Arthritis is an ailment that is characterized by inflammation of the joints and comes in a hundred different forms. Modern science has come up with several conventional medications for arthritis but because of the adverse effects that these drugs often cause, more and more people are turning to natural remedies for arthritis pain.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and occurs when cartilages in the bones wear away leaving the joints with no cushion that allow for smooth movement. Pain occurs as a result of the friction created when the bones rub against each other. This is common in older individuals whose cartilage has deteriorated over time.

Other types of arthritis include rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes chronic joint inflammation and gout which is brought about by an excess of uric acid in the body. Most types of arthritis are usually manifested through the swelling, stiffness, or pain in the joints.

Following are some of the more common natural remedies for the relief of arthritis.

1. Apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is one of the most versatile natural remedies for many ailments and is also effective for the relief of arthritis. It contains a high level of Potassium that can dissolve deposits of calcium in the joints. Its alkaline content counters the acid buildup in the joints that cause swelling and pain. Mixed with 1 tablespoon of honey in a glass of water, can be taken to give relief to arthritis pain.

2. Garlic. Used for centuries as a natural disinfectant, garlic is one of the most effective remedies for arthritis because it also contains anti-inflammatory properties that can help alleviate swelling and consequently pain caused by arthritis. It can be taken raw or cooked and is also available in tablet form.

3. Turmeric. Turmeric, with origins in Ayurvedic medicine, contains the substance curcumin that has anti-inflammatory properties effective for joint swelling. Turmeric added in moderate amounts to the regular diet can help prevent the pain caused by arthritis.

4. Essential oils. Massaging essential oils into the affected areas can also provide relief from the pain brought about by arthritis. Some of the oils that can give a soothing effect include eucalyptus, wintergreen, peppermint, cedar wood and sandalwood.

5. Vitamin supplements. Vitamin C and E can be powerful vitamin supplements as these rid the body of free radicals which destroy the joints. Vitamin D produces collagen and paired with calcium promotes healthy bones. Studies have also shown that people who suffer from arthritis have a deficiency in Vitamin B6 and taking supplements of this will help restore your body’s supply of this.

6. Exercise. Joint movement is essential for arthritis sufferers and regular exercise is vital in maintaining healthy joints. Exercise helps reduce joint stiffness and pain. Even for patients who experience severe pain, gentle movement exercises are recommended to maintain the mobility of joints and prevent stiffness.

7. Foods to take. Fish, like salmon, which are high in omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties that can be beneficial in reducing the symptoms of arthritis. Load up on green and yellow vegetables and fresh fruits to take advantage of their high beta carotene and vitamin C content that serve as natural antioxidants.

As with any medication it would be best to consult your doctor before taking supplements as natural remedies for arthritis to ensure that these are suitable for your particular condition.

Most people have heard of antioxidants and free radicals, but many are unclear as to what they actually are. Free radicals are atoms which contain an odd number of electrons. They tend to form with the action of oxygen on certain molecules, and in an attempt to obtain another electron in order to stabilize themselves, they will attack nearby molecules, causing damage. They can cause damage to cell membranes, or important cellular components such as DNA, which then causes the damaged cell to mutate. This sets off a chain reaction of damage throughout the cells of the body.

Free radicals are formed due to either normal metabolic process of the human body from reactions to inflammation, excessive exercise or allergic reactions, or from external sources such as cigarette smoke, exposure to X-rays, pollutants, ozone or pesticides. A poor diet and high alcohol intake can also trigger production of free radicals.

The damage caused by free radicals is thought to initiate tumors and cause health conditions such as heart disease, Alzheimerís disease and Parkinsonís disease. Free radicals are also thought to accelerate the aging process.

The body has mechanisms in place to counteract damage cause by free radicals. One of these is the presence of antioxidants in the body. Antioxidants are molecules which interact with free radicals and stop them causing cellular damage, thus limiting their harmful effects. Some of the main antioxidants include the vitamins C and E, beta-carotene and selenium. These must be supplied through diet as the body is unable to manufacture them.

Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin which is found in whole grains, fortified cereals, nuts, seeds, apricots and vegetable and fish oils. Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin found in citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi fruit and leafy green vegetables such as cabbage, spinach and broccoli.

Beta-carotene is obtained from egg yolk, liver, grains and yellow-orange vegetables such as carrots, peaches, squash and sweet potatoes. Selenium is found in nuts, particularly brazil nuts and walnuts, fortified cereals and soy beans. There are also many other antioxidants, which can be found in a wide variety of foods.

Ideally, our bodies need a good variety of vitamins and minerals to combat damage caused by free radicals. This is best achieved by eating a wide range of foods to ensure that we have a good intake of different antioxidants. Our modern diets tend to rely heavily on processed foods which contain few nutrients, so conscious effort is required to ensure we receive an adequate nutritional intake so that our bodies can win the constant battle between antioxidants and free radicals.

We can use vitamin supplements as an antioxidant boost if we are deficient, but they should not be used in the place of a healthy, varied, balanced diet. Also bear in mind that some vitamins can be harmful if taken in excess.

Psoriasis is a skin condition often referred to as a skin disease, which is believed to have no cure. Modern medicine treats the symptoms of the disease with a variety of prescription medications which can help ease those symptoms. Natural remedies exist however, so we’ll look at those in this article.

First, an overview of psoriasis. This is a condition where extra skin develops on your body. Most often it’s seen on the elbows, knees and scalp, and it looks like a thick build up of skin in white, flaky patches. Those patches are often covered with white or silver skin flakes and scales.

Psoriasis is caused by the body producing extra skin cells much faster than it normally does. In a healthy body, the surface skin is replaced about every 28-30 days. When someone has psoriasis however, new skin cells are pushed to the surface every 3-5 days instead. And that’s not enough time for the existing surface skin to die and flake off. So the skin piles up into these thick, white, flaky crustations on the surface.

Now, herbalists believe psoriasis is caused by something being wrong inside the body. So most of the psoriasis treatments and remedies tend to revolve around cleansing the body – particularly the liver and colon waste disposal system. We’ll cover the details of that in future articles.

Treating the actual skin symptoms however, is what most modern doctors do. And there are herbs which can help relieve some of the side effects these symptoms cause too. Psoriasis skin patches are often itchy and red. Sometimes they can crack and bleed too. So applying topical ointments, herbal teas and home made remedies to these areas can help relieve some of those problems with causing risky side effects.

Applying pure aloe vera gel to the psoriasis skin patches for instance, can help soften and soothe them. Applying liquid zinc can also help too, because it also soothes and softens the skin.

Putting chickweed herb into the bath water and soaking in it can help sooth and soften the psoriasis plaques as well.

Burdock is one of the best herbs to use for chronic skin problems. Make a tea of it and rinse the affected psoriasis plaques, or put Burdock into the bath water and soak in it for awhile.

Most importantly, keep your skin from becoming overly dry. Dry skin will crack and produce openings for bacteria to get under the skin leading to irritation, inflammation, and a flare-up.

Remember high school? With the bell ringing every 40 minutes, you were constantly reminded how fast the end of the day was approaching, and whether your task was completed or not you moved on to the next class.

Over time, you learned certain techniques to avoid wasting those precious minutes and became better equipped in handling the assignments and the constant demands placed upon you. As adults, our time isn’t so regimented, and we’re left to our own devices to manage time. Very often we develop bad habits and find ourselves busy but not productive.

There are hundreds of insightful sayings surrounding the word time, but until you put them into practice they’re not useful. It seems time only becomes important when someone we love is ill or dying. When we are young, time is endless. As we get older, we hunger for more. In emergencies, time is of the essence. During the 9/11 tragedy, time stood still.

Here are just a few examples of how you can avoid wasting time — time that could be make a difference in your daily life:

• Are your electronic gadgets time wasters or time savers?
• Think about the task before starting it.
• Try not to handle too many things at once.
• Do not begin a new project before completing the first one.
• Finish a project; don’t leave it hanging.
• Try not to double up on needless paperwork; keep it simple.
• Do not try to do everything yourself; delegate.
• Try to focus on the task at hand; avoid interruptions.
• When someone is speaking to you; listen fully without thinking of other matters. In this way nothing will have to be repeated.
• When running errands, call ahead to ensure your items are ready, if applicable.
• Schedule appointments either in the early morning or after lunch to avoid waiting.
• Ensure your home is clutter free; spending time looking for something is wasteful.
• Make lunch for the kids at night.
• Put your clothes out at night for the next morning.
• Ensure your car has plenty of gas at all times.

Think back to Rod Sterling’s episode on The Twilight Zone. The story involved a banker who loved to read, but his wife hated him doing so. Every day for lunch he would go down to the vault, step inside, and read his book. One day the earth was decimated by a bomb. The only survivor, he walked for miles until he eventually came across the New York Public Library. Ecstatically, he piled all of the books according to each year it would take him to read them all. Seeing one book under a cracked step, he reached down to grab it, and his bifocals fell off. In his attempt to pick them up, he stepped on and smashed them. All I wanted was time, he cried.

Reference: Crazy Busy: Overstretched, Overbooked, and About to Snap! Strategies for Handling Your Fast-Paced Life