Arthritis and Joint pains, over a period of time, has become a rather common ailment. It is a condition that affects our joints, and is characterized by frequent pain and inflammation in and around them. This is also followed by certain stiffness around the affected joints.
There surely are a variety of medicines (NSAIDS) available commercially that provide relief from the arthritis symptoms, to quite an extent. But these often also leave behind a variety of side effects, if used over a long period of time. Some of the stronger anti-inflammatory drugs tend to bring down our immune system in order to temporarily suppress the swelling. The analgesics also offer merely a short term relief from the pain, and along with the swelling, the pain also just about manages to come right back.
Joint Pains and Natural Remedies
However, these medicines are not the only option for those seeking relief from arthritis issues. In order to ease the pain, there are essential oils application recommended at home. Naturally available herbs and essential oils, largely procured from the herbal extracts, have long been known to be a great source of relief. These essential oils have natural properties like being antioxidant (which helps the skin to breathe and feel fresh); anti-bacterial and antifungal properties (to reduce any additional risk of infection); and properties to visibly reduce the swelling accompanying arthritis (to relieve of the nagging pain).
2 Best Essential Oils for Arthritis
Let us recognize two of these essential oils, their application and subsequent benefits.
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Ginger Oil / Sonth tail (Zingiber Officinale)
Apart from being a renowned culinary herb, ginger or Sonth also comes loaded with a variety of medicinal properties. In fact, ginger (Zingiber Officinale) extracts exhibit strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Ginger oil also known as Sonth tail is a great anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. It derives its therapeutic properties from the ginger root. This has a functional ingredient of ginger plant, called the gingerol (which is present in ginger oil). Sonth is now used as a popular dietary supplement also. Ginger belongs to the plant family, which also includes turmeric and cardamom. Usually in the dry form of ginger, which we commonly consume, the oil is dehydrated to reduce the pungency. It is worthwhile to understand that ginger is dual inhibitor of the chemical substances that demonstrate inflammatory response. This particular property makes ginger to have enhanced healing effect along with fewer side effects than the available NSAIDs.
As a home remedy, you can dilute some ginger oil and gently apply it on the affected joints. Use warm compresses on top of it in order to make the skin absorb its goodness. Even better, try making a fine combination of lavender essential oil with this oil and apply it topically. Basically, the compound gingerol present in the ginger oil helps provide relief by acting on the root of the problem.
2. Turmeric Oil / Haridra tail (Curcuma longa)
Curcumin, one of the active ingredients in the turmeric extract, carries significant anti-inflammatory properties and promises a great deal of relief from the frequent pain and swelling of the joints during arthritis. The active principle called Curcumin which is isolated from the rhizome of the plant Curcuma longa efficiently decreases the activity and expression of the enzymes which are responsible for the inflammation process. This is how the Turmeric oil or the Haridra tail (Curcuma longa) is great support in the joint inflammation and thus relieves both the pain as well as swelling and inflammation in the affected joints of those suffering from the ailment of arthritis.
About the Author:
Dr Sonica Krishan is Author and Speaker in the areas of Healthy and Joyous Living through Ayurveda, Meditation, Yoga and other Contemplative practices. She is a leading Ayurveda Professional in India. She is also Health Writer, Columnist, Editor, Ayurveda Consultant and Holistic Healing Coach. Dr Sonica is open for National as well as International Collaborations with interested people / institutions in fields of Ayurveda, Meditation and Yoga.
Dr Sonica Krishan’s Books are available at Amazon
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