13 Herbs and Spices for Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptom Relief

It’s no secret that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) involves inflammation, so adding anti-inflammatory herbs and spices to your diet is a good idea. Admittedly, on their own, these food ingredients aren’t likely to have a significant impact on easing symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. But as part of an anti-inflammatory diet, consuming certain herbs and spices throughout the day could have an additive effect in reducing inflammation and other symptoms, according to the Arthritis Foundation. And, at the very least, adding them to your recipes will liven up your meals. Related: The Best Foods to Add to Your Diet to Fight Rheumatoid ArthritisIn addition, some medicinal herbs can help you manage or even minimize uncomfortable symptoms. What follows are 13 herbs and spices worth considering if you have rheumatoid arthritis.

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Ginger

Used in Asian medicine and cuisine for centuries, ginger has anti-inflammatory properties, including the abilities to suppress inflammatory molecules called leukotrienes and the synthesis of prostaglandins, which are hormone-like substances that cause pain and inflammation, according to research published in 2014 in the journal Arthritis.Related: 6 Foods That Can Make Rheumatoid Arthritis WorseTry stir-frying a chicken or veggie dish with chopped fresh ginger, eating fresh pickled ginger, or adding grated ginger to soups or smoothies. Galina Roofener, a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist at the Cleveland Clinic, agrees that ginger can be a beneficial part of your plan to control arthritis symptoms and recommends working with a trained herbalist.

Thyme

A fragrant herb that has high antioxidant capabilities, thyme has a rich history as a food flavoring. And it’s been found to have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties that could be therapeutic for rheumatoid arthritis, according to research published in the April–June 2015 issue of Pharmacognosy Communications. In fact, thyme was found to be the most commonly used herbal medicine among people with RA, according to a study published in December 2018 in Complementary Therapies in Medicine.Related: Can Drinking Tea Help Ease Rheumatoid Arthritis Sympoms?A sprig of fresh thyme or the fresh leaves can be flavorful additions to meat, poultry, bean, tomato, or egg dishes, as well as soups and stews. Long used in Italian, French, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern cuisines, “thyme’s pungency is one of its greatest benefits, but can be a drawback if it is used incorrectly,” according to Spiceography. So don’t go overboard with it.

Turmeric

A golden spice that’s long been used to lend color and flavor to foods, turmeric also has been used in ayurvedic and Chinese medicine to treat a variety of medical conditions, including arthritis and musculoskeletal disorders. Besides having anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric and curcumin (the active ingredient that gives turmeric its yellow color) also have analgesic effects, according to research published in August 2016 in the Journal of Medicinal Food.Related: Home Remedies and Alternative Treatments for Rheumatoid ArthritisWant to try turmeric? Add it to soups, stews, and curry dishes, like a Healthified Chicken Curry with Couscous. Helpful hint: Combining turmeric with black pepper helps your body absorb the yellow spice even better, according to research published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition. Roofener cautions that because turmeric is also a blood thinner, it should be avoided in large doses if you take a blood-thinning medicine.

Green Tea

Consumed in Asia for millennia, green tea contains polyphenols, which are antioxidant-rich substances that can help reduce inflammation, protect joints, and trigger changes in immune responses that would ease the severity of arthritis. A study published in February 2017 in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases compared the effects of green tea and black tea on arthritis and found that green tea extract had superior anti-inflammatory effects. So treat yourself to a daily tea break with a cup of hot green tea, iced green tea, or even a cup of matcha, using a powder made from ground green tea leaves. You’ll do your health, and perhaps your joints, a world of good.

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