Warm ghee massaged into the joint with the flat of the palm, ten minutes, then a warm cloth over it. A teaspoon in food as well — the joint is lubricated from both sides.
Traditional
हल्दी · Turmeric
Half a teaspoon in warm milk at night. As a poultice: haldi with a little warm water and a pinch of salt, spread on the joint, covered, for half an hour.
Documented
Curcumin has human trials behind it for osteoarthritis of the knee.
CautionThe amount used in cooking is safe. In tablet or extract form it does not go with blood-thinning medicines. Avoid larger amounts if you have gallstones. Stop before surgery.
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मेथी · Fenugreek
A teaspoon of methi soaked overnight, taken in the morning. The soaked seeds, ground warm, also make a poultice for a stiff joint.
Traditional
CautionTaken with diabetes medicine it can push the sugar too low — keep checking. Not in pregnancy — it stimulates the uterus. Not with blood thinners either.
तिल का तेल · Sesame oil
Warm til oil, massaged into the affected part with the palm and left for twenty minutes before a warm bath.
Traditional
तेजपत्र · Indian Bay Leaf
Massage bay leaf oil into the joints, or drink the decoction.
Traditional
हल्दी काढ़ा · Turmeric kadha
1/2 tsp turmeric boiled in a cup of milk or water with a pinch of black pepper — the pepper is not optional, it is what makes curcumin absorb. Give it eight weeks.
Traditional
सोंठ काढ़ा · Dry-ginger kadha
Once a day through the cold months — shothahara, and it eases the stiffness mornings bring. Take it after food if it burns.
Traditional
On this page Documented — There are human studies behind this ingredient for this particular complaint. Traditional — Carried by tradition and experience; modern evidence for this particular complaint is limited.
All of this is what others have found — tradition, shared experience and the studies done so far. It is not advice given to any one person. Before changing your diet, and especially if you take any medicine, ask your dietician or doctor.
Naturopathy
Warm mustard-oil massage followed by hot fomentation; swimming is the ideal exercise.
Bhojanveda
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