist because my thyroid levels were very low. I was told I had "Hypothyroidism," which means my body produces too much hormones, a month later I got blood work done again and my levels were sky high...... "Hyperthyroidism," which my body doesn't produce enough hormones. Let me tell you that was the worst 3 months, my body was constantly tired and I lost 10 pounds. I was told by the doctors that I had some thyroid disease. I first prayed that my body would heal itself and then I started adding a blend of essential oils: Cedarwood, Myrrh, and lemongrass, I mixed it with coconut oil and applied 3 drops twice a day for about 2 months. My latest blood work came back perfect. I know that it wasn't me, Jesus healed my body and gave me the tools to also help.

I purchase from www.Tropicaltraditions.com, they always have a sale each month on their "gold" coconut oil, which is pure and unrefined AKA raw.

Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia chinensis): This oil is great for ALL skin types, especially aging skin. It's very similar to sebum, the natural oil our body produces.  
*The great advantage of jojoba oil for commercial use is that it serves as a replacement for sperm whale oil, which is often used in the manufacturing of cosmetics.* Not something I want on my face...........

Pomegranate Seed Oil (Punica granatum): Pomegranate seed oil deeply nourishes the outer layer epidermal layer and provides powerful anti-oxidant benefits for numerous skin ailments including eczema, and psoriasis and gently challenges free radicals that damage and age the skin. A great ally to have in your cosmetic creations or as a stand alone product to help nourish and develop healthy skin cell regeneration.

 I find a lot of my herbs and oils from www.mountainroseherbs.com in Oregon. Just about everything they sell is organically grown there or shipped in from the specific region.