This is one of the serious diseases for which complementary medicine is most effective. While there are no alternative treatments that replace the need for conventional medicine or, where it’s required, surgery, there are many ways in which herbs, supplements and therapies can help reduce pain and discomfort and improve quality of life.
One of your first steps after diagnosis should be to look at your diet. Although most conventional doctors don’t put much store by this, world-wide studies have shown that in populations which eat much more basic foods than our ‘civilised’ western diet, there’s little or no evidence of Rheumatoid arthritis.
A good hi-potency multinutrient formula taken daily is useful to assist in correcting dietary deficiencies caused by a poor or restricted diet.
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With Aloe vera and soluble fibre to reduce bowel toxins |
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2,000mg per day |
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500iu twice per day |
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10ml to 20ml of oil or 5gm to 10gm in capsules |
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1,000mg to 2,000mg per day |
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100mcg to 200mcg per day |
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10gm to 30gm per day |
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3,000 G.D.U. |
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1 to 3 capsules per day |
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1,000mg to 2,000mg per day |
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1,200mg to 1,600mg per day |
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1,600mg to 2,000mg per day |
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1,000mg to 2,000mg per day |
Topical Herbal Preparations include:
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Use as a cream or infused oil to massage into aching joints at night |
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May bring some relief |
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Any as a cream or ointment or combined as one topical application |
Homoeopaths often use the following remedies to treat this condition, but is best to consult a professional to assess your individual needs. A topical application of Arnica cream or Balm may give some relief.
Aromatherapy can be enormously relieving and there are several oils which can soothe pain. Use them, properly diluted in a foot bath if your feet are affected, in an ordinary bath or added to a carrier oil for massage. But don’t massage any oils into areas which are inflamed or where skin is broken.
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The naturopathic approach is to become a healthy demi-vegetarian - so you don’t eat Meat, but you do have Fish - avoid high levels of saturated animal fats (found not only in Meat, but in Dairy products, too) and eat foods rich in protective antioxidants, including lots of fruits and vegetables, and have a consistent intake of gamma-linolenic acid and other sources of omega-3 and 6 fatty acids - nuts, seeds and oily fish.
Identify food sensitivities as these are often the primary triggers.
Some studies have shown that avoiding Dairy products can also be helpful. This is particularly true in juvenile Rheumatoid arthritis, a crippling condition which attacks children and young people at a tragically young age and is becoming much more common.
You should also be eating more Ginger, Pineapples and Fish or vegetable curries flavoured with Turmeric - they all have anti-inflammatory action
It’s essential, however that you get proper advice from a registered naturopath before making fundamental changes to your diet. And this is crucial if the patient is a child - no whole food groups should be excluded from their diet without discussing this with a professional, particularly if the suspected food is Dairy produce; children and young people need these easily-digested calories and you’ll certainly need to know how to replace the bone-building Calcium they’ll be lacking if they don’t have milk, Cheese, yoghurt etc
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