Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Resurrecting Our Blog (!): Don't Let Achy Joints Slow You Down

Arthritis and joint pain can slow down active people of all ages.  This should not be, my friends.  Here's a quick and simple guide to improvement. 

First of all, for pain, there's a dynamic duo that for which I have testimonials from many.  Bromelain.  This is an enzyme, so if you want to use it for inflammation, you have to take it on an empty stomach, and preferably 30 minutes before eating.  It comes in capsules.  Get it with as few other ingredients as possible.  If you already take enzymes, you can use those, just take them before your meal and then after, as usual.  Second:  Tumeric.  This is a potent herb used in yellow curry.  We buy the powder from bulkherbstore.com and fill the larger gelatin capsules.  You can probably get them as capsules or a tincture at a health food store.  This, you want to take with food.  Tumeric is also great for fevers too, by the way.  Take these two daily if you have joint pain.  Keep uping the dosage until your pain goes away or greatly decreases. 

The second remedy is so simple, you won't believe it.  I stole this one from the folks at bulkherbstore.com.  Take the shells of 4 or 5 free range organic eggs and crumble them into a small pot or bowl.  Pour 2 cups of hot water over the shells and mix in 1tsp. vinegar.  Cover and let steep for 2 hours.  Strain and store in refrigerator.  Start with a couple sips a day until join pain subsides.  This is good for children and adults who don't suffer from joint pain too.  Those without pain should stick to 2-3 sips per day.  It's LOADED with calcium and vitamin D, so you don't want to overdo it. 

Third, make homemade chicken broth at least once a week.  Take the bones of a free range chicken that hasn't been slow-cooked.  Place the bones and everything but the kitchen sink into a large stock pot (no need to peel whatever you decide to place in the pot) - carrots, onions, garlic, celery, peppercorns, herbs, etc.  I just cut the onions and garlic in half, so they can release their stuff, but don't bother peeling!  The most important ingredient to this mixture is raw apple cider vinegar.  Use about a 1/4 cup, if you're making a half gallon or less, more if you've got a nice, big stock pot and room to freeze extra stock.  Cover your ingredients with water and boil for 1 minute.  Reduce heat to low and simmer for at least 8 hours, preferably 12 or more.  This stock is so delicious, you don't have to put much into your soup to make it tasty.  I use it for making rice too.

Lastly, and for more long-term healing, eat foods that are kind to your gut and do a systemic cleanse twice per year.  Toxins, metals, etc. settle in our joints and make them stiff. 

Now off to the track, the trail, the garden and beyond....pain free!