You can blame the Romans for the patches of nettles in your garden, as it was they who introduced the herb to the UK in the first place! The Romans, who had a vast wealth of herbal knowledge, used the stinging mechanism of nettles – or urtica meaning to burn – to treat rheumatic conditions by flaying their joints with fresh nettles.

The Romans got it right. While the hairs of the stinging nettle are normally very painful to the touch, when an area of the body that is already in pain makes contact with the plant, these chemicals can actually help to decrease the pain level. This is why stinging nettle is called a counter-irritant. Applying juice from the stinging nettle to the skin can actually relieve painful nettle stings or insect bites. The irritant effect of the sting is lost on drying or heating the herb in water, but if preserved in cold alcoholic tincture, the irritant action is preserved. You can even apply a tincture of the fresh herb to the surface of an inflamed joint and this will induce counter-irritation and produce reddening over the joint. This flushes blood through the area and relieves pain.

 

When used internally, nettles are a good source of nutrients and are traditionally taken as a spring tonic to help recovery from the depths of winter and boost energy for the summer ahead. In spring the young fresh green leaves can be cooked and as a green vegetable or made into a soup. Nettle is rich in iron and vitamin C, making it a useful remedy for anaemia and fatigue. The presence of vitamin C also helps to ensure that the iron is properly absorbed.

 

On top of all these benefits, the wonderful nettle also has an important effect on the kidneys and on fluid levels throughout the body, where it can act as an herbal diuretic.   Nettle tea is also helpful for problems likes osteoporosis because it increases the absorption of minerals including calcium.

If you have stiff, painful joints you can help yourself the holistic way with a number of natural remedies and therapies.

The main forms of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is caused when the lining around a joint becomes inflamed. This usually affects the same joint on both sides of the body, such as both hips. Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage around bones wears thin and their rough edges rub together, causing pain and swelling. Young people, especially those who smoke, are more likely to experience rheumatoid arthritis with osteoarthritis more common in older people, or those who have damaged joints through injury or excessive sports. Both types are usually treated with anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers, which can have side effects, but you can also ease symptoms naturally:

 

• Exercise: Regular exercise has been shown to increase joint mobility and flexibility in arthritis suffers. It can also help keep weight down as being overweight puts extra pressure on bones and joints. Studies have found that yoga in particular offers pain relief but don’t do a session when your joints are inflamed and inform your teacher of your condition.
• Hydrotherapy: Water exercises a few times a week can help control the amount of pain you have. Exercising in water is non-impact, so this way there is no shock to the joints which cause pain. Also while you are in the water there is less chance to hurt yourself because you won’t fall.
• Physical/Heat/Massage/Relaxation Therapy: Arthritis is pain in the joint area and it can strike in any part of the body where joints exist. This pain isn’t always the result of damaged joints. It can be caused by overworked tendons, a build-up of scar tissue, frayed nerves and tense muscles. These types of therapies are oftentimes effective because they generally are designed to focus on the affected area. Rubbing and kneading, applying heat, or using a walker or other type of device designed to improve mobility and posture can all help to promote improved blood circulation and loosen overly tight areas. The goal of these types of therapies is to work on the root of the pain and hopefully, after repeated treatments if necessary, make the pain disappear permanently.
• Nutrition: Because arthritis is an inflammatory disease you need to eat foods with anti-inflammatory actions such as omega 3 fatty acids. Eat omega 3 rich oily fish or nuts and seeds such as pumpkin and sesame several times a week and up your intake of complex carbohydrates such as grains, fruits, peas and beans and dark green leafy vegetables. You should also eat plenty of red and purple berries as these are packed with antioxidants. It may also help to avoid wheat as this can lead to inflammation and aggravate symptoms. Finally, studies show that vegetarian meals may ease inflammation so cutting out meat, especially red meat, is strongly advised. 
• Supplements: A number of nutrients may be able to ease arthritis. Bromelain, an anti-inflammatory enzyme found in pineapples can help. Ginger has been found to have anti-inflammatory properties as have omega 3 supplements. According to neurologists at the University of Pittsburgh, omega 3 supplements may work just as well as prescription drugs to ease arthritis pain. (I use Omega 3 Plus fatty acid supplement in the clinic as it is a good combination of both EPA and DHA – see the Resources Page). 

 

A recent study from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill also found that there appeared to be a clear relationship between selenium and osteoarthritis. A 2001 study of patients with knee arthritis found that an extract of ginger reduced pain while standing and after walking. By using ginger, patients were able to reduce their pain medications after 6 weeks. Glucosamine is an amino sugar found naturally in the body’s cartilage, and may help with joint repair.  

 

Several studies have shown that it may be moderately beneficial for the pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis, particularly of the knee. Other studies suggest that it may be as effective as ibuprofen for pain relief, although the supplements needed to be taken for at least 2 weeks to have an effect. Try to get a glucosamine supplement combined with MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) which occurs naturally in food and helps to maintain healthy connective tissue, keeping the joints flexible and reducing pain.  (See the Resources page for information on MSM Plus).   

 

Finally, vitamin C is one of the key vitamins for joints and bones but its importance is often forgotten. Vitamin C is needed for the manufacture of collagen and collagen is essential for joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons. Use an alkaline form of vitamin C such as magnesium ascorbate rather than the acid form, ascorbic acid, as it is thought that the more alkaline the diet, the less severe the symptoms of arthritis.  (see Vitamin C Plus, an alkaline form, on the Resources Page).

 

• Herbs: A number of herbs and spices can help ease arthritis. Devil’s claw is renowned for its anti-inflammatory and painkilling properties as is white willow bark, although you should avoid this if you are allergic to aspirin. Turmeric strengthens connective tissues, while nettle cleans the body and prevents a build up of uric acid which can cause pain and inflammation. Apple cider vinegar is often is recommended for patients who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.  (A good anti-inflammatory supplement combination I use is Boswellia Plus which contains a number of anti-inflammatory herbs including ginger and turmeric see the Resources Page).
• Aromatherapy: For osteoarthritis you may want to try a warming aromatherapy blend to ease muscle spasm, stiffness and poor circulation. Try blending three drops of ginger, three of lavender and four drops of black pepper in 20 ml of carrier oil. For rheumatoid arthritis go for gentle, soothing anti inflammatory oils: Blend two drops rose otto, two yarrow and six drops palmarosa oils in 20 ml carrier oil. Do not massage on the joints if there is pain, apply gently to the surrounding tissues instead.
• Acupressure: Both acupuncture and acupressure may be able to ease the pain and swelling of arthritis. Try these exercises: Press the fleshy part below the web between your thumb and forefinger for one minute. This may help relieve pain and can be used as a relaxant if stress triggers your arthritis. You could also locate the point in the web between your big and second toes and exert medium pressure for a minute on both feet.
• Homeopathy: The homeopathic remedy bryonia is often recommended if you feel fine in the morning and find that your symptoms get worse as the day goes on. If you wake up stiff but find that movement eases the stiffness try rhus tox. For both cases use the 6c potency in the morning and evening for a few days and stop taking once symptoms improve.

Recent research on Mormons who fast once a month for religious reasons suggests that fasting regularly may reduce the risk of heart disease. I’m not suggesting here that fasting is good for weight loss because study after study has shown that skipping meals on a regular basis upsets blood sugar balance and sabotages weight loss plans but what I am saying is that spending one Sunday out of four gently detoxing could be an effective way to redress the balance of toxins in and toxins out and by so doing boost your health and energy levels.

The word detox is a common buzz word for those who want to lose weight but before you panic about rumbling stomachs and spinach smoothies the one day detox I am going to recommend is not about fasting or dieting as such and more about re-educating your body on how and what to eat. It is also about nourishing your body with nutrient rich foods that can boost liver and kidney function so that the toxins that cause fatigue, bloating, skin breakouts, constipation, headaches, irritability and weight gain can be cleared out.

 

 

The day before you start:

 

Go shopping for the foods and supplements recommended below and a body brush. On your detox Sunday remember to only eat the foods recommended below.

 

Detox Sunday:

 

Start the detox day by drinking half litre of bottled water within 30 minutes of waking. Add some lemon juice to give your digestive system an extra detox boost

 

Thirty minutes after waking have a light breakfast of naturally high in fibre cereal like porridge oats or soaked muesli with a handful of nuts and seeds for energy and a glass of organic fruit or preferably vegetable juice. If you never eat cereal you could have a boiled organic egg with a slice of rye bread.

 

After breakfast keep drinking mineral water, and try to drink about half-litre every hour or preferably three-quarters every hour. If you keep drinking this amount for a few hours of the day you’ll notice the need to excrete will become regular, the passing will also become clearer during the day. This is simply because you are drinking more than required but this is necessary to enable your kidneys to flush out the waste products.

 

At some point during the day make time to do some type of activity, maybe a walk or some type of light exercise for at least half-hour, again remember to keep drinking water before, during and after the best exercise.

 

For your mid morning snack have a warm mug of herbal tea with a piece of fruit and a few almonds. Take 500 mg of vitamin C to encourage cell regeneration and repair detox damage.  (see Vitamin C Plus, an alkaline form of vitamin C on the Resources page).

 

For lunch have a quinoa salad with chopped beetroot, red onion, chickpeas, mint and rocket. Drizzle with cold pressed olive oil and a squeeze of lime juice. Chew your food thoroughly as this will help with digestion.

 

If you start to feel a bit tired and irritable now sip some organic green tea to perk you up.

 

For your mid afternoon snack go for a selection of berries to improve your circulation and reduce inflammation; and take a second 500 mg of vitamin C.

 

After your snack try some dry body brushing (or if the timing is inconvenient then do it as soon as you wake before you have a shower). If you have not done this before,  work from the feet up, in a circular motion, clockwise direction up from the heart. From your chest upwards start brushing in a downward movement as if encouraging the blood towards the heart.

 

Start to slow on the amount of water you drink 3-4 hours before bed.

 

For dinner have a warm salad of watercress (blanched), fresh (wild or organic not farmed) salmon, broccoli, green beans, and olives. Dress with olive oil, garlic, pepper and lemon juice. Take a supplement of milk thistle to support the liver.

 

Have a warm bath with some relaxing aromatherapy oils before you got to bed and try to be in bed before 10 pm; studies show that your body does most of its physiological repair work before midnight so if you want your skin to look great in the morning have an early night.

 

Well done!

 

After your detox Sunday you should feel lighter and may even have lost weight naturally without trying. Your digestion and absorption will have improved and your skin will feel softer and more elastic. Your body should be more in tune now with its own needs so keeping listening to it and continue to feed it the quality, healthy diet it needs to help you look and feel your best.