Arthritis: The Green Pharmacy - James A. Duke, Ph.D.

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Arthritis: " The Green Pharmacy " - James A. Duke, Ph.D.

JoAnn Guest

Dec 31, 2003 14:34 PST

 

 

 

Some years ago, the newsman Paul Harvey recommended raisins soaked

in gin for all manner of aches and pains, including arthritis.

Here's a letter I received on this subject from a correspondent in

Mesa, Arizona:

" After reading a Paul Harvey commentary on gin-soaked raisins, a

group of friends and I decided to give it a try. It really works.

 

We have all enjoyed great relief from arthritic aches and pains.

After 15 years of pain, I'm almost totally pain-free. I've been

taking pain pills for years with only minimal relief.

 

Some kinds of pain that have been relieved or eliminated after

taking the gin-soaked raisin formula include migraine headaches,

gout and arthritic pain in joints. Several people reported a

decrease in pains that awakened them at night, enabling them to have

an uninterrupted sleep.

 

In your research, have you discovered why it works so well? "

I replied: " No, but I am going home to a gin Collins with grape

juice, since I prefer grapes to raisins. "

If you benefit from gin-steeped raisins, the raisins probably do you

more good than the gin.

 

Grapes and raisins contain many pain relieving, anti-arthritic and

anti-inflammatory chemicals. Looking over the long list of compounds

that occur naturally in grapes, I see such pain relievers as ferulic

acid, gentisic acid, kaempferol-glucosides and aspirin-like

salicylic

acid.

 

Grapes and raisins also contain several anti-inflammatory compounds:

ascorbic acid, cinnamic acid, coumarin, myricetin, quercetin and

quercetin.

 

And in 1997, there was a flurry of interest in resveratrol, yet

another anti-inflammatory compound of which grapes are the best

source. Ounce for ounce, raisins contain more of all of these

compounds than grapes because they contain less water.

 

All of these pain relievers occur at low levels in raisins, so I

doubt that the mere seven gin-soaked raisins that Harvey touted

would contain significant doses. a large quantity of raisins might

well provide significant pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory

benefits.Personally, I'd be tempted to try raisins before depending

on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

 

Joints in Trouble

 

Arthritis literally means " joint inflammation. " According to the

Arthritis Foundation, there are more than 100 different diseases

that produce joint pain and inflammation--everything from the flu to

certain cancers. But when people say " arthritis, " they usually mean

osteoarthritis.

 

Also known as degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis is the most

prevalent of more than a dozen different kinds of arthritis. Some 16

million Americans have it. The hips, knees, spine and the tiny

joints of the hands and feet are most frequently affected.

 

Osteoarthritis usually develops gradually, beginning with minor

aches that eventually lead to extended pain, stiffness, swelling and

limited range of motion. Symptoms sometimes subside with gentle

physical activity, but not always.

 

Another common form of arthritis is the rheumatoid variety.

 

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has a nasty reputation because it can

cause crippling joint deformity. But many of the 2.1 million

Americans with RA--approximately 75 percent of whom are women--have

milder, noncrippling cases that flare up and subside mysteriously.

 

Frequently, both hands are affected, but RA can strike other joints

as well. In addition to joint pain, swelling and warmth, possible

symptoms include fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, enlarged lymph

nodes, lumps under the skin and muscle stiffness after sleep or

inactivity. Stiffness

usually subsides with moderate activity.

 

Green Pharmacy for Arthritis

Fortunately, there are a number of other herbs that can help.

 

Arthritis Soup

 

Here's one for people who like quantitative recipes. Start by

combining the main ingredients, then season them with dashes of any

of the seasonings that appeal to you. You don't need all of these,

and you can play with the proportions and flavors, if you like. If

an ingredient doesn't appeal to you or is unavailable, simply leave

it out.

 

3­4 quarts of pure spring water

 

2 cups chopped cabbage

 

1 cup sliced string beans (1 " pieces)

 

1 cup chopped celery

 

1 cup nettle leaves

 

1/2 cup diced carrots

 

1/2 cup chopped asparagus

 

1/2 cup dandelion leaves

 

1/2 cup finely chopped dandelion root

 

1/4 cup chopped spinach

 

1/4 cup cubed eggplant

 

1/4 cup chopped chicory

 

2 tablespoons minced garlic

 

2 tablespoons turmeric

 

2 tablespoons licorice

 

2 tablespoons evening primrose seeds

 

Ground red pepper

 

Ground black pepper

 

White mustard

 

organic Flaxseed

 

Sarsaparilla

 

Fenugreek

 

Lemon juice

 

Place the water in a large soup pot. Add the cabbage, beans, celery,

nettle, carrots, asparagus, dandelion leaves, dandelion root,

spinach,

eggplant, chicory, garlic, turmeric, licorice and evening primrose

seeds.

Season with the red pepper, black pepper, mustard, flaxseed,

sarsaparilla, fenugreek and lemon juice. Bring to a boil over high

heat.

Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the

vegetables are tender.

 

Makes 4 servings

 

---

 

Ginger Root (Zingiber officinale) and turmeric (Curcuma longa).

 

In one study, Indian researchers gave three to seven grams (11Ž2 to

31Ž2 teaspoons) of ginger a day to 18 people with osteoarthritis and

28

with rheumatoid arthritis. More than 75 percent of those

participating

in the study reported at least some relief from pain and swelling.

Even

after more than two years of taking these high doses of ginger, none

of

the people reported side effects. This study is one reason that Jean

Carper, author of Food: Your Miracle Medicine, drinks ginger tea for

her

osteoarthritis.

 

The curcumin in turmeric is a close chemical relative of some

compounds

found in ginger, so I'm not surprised that this herb also has a

major

reputation as an arthritis treatment.

 

You can enjoy both herbs in a wide variety of spicy dishes as well

as use them to make teas.

 

 

 

Pineapple (Ananas comosus)-Bromelain.

 

Some intriguing research suggests that bromelain, a chemical in

pineapple, helps prevent inflammation. For some time now, athletic

trainers have been recommending pineapple to athletes to prevent and

treat sports injuries.

 

I think it's also a good bet for people with

arthritis. Bromelain can help the body get rid of immune antigen

complex, compounds that are implicated in some arthritic conditions.

 

It also helps digest fibrin, another compound suspected of being

involved

in some types of arthritis. If you need an excuse to indulge

yourself with fresh, ripe pineapple, this is it.

 

 

Pineapple

This tasty fruit is rich in vitamin C and immune-boosting minerals.

 

 

 

Red pepper (Capsicum, various species).

Red pepper causes some pain on the tongue, but ironically, it

interferes with pain perception elsewhere around the body. The

pain-relieving chemical in red pepper, capsaicin, triggers the body

to

release endorphins, nature's own opiates. Red pepper also contains

aspirin-like compounds known as salicylates.

 

You can make a tea by mixing red pepper into water, but it would be

a

whole lot more pleasurable to have your red pepper cooked in a

variety

of spicy dishes. For a quick hit, try a splash of hot-pepper sauce

in

tomato juice.

 

Compounds in red pepper can also help relieve arthritis when you

apply

the herb to the skin. Researchers have discovered that you'll get

significant pain relief if you apply capsaicin cream directly to

painful

arthritic joints four times daily. In one study of this treatment,

the

capsaicin cream reduced RA pain by more than half. Osteoarthritis

pain

was reduced by about one-third.

 

Capsaicin creams are generally believed safe and effective for

arthritis.

 

Look for capsaicin in the ingredient list of over-the-counter pain

creams such as Zostrix or Capzasin-P or ask your doctor for a

prescription capsaicin product. If you use a capsaicin cream, be

sure to

wash your hands thoroughly afterward: You don't want to get it in

your

eyes. Also, since some people are quite sensitive to this compound,

you

should test it on a small area of skin to make sure that it's okay

for

you to use before using it on a larger area. If it seems to irritate

your skin, discontinue use.

 

 

 

Multi-mint Antioxidant Arthritis Tea

 

Rosemary and oregano are both antioxidant mints. Add several more

antioxidant herbs to these two, and you get my Multi-Mint

Antioxidant

Tea. The mints are basil, bee balm, horehound, hyssop, lemon balm

(also

known as melissa), marjoram, oregano, peppermint, rosemary, sage,

savory, spearmint and thyme. It makes sense to top it off with a

dash of

ginger and turmeric.

 

I checked my database to see if, in addition to their antioxidant

value,

any of these herbs contain proven anti-arthritic compounds. Sure

enough,

basil had five, while marjoram, oregano and rosemary weighed in with

a

few each.

 

How much of each herb should you use to make this tea? People always

ask

me that, and I never know what to say. My teas are never the same; I

use

a little of this and a little of that. But to satisfy people who

need

recipes, I'll say to use two parts of the ingredients you like and

one

part of those you find less appealing. Pour boiling water over the

herbs

and let them steep for 10 to 20 minutes before drinking.

 

 

 

stinging nettle (Urtica dioica).

One method of using this herb to treat arthritis--steaming the fresh

leaves and enjoying them as a vegetable. You'll be relieved to know

that

although you do have to wear gloves to harvest the leaves, the fuzzy

stingers lose their sting when the leaves are cooked.

 

The Rheumatoid Disease Foundation suggests that three milligrams of

boron, taken daily, may be helpful in treating osteoarthritis and

RA.

 

An analysis of stinging nettle provided to me by USDA scientists

shows

that this herb contains 47 parts per million of the mineral boron,

figured on a dry-weight basis.

 

That means that a 100-gram serving of stinging nettle, easily

prepared

by steaming several ounces of young, tender leaves, could easily

contain

more than the recommended three milligrams of boron. (You can also

get a

good portion of nettle in my Arthritis Soup; see page 56.)

 

According to the Rheumatoid Disease Foundation, boron is effective

because it plays a role in helping bones retain calcium.

 

It also has a beneficial influence on the body's endocrine

(hormonal)

system, and hormones play a role in helping the body maintain

healthy

bones and joints.

 

Oregano (Origanum vulgare).

Studies are accumulating that the " pizza herb, " oregano, is a

powerful

antioxidant. Like other antioxidants contained in fruits and

vegetables,

the compounds in oregano may help prevent the cell damage caused by

free

radicals--highly unstable oxygen molecules that steal electrons from

other molecules they encounter.

 

Free radical reactions are probably involved in inflammation,

degenerative arthritis and the aging process in general. And

evidence is

accumulating that antioxidants may help relieve osteoarthritis and

RA.

 

In a test of nearly 100 plants in the mint family, of which oregano

is a

member, the pizza herb was the one that had the greatest total

antioxidant activity. Research has shown that the antioxidant

activity

of oregano and other medicinal mints is due in large part to

rosmarinic

acid, a compound with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant

and

antiviral properties. Considering how highly it ranks for this kind

of

protection, oregano is definitely worth adding to your pizza, or any

other food, if you have arthritis.

 

You could also try my Multi-Mint Antioxidant Arthritis Tea.

 

Willow (Salix, various species),

garlic (Allium sativum)

and licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra).

 

Willow bark was the original herbal aspirin. It contains a chemical

called salicin, which the Bayer Company eventually transformed into

little white tablets of acetylsalicylic acid--the painkilling drug

called aspirin that so many people with arthritis take daily.

 

Willow bark tea has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects

similar

to those of aspirin.

 

But because the irritation-causing ingredient in aspirin tablets is

diluted in tea, you'll have less risk of stomach upset, ulcer and

overdose if you take the tea instead of the pills.

 

Still, willow bark may upset your stomach. That's why I've included

licorice in this formula. Not only does licorice have anti-

inflammatory

effects, it may also help treat any gastrointestinal problems caused

by

the willow.

 

But the formula is not quite complete without garlic. While long-

term

use or ingestion of large amounts of licorice can raise some

people's

blood pressure and lead to other problems ( excessive loss of

potassium), garlic helps reduce blood pressure.

 

So here's the formula for a well-balanced Anti-Arthritis Tea:

approximately three parts dried willow bark, two parts dried

licorice

root and one part minced garlic. Pour boiling water over the mixture

and

steep for about 15 minutes. If you don't like the taste, add lemon

and/or honey, plus ginger and turmeric to taste.

 

Brazil nut (Bertholettia excelsa) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus).

 

SAM is shorthand for S-adenosyl-methionine, a chemical shown to have

pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties similar to those

found

in the over-the-counter medication ibuprofen.

 

SAM can be found--

 

in high-methionine seeds and nuts, particularly sunflower seeds and

Brazil nuts.

 

It would take 250 grams of sunflower seeds (about 9 ounces) or 500

grams of Brazil nuts (18 ounces) to provide a dose of SAM that's

more

effective than a standard dose of ibuprofen.

 

It's not feasible to eat that many nuts and seeds, but I believe

that

every little bit helps, especially if you use the other natural

approaches this chapter recommends.

 

So go ahead and sprinkle some sunflower seeds on your salad.

 

And when you're nibbling mixed nuts in company, don't apologize for

monopolizing the Brazil nuts.

 

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea) and other herbs containing glutathione.

 

Studies indicate that people who are low in the antioxidant compound

glutathione are more likely to have arthritis than those who have

higher

amounts.

 

Vegetables rich in glutathione include--

 

asparagus, cabbage, cauliflower, potatoes, tomatoes and purslane.

Fruits with healthy amounts include avocados, grapefruit, oranges,

peaches and watermelon.

 

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis).

 

Rosemary was known in antiquity as the herb of remembrance. I find

that

quite fitting, since rosemary has antioxidants that help prevent

aging

in cells, and the aging process is certainly associated with memory

loss. One Greek-American herb grower tells how her fishing relatives

set

out to sea with fish dishes heavily covered with rosemary. Even when

it

was unrefrigerated, this food lasted for days, thanks in part to the

antioxidant activity of the rosemary.

 

Can an herb that keeps fish from spoiling help preserve your youth?

 

The jury is still out on that one, but rosemary has preservative

powers

comparable to the commercial preservatives BHA and BHT.

 

And since we know that antioxidants do help treat arthritis, it

makes

sense that this antioxidant-rich herb would help thwart this

disease.

 

Vitamin C.

 

Vitamin C inhibits the progression of osteoarthritis in guinea pigs.

 

Does it work in humans? There's no proof yet that it does, but it

certainly can't hurt to get more vitamin C. Red pepper and many of

the

other herbs and vegetables mentioned in this chapter contain good

amounts.

 

 

Arthritis Broth

 

To make this broth, begin with a couple of cups of water and add red

pepper, burdock, black pepper, celery seed, dandelion, garlic,

ginger,

horseradish, juniper, lemongrass, oregano, papaya, sarsaparilla,

thyme,

turmeric, valerian, watercress, white mustard and willow bark. Bring

to

a boil, then turn down the heat and simmer for a few minutes.

 

I just opportunistically seize any of these ingredients that are

near

at hand.

 

If you press me for a recipe, I'd say use four dashes each of

burdock,

dandelion, papaya, turmeric and watercress; two dashes of celery

seed,

garlic, ginger and oregano; and one dash each of the others, as

available.

 

This might be too spicy for your taste, but if so, you have my

permission to alter the recipe to suit your own taste.

 

 

" The Green Pharmacy "

James A. Duke, Ph.D.