It’s estimated 52.5 million adults in the United States alone suffer from some form of arthritis, making it the number one cause of disability. With almost 150 different forms of arthritis it’s easy for many forms to remain undetected and many people may not even know they suffer from arthritis. While the majority of sufferers present themselves to doctors and are prescribed medication to relieve pain,the side effects that come with the medication and the long term toll it takes on your body, is of almost greater concern than the disease itself. It’s refreshing to know that there are natural alternatives to the more mild forms of arthritis.

Ginger tea

One of the most powerful anti-inflammatories is not one you will find in your local pharmacy but in your kitchen cupboard. Boasting multiple antioxidant and therapeutic properties, ginger is known to reduce pain levels and improve mobility in sufferers of arthritis.

Ginger lemon honeyTo benefit from the amazing effects of ginger, it can be used abundantly in a variety of dishes but also boiled into a refreshing tea. Peel the fresh ginger root and slice into thin portions. In a saucepan bring water to the boil and add the fresh ginger slices. Cover and reduce to a simmer for 15-20 minutes. Strain the tea and add honey and lemon to taste.

Honey and Cinnamon Tea

This formulation gets a special star rating. In a recent 2014 study conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when doctors treated their patients with a tea tonic of 1tbs of honey and half tsp of cinnamon powder before breakfast, that within as little as one week, 73 of the 100 patients treated were totally relieved of pain. Doctors further reported that within one month, almost 100% of the patients that were immobile due to their debilitating pain were able to walk again with little trouble.

To make the tea at home add 1tsp of cinnamon powder and 2tsp of honey to one cup of hot water. Honey and cinnamon tea is also a powerful tonic for many other health conditions, not only arthritis.

Bathing in Dead Sea Salts

Since the days of Cleopatra, bathing in dead sea salts have been renowned for the amazing therapeutic and beautifying effects. When suffering from arthritis you seek remedies to bring a feeling of relaxation to the body. Many spas and beauty salons offer dead sea salt treatments, but it’s possible to create the same experience (for a fraction of the cost) at home. Adding baths into your weekly routine can bring much needed relief from the aches and pains of arthritis. Add about 2lbs of the salts to a lukewarm bath. It sounds like a lot of salt but you need around 2lbs for the body’s skin chemistry to start changing.  Also ensuring the temperature is only lukewarm, allows the skin to absorb rather than eliminate the powerful minerals contained in dead sea salts. It is estimated there are more than 20 trace minerals contained in the salts!

Dead sea salt bath

Whichever natural remedy you decide to try, you will be amazed at the relief it provides and the impact on your day to day life. Frequently adding these powerful remedies into your routine is the first step to taking control of arthritis, so it does not take control of you.

Resources: http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/data_statistics/arthritis_related_stats.htm