Rheumatoid Arthritis - Editor's Choice

Over the years, Earth Clinic readers have sent us many reports about their treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis. The editors at Earth Clinic consider the below posts to be some of the most helpful and informative and have named them 'Editor's Choice'. We hope that you will find this useful.

Lemon Peel and Olive Oil

Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 11/18/2020
★★★★★

Lemon Peel/Olive oil (This has worked for me every time I use it. I currently use this formula for hip pain (RA), knees and toes. It works great)

This recipe can be found on the internet in various forms but the ratio's are wrong and it take 2 weeks to complete. Well, I don't have 2 weeks to wait so here is the method I use to speed the process up.

Lemon peel and Olive oil ointment can be used topically to massage into painful joints anywhere on the body, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), gout, frozen shoulder, varicose veins/poor circulation of the arms and legs, skin fungal, viral and bacterial issues, ringworm (fungal), shingles (viral), skin burns, cellulite, chickpox sores (viral), chiliblains, cold sores, mouth ulcers and fever blisters (viral) of the mouth, diabetic neuropathy, eczema/psoriasis, foot and hand care, rubbed on forehead for headache/migraine/fever, inflammation, insect bites, nail health, phlebitis/thrombosis for the legs (together with internal use), respiratory problems, and many others.

The phenols in the olive oil will coat and fight inflammation, while the other ingredients go to work on pain and inflammation and the root cause of the problem.

To use lemon peels to fight the pain of inflammation. Inflammation in the body is the cause of much pain and illness. Inflammation means that the body's blood vessels are dilated and swollen. This swelling leads to redness, pressure, stiffness and pain. Although pain can be felt anywhere in the body, most commonly the pain of inflammation is felt in the joints. Joint pain can occur in any part of the body that has bone to tissue connection. That means that any one of the 360 joints in your body could be experiencing the pain of inflammation. Lemon peel can be taken internally and eaten, however, the benefits from the pain-relieving properties of the peel are believed to be best absorbed externally through the skin. Some compounds found in lemon peel cannot be passed to the bloodstream through digestion.

Nutritional Value Of Lemon Peel

Lemon peel contains 5 to 10 times more nutrients and minerals than does the juice. It contains Calcium. Iron. Magnesium. Phosphorus. Potassium. Sodium. Zinc. Copper. Selenium. vitamin C. Thiamin. Riboflavin. Niacin, Pantothenic acid. vitamin B6. Folate. vitamin A and vitamin E.

Lemon peel and Olive oil for joint pain relief

When you apply this remedy made with olive oil and lemon peel topically to the affected area, it will help improve your circulation in order to provide joint pain relief. One of the most overlooked benefits of lemons is that they can help prevent joint pain.

*The ingredients are chock-full of nutrients that reduce inflammation, pain, and stiffness.

*Also, the lemon peel contains substances like limonene, citronella and phellandrene, 3 essential oils that help relax muscles and joints, helping with any difficulty moving. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/lemon-oil

*The extra virgin olive oil contains antioxidants oleocanthal acid and omega 3 fatty acids, well-known for their ability to help painful, inflamed tissues.

*Together, these ingredients improve cellular oxygenation processes while optimizing the transportation of nutrients to your joints, a determining factor in preventing the breakdown of cartilage.

*However, it's also worth mentioning that the remedy helps stimulate your lymphatic system, a key factor in removing toxins that play a role in the pain.

*Additionally, applying it using massaging motions helps flush out retained fluids, and as if that weren't enough, prevents the accumulation of uric acid.

Rob's Quick and Dirty Recipe

Ingredients:

*Extra virgin olive oil

*6 - 7 lemons

*Eucalyptus oil (try your mixture with or without eucalyptus to see which works better for you)

*One quart mason jar with lid

*Blender

*Clean gauze

*Plastic-wrap

Preparation:

*Using a potato peeler, peel all the yellow/white (the pith) parts off the lemons. Then, place the lemon peels in a blender and add enough olive oil to cover them completely. 1:4 lemon peels to olive oil ratio is what I use. Blend the lemon peels/olive oil together. I use the pulse setting on my blender. You will want to blender it to the texture of apple sauce.

*Next, pour the mixture into the mason jar. Top off the mason jar with olive oil to about 2 inches from the rim.

*Place the mason jar into a pot filled with water on the stove. Add a mason jar ring or rolled up pieces for aluminum foil underneath the mason jar so it dose not make contact with the metal pot. Slow simmer the jar in a warm/hot bath for about 6 hours. Stir mixture with a butter knife every hour. Keep a check on the water level and add more water as needed. After 6 hours, turn off stove and allow to cool to room temperature.

*Stir mason jar and pour out one tablespoon into a small bowl then add the eucalyptus oil (10 drops per tablespoon of oil added to the finished ointment).

*Soak some gauze and place it over the painful area. Ideally you should apply this treatment at night, so that the ointment can soak into the skin while you sleep. Use it just like a Castor oil Pack.

Warning: Lemon contain natural molecules that react with UV light and cause a sensitivity reaction and a special type of sunburn. Essential oil companies often label their products that contain these compounds with a warning to avoid direct sun/UV light to the area for 12–48 hours after applying.

How to apply

*First, submerge a gauze bandage into the mixture and then apply it to the affected joint.

*Next, cover the gauze with plastic wrap, and then, if possible, with a wool scarf.

*Then, let the oil work overnight for best results.

*Next, apply every night until you get relief from the pain.

*As a preventative remedy, apply at least 3 times a week.

If you would like an even more relaxing effect for joint pain relief, heat the oil by putting the jar in a bowl of hot water before applying it. But remember to check the temperature to make sure it won't burn your skin. Additionally, you can use it to massage your joints, especially if the pain is due to fatigue or fluid retention.


Dietary Changes

Posted by Annie (Orange, Ca) on 12/10/2017
★★★★★

I responded to dietary changes too. My frozen elbow (over a year not straightening it) has full range of motion now! My RA is painful but much improved with diet change. I do best eating greens, such as salads. I avoid most grains and dairy like the plague. No joke. Juicing fruit and veggies or going to Nektar every other day is helping me A LOT!! I am not taking those creepy biologics anymore, too many scary side effects. If you have Rheumatoid try this :green salads every day with a little chicken and rice, eat this for a week, then add in foods slowly and see how your body responds. & Ask God for a healing.


Borax

Posted by Veronica (Tilbury, Ontario, Canada) on 09/29/2017
★★★★★

My husband and myself have started drinking one 500 ml of borax water a day. My husband uses 1/4 teaspoon mixed into 1 500 ml of bottled water. I take 1/8 teaspoon mixed into 1 500 ml of bottled water and have been doing so for a little over a week and the results already are amazing. We drank this for 5 days in a row and go off 2 days. I suffer from RA (autoimmune disease) OA, fibro and a small list of other ailments. To make a long story short we are both feeling amazing and not only the swelling but the pain has subsiding immensely. We will both continue on this regium for life!


Gluten-Free Diet

Posted by Happy & Painfree (Canada) on 01/19/2016
★★★★★

I had rheumatoid arthritis quite badly. Tremendous amount of pain, however my joints were not yet deformed. I was told by someone to stop eating all forms of wheat due to the amount of gluten contained in it. There are other grains as well, not sure what they are. Well, it was one of the most frustrating and also rewarding things I have had to do. I was told to stop totally, for at least three weeks. At the end of about two weeks, I realized I was no longer in pain!!!

I had suffered severe heartburn for 20+ years. A doctor told me to use antacids for the heartburn. I believe this is actually what caused the arthritis as it forced my body to digest and used something it did not recognized as food (GMO). When I stopped using the antacids. Now, I will get heartburn from eating anything with gluten in it, then throw-up, usually within a short time. When I do accidentally ingest gluten, (a small amount) the first place I notice it, is my big toe joint on my right foot. It gets swollen and red, but the damage is not permanent. There are some very good gluten free products out there now, for which I am very thankful!

You can also find a list of common allergens, sometimes it can be milk, mushrooms, etc. I think the elimination process works for most of this type of thing! Happy and painfree!


Rheumatoid Arthritis and UTI Connection

Posted by Ray (Calgary, Ab) on 01/30/2013
★★★★★

Antibiotics and Lignans

Don't forget about Lignans and other natural antibiotics. The best source of lignans is flaxseed oil, sesame seed, green leafy veggies like cabbage, broccoli, kale, spinach, apricots and strawberry. But it should do to take sesame oil. The lignans have anti-biotic effects. And of course don't forget cranberry juice that works against germs in urinary tract infection. Why take lignans???

Well, anyone with RA should read (or get their physician to read) an article that appeared in the journal Clinical & Developmental Immunology in March 2006. The title says it all:

"Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease triggered by Proteus urinary tract infection"

The article summarizes all the evidence. It explains a lot: why more women than men get RA and more women than men get urinary tract infections. Why urinary infections happen more often in those with RA. And much more. The evidence is overwhelming. But unfortunately not well known to physicians. I recently spoke to 2 physicians who vehemently denied that my wife's RA, that started after a UT infection, had anything to do with the infection.

But if you don't believe this then there is an easy solution: get yourself tested for antibodies to Proteus. You might surprise yourself.

Of course once natural antibiotics get rid of the Proteus the battle is not over. Why???

Because, unfortunately, certain molecules in joint collagen of certain genetically predisposed people, unfortunately, LOOK LIKE molecules in the Proteus bacteria. Thus the body thinks it is still fighting the bacteria when it is only fighting our joint tissue. (Our side is killing our own civilians because they look like the enemy.)

So you still have to use the other measures in earthclinic to calm the body down, and let it know that the war is over. (Don't forget massage to calm the autonomic nervous system).


Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Deborah (Denison, TX) on 07/12/2007
★★★★★

I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis 14 years ago. My grandmother told me about ACV and the many ways it could help arthritis, sleeping problems and stomach problems. I take 1 tbsp. once daily with just water and all of my physicals for the SLE & RA have come back great. I have no deformity in my joints and have not had a flare up in over 7 years. I also had several bleeding ulcers & was having to take daily stool samples to my doctor, but my physical showed scarring but no ulcers. I also use ACV as a toner for my face and my pores are smaller and my age spots are nearly invisible. I have printed out several pages of literature on ACV and have over 20 friends on this daily regimen and all of them can tell the difference and have been taken off their medications for their illnesses from arthritis to high blood pressure & cholesterol. I am a 48 year old grandmother that works with a younger market and I work circles around all of them. ACV helped me with my SLE, RA, Ulcers, Chronic Fatigue, Crohn's Disease and IBS. I had a sister die from SLE and normal life expectancy is 10 years and I am going on 15 years after my diagnosis.



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