45 Foods for Arthritis and Back Pain Relief

Arthritis is the inflammation of joints. There are two theories for the cause:
1. Infection
2. Body's own defenses go out of line and attack its own tissues components as if they were invading pathogens.

This illness affects about 60 million people worldwide who are helpless to do anything about it. Arthritis is a part of the genetic code one was born with, like green eyes and birthmarks.
The most severe case of this crippling disease is RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS. Although one inherits arthritis, yet there are factors relating to it like fatigue, shock, injury, and exposure to cold and dampness.

I have begun to explore the possibilities of food medicine which had improved the quality of life and markedly decreased the daily arthritic pain of many people. I am not saying I have found a cure for arthritis because there is no cure. I want to share them with you here, in the hopes that they can benefit someone else who may be fighting the same battle.

* Parsley:
A poultice of bruised leaves gives relief in cases of neuralgia and rheumatism.

* Cayenne Pepper:
In herbal treatment today, Capsicum is used for rheumatism and arthritis. Capsicum and its active ingredients are used extensively in many pharmaceutical preparations.The capsaicin in cayenne blocks a chemical involved in the nerve transmission of pain. Cayenne is also rich in salicylates, natural aspirin-like compounds. Massage a balm containing cayenne into your temples for headaches, or take encapsulated cayenne. Capsaicin, an extract from cayenne and other peppers, can dramatically reduce chronic nerve pain. Studies have proven its usefulness for arthritis, shingles, trigeminal neuralgia, and diabetic neuropathy. It appears to act by decreasing the concentration of substance P, the primary chemical used by nerve cells to transmit pain signals. This effect can require several weeks of regular use.

* Fennel:
An infusion of 1 OZ. of the dried leaves to 1 pint of boiling water is taken in wineglassful doses, frequently repeated. It has also been recommended as an external application for dissolving glandular swellings. Oil of fennel relieves muscular or rheumatic pains.

* Hops:
As an external remedy, an infusion of Hops is much in demand in combination with chamomile flowers or poppy heads as a fomentation for swelling of a painful nature, inflammation, neuralgic and rheumatic pains, bruises, boils, and gatherings. It removes pain and allays inflammation in a very short time.

* Ginseng, Siberian:
For treating rheumatoid arthritis and making muscles and bones strong.

* Lavender:
A fomentation of lavender as external application relieves stiffness of the joints. Oil of lavender is sometimes effective in bringing back circulation to feet that have lost feeling.

* Pineapple:
Research demonstrates Bromelain helps the body eliminate substances related to arthritis and triggers the release of a prostaglandin that tamps down inflammation. Some question remains about bromelin's absorption from the gut, and to many herbal authorities, the value may be over hyped. Nature gave us many similar proteolytic enzymes, (like Ginger), that are more highly concentrated in the edible parts of the plants.

* Barberry, Common:
Both Chinese gold thread (native to the mountains of Szechwan province in China) and the barberry known in Europe and North America are rich natural sources of berberine. Berberine is bright yellow and somewhat bitter and has long been used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial effects.Compounds in these plants inhibit the COX-2 enzyme. Berberine-containing herbs thus offer significant medical benefits across the spectrum of diseases.

* Celery:
It is recommended to eat the cultivated fresh root as well as taking the oil or fluid extract. Celery is said to be very good for rheumatism, when it is often combined with Coca, Damiana, etc. Dose: fluid extract, 3 to 7 drops every four hours.

* Black Pepper:
Black pepper has been used in vertigo, paralytic and arthritic disorders.

* Ginger:
Ginger root has traditionally been used in India to treat arthritis. Components of ginger such as gingerol can inhibit the production of prostaglandins possibly more effectively that the arthritis drug Indomethacin.To ease arthritis pain, drink a cup of ginger tea daily, brewed with one-half to one teaspoon of the fresh ground root. Available at most grocery stores, choose roots that have smooth skins, and freeze sliced ginger to keep fresh.

* Licorice:
It acts much like your body's own natural corticosteroids, the most potent anti-inflammatory substance. Licorice decreases generation of damaging molecules called free radicals at the site of inflammation and it inhibits an enzyme that's involved in the inflammatory process.

* Evening Primrose:
The seed from this plant contains the essential fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid ( GLA), which as an effect on inflammation. For this reason, the seed oil may significantly help arthritis pain, especially in cases of rheumatoid arthritis.

* Borage:
Like evening primrose and blackcurrant seeds, borage seeds are another source of gamma linolenic acid (GLA), the omega-6 fatty acid that the body uses to make an inflammation-fighting, an autoimmune-boosting prostaglandin. * Flax The linoleic acid found in flaxseed oil may also be beneficial for arthritis because it alters how the body breaks down prostaglandins, chemicals involved in inflammation.

* Turmeric:
The curcumin and curcuminoids in turmeric are first-rate arthritis-alleviating anti-inflammatory agents, These phytochemicals fight inflammation much like COX-2 inhibitors. They inhibit the production of prostaglandins. Turmeric can be taken in food or applied topically to the joint as a poultice to relieve pain.

* Rosemary:
Apply a compress of Rosemary to relieve sore muscles, stiff joints, and rheumatic pains.

* Peach:
Leaves are boiled in water and the extract is applied locally.

* Olives:
Bruised leaves are put on the inside leg a little over the ankle.

* cress
Its juice is mixed with water and taken orally 1-3 times daily.

* Ivy:
Leaves are boiled with water and the resultant extract is taken orally,1-2 cups daily. 1-2 g of leaves for 1 cup water.

* Wheat Grass:
15 g of completely dried roots are boiled with 1/2 Liter of water for 10minutes. The extract is cooled, filtered and taken up to 4 cups daily.

* Colocynth:
If it is rubbed on the FEET, it relieves pain in the back, in the legs and in joint. It is one of the most effective remedies.

Some compounded foods:
There are also some tried blends of different foods that have been found to produce good results in relieving arthritis pain. If you find it greasy or of unpalatable appearance, you can mix it with any regular cream so that it is better dispensed. Unless directed to make a paste, you can use water extract of the plant.

# Crushed Linseed or Linseed Oil + Vinegar:
To be applied locally.

# Lupin beans + Vinegar + Honey:
They are heated together and the resultant mixture is applied locally, it is helpful in relieving articular pain, Sciatica and Gout pain.

# Blackberries leaves + Figs:
To be heated together in water and the resultant extract is taken orally.

# Sugar Apple + Barley extract:
Sugar Apple is heated with Barley extract ( the water left after boiling Barley in it), and the resultant extract is applied locally.

# Thyme + Honey:
If powdered Thyme leaves or Thyme oil or extract is mixed with Honey it relieves arthritis pain almost immediately.

# Nigella + Honey:
Nigella oil is mixed with Honey and taken orally. The amounts are approximated to your convenience.

# Coriander oil + Almond oil + oil of Violet:
Mixed together and applied locally.

# Olive Oil + Bran + Vinegar :
All are heated together and applied to the joints, then cover with a wool cloth.

# Cabbage leaves + Barley Mill (flower):
Cabbage leaves are pasted with Barley Mill, applied to the joints, then cover with a wool cloth.

# Cabbage leaves + Garlic:
They are pasted together and applied to the affected joints. You can correct the odor using some aromatic oils of those mentioned above.

# Cucumber + Fenugreek + Vinegar + Garlic + Olive oil :
Fenugreek is boiled in water to be softened, Cucumber is peeled, and equal amounts of Cucumber, Fenugreek, and Vinegar are put in some Olive oil and heated after adding some garlic clove or oil and table salt, stir until you get an ointment that is locally applied to the affected joints and covered with wool cloth ( you may leave it for the whole night).

# Figs + Pine Nut + Safflower oil :
Mix using heat and apply locally.

# Caraway Oil + Olive oil:
Caraway oil or the water extract of the seeds is added to double its amount of Olive oil and applied to the affected joint.

# Coriander + Henna + Barley Mill + Vinegar :
The oil of Coriander or its water extract is mixed with the other ingredients and made into a paste that is applied locally.

# Oil of Ginger:
Mix 10 drops of essential oil of ginger with 30 drops of wheat germ oil and massage the affected joints.

# Cartilage of Lamb + Saffron:
Cartilage of Lamb's legs is mixed with Saffron and applied into the affected joints.

Spider Veins and Varicose Veins, Cosmetic or Risky?

What are spider veins? Is there a difference between them and varicose veins? how are they formed? are they dangerous? is there a treatment?.This article tries to answer these questions by giving an overview of the whole subject.


Why Veins?

Physiologically, veins are the deposit place where blood is stored in between every 2 successive heart beats (heart muscle contractions). While arteries are designed to dilate when blood is pushed within them,veins have no elastic walls exerting a passive effect on blood movementand this is why they are supplied with valves that keep blood circulating within the circulatory system ( heart--> arteries--> veins--> heart). To help push the blood in the legs against the gravity, veins are squeezed by skeletal muscle contraction when one walks.

Formation and Appearance:

Varicose veins are formed when there is a defect in the walls of veins,and this defect makes their tone is less than than normal leading to their dilatation, as a result, veins are engorged with venous blood that is weakly circulated. The defect may be in the valves leading to leakage of blood below the valves, and is accumulated and pooled in the veins.

Varicose veins can be seen or touched as twisted and bugling swollen dark purple or blue veins that are raised above the skin surface, commonly on the back of the calves or the inside of the legs. During pregnancy, varicose veins (hemorrhoids) can form in the vagina or around the anus.

Spider veins are the smaller red or blue veins looking like spider web or tree branches, and much closer to the skin covering either a very small or very large area of skin on the leg and face, and they do not represent a risk.Hands veins are normal, healthy veins that have become more visible, and both of them and spider veins need no treatment, yet some people ask for medical interference for cosmetic purposes.

Causes:

While people that are susceptible to acquiring varicose or spider veins may inherent those genes that produce weak venous walls or valves, yet there are some risk factors , these are :
* Pregnancy.
* Occupations that require standing for long period of times.
* Trauma.
* Aging.

Symptoms:

Symptoms of varicose veins include :
* Aching pain.
* Easily tired legs.
* Leg heaviness.
* Swelling in the legs.
* Darkening of the skin (in severe cases).
* Numbness in the legs.

Complications of Varicose veins :

Varicose veins (but not spider veins) usually enlarge and worsen over time, and severe varicose veins may cause serious problems like:
1- Blood clots: Severe venous insufficiency allows venous blood to stagnate carrying a lot of waste and noxious products, leading to severe infection and blood clotting. Blood clots in the deep veins can be very serious as they can move from leg veins to the lung and can block lung and heart functions.

2- Sores or skin ulcers: they are formed on skin tissues around the varicose veins, causing ongoing irritation, swelling, and painful rashes of legs. Care of these ulcers are difficult as long as there are varicose veins.

Doctor Visit:

To cut on the varicose veins and prevent their silly prognosis, you should see your doctor if:1- There are sores or rash on the leg or near the ankle with the varicose veins.2- The varicose veins become swollen, red, or very tender, or warm to the touch.

Treatment :

1- Medical :
It can be used for temporary varicose veins like those formed during pregnancy, They contain mostly active ingredients derived from horse chest nut (aesculus hypocastanum) and flavonoids derived mostly from the citrus fruits.

2- Sclerotherapy:
It is the most common treatment of both spider and varicose veins. It involves injecting some chemicals into the affected veins to cause their scarring, and in a few weeks the vein should fade. Among the techniques implemented are, Microsclerotherapy and Ultra-sound guided sclerotherapy.

3- Laser Surgery:
It either uses laser directly on the spider veins in the leg to make them disappear, or uses endovenous techniques to treat deeper varicose veins of the legs.

4- Surgery:
used mostly to treat very large varicose veins, which are mostly superficial veins.

All treatment types have side effects ranging from mild to serious ones,depending their location, procedure used, and skill of the practising physician.


Some herbal remedies:

1- Rub apple cider vinegar on the spider or the varicose veins in the morning and in the evening for one month. You can add 2 teaspoonful to a cup of water and drink them in the morning and in the evening.
2- Put some Cabbage leaves to some Garlic in your mixer , mince and rub the affected legs with the resultant liquid.


Can we protect ourselves from getting varicose veins? Walk and use some personal care products that contain extracts of horse chest nut and flavonoids, they can help.

The DCA Cancer Cure Hot Debate and the Truth

What is this hot debate of DiChlororAcetate (DCA) all about? and where is the truth? This article deals with the debate and the truth.

The story begins from Canada where Dr Evangelos Michelakis, a professor at the University of Alberta, published an article about his findings about DCA , and that he found it causes regression in several cancers including lung, breast, and brain tumors, here:
http://www.depmed.ualberta.ca/dca/


Dr Len Lechtenfeld, a deputy chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society said that he does not know the researcher but the University is a recognized , established university. He explained the possible side effects of DCA and its parent compound, telling his experience about false hopes given to cancer patients, and advising people to be prudent and patient about any new claim, here
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/CancerPreventionAndTreatment/Story?id=2848454&page=1

Watching the storm the Internet is taken by, we may consider the following aspects:
1- Dr. Michelakis's article was seemingly directed to the public, giving the scholars (and non-scholars sometimes) the opportunity to find conventional hints from the scientific point of view.

2- The whole situation is critical, since it deals with a miracle for desperate people who are not concerned with the scientific debate, yet some of them may have been painfully suffered fake claims.

3- When we set DCA aside from the debate about its direct implementation as a cancer cure, and verify the claimed effect of deactivating the glycolytic and activating the mitochondrial energy production pathways, it would represent the clue to cure all cancers, since we would deal with cancer as a metabolic disease, instead of the massive destruction weapons we are using now with or without incomplete success.

4- DCA being non patent drug, has created a buzz about the concern of the pharma co's, while if the Structure Activity Relationship (SAR) is validated, we shouldn't worry about the concern of pharma co's, and see these names for different patented drugs that treat erectile dysfunction; Sildenafil, Tadalfil, and Verdenafil.

Would we reject the slightest hope of conquering a devil enemy like cancer?

These Foods Cure Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids don't last long and can be relieved with care at home, and people with them have excellent prognosis. We give you some food-made home treatments to make prognosis even better, so that you get rid of flare-ups of bleeding or discomfort from time to time.

To be aware of hemorrhoids earlier, we give you a brief discussion about the whole problem.

What are hemorrhoids :Hemorrhoids are dilated, blood-filled, painful veins in the rectum. According to the anatomical distribution of veins, hemorrhoids can be classified into:
1-Internal hemorrhoids which is formed of swollen internal veins which unless they are severe, they cannot be seen or felt.
2-External hemorrhoids which are formed of swollen external veins which can be seen around the outside of the anus and, in many times can be felt.

The 3 main ailments that can be associated with hemorrhoids are; Constipation, Liver diseases, and Pregnancy, where there is increased pressure that leads blood to pile-up in the hemorrhoid veins causing them to swell.Hemorrhoids are very common and have been estimated to occur in up to half the population by age 50.

How do you feel hemorrhoids ;Unless the internal hemorrhoids are severe, you can only know that you have external hemorrhoids, when you see bright red blood topside the stools, or dripping into toilet. It is not long lasting bleeding. External hemorrhoids can be classified into 2 types :
1- Prolapsed hemorrhoids :
It is formed when the internal hemorrhoids swell and then extend through the anus, from outside. Itching in the anus may develop from prolapsed hemorrhoids.Many times you can solve the problem by rubbing them with Castor oil and pushing them back through the anus. If the hemorrhoids cannot be pushed back, then they may swell even more , and you need to see a doctor.
2- Thrombosed hemorrhoids :
The stagnant blood in hemorrhoids may form a clot leading to more swollen hemorrhoids and causing an increased pain, which is worsened by bowl movement or sometimes with sitting. This also may require a doctor's examination and treatment

In general, if there is bleeding, prolapsed hemorrhoids that does not go back through the anus, or if you feel a significant pain from hemorrhoids, you should see your doctor. A special care should be considered, if you are over 40 and have a family history of Colon Cancer.


Self-Care at home is recommended by doctors :
Procedure of treatment of hemorrhoids, most of the time is conservative and performed at home.There are certain measures to be considered for a hemorrhoids patient including:

1- Sanitary control :
Hemorrhoids occurring in an extremely difficult place, should receive a special hygienic care, this include :
# Hot sitz baths: A sitz bath is recommended 3 times a day and after each bowl movement for at least 15 minutes (sitting in a few inches of warm or luke water).
# Be sure to thoroughly dry the skin and the anus after each bath so that it does not rub and becomes torn
# If these antiseptic solutions are sold OTC in your country,they are helpful for thoroughly cleansing:
* Potassium Permanganate solution 1:8000.
* Povidone-Iodine 10% solution (Betadine) .

Dietary :
1- Drink more water and eat more leafy green vegetables.2- Increase the amount of bran and fibers in your diet.

Stool Softener :
Laxatives of different sorts have been used to ease excretion of stools. Laxatives that produce watery stools that may cause infection in the anus should be avoided.

Sitting Restrictions :
Some doctors recommend their patients not to sit for a long period of time, and some people feel more comfortable sitting on an air doughnut.

Over-The-Counter medications :
Many creams, ointments, and suppositories are sold as medicines and pain relievers for hemorrhoids in many countries. Some of them contain corticosteroids and might cause the hemorrhoids to take longer to heal, so consult your doctor first.


Use These Food Remedies:

l- Eat 1 teaspoonful fenugreek seeds daily. Boil the seeds to soften it and if you do not like its taste , boil it repeatedly. Also you can mince the softened seeds in your mixer with your preferred flavor whether sweet or spicy. It will soften your stool normally without any need to other laxatives.

- Use Lemon regularly to treat hemorrhoids.

ll- The following foods are made into cream like preparation using plants and oils. Should you feel more satisfied about its consistency, mix it with your OTC cream:

1- Roasted Caraway seeds are ground and powdered on the hemorrhoids.

2- Eggplant + Bitter Almond + Green Almond + Olive oil. Boil all ingredients and paste them into a cream like base. Mince if you need.Apply locally.

3- Grilled Onion is pasted with Olive Oil. Apply locally.
# Onion may be sliced and mixed with honey, put on a cotton pad and applied,
leave for 2-3 hours.
# Onion and Garlic may be chopped, put on a cotton pad for 3-4 hours then
applied on hemorrhoids.
4- Chamomile flowers+ Olive oil. Boil until charring the Chamomile,then filter and apply the remaining oil after washing and drying the anus.

5- Kale juice + Aloe gel. Mix and apply locally every day. You can add Olive oil to this mixture.

6- Unripe green walnut shell + Olive Oil. Boil until the shell is completely rut, mince, paste and apply it locally.

7- Apply some baking soda to help with the itch from the hemorrhoids.

8- Mix grounded Bayberry, Golden seal root, Myrrh, and white Oak with some Vaseline, and apply them to relieve pain in the hemorrhoids.

Use 1 oz of each of the recommended ingredients. If you need to increase the amount of an ingredient for a better consistency, increase the oil amount.

The Proof of My Honey proposals comes from Wisconsin University

On Sunday, May 6, 2007, ABC NEWS ONLINE published a story about a doctor at the university of Wisconsin who helped about half a dozen of her diabetic patients avoid amputations and has launched a controlled trial to promote the widespread use of honey therapy. The full story is here : http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200705/s1915395.htm

On September 3, 2006, I posted a blog titled " Diabetes Wounds, How to Use HONEY to Avoid Amputations" here :
http://waheedelqalatawy.blogspot.com/2006/09/diabetes-wounds-how-to-avoid_03.html

This is a strong proof that many practices of alternative medicine are based on solid scientific basis, yet they are covered.

Would you spread the word about honey? digg it http://www.digg.com

The First Anti Aging Skin Care Step is to Water It

To keep a healthy cute skin that is away from premature aging, you should always care about its water content, but do not be misled by the term I used or the "moisturiser" description of some skin care products, because both are implying that we can "irrigate" the skin, actually:
IT IS NOT WATER that keeps the skin MOISTURIZED , rather, IT IS OIL.

If you use a soap to cleanse your skin, you remove the oil generated by the skin together with the day's accumulation of grime. Then if the body fails to replace this lost oil, the surface layer of your skin will fracture and peel (it is a thin layer of dead cells that have the same structure of the nails ).

Whether water is stored as a continuous layer, or present only in the molecular form within the protein macromolecules, it is essential for the structural integrity of proteins. Once lost from within the structure, the water cannot be replaced by topical application of any moisturizer, rather, it is regenerated within new proteins of newly dead cells, i.e. you need good nourishment of the skin, plus keeping optimal conditions for the skin by preserving the normal oil content.

This means that your skin needs natural moisturizing factors like amino acids (e.g. glycine, serine, glutamine, alanine, histidine..), skin-related lipids, like cholesterol, phospholipids, soy lecithin, sphingolipids and unsaturated fatty acids. Glycerin is one of the oldest and best traditional moisturizers since it is needed for formation of oils (triglycerides) through unifying with fatty acids.

Stay dry and hydrated. The moisture that’s good for the skin is the body’s natural water content, not water from external sources. So, while you keep the body hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoiding caffeine and other dehydrating substances, you have to keep the skin from getting and staying wet. Wearing silk liners under outdoor gloves will help – silk dries very quickly so your hands don’t sit in wet gloves - and when you’re handling household chemicals such as dish detergents and cleaning products, rubber gloves are the answer.

If you use a fabricated product, make sure it has the following properties : It should be grease-less, non-sticky, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, completely safe and non-toxic.

If you go natural, you should consider oils like Almond, Olive, Aloes, Sesame, Flax seed, Cotton seed, and Primrose oils. Before the introduction of steroids such as hydrocortisone, Essential Fatty Acids (EFA's) present in many of these oils were the primary eczema treat­ment. They are natural anti-inflammatory and contain vital nutrients.Bo­rage and evening primrose oils are high in Omega 6. If you’re going to use a supplement that contains all the EFA's, make sure they are properly balanced.

If you want even more information about natural resources for your skin care, DIGG (http://www.digg.com) this article and you will be surprised of the varied and good information at many people in many countries.