Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It is considered a degenerative disease or “wear and tear” arthritis, usually developed in older age. This common type of arthritis causes joints to become painful and stiff but herbalism can offer some help.....
I treat osteoarthritis by trying to reverse the processes which set up the problem in the first instance. Some of these processes are as follows:
1. An overly acid constitution which seems to disturb the calcium/silica balance in the body leading to deposition of bone material in areas leading to problems. Eat acid /alkaline balancing foods such as lemons, umboshi plums, green teas. Avoid acid producing foods such as carbonated drinks, carbohydrates, meat, tea, coffee, alcohol, cheese and certain juices. Lemons are very acidic, however the end-products they produce after digestion and assimilation are very alkaline so lemons are alkaline-forming in the body. Likewise, meat will test alkaline before digestion but it leaves very acidic residue in the body so, like nearly all animal products, meat is very acid-forming. If your pH is too acidic, your body borrows minerals - such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium - from vital organs and bones to neutralize and remove the acid.
Tips for improving digestion;
- chewing well - saliva is very alkaline-forming so chewing every bite 20-40 times is ideal;
- reathing deeply throughout the day;
- Exercising regularly to actively move the acids out of the body.
- Not eating a lot of dairy products. Although dairy products are both alkaline (calcium) and acidic (protein), when eaten in excess, they tend to cause stagnation in the body.
2. A diet too high in calcium altogether which upsets also the calcium/silica balance leading to the same problems. This is very common in our dairy rich diets especially when they are unbalanced with organic silica. Essential addition to the diet is ground Millet and Linseed-1 tablespoon each day on porridge or muesli breakfast.
3. Bone damage and wear and tear in people who have had injury through sport or accident which has resulted in healing overgrowth leading to bone changes and problems.
4. Those who have carried abnormal amounts of tension in their structures, usually their backs, with the resultant attempts by the body to reduce the pressure by changing the bones themselves.
5. Those whose illness history or treatment with various types of drugs have set up processes resulting in mal-absorbtion of minerals.
6. Those whose physical structure, muscular tensions or even work environment has placed unbalanced loads on their bones resulting in high wear on specific areas as a result of compensation for such stresses.
