Home Remedies For Rheumatism

Chillies and peppers are rich in capsaicin, an active chemical that desensitises nerves and controls pain. The Mayna Jivaro tribe of Peru still apply chilli fruits directly to their teeth to cure toothache, and this has prompted Western doctors to run trials to see if it may work as a pain reliever for rheumatic diseases.

Native Americans used to swear by a poultice of sage, tobacco, angelica and balsam for rheumatic aches and pains. A less dramatic remedy is Epsom salts added to a hot bath, which will ease the pain, or try mixing a dessertspoonful of dried mustard or cayenne pepper into your bathwater.

Eat plenty of onions and garlic - you can even make up a delicious onion drink by chopping up three unpeeled onions and boiling them gently in 600ml (1 pint) of water.

Garlic pounded in olive oil with parsley and eaten on coarse brown bread has been known to help, or a breakfast of grated apple with raw oats and yogurt is also good.

5-6 Walnuts can be eaten daily. Take care to chew the Walnuts really well.

Celery is another effective remedy for rheumatism. A fluid extract of the seeds is more powerful than the raw vegetable. This also has a tonic action on the stomach and kidneys. Five to ten drops of this fluid should be taken in hot water before meals. Powdered seeds can be used as a condiment.

The juice of raw potato is regarded as an excellent remedy for rheumatism. One or two teaspoons of the juice pressed out of mashed raw potato should be taken before meals. This will help eliminate an acid condition and relieve rheumatism.