Winter Joint Pain

It 's officially winter! Most of us do not realize that we suffer from various ailments until this time of year, joint pain being one of them. Joint pain is classified as being any type of pain or discomfort felt in the joints, also associated with swelling and stiffness. Many suffer from depression in the winter months and may feel pain more acutely than the actual pain itself.

Here are a few simple remedies to help you make it through this season and dealing with joint pain.

Herbs

• black cohosh

• parsley

• slippery elm

• alfalfa

• peppermint

• buckthorn bark

• ragwort

• burdock root

• chaparral

• 1 1/2- 31/2 tsp ginger

• cayenne

• turmeric

Teas

1. Mix equal parts black cohosh, chamomile, bearberry leaves, cascara sagrada, pokewood root, and sassafras. Steep 1 1/2 tsp mixture in 1 cup boiling - hot water for 10 minutes. take 1 cup in the morning and evening . Sweeten with honey, if desired

2. Substitute parsley, yerba buena, and yerba santa for the above herbs, and prepare in the same way. drink 2 cups a day in mouthful doses.

Poultices

Take 3 Tbsp, of granulates slippery elm bark, 1 Tbsp of lobelia, 2Tbsp of mulien, 1 tsp of cayenne, and mix it all in a bowl. Add hot water to make a paste. Spread it on a cloth and cover the swollen joints. Over it, wrap a plastic sheet and then a dry towel. Leave it on for 1/2 to 1 hour or less, if burning sensation becomes unbearable.

Although joint pains are generally painful and uncomfortable, it is important to carefully find exercises that will continue to provide adequate blood flow and circulation to the area.

To promote circulation: Mix 2 parts ginger root, 1 part cayenne, and 1/2 part lobelia. make a paste. Apply either as a poultice , fomentation, or liniment. A second way to promote circulation is by mixing eucalytus oil with water and rub on the affected area. Wrap the joint in plastic wrap, and apply moist heat with hot towels.