Herbs That Heal Rheumatoid Arthritis

Tinctures

• "The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook" recommends that herbal supplements and treatments for rheumatoid arthritis be taken by tincture for best absorption of the healing herbal components. A tincture is a preparation of herbs that involves soaking the herbs in drinking alcohol to extract the active components. The tincture is administered daily via a dropper. You should never use rubbing alcohol or any alcohol not intended for consumption to prepare a tincture. Herbalists believe that tinctures allow the beneficial components of the herb to be more effectively absorbed into the body. You can buy tinctures at most health shops or have your herbal remedy custom prepared by a skilled herbalist.

Milk Thistle

• "One Earth" recommends milk thistle to treat the toxic buildup, which is believed to be a trigger for rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Milk thistle is a healing herb with powerful antioxidants which destroy the free radicals that contribute to the swelling and inflammation that comes with rheumatoid arthritis. Milk thistle is well-known in the herbal supplement community for its liver-cleansing properties.

Knotgrass Complex

• According to "The Pharmacy Guide to Herbal Remedies," rheumatoid arthritis and many other forms of arthritis can be treated with a compound called the Knotgrass Complex. The active ingredients in the Knotgrass Complex--in addition to knotgrass--includes birch, goldenrod, horsetail and nettle.

Birch and Nettle

• Birch acts as a digestive stimulant and an anti-inflammatory, reducing the swelling effects associated with rheumatoid arthritis. The nettle component of the Knotgrass Complex treats rheumatoid arthritis by reducing the level of uric acid in the body. The level of uric acid is reduced by increasing the excretion of acid compounds in the body. The uric acid-excreting effects of stinging nettle are also used to treat gout. Stinging nettle should not be consumed raw as it may cause a reaction. Preparations of dried leaves are available loose and as capsules for use as herbal supplements.

Silica

• Silica is an active ingredient in many herbal treatments that heal rheumatoid arthritis. Like knotgrass, nettle also contains silica, which can increase circulatory health and improve cholesterol levels. Silica can also be found in supplement form, a derivative of bamboo. Natural silica has been shown to treat arthritis and osteoporosis, and also increases circulatory health and improves cholesterol levels. Silica is an important mineral in the body which improves the health of the skeletal system, as silica can help prevent and heal fractures.