Old Folk-Home Remedies To Relieve Arthritis And Rheumatism

Arthritis, one of the oldest disease known to mankind, is the inflammation of one or more joints. It occurs in all races at all times. Decline in joint function generally begins at age 30. No one really knows the exact cause of this painful and disabling disease. However, there are two theories:

 

1. Infection

2. Body's own defenses go out of line and attack its own tissues

 

Also experts believe that emotional stress plays a very important role in the cause of arthritis.

The most severe case of this crippling disease is RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS. Factors relating to it are fatigue, shock, injury, and exposure to cold and dampness. At times nodules may show up under the skin, around the elbows, wrists and fingers, and occasionally on the ankles. The control of this particular type of arthritis may require the cooperation of a physician, a physical therapist, an orthopedic surgeon, and often the physician who specializes in psychosomatic diseases. Rest is considered one of the most essential factors in treatment which includes emotional rest. Diet need not be too restrictive, but should be rich in animal proteins, calcium and iron adequate in vitamins. At present, many arthritic patients have been taking aspirins as a temporary pain-reliever with good results in some cases. Some patients also are given physical treatments with heat and water (bathing and whirlpools), finger-tip massaging, and other methods which an expert physiotherapist may use.

Remember this - PEOPLE DO NOT DIE OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS BUT RATHER WITH IT!

Since so many people in this country (over 150,000 a year) are afflicted with this excruciating, deforming disease, many HOME REMEDIES have been tested and used with some degree of effectiveness. Listed below are OLD-HOME-FOLK REMEDIES that have been tried by various people for treating arthritis in general and rheumatism.

- Mrs. G. had arthritis for years until she found relief taking alfalfa tea twice a day.

- Mrs. O. got relief by taking therapeutic doses of vitamins.

- Mrs. B. found relief by taking a tablespoon of fruit pectin in a small glass of cranberry juice every morning.

- Another lady found relief by gently exercising the afflicted joints in tub full of hot water.

- After learning self-control and how to avoid emotional upsets, Mrs. L. found that her pain had greatly lessened.

- Mrs. J.G. was greatly relieved when she eliminated sugar,white flour, macaroni, pie, cake, and sweet drinks from her diet.

- Mrs. H.B. prepared a drink which helped her and consisted of four raw finely sliced beets soaked in a quart of berry wine for one day. She drinks one small glass before meals, three times a day.

- Mrs. G. W. recommends dissolving 4 teaspoons of blackstrap molasses in one quart of cranberry juice and drinking one glass everyday. She also says 100 aspirins dissolved in a pint of rubbing alcohol will relieve sore joints when rubbed on three times a day.

- Mrs. P. takes equal parts of epsom salts, cream of tartar and ground rhubarb root, mixes, fills gelatin capsules, and takes one after each meal.

- Mrs. E.M. says two parts pure olive oil and one part kerosene makes a wonderful liniment to bathe afflicted joints.

- Add one tablespoon cod liver oil to the juice of one orange, whip and drink before retiring.

- Another says rub the aching joints with hot vinegar before going to bed.

- Mr. L. gives this poultice for swollen joints: 2 tablespoons mullein, 3 of granulated slippery elm bark, one of lobelia, 1 teaspoon cayenne. Mix thoroughly. Use boiling water to make paste. Spread on cloth and place on swollen joints. He also recommends oil of origanum, oil of lobelia, oil of capsicum, mixed with coconut oil for a good rub.

- Two teaspoons apple cider vinegar and 2 teaspoons of honey dissolved in a small glass of warm water taken once or twice a day brings relief.