For a natural way to keep your joints pain free and osteoarthritic inflammation at bay, the following tips will help.
Ayurveda encourages oleation, using premium quality healthy fats and oils, both in your diet and in the form of massage on your skin. Treat your body to a daily self-massage with warm Mahanaryan oil to soothe stiffness and discomfort. Allow the oil to sink into your skin for half an hour, and then take a warm bath or shower to assist the oil’s penetration into the skin.
Hemp seed oil contains a perfect balance of Omega 3, 6 and 9, so include a daily serving of between 1-4 tablespoons to increase the essential fatty acid content into your diet. Drizzle hemp seed oil onto cooked food or salads, but do not cook with it, as the heat will destroy hemp’s delicate essential fatty acid content.
Include fresh herbs and brightly coloured vegetables and fruits in your diet. The bright pigments such as those found in fruits such as blueberries, and spices like turmeric are a good indication of the presence of antioxidants and phytonutrients. The vividly coloured turmeric is often combined with resinous Boswellia, a warming and pungent frankincense, to support circulatory and joint health.
Finally, don’t forget to breathe and relax! Our breath is another channel of elimination, and breathing exercises rid the body of stagnation and help us manage stress.
Samantha Entwistle, Medical Herbalist
