Herbal Treatments for the Relief of Hip and Knee Problems

As people get older problems with their hips, knees, and other joints become increasingly more common. One of the biggest problems that people suffer is from Arthritis and the risk of suffering from this does increase with age. It is becoming more popular to try and treat conditions using homeopathic remedies, which can be better for us if used for long periods, rather than using medication. There are many plants and herbs available which can help prevent pain in the hips, knees and other joints, and help to keep your joints supple and agile.

Image: flickr.com/photos/nagarazoku

• -  Aloe Vera
• -  Cat's Claw
• -  Eucalyptus
• -  Ginger
• -  Green Tea
• -  Turmeric
• -  Willow Bark

You can find a lot of these herbs in different shops very easily, but it is always worthwhile going the extra effort and sourcing fresh herbs, rather than using dried ones. The reason for this is that the active ingredients, although still present in dried herbs, are a lot more effective when the herbs are fresh. Fresh herbs will help to relieve your symptoms and pain a lot more effectively.

A lot of these different herbs we already use in cooking, so the dried varieties are common in many homes. As mentioned before, fresh herbs are preferential, but the dried ones can still be of use if that is all that is available. You may also be able to buy topical oil that contains the required herbs infused, although these will often be more expensive due to the processing required. There are many different ways in which you can treat yourself with these herbs, with the most common one being to ingest them. It is possible to make a cup of tea that you can drink out of most of the herbs, which is a great way to get the herbs into your system quickly. Some teas made from herbs such as ginger can taste very good, but you will find some of the herbs do not have a very appealing taste when you make a cup of tea out of them. An alternative to drinking the herbs in a cup of tea is to make a poultice or balm from the herbs that you can place on the affected area of your body. If you are suffering from swollen joints, then this method can be good as a lot of herbs such as ginger, can also help to reduce swelling and inflammation.

When you are looking to treat your condition with a natural or herbal remedy, it is very important that before you start the treatment that you speak to your doctor first. Some herbs can cause rashes such as Willow Bark, and it is very important that you use the correct amount to avoid any other side effects that the herbs may cause. Your GP should be well versed in the different methods of treatment available, which means that they will be able to recommend a treatment for you that should be safe. Herbal treatments are not going to be a replacement for hip surgery if you need it, but they can make the discomfort that you feel a little more tolerable.