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12 Natural Solutions for Stiff or Frozen Joints
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Anyone who has had suffered a broken arm or leg, had a lengthy illness, a major surgery, or has been immobile for a period of time can end up with a serious problem either very stiff, or sometimes, even frozen joints. When joints are not able to move, stiffness develops, then scar tissues can form, causing a serious problem with joint immobility.
If you are experiencing joint stiffness or joints that seem locked in place, then you will be pleasantly surprised to learn that there are several home remedies to help free up joints and regain mobility. You might have some of these items in your home right now, and if not, they are readily available at any drug store or health food store.
Unfortunately, this is one place where you can’t be lackadaisical when it comes to treatment. Joints can become so severely frozen that you could require intense and painful physical therapy. Try some of these natural remedies until you find the one that works best for you, then keep at it. Joints need to be moved if you want to free them up and regain their use.
1. Fenugreek Seeds
Research has shown that these seeds have powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. This can help joints that have become stiff and/or swollen due to inflammation. Soak one teaspoon of fenugreek seeds in water overnight. In the morning, chew up the seeds. You can discard the water. Do this every day until the problem is better.
2. Castor Oil
You might only think of castor oil as being something for digestive issues, but it actually has very powerful medicinal power. Castor oil’s active ingredient, ricinoleic acid, has anti-inflammatory and analgesic compounds that offer a great deal of relief to those suffering from joint inflammation.
First, massage some castor oil into the affected joints twice each day to reduce pain. Then, bring two tablespoons of castor oil to boil and mix it into a glass of freshly squeezed juice. Drink this every morning on an empty stomach, to relieve inflammation from the inside out. Within a matter of 3 or 4 weeks, you should notice a definite improvement.
3. Garlic
Garlic is a highly anti-inflammatory herb that can be very effective when treating arthritis and other inflammatory issues. It can stop the inflammation, therefore the pain. The sulfur compounds in garlic is what stops the inflammation, the selenium has anti-rheumatic effects. Eat garlic as much as possible, adding it to salads, stir-fries, vegetable dishes, anything you can think of. You can also slightly crush a clove or two every day and swallow it whole, if you can deal with the taste. Alternately, you can chop up and fry two cloves of garlic in two tablespoons of mustard oil. Allow to cool until it is only warm, then apply it to the affected joint and gently massage it in. Repeat at least once, but preferably twice, each day until you get the desired results.
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4. Olive Oil
Olive oil can be used a great massage oil. Heat a bit of olive oil in the microwave or stove, then add a few drops of lavender oil and mix well. Once this oil mixture has cooled, you can use it to massage the affected joints. Olive oil helps to prevent the production of pro-inflammatory COX-1 and Cox-2 enzymes, which trigger inflammation in the body.
5. Honey with Cinnamon
This almost sounds like the beginning of a nice cookie recipe, but this combination is actually a great way to help relax the stiff muscles surrounding the joints. Honey is a natural antiseptic and cinnamon is a powerful anti-inflammatory and has strong antioxidant compounds. Mix a half a teaspoon of cinnamon with one tablespoon of raw, organic honey. Eat this every morning on an empty stomach for two or three weeks. You should see encouraging results after this short period of time.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar
You might have heard a lot of talk lately about the healing powers of apple cider vinegar. Everything you heard is probably true. Apple cider vinegar is known to have alkaline forming compounds that reduce joint stiffness. It’s also a natural anti-inflammatory substance.
First, mix a tablespoon of such vinegar, preferably organic, and a teaspoon of honey in a glass of warm water and drink this every morning on an empty stomach.
Next, you can mix half of a teaspoon of cayenne pepper with warm apple cider vinegar. Soak a cloth in this solution and apply it to the affected joint until it cools (takes about a quarter of an hour), and then wash it off. Repeat these two procedures every day until you get the desired results.
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7. Lobelia
Purchase this herb dried and infuse it into a good quality oil, such as olive oil or almond oil. Heat the oil and apply it to the affected joint to help make it more mobile.
8. Elder
Most people know about the healing properties of elder berries, but this time, we are going to use the leaves. You use either fresh leaves, or moisten some dried leaves and place them directly on the affected joint. Cover with a warm, moist cloth and allow the joint to soak in this poultice for about 15 minutes. Repeat this twice each day until mobility has been restored.
9. Turmeric
There seems to be no end to the healing abilities of this spice. Turmeric has antiseptic, antibacterial, antioxidant, as well as anti-inflammatory compounds. Add one teaspoon of turmeric to a glass of very warm milk (you can add a bit of honey if you like) and drink this mixture once per day. You can also heat a quart of water with one tablespoon of turmeric powder added. Boil this solution for 10 minutes. Allow to cool completely, and then drink one glass of this mixture each day.
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10. Epsom Salt Soak
An oldie but a goodie! Epsom salt is well known for its ability to reduce inflammation, pain, and stiffness in the muscles and joints. It’s a great way to get magnesium into the body, which helps to support the joints. Add two cups of Epsom salt to a warm bath and soak for 20 to 30 minutes three times a week or anytime your joints are stiff or immobile.
11. Ginger
Ginger is for so much more than just stomach problems. Ginger stops pain and is highly anti-inflammatory. You can drink ginger tea two to three times per day and/or add it to your foods.
SEE ALSO: Top 12 Herbs for Relief of Joint Pain
12. Mullein
Mullein is most commonly consumed as a tea, which is good, but this works best as a topical application. Mullein has soft, kinda fuzzy or furry leaves that are really effective at relieving tightness in any joint. You can boil some fresh or dried mullein leaves in some water, then soak a cloth or towel in the water (after it cools a bit!) and wrap it around the affected joint. If you can’t find any dried or fresh leaves, you can make a strong tea and use that instead.
In addition to any natural remedy that you have chosen to unfreeze those joints, you must get them moving. The more you use the affected joint, the more mobility you will have. Moving your body should be considered to be a part of natural or herbal therapies, not an either-or solution.
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Amber
Jun 7, 2015 at 3:15 pm
I’m a huge advocate of natural healing and can praise numerous methods that have helped me over the years. Majority of my pain and stiffness lie in my lower back. I have scoliosis, which unfortunately is only corrected by surgery (which i’m not willing to do at this point). However, to keep the pain at bay without using medication, I use either a cold compress or a wrap called the BFST. After i do any exercises that cause a tweak in my back, I put a cold compress on it. Cold is by far the number one best natural remedy for pain! On days where I am not active (no chance of inflammation) and my lower back gets stiff and sore from tight muscles/ligaments etc., i use the BFST (blood flow stimulation therapy). This is a natural way to stimulate more blood flow to the targeted area. In most cases it will help heal any soft tissue damage (via the nutrients and oxygen the blood carries). It has done wonders for me and allows me to be med free 🙂 I’ve attached the info from what i use. http://www.kingbrand.com/Back-Home.php?REF=46PV121.271