Medical Today

The word ‘arthritis’ means ‘inflammation of joints’. It comes from two Greek words, athron meaning joints and its meaning inflammation. It is a chronic disease process. In the early stages, the whole body is usually involved and one or two joints may become completely deformed, leaving the patient handicapped and somewhat weakened.

Arthritis assumes various forms, the most frequent being osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammation is the main feature of arthritis, which is a reaction of the joint tissues to some form of damage or injury.

Home remedies, which interrupt or override the spasmodic nerve circuitry, are often effective.
Such remedies include:

• Holding one’s breath for as long as possible.
• Breathing into a paper bag.
• Swallowing a spoonful of sugar or peanut butter.
• Bending forward from the waist and drinking water from the wrong side of a glass.

Coughs due to bacterial or viral upper respiratory infections may be effectively treated with complementary therapies. The choice of remedy will vary and be specific to the type of cough the patient has. Lingering coughs or coughing up blood should be treated by a trained practitioner.

Onion is a major source of protein, calcium, potassium, sodium, sulphur and iron. 100 g of raw onion contains: 1.3 g of dietary fiber, 23 calories, 0.9 g of protein and 5.2 g of sugar. The white onions are the strongest followed by yellow. The red or purple onion variety are the mildest-flavored types. Onion is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, kills worms, eliminates bacteria causing TB and ulceration of the lungs, helps in dissolution of blood cholesterol and relieves congestion in airways. It can help in bronchial congestion, prevents heart attacks and aid in cancer resistance.

Several types of topical applications are usually recommended to speed healing and to reduce the pain associated with bruises.

Vitamin K cream can be applied directly to the site of injury.

Astringent herbs such as witch hazel, Hamamelis virginiana, can be used. This will tighten the tissues and therefore diminish the bruising.

The homeopathic remedy, Arnica montana, can be applied as a cream or gel to unbroken skin.