Herbs for arthrosis. Ease of movement from medicinal plants!

Arthrosis: definition and causes

Arthrosis belongs to the category of chronic degenerative-dystrophic diseases. Degeneration means the destruction of joint structures and subsequent impairment of organ function. Dystrophy is a deterioration of metabolism at the cellular level due to a breakdown of the trophic mechanism - nutrition of articular and periarticular tissues. Speaking about the development of arthrosis, it is important to emphasize two points.

• Joint destruction most often occurs in parallel with pathological changes in bone tissue and is often a consequence of osteoporosis (bone loss). Therefore, today doctors prefer the term “osteoarthritis” , consisting of two Greek roots: “bone” and “joint”. The fact is that with arthrosis, osteophytes form in the bones adjacent to the joint - marginal growths that impair motor abilities and cause pain.

The cause of problems in both cartilage and bone tissue is the same. This is a violation of mineral metabolism. This is what needs to be normalized. This is precisely what many folk remedies and herbs contribute to for arthrosis and osteoporosis. A diagram of the relationship between pathological processes in bone and cartilage is presented in the figure below.

• Arthrosis in most cases closely borders on arthritis - inflammation of the joints. That is, over time, inflammatory processes are added to the dystrophic and degenerative processes. The opposite scenario is also possible, when prolonged inflammation leads to tissue destruction and death. Therefore, in the 10th International Classification of Diseases, the terms “osteoarthritis” and “osteoarthritis” are synonymous. A practical conclusion from this: comprehensive treatment of any joint pathology should include anti-inflammatory drugs, including many herbs used for arthrosis and arthritis.

The causes of arthrosis and the factors that provoke its development include:

• hereditary and congenital osteoarticular pathologies;
• aging of the body;
• osteoporosis (a disorder of bone metabolism that provokes metabolic failures in the joints);
• obesity (increased stress on joints);
• hormonal imbalance (deficiency of hormones that affect the cellular renewal of bones and joints; in particular, occurs in women during menopause);
• deficiency of mineral, vitamin and other nutrients;
• injuries;
• hypothermia;
• intoxication of the body, including alcohol and nicotine;
• a sedentary lifestyle or, conversely, physical overload as a result of sports or hard work.

Attention! Dandelion P, a source of plant compounds essential for arthrosis and arthritis, has a pronounced restorative effect on joint tissue.

When will herbs help?

It is better to use medicinal plants for prevention, especially with regard to arthrosis. Even medications are not effective in the later stages of this disease, not to mention herbs, which have a slow and mild effect. Herbal medicine can only be an addition to the main treatment.

Herbs are suitable for the prevention of the following diseases:

• inflammatory origin: arthritis, bursitis, synovitis, chondritis, meniscitis, gout;
• degenerative-dystrophic nature: arthrosis, including osteoarthrosis, osteochondrosis, osteoporosis;
• autoimmune origin: rheumatoid arthritis.

Any disease on the list must be treated on time, since its complications can cause disability and problems with movement.

If pain, crunching in the joint, swelling, or redness of the joint area occurs, you must immediately go to the hospital and, with the permission of an arthrologist or orthopedist, begin herbal medicine, which will prevent the progression of pathological processes.

Symptoms and treatment of arthrosis

The following signs help recognize osteoarthritis:

• pain, which at the start of the disease is insignificant and appears only occasionally, after heavy exertion, and subsequently becomes more intense and constant, disturbing even at night;
• stiffness, most pronounced in the morning;
• swelling, swelling at the site of the bone joint;
• crunching, clicking when moving;
• decreased range of motion;
• the appearance of painful points and lumps in the joint area, revealed by palpation;
• joint tension and instability when walking;
• lameness;
• change in the shape of the joint due to the appearance of bone growths (osteophytes).

X-rays help clarify the diagnosis by assessing the degree of narrowing of the joint space, the size of osteophytes, and the nature of the deformation of bones and articular surfaces.

Treatment of arthrosis usually includes the following measures.

• Relief from pain using analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids. However, their long-term use is undesirable due to the development of dangerous side effects, including the joints themselves.
• Improving nutrition and metabolism in joint tissues. Previously, preparations of chondroitin, glucosamine and hyaluronic acid were prescribed for this. However, according to large modern studies, these drugs are not clinically effective. Herbal medicine offers its own solution: herbs for arthrosis can gently and physiologically correct metabolic processes.
• Restoring the motor and support functions of joints through physical therapy and lifestyle correction.
• Physiotherapy (ultrasound, cryo- and magnetic therapy, electrical myostimulation, heating, etc.);
• Prosthetics as a last resort if conservative treatment is ineffective.

Are herbs effective for arthrosis? Effect of plants on joints

Herbal treatment of arthrosis and arthritis of the joints today is justified by modern research, which has identified specific compounds in plants that are responsible for certain pharmacological effects.

• Analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous effect

The entire complex of these properties is provided by phenolic glycosides. A prominent representative of this group of substances is salicin , which is abundant in the chemical composition of peony, sweet clover, raspberry, meadowsweet (meadowsweet) . There is even more salicin in the bark, leaves and buds of willow, gray alder, black poplar, and aspen . However, you should not expect a lightning-fast effect from them, like from an aspirin tablet - salicylic acid. Salicin will turn into this very acid in the stomach within a couple of hours, and then relief will come. Although not instantly, but without the side effects of aspirin!

sesquiterpene lactones , which are rich in calendula , dandelion, chamomile , elecampane , arnica , wild rosemary, and yarrow, act as analgesics and anti-inflammatory substances . Terpenoids are also effective in fighting inflammation , excellent sources of which are wormwood and calamus . Essential oils of many herbs and trees, such as pine and spruce also help relieve pain and inflammation [1].

• Stimulation of cartilage regeneration

Cartilage, although slowly, is able to recover. It is based on chondrocyte cells, which are constantly renewed during a person’s life. Their birth depends on hormonal settings. First of all, from hormonal growth factors of cartilage tissue, which are produced by the liver. And the only plant compound that can significantly enhance their production is taraxacin , found exclusively in dandelion . That is why dandelion is the most indispensable herb for arthrosis.

For women during menopause, to maintain hormonal balance (and indirectly to renew cartilage), herbs rich in phytoestrogens : licorice , clover , sage , boron uterus , etc.

• Nutrition

Many herbs for joint arthrosis are excellent suppliers of natural vitamins, macro- and microelements that nourish cartilage and bone tissue. Thus, the main mineral for the entire musculoskeletal system - calcium - is found in abundance in clover, fireweed , nettle , and snakeweed . As vitamin-mineral biocomplexes for joint health, you can use dandelion, larkspur (comfrey), burdock root, pine, spruce and birch buds, and nettle leaves .

• Activation of blood circulation

Whether nutrients reach joint and bone tissues depends on the general and local blood flow. Also, thanks to good microcirculation, decay products are promptly removed through the bloodstream, and favorable conditions are created for cellular renewal. Rose hips and hawthorn , St. John's wort and plantain, strawberries and birch sap, mint and dandelion will help improve blood circulation . One of the best herbal remedies in this group is the bioflavonoid dihydroquercetin, extracted from pine and Siberian larch.

• Blocking the synthesis of enzymes responsible for cartilage destruction

Birdweed, arnica, meadowsweet, dandelion, oats, white cinquefoil - these herbs for arthrosis can be used to suppress the production of those substances that trigger destructive processes in cartilage [1].

As you can see, the mechanisms for healing joints using herbal medicine are universal. Therefore, herbal treatment will be equally effective for arthrosis of the knee joint, elbow, hip or any other bone joint.

Features of use, precautions

Decoctions, tinctures, and ointments are prepared from medicinal plants. The latter are suitable only for external use, other forms are for oral administration, compresses, and rubbing.

In case of an acute inflammatory process, any thermal procedures, including compresses with alcohol-containing tinctures, are prohibited. Only water infusions can be used.

Herbs used for lotions and rubbing often have no contraindications or side effects. But the intake of herbal infusions orally should be agreed with your doctor. Some of them are contraindicated in diseases of the kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, hypotension, hypertension, decreased or increased blood clotting.

A general contraindication for all herbs is pregnancy, lactation, and childhood.

Which herbs treat arthrosis and arthritis most effectively?

List of medicinal plants for joints

Most herbs for cartilage and joints have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. And only a few have pronounced chondroprotective properties, that is, they regenerate bone and cartilage tissue.

The least numerous group of medicinal plants for the prevention of rheumatoid arthritis. The disease has a complex development mechanism that concerns the immune system. Herbs that have immunomodulatory and antitumor effects can prevent its development. But such medicinal plants, if used incorrectly, can cause harm to the body, so you should not self-medicate.

Table 1 – Herbs for joints and cartilage {2}

Painkillers and anti-inflammatory herbs for arthrosis: recipes

So, what herbs to drink for arthrosis, and which ones to use externally, and how to prepare them? The big advantage of herbal medicine is that many plants are used both internally and for rubbing and compresses. However, the recipes in the first and second cases will most often be different.

1. Decoction of poplar/willow/alder bark

Pour 1 tablespoon of finely crushed bark with a glass of boiling water and place on low heat for 20 minutes. Drink 2 tablespoons 3-4 times a day. These herbal preparations should be taken orally with caution for gastrointestinal diseases. In case of exacerbation of ulcers or gastritis, chronic constipation and decreased blood clotting, it is better to avoid them.

1. Infusion of meadowsweet (meadowsweet)

Pour 3 tablespoons of herbs with half a liter of boiling water, let it brew for 20–30 minutes. Drink 150 ml 3 times a day, preheat. Meadowsweet is contraindicated for chronic constipation, hypotension and decreased blood clotting.

1. Sweet clover infusion

Pour 2 tablespoons of herbs with half a liter of boiling water. Leave for 3-4 hours in a sealed container. Drink a third of a glass (70 grams) 3 times a day half an hour before meals. The course is 3 weeks, after which a 3-week break is required. Since the plant contains toxic substances, the dosage must be strictly observed.

1. Sweet clover poultice

To relieve joint pain, steam freshly picked herbs with boiling water and distribute it evenly in a cloth bag. Apply to the arthritic joint and secure with a bandage for 20 minutes. Course – 10 days.

1. Decoction of burdock root (burdock)

Dig up, clear away the soil and chop the burdock root. Pour one spoonful of the resulting fresh plant material into half a liter of boiling water and simmer over low heat for about half an hour. Then leave covered for another 1 hour. Strain and drink half a glass (100 ml) 4-5 times a day.

1. Birch bud decoction

Pour 5 grams of kidneys into a glass of boiling water and boil for 20–30 minutes, let the broth brew for 1 hour, wrapping it in a towel. Drink 50 ml before meals 4 times a day. It is not recommended for use in cases of renal failure or glomerulonephritis in the acute stage.

1. Horsetail tea

Pour 3 teaspoons of chopped horsetail into 300 ml of boiling water, leave for half an hour. Drink 100 ml three times a day. The effect is cumulative and will be noticeable no earlier than after 2–3 months. The dosage cannot be increased, since the plant contains substances that have toxic effects in case of overdose.

1. 
   Tincture of larkspur herb (comfrey)

Pour 50 g of crushed plant material into 0.5 liters of vodka and place in a dark place for a couple of weeks. Take 20-30 drops orally three times a day before meals, mixing them with half a glass of water. Also, tincture of larkspur herb for arthrosis can be used externally - for rubbing and compresses.

1. Larkspur ointment

Pass fresh comfrey root through a meat grinder or chop using a blender. Combine 10 g of raw material with 100 g of Vaseline and let the mixture steam in a water bath for 3 hours. Store the resulting ointment in the refrigerator. Rub it into the affected joint area every day for a month.

1. Larkspur root decoction

Pour 1 tablespoon of fresh or dry plant root with half a liter of boiling water and cook for 20 minutes over low heat. Take 2 tablespoons orally on an empty stomach three times a day. The minimum course is 1 month.

1. Decoction of cinquefoil herb

Pour 5 g of plant material with a glass of boiling water, boil for 15 minutes and leave for another couple of hours, wrapped in a towel. Take 1 tablespoon orally on an empty stomach in the morning for 15 days. There are contraindications: epilepsy, hypotension, oncology.

1. Horse chestnut tincture

Pour 100 g of plant flowers into 0.5 liters of vodka and put them in a dark place for 3 weeks. Use to rub sore joints and nearby muscles.

We remind you! Pregnancy and lactation, as well as childhood, require mandatory consultation with a doctor and are often contraindications to the use of certain herbal medicine. Also, the presence of chronic diseases may impose restrictions on herbal treatment.

Useful tips

Diet for gout

Metabolic disorders play a major role in the occurrence of gout, so proper diet is an important part of treatment.

It is forbidden:

• Rich meat, fish and mushroom broths
• Sausages and smoked meats
• Pickles and marinades
• Legumes
• Some vegetables: cauliflower, sorrel, spinach, parsley
• Canned fish and meat
• Offal dishes
• Chocolate
• Cocoa
• Strong tea
• Alcohol, especially beer

Article on the topic

First aid kit from the forest.
What herbs and roots should I dry for the winter? Can :

• Bread and pasta
• Cereals
• Lean meat no more than 2-3 times a week
• Any fruits and vegetables, except prohibited ones
• Dairy
• Vegetarian soups

Sports for joints

Badly

• Squats . When you squat down and then suddenly stand up, the knee joint experiences overload. This can lead to serious injuries such as a torn meniscus. By the way, this injury is very common among summer residents who squat for a long time, cultivating the beds. The angle of flexion of the knee joint when squats should not be more than 90 degrees.
• Exercises with dumbbells . It is especially dangerous to lift heavy objects while standing.
• Step aerobics . The risk of damaging the knee or ankle joint is quite high.

Fine

• Swimming . This is a great workout for all muscle groups, especially if you swim different styles. But at the same time, when a person is in the water, the joints do not experience overload, and the likelihood of injury is very low.
• Yoga and Pilates . During such training, the muscles are stretched slowly, the amplitude of movements increases gradually.

Watch your back!

People with a spinal disorder should be especially careful when performing some everyday activities.

In car . Take the correct position. Move your chair forward so you can reach the pedals with your feet without strain. Sit so that your back rests securely on the back of the chair.

On the street . If you return from the store with many purchases, do not put them in one bag. Carry your purchases in two hands. When unloading the trunk, take the desired position: knees bent, back straight. Place your heaviest items against the near wall of the trunk so that you can pull them towards you if they move inward during the trip.

In the country . Excavation work in the garden is the most labor-intensive. Before starting, do a 2-3 minute warm-up, choose a lighter shovel, and when lifting a lump of earth, keep your back straight and bend your knees. Place your forearm on your thigh and use it as leverage. Take a break every 10–20 minutes.

At the playground . To pick up your child, squat down in front of him, keeping your back straight. As you rise, tense your leg muscles.

Complex herbal collections for arthrosis

Professional herbalists often combine several dozen ingredients in one mixture for healthy joints and bones. And there is a good reason for this: arthrosis, arthritis, osteoporosis and osteochondrosis are systemic diseases caused by a number of disorders in the body. This means that many organs and systems require adjustments, which is achieved with multicomponent herbal remedies.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with complex herbal collections for arthrosis.

Collection No. 1. Thoroughly chop birch bark (100 g), aspen bark (100 g) and oak bark (10 g). Pour 1 tablespoon of the resulting mixture with a glass of boiling water and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. Take half a glass orally once a day, in the late afternoon. This collection will help reduce the intensity of pain, relieve inflammation and stimulate recovery processes.

Collection No. 2. Mix 1 tablespoon each of chamomile and linden flowers, St. John's wort herb. Pour a glass of boiling water over the mixture. Leave for 6 hours. Bring the volume of the resulting drink to half a liter by adding boiled water. Drink 1 glass in the morning before meals for a 2-week course to reduce pain, inflammation, improve microcirculation and nourish joints.

Collection No. 3. Mix dandelion roots (7 g), barberry berries (7 g), elderberry flowers (5 g), hop inflorescences (7 g), knotweed (4 g), blueberries (4 g), St. John's wort (4 g), tansy flowers (2 g), flax seeds (3 g). Pour 2 tablespoons of the mixture into 0.5 liters of boiling water. Let the collection brew for 10–12 hours. Drink ¼ cup warm three times a day. Course – 2 months. The main purpose of the collection is to relieve inflammation and joint pain.

However, it is not enough to know useful herbs for arthrosis. Agree, not every one of us is ready to engage in their collection, preparation and preparation of multi-component herbal preparations. However, this is not a reason to be discouraged, because nature has created a plant that can single-handedly provide a comprehensive healing effect on the joints. And this is the medicinal dandelion mentioned more than once in this article.

Collections of medicinal plants

Recipes for preparations for the prevention of joint diseases:

• Regenerating composition . You will need 100 g of birch and aspen bark, 10 g of oak bark. Grind the ingredients in a coffee grinder, 1 tbsp. l. mixture pour 1 tbsp. boiling water, boil for 10 minutes. Drink 100 ml in the afternoon.
• Analgesic collection . Add 1 tbsp to the thermos. l. chamomile, linden flowers and St. John's wort. Pour 200 ml of boiling water. Leave for 12 hours. Then add water to obtain a volume of 0.5 liters. Drink 1 tbsp. morning and evening for 2 weeks.
• Collection for the prevention of arthrosis . Mix calendula and elderberry flowers, juniper fruits, horsetail herbs, nettles, birch leaves, willow bark and buckthorn in equal proportions. 2 tbsp. l. collection, pour 1 liter of boiling water, leave in a thermos overnight. Take 100 ml 2-3 times a day.

Tell us how you maintain healthy joints, and whether you use herbs for knee pain.

Dandelion for comprehensive joint health

Only dandelion contains a unique substance – taraxacin. This plant compound from a series of triterpene glycosides has a gentle effect on the liver, increasing its secretory activity and, in particular, the production of cartilage restoration factors. As a result, the number of cartilage cells - chondrocytes - begins to increase, and at the same time the strength of the cartilage tissue increases and its functions are restored.

In addition to the regenerating effect, dandelion has a number of healing effects on joints:

• relieves pain and reduces inflammation - essential oil, arnidiol and the already mentioned taraxacin are responsible for this;
• helps improve the composition and increase the amount of intra-articular fluid due to the high content of amino sugars (20% in dandelion roots);
• improves the production of collagen, necessary for the strength and elasticity of cartilage tissue - this is also achieved by amino sugars, which are similar in properties to glucosamine; in addition, rubber-like substances of dandelion have a positive effect on the elasticity of the intercellular matrix;
• removes toxins and uric acid due to its high absorption properties;
• improves the absorption of vitamins and minerals in the intestines - this effect is provided by inulin (probiotic), the content of which in the roots of the plant reaches 40%;
• serves as a rich source of vitamins, macro- and microelements necessary for the construction of cartilage tissue;
• activates microcirculation and metabolic processes.

The beneficial properties of this ubiquitous herb for arthrosis and arthritis have long attracted the attention of herbalists and pharmacists. Therefore, today natural chondroprotectors based on dandelion root have appeared. However, not all of them contain the full complex of active substances of the plant. After all, during extraction, only one or two compounds end up in the final product.

The maximum effectiveness of dandelion-based preparations is ensured by cryoprocessing technology, which preserves all the richness of its chemical composition. This is the method used to produce the domestic tableted chondroprotector Dandelion P with the addition of vitamin C. Its calling is to take care of your joints using the means that nature itself invented.

Important! When looking for the most useful herb for arthrosis, you simply cannot go past Dandelion P! And you can buy it in pharmacies, specialized stores, departments of retail chains, and even easier - order it online .

Top 15 best foods for strengthening joints

To restore joints and improve the condition of cartilage and ligaments, it is recommended to include such products in your diet on an ongoing basis.

Oily fish

Unlike fatty meat, fatty fish can and should be consumed because it contains beneficial acids, including omega-3. Therefore, you should include trout, salmon, tuna, as well as more accessible species such as herring and mackerel in your diet.

Legumes

Almost all legumes, including soybeans, are rich in fiber and vegetable proteins, and they do not contain harmful fats. Thanks to this, such products help strengthen the joints and organs of the digestive system.

Olive oil

Contains beneficial fatty acids that inhibit inflammatory processes in the joints. For the same reason, it is useful to consume walnut and avocado oils. They help prevent the development of arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Cherry

This berry contains special substances anthocyanins. They help in the treatment of gout and deformities of various joints. Also, similar components can be found in blueberries, blackberries and strawberries, but they are less in quantity.

Dairy

Milk contains calcium, vitamin D, potassium and other beneficial components. They help strengthen bones, joints, ligaments and other elements of the musculoskeletal system. Therefore, you need to include almost all dairy products in your diet. For example, cottage cheese and cheese are sources of calcium, while yogurt and milk itself contain many vitamins.

Whole grain cereals

These foods promote weight loss because they are filling but also lower in calories than regular wheat flour. Therefore, they need to be included in the regular diet, especially on fasting days.

Fruits

For joints, tendons and ligaments, sources of vitamin C are especially useful, which prevents inflammatory processes and strengthens the immune system. It is recommended to constantly consume any citrus fruits, apples, as well as pomegranate and kiwi.

Broccoli

Broccoli contains calcium and vitamins (including C, group B, K, potassium, iron, copper). These components help cope with the symptoms of pathologies such as arthrosis and arthritis.

Green tea

The components of this drink prevent bone destruction and inflammatory processes in joints. They are used to treat and prevent rheumatoid arthritis. At the same time, green tea in large quantities literally washes away calcium, so you can drink no more than 3 glasses a day.

Meat with cartilage

To treat joints, you can eat pork and beef, preferably with cartilage and connective tissue, as well as any chicken meat. They contain gelatin, which is especially important for joint restoration.

Gelatin

Gelatin can also be used as part of other products, for example, in pure form or in jelly, including jellied meat and aspic. This is a useful product that strengthens joints and cartilage well.

Garlic

Garlic contains a number of useful components that restore cartilage tissue and inhibit inflammatory processes. For example, it is rich in sulfur-containing substances that strengthen cartilage tissue.

Another important compound is thiacremonone. It helps relieve pain from rheumatoid arthritis and also counteracts swelling. At the same time, you should not overuse garlic - you can eat no more than 3 cloves of it (raw).

Ginger

A 2001 study found that regular consumption of ginger helped reduce joint pain in 63% of cases. It contains substances that counteract inflammatory processes. Therefore, those suffering from joint diseases need to include this product in their daily menu.

Spinach

Spinach and leafy greens in general help cope with inflammatory processes. The most valuable component in them is kaempferol. It is what prevents inflammation and provides an analgesic effect. A 2021 study found that regularly eating spinach actually helps promote joint health.

Grape

Another useful product that has a beneficial effect on the health of joints and ligaments. It contains antioxidants that suppress inflammation. Thanks to this, grapes can be used as an additional remedy for the treatment of arthritis.

Even with good medications, patients with joint problems need to pay attention to their diet and overall lifestyle. If you regularly consume the described products, you can significantly reduce pain and suppress inflammatory processes. Therefore, it is recommended to follow the prescribed diet - the first effect will be noticeable after 3-4 weeks.