Black Cohosh is an American Indian treatment herbs for arthritis using the root of a black cohosh. There are five species worldwide that have been used to treat rheumatism. Black cohosh contains aspirin-like substances as well as other anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties. Note: this should not be used by pregnant women without the advice and supervision of a learned midwife or physician.

To be effective, black cohosh needs to simmer in boiling water for several minutes for it to become active. For dried herbs, boil one teaspoon of black cohosh in one cup of water for about twenty minutes. Of course you may wish to start off with about one and a half cups of water if you want to end up with a full cup of solution.

Alfalfa is a folk remedy herbs for arthritis. People in southern Appalachia use Alfalfa tea because it is rich with nutritive minerals. It is recommended that you do not take alfalfa powder; but take the tea instead. Boil about one ounce of alfalfa in a quart of water for ten to fifteen minutes. Drink a cup or so at a time. You can drink as much of this mixture as you'd like. It is a very safe herb full of all sorts of healthy micro-nutrients.

Angelica is an herbs for arthritis that has been used in European folk medicine since antiquity. It can be used to treat arthritis. The Western variety of angelica has twelve anti-inflammatory constituents, ten muscle relaxant constituents, and five pain-relieving ones.

Along with the more exotic herbal supplements, there are some helpers to be found in the spice cabinet as well. Oregano is a powerful antioxidant. The antioxidant activity of oregano is due in part to rosmarinic acid. Rosmarinic acid is a compound with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and even antiviral properties.

The antioxidants in oregano may help prevent the cell damage caused by free radicals. Free radical reactions are involved in inflammation, degenerative arthritis and the aging process in general. Evidence is accumulating that antioxidants may help relieve osteoarthritis and RA. It can be very beneficial to use herbs for arthritis.

Ginger has been studied in India as a natural approach to arthritis treatment. In one study, researchers gave three to seven grams of ginger a day to eighteen people with osteoarthritis and twenty eight with rheumatoid arthritis. More than seventy five percent of those participating in the study reported at least some relief from pain and swelling. So, add more ginger to your next Asian dish!

A good multivitamin is also important if you do not eat several servings of fresh fruits and vegetables every day. Sleep and adequate water are also critical elements of helping the body fight arthritis pain and discomfort. Take some time to experiment with these different natural supplements and see what works best for you. Keep a journal and you're more likely to notice subtle differences between herbs and other treatments.