Do Some Herbs and Spices Help With Arthritis Relief?

Many well known drugs that have been proven effective as medicines come from plants, such as aspirin and quinine. So it really shouldn't be a surprise that the long tradition of using herbs and spices to treat medical conditions is actually effective. 

Below are seven that are well established as anti-inflammatories and can play a role in helping to control inflammatory conditions, like arthritis. Bonus, they have been chosen for this list because you are probably familiar with them already.

1. Turmeric
Many people swear by the anti-inflammatory properties of this bright yellow spice commonly found in Indian cuisine and readily available at your local grocer. Although studies have shown that curcumin, the active ingredient in this spice, does combat inflammation, results vary. You can give it a try and see if it seems to help you. If you it does, skewing your diet towards Indian cuisine may be a relatively easy way to help keep your condition under control.

2. Ginger
Although ginger is probably best known for its ability to combat nausea, it also has anti-inflammatory properties. This fact has been backed up by studies. This zesty spice is used in many Asian dishes, but it is also readily available in most brands of ginger ale. Just look at the bottle. Most of them say "contains real ginger" somewhere on the packaging. If you need to limit your consumption of sugar, you can get diet ginger ale. 

3. Cinnamon
Studies have proven the anti-inflammatory properties of cinnamon. Although many of the items on this list get used in savory dishes, this one is often used in deserts. However, it also acts as a blood thinner, so may be contra-indicated if you are on certain medications or have certain conditions.

4. Garlic
Garlic also has anti-inflammatory properties. For the best medicinal effect, use fresh garlic, not garlic powder. If you really do not like the flavor of it, it can also be found in supplement form.

5. Cayenne
The active ingredient in cayenne and other hot peppers is capsaicin. It has anti-inflammatory properties and also gets used in some medications as a topical pain killer. It has been proven in studies to ease arthritis pain. 

6. Black Pepper
Although the active ingredient in pepper is piperine, not capsaicin, it has similar effects. So if hot peppers are too hot for you, you can go for black pepper as a milder flavor with similar health benefits. 

7. Licorice
Licorice not only reduces inflammation, it helps support the adrenals. Not only can you get it as a supplement or in tea, if you read the packaging, you can sometimes find actual licorice in the candy of the same name. However, it is contra-indicated for people with high blood pressure, heart disease or kidney problems. 

Many herbs and spices have medicinal effects that help you control arthritis pain. This includes licorice, black pepper, cayenne, garlic, cinnamon and ginger.

Will Special Shoes Alleviate Your Arthritis Pain?

New research indicates "unloading" shoes do not offer any benefits over traditional walking shoes for people who suffer from arthritic knees.

"Unloading" shoes have modified midsoles and are meant to reduce the load, or force, placed on the knee joint with each step, according to the manufacturer of the shoes.

A study out of Australia focused on the Gel Melbourne OA, made by Asics, and concluded they were no better at relieving arthritis pain than standard shoes.

According to researchers, the unloading shoes do significantly reduce the forces on the knee joint, but wearers of the shoes did not report more pain relief with the modified shoes when compared to regular shoes.

Both the unloading shoes and standard shoes improved physical function and created significant pain relief among study participants; this led the researchers to question whether supportive lace-up athletic shoes should become the recommended footwear.

Knee osteoarthritis results in the wearing away of knee cartilage over time. This leads to stiffness, swelling, and pain around the joint that can impede a person's ability to walk, climb, or even complete tasks they do every day. It is most common after age 60.

There is no cure, so treatment focuses on lifestyle. Doctors recommend low-impact exercise like swimming, as well as maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight if necessary. In addition, if any activity becomes painful, it's best to avoid it if possible.

Anti-inflammatory medications, ice, heat, and pain relief creams may also provide relief. In addition, physical therapy can help improve mobility and flexibility by strengthening the surrounding muscle groups, among other things. In more severe cases, patients may undergo surgery—from partial or total joint replacement to joint-lining removal.

Some clinicians may also suggest the use of a knee brace, a cane, or new shoes such as standard walking shoes. The manufacturer says unloading shoes include shock-absorbing inserts as well as stiffer-than-normal soles. These modifications aim to reposition the foot and reduce the load on the knee. It encourages pronation, or an inward roll of the foot.

This study involved 160 knee arthritis patients over the age of 49. They were split into two groups and randomly assigned to wear conventional Asics shoes or the Asics Gel Melbourne OA.

After six months, roughly 54 percent of each group reported improved pain levels. Forty-four percent of the unloading group reported improved physical function compared to 48 percent of the conventional Asics group.