The top anti-inflammatory herbs that help with arthritis pain

One of the top causes of disability in Canada and around the world, arthritis can severely impact function. One alternative is to try these top anti-inflammatory herbs for arthritis, all scientifically proven to have beneficial action against the disease.

• Turmeric is a strong flavoured root that has thousands of years of use as a culinary spice and medicine in India and is now used in cuisines around the world.
• Many studies have found turmeric to contain powerful natural anti-inflammatory compounds like antioxidants that profoundly affect a number of diseases, including arthritis.
• In fact, a 2010 study conducted in Malaysia found that turmeric was able to stop the collagen and bone degeneration in the joints of rats caused by arthritis in only six to eight weeks.
• Because turmeric is easy to add to the daily diet, this should be one of the first lines of defence against arthritis for those seeking natural treatment options.

• One of the most common and debilitating forms of arthritis is osteoporosis, where bone pain and inflammation often becomes so intense that even walking becomes a struggle.
• A study published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism in 2001 has some good news for those suffering from this painful condition, however.
• Researchers tested a ginger extract on a couple hundred patients experiencing moderate to severe knee pain due to osteoporosis and found that the ginger was able to "significantly" reduce the painful sensations.
• Like turmeric, ginger can be added to a wide variety of dishes and consumed daily.

• With its intense spicy sweet aroma and strong taste, cloves are one of those herbs that are bursting with therapeutic properties, including the ability to reduce inflammation and pain in those suffering from arthritis.
• In fact, a 2012 study in Brazil found that the essential oil of cloves was able to penetrate deep into the knee joints of arthritic patients and not only "ameliorate" the disease, but also destroy any cancerous cells that were present as well.
• Cloves and clove oil can be added to the daily diet through mulled drinks, spiced cakes and breads or even in curries and pasta sauces.