Does anyone know anything that could help support the body against arthritic damage. I can't take glucosamine, I am sensitive to sulfites, and (well, let's not go there). I would appreciate any suggestions.

-- Connie (connie@lunehaven.com), April 10, 2000

Answers

You might try Dr. D.C. Jarvis' book "Arthritis and Folk Medicine" This is an old book. His emphasis is on using apple cider vinegar. Unless you're fortunate to have meat raised organically, eating red meat's not a good idea. Actually, eating meat as little as possible is best. I can certainly sympathize with your drug allergy. (I touched on that on the Alternative Medicine thread) The more naturally you eat, the better you'll fee. I know most homesteaders get lots of exercise, but a specific routine is best. Maybe someone else can advise you on that-the wrong exercise could be harmful. Mostly because of the chemical poisoning, I've started taking "Green Magma" (barley grass juice) In just a few days, there's a big difference. I don't know how it works on arthritis. I've also heard that alfalfa and lobelia are helpful, you might want to check at a health food store. You might try a good nutritional chiropractor, massage and pressure point therapy. Hope this helps.

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), April 10, 2000.

People may laugh at this, but what I found to help is to stop eating refined sugars, that includes fructose and the common supermarket brown sugar.

-- R. (thor610@yahoo.com), April 10, 2000.

I have been taking Glucosamine and Chondroitin tablets, and they have been helping both my brother and I. But because of various other health problems, both of us have been eating a lot more healthily lately...more veggies, less refined foods.

-- Leann Banta (thelionandlamb@hotmail.com), April 10, 2000.

If you do find something that works for you, I'd like to know. My wife can't take the glucosamine either.

-- Eric M Stone (ems@nac.net), April 10, 2000.

This probably won't help but I have been taking MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) This has helped me immensely. It has been combined in a lot of over the counter herbs with glucosamine and chrondroitin but I take it alone.

-- Rose Tripodi (pdt@icubed.com), April 10, 2000.

My daughter just gave me a book about MSM. Actor James Coburn raves about it. His hands were terribly crippled, he had to stop acting because of the pain. His hands are still crippled but the pain is gone.The book is " The Miracle of MSM" By Stanley W.Jacobs M.D.... RonaldM Lawrence M.D. PhD..and Martin Zucker..My daughter says they sell it in bulk for horses at most feed stores.. Have you noticed that there is a lot more reseach on keeping animals healthy. All research for humans seems to be how to fix us after we're broke. Got my Countryside today,but I have only read half.. Doris in Idaho

-- Doris Richards (dorisquilts@webtv.net), April 10, 2000.

I have a friend with Rhematoid Arthritis and she stays away from red meat and all dairy products. When she does indulge she can feel it the next day. There are some books on arthritis and diet. Would be worth looking into. Good luck, I have a touch of arthur myself and it can be a pain.(no pun intended)

-- Vaughn (vdcjm5@juno.com), April 10, 2000.

Connie,

Feverfew is a delightful herb part of the chrysanthemum family, hosting very small white daisy like flowers atop fern/feathery like foliage. Grows in all zones and can be grown in containers.

Feverfew is an anti-inflammatory. Chew 3 leaves 2 times a day, but be forwarned...they taste awful. Feverfew is great for those seeking alternative medicines for Migraine Headaches, Allergies and Arthritis including rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia (sp?) also known as FMS. I did mention that the leaves tasted really awful didn't I? Please do a search on the net to gather all the information you can concerning this wonderful little plant. Capsules can be purchased at any store that sell herbs, I did mention that the leaves taste really awful..right? :)

Should you decide to grow this pretty little plant, the leaves can be place between a piece of bread and eaten, or dried and placed in capsules (purchased on the net), or as Grandma used to do...dry leaves, grind into powder, take powder and flour and a bit of water to make a paste, roll into pill shapes and let dry.

-- Ima Gardener (ima@gardener.com), April 11, 2000.

Ima Isuffer from migrains and my wife from arthritis were do i get this plant

shaun

-- shaun cornish (shaun-terri@juno.com), April 11, 2000.

Richters Herb Catalogue, sells seeds, plants and dried herbs. You just won't believe all of the information in this catalog. www.richters.com 1-905-640-6677 Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), April 11, 2000.

thanks Vicki your right had to book mark and go back lots of info.

-- shaun cornish (shaun-terri@juno.com), April 12, 2000.

Feverfew takes from 2 weeks to 2 months before it starts working, as the chemical from the herb needs to accumulate in the body before it takes effect.

The seeds need sunlight to germinate. Sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil and water :) this plant requires no special care or watering. If the plants leaves look droopy, give it a drink! 3 plants will provide you with more herb then a person will need. Self seeds .... everywhere! easy to eradicate or transplant, cuttings can also be taken from the heel of the plant or divided by root division. Plant gets about 24 inches tall and about 18 inches wide.

If you don't have migranes, arthritis or other inflammatory problems, find a place in a corner out of the way to plant feverfew, it also makes a nice cutting flower.

-- Ima Gardener (ima@gardener.com), April 12, 2000.

Ima Gardner, either your folks had a great sence of humor or you have a great Email addy! Here in Texas the Hoggs (great Houston money!!) named thier daughter Ima, true story Ima Hogg! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), April 12, 2000.

Connie, Check with your local feed store. You can get 2 Lbs for around $35-40. They may have to order it for you. It'll last for months. ( If they ask, tell them you need it for an older horse.) Even if you're allergic to sulfites, MSM is in a form that is not harmful. My DW is also allergic to sulfites. I put about 2 TBS in a gallon of filtered water and we drink a couple of those a day. You might even want to try a couple of packets of Knox unflavored gelatine a day. It's supposed to be a more easily assimilated form of glucosamine sulfate. Use your search engine to find a detailed list of what MSM can do for you.

-- Robert W Berchtold (robberch@earthlink.net), April 12, 2000.

Hi Connie,

I've had arthritis since I was 20 years old. I still refuse to let it get the best of me. The most important herb that I found for relief of pain and to rebuild my joints is HORSETAIL GRASS (Equisetum arvense) If you can pick this yourself this time of year, it is so much better that something that's been on a shelf for who knows how long.

My Indian friends drink Black Cherry juice. This can be bought in concentrate at health food stores. I do find this a big help also.

Others here have offered very good solutions, apple cider vinegar, (in hot water, in the morning and at night, according to my Grandpa) and meat and dairy restrictions. The reasons behind these are that meat and dairy are mucous producing foods that allow the build-up of uric acid and other toxins in your body and joints. Most of these remedies are based on ridding your body of mucous and balancing the ph. Horsetail grass targets the joints, draining off uric acid and providing nutrition to rebuild cartledge. A diet high in raw cabbage and broccoli provides a lot of nutrients, too.

The best advice given to me was to keep working and exercising because I will be in pain anyway whether I am exercising my joints and muscles or laying around whining about the pain.

The hardest part for me is staying on a restricted diet and drinking my tea and cherry juice on a daily basis, instead of waiting until inflammation sets in.

I wish you good fortune in your quest for better health and pain- free living.

Laura

-- Laura (gsend@hotmail.com), April 13, 2000.

I do not have arthritis terribly bad, but I have always thought bee stings helped me. My fingers are much more flexible after being stung a couple of times. Of course, this is not for people who are allergic to stings.

-- Green (ratdogs10@yahoo.com), April 15, 2000.

I saw a program on Discovery channel not too long ago, about the use of bee stings for arthritis and if I remember correctly they were getting some very positive results..might be worth looking into.

-- diane dirck (di_wtch@yahoo.com), April 15, 2000.

My husband is a beekeeper, and he says that after he's been stung a few times on the hand in the spring, his hands feel a lot better -- if he only gets stung on one hand, that one feels better but the other one doesn't. Also, he was giving bees to a lady who had MS or MD (can't remember which). She was partially paralyzed and had been going steadily downhill for years; after starting bee-sting therapy she actually had some slight recovery, and stopped going down-hill. We haven't heard from them for a couple of years, so I don't know how she's doing now, but if it helped her even for a little while, I would think it was worth trying.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), April 15, 2000.

Vicki,

this is a true story:

I married a Gardener! so it is C.A. Gardener and Ima Gardener! and what a pair we are!

Thank goodness I married a Gardener! rofl!

-- Ima Gardener (ima@gardener.com), April 16, 2000.

Concerning MSM. I purchase it through a place called Pure Encapsulations but Vitamin Shoppe may have it. Vitamin Shoppe is on the web and sells many many items. Also, my son-in-law is having knee problems. A friend told him to take barley grass and he has seen a distinct improvement. The friend began taking it when he could hardly walk. Now he is a lot better also.

Rose

-- Rose Tripodi (pdt@icubed.com), May 08, 2000.

Tart cherries have anti imflamitory properties that seem to work as well or better than over the counter drugs eat 3 or 4 fresh 3 or 4 times a day or after a hard work out seems to work i would like further testing

-- (mironbear@aol.com), May 23, 2000.

The People's Pharmacy Book of Home Rememdies has oodles of oldie-but- goodie arthritis helpers, including gin-soaked raisins. Why they work no one knows, but appearently they do. I highly reccommend the book, as the info is priceless to those of us who can't afford to go the Dr. everytime something goes wrong. As my monther once said, "Dr.'s are only practising medicine, I know what I'm doing."

-- Soni Pitts (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), August 05, 2000.