Cinnamon is used as a natural remedy to treat various ailments and pain. However, it stands to be an excellent home remedy to curb arthritic pain. In case of rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease, the body’s immune system attacks the joints leading to bone loss, swelling, inflammation and ultimately, the unbearable pain. However, joint problems could also arise because of osteoarthritis that happens due to excessive wear and tear of the joints as one ages. While painkillers are usually prescribed by doctors to take care of the joint pains, cinnamon offers pain relief in a natural way devoid of any side effects. Here are six food habits to curb arthritic pain naturally.
How cinnamon works
The chemical combination of the herb makes it a unique healing agent for arthritic pains.
Here is how it helps:
It acts as an anti-inflammatory agent: The chemical called cinnamaldehyde present in cinnamon reduces inflammation around joints. When one suffers from arthritis there are chances of blood platelets clumping around the joints that prevent blood circulation and produce arachidonic acid, an inflammatory fatty acid. Cinnamaldehyde stops the release of this acid and reduces inflammation at the joints, thereby reducing pain. Here are more health benefits of cinnamon that you should know about.
It slows bone loss from joints: In case of rheumatoid arthritis, bone damage at the joints happens due to excess activity of cells called osteoclasts. This causes loss of movement, pain and deformity in arthritic patients. However, a study done in 2008 published in Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry pointed out that cinnamon can help reduce this excess activity of osteoclasts and retard the process of bone loss. Here are nine ways to prevent bone density loss.
It prevents tissue damage at joints: When immune cells attack the joints they also eat into tissues that are largely responsible for keeping the joints safe and mobile. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties cinnamon suppresses the immune cells to attack the tissues at the joints and delaying the onset of arthritis.
How to use cinnamon
Simply add half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder to one tablespoon of honey every morning before breakfast. This combination works best to beat joint pain and is also suggested in Ayurvedic texts. Having this combination for a month helps to deal with the pain and delay deformity due to the condition. Here are other ways in which honey can do wonders to your health.
Make a health drink. Take a cup of water and boil it. Add one tablespoon honey and ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder. Let it stand for a few minutes, strain and drink this morning and night.
Adding a pinch of cinnamon in curries, rice preparation, yoghurt and salads can also work in the same manner.
Word of caution
Anything in excess isn’t a good idea, even if it is the humble cinnamon. If had in excess, cinnamon can interfere with blood thinning and blood clot medications or even give a migraine. Having it in moderation is ideal.
Reference:
1: Tsuji-Naito K. Aldehydic components of cinnamon bark extract suppresses RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis through NFATc1 downregulation. Bioorg Med Chem.2008 Oct 15;16(20):9176-83. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2008.09.036. Epub 2008 Sep 14.PubMed PMID: 18823786.
1: Rathi B, Bodhankar S, Mohan V, Thakurdesai P. Ameliorative Effects of aPolyphenolic Fraction of Cinnamomum zeylanicum L. Bark in Animal Models ofInflammation and Arthritis. Sci Pharm. 2013 Jun;81(2):567-89. doi:10.3797/scipharm.1301-16. Epub 2013 Feb 25. PubMed PMID: 23833722; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3700084.
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http://www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/cinnamon-a-natural-way-to-curb-arthritic-pain-d815/
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