John Myers
Arthritis is an inflammatory joint disease that occurs in phases and is considered incurable from the point of view of conventional medicine. The actual cause is not known, and there are no medications without side effects. Patients are prescribed strong painkillers or anti-inflammatories to provide short-term pain relief.
The active ingredient from green tea relieves arthritis
Green tea has numerous health benefits. For example, it is very healthy for the teeth and the oral mucosa; it strengthens the heart, counteracts arteriosclerosis, promotes memory, and helps you lose weight – to name just a small selection.
A recent study by the University of Michigan has now shown that an ingredient in green tea – the so-called EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) – also has positive effects on arthritis. EGCG is an antioxidant and can account for up to 17 percent of the dry matter in EGCG-rich teas. For their study, Prof. Ahmed’s team isolated the so-called synovial fibroblasts from the arthritic joints of the study participants.
A part of the cells was treated with green tea. Inflammatory reactions were still observed in the untreated cells, but the inflammation was much less pronounced in the cells treated with green tea. In addition, green tea appeared to be able to block enzymes that contribute to cartilage degeneration.
Green tea reduces joint swelling
Another study on “Green Tea for Arthritis” conducted at Washington State University was published in January 2016. The volunteers with rheumatoid arthritis were given 50 mg of EGCG per kilogram of body weight in a ten-day treatment, which led to a significant reduction in joint swelling.
Green tea for arthritis – the application
In the case of arthritis, the healing effect of green tea can be integrated very well into a holistic therapy concept.
Green tea extract in capsules
Since the amount of EGCG found in the green tea infusion is not that high, one can use green tea extract in capsules that contain higher EGCG levels.
The caffeine content is 2 mg per capsule (less than 2% of the caffeine content of a cup of coffee (150 ml)).
Which green tea to drink?
If you want to get EGCG from tea, you can choose matcha tea, which provides significantly more EGCG than “normal” green teas. However, the leader in terms of EGCG is the so-called Benifuuki tea, a Japanese type of green tea which, according to current knowledge, can also be used to treat neurodermatitis, allergies, and hay fever.
Like Matcha tea, Benifuuki tea is also available in powder form. This powder can be taken as a cure (recommended three times a year) over a period of 10 days (1 teaspoon in the morning), e.g. B. mixed in smoothies.
Of course, green tea alone will not completely eliminate arthritis. But there are many other holistic and naturopathic measures that can be implemented to relieve arthritis – as our recommendations below show.
Arthritis – what else helps?
If you use the following 10 tips to put together your personal arthritis healing program and don’t forget green tea, you will soon not only have less pain and joint problems, but you will also feel much better in other health matters:
- Omega-3 fatty acids against arthritis
Avoid the so-called arachidonic acid – an omega-6 fatty acid that is found in animal fats and has an inflammatory effect – and instead include more omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. Good sources of omega-3 fatty acids are, for example, linseed oil, walnut oil, hemp oil, or krill oil in capsules (for vegans, the omega-3 DHA oil from Dr. Erasmus).
- Alkaline diet against arthritis
Eat mainly alkaline foods and reduce acid-forming foods. Fruit and vegetables in particular are among the basic foods, whereas animal foods, baked goods, pasta, dairy products, and sugary foods are among the acidifiers.
- No stimulants for arthritis
Avoid sugar, nicotine, alcohol, drugs, and caffeine because these promote arthritis.
- Stress relief for arthritis
Stress hormones can lead to the release of inflammatory messengers, which in turn fuel your arthritis. Therefore, try to avoid stress and emotional strain.
- Regular detox for arthritis
Environmental toxins and heavy metals from the environment, from nutrition, or even from tooth fillings can be deposited in the joints and lead to arthritis or worsen it. So think about regular detoxification.
- Colon cleansing for arthritis
A disturbed intestinal flora can no longer optimally protect the intestinal mucosa, whereupon proteins, germs, and toxins from the intestine can get into the bloodstream, where they can lead to an overreaction of the immune system and thus promote the development of autoimmune diseases such as arthritis. Intestinal rehabilitation with the development of healthy intestinal flora (take probiotics!) is therefore also part of the holistic catalog of measures for arthritis.
Fungi can also migrate into the joints and cause inflammation there. Therefore, pay attention to symptoms of possible Candida infections and fight them in good time. Since Candida often settles in the intestines, intestinal cleansing also helps here so that the fungus can be eliminated again as quickly as possible.
- Dietary supplements for arthritis
If you have arthritis, take regular dietary supplements that specifically help against chronic inflammation and joint pain, such as magnesium, barley grass, Reishi (a medicinal mushroom), nettle powder, MSM, glucosamine, chondroitin, etc. Magnesium promotes both cartilage formation and bone density and can reduce inflammation inhibit. According to a study, barley grass leads to reduced pain in arthritis patients. MSM is an organic sulfur compound that inhibits the formation of pro-inflammatory enzymes.
- Sunlight for Arthritis
Get enough sunlight so your body can produce enough vitamin D. According to a study, arthritis patients with high levels of vitamin D in their blood need fewer painkillers. However, it is often the case that people with arthritis have a vitamin D deficiency.
- Antioxidants and vital substances against arthritis
Eat a diet rich in antioxidants and nutrients to boost your immune system and reduce inflammation. Whenever inflammation rages in the body, a large number of free radicals are produced. Antioxidants destroy them. Therefore, take antioxidants as a dietary supplement. Many of the remedies mentioned under 7. and 10. work so well with arthritis precisely because of their antioxidant potential. Other top-class antioxidants are astaxanthin or OPC.
- Medicinal plants for arthritis
Canadian scientists developed two herbal formulas for arthritis. The first formula consists of curcumin, devil’s claw, black currant, Indian frankincense, willow bark, pineapple bromelain, and chamomile. It works specifically against arthritic inflammation. The second formula contains omega-3 fatty acids, chondroitin, and glutamine. It promotes the regeneration of the joints, i.e. the formation of cartilage. The two formulations were mixed together and tested in a study.
