4 recipes to combat joint ailments

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Extract from the article: Arthritis is the inflammation of the joints. It causes pain and stiffness, often limiting patients' quality of life. While medical treatment is essential, there are additional ways of alleviating the symptoms on a daily basis. Among them, certain spi

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Arthritis is the inflammation of the joints. It causes pain and stiffness, often limiting patients' quality of life. While medical treatment is essential, there are additional ways of alleviating the symptoms on a daily basis. Among them, certain spices stand out for their anti-inflammatory properties.

Turmeric

Turmeric is without doubt the best-known anti-inflammatory spice. Its high content of curcumin, a powerful active compound, makes it a powerful ally against joint pain. The study ‘Therapeutic effects of turmeric or curcumin extract on pain and function for individuals with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review’ (2021), showed that turmeric had positive effects on reducing pain and improving physical function in people suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee. Curcumin blocks inflammatory enzymes and cytokines. In this way, it inhibits the production of inflammatory mediators.

Recipe: Take 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder, 1 tablespoon of black pepper and 500ml of water (1 pure water). Boil the water, then add the turmeric and black pepper. Cover and leave to infuse for around 5 minutes. Drink once a day. Repeat until satisfied

Cinnamon

Beyond its sweet fragrance, cinnamon hides well-established medicinal properties. The cinnamaldehyde and cinnamic acid it contains help combat inflammation. The study ‘Cinnamon Consumption Improves Clinical Symptoms and Inflammatory Markers in Women With Rheumatoid Arthritis’ published in the ‘Journal of the American College of Nutrition’ demonstrated that cinnamon supplementation serves as a safe therapeutic supplement for reducing inflammation and clinical symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, it reduces levels of C-reactive protein in the blood, one of the markers of inflammation.

Recipe: Make an infusion of lemongrass with 1 teaspoon of powdered cinnamon when hot. Leave to cool and drink. 

Garlic

Garlic isn't just a tasty condiment. It contains diallyl disulphide, a substance with proven anti-arthritic effects. A study published in the Journal of Environmental Pathology, Toxicology and Oncology found that diallyl disulphide, derived from garlic, has anti-arthritic activity. More specifically, it reduces inflammation and prevents cartilage deterioration. Add to soups, pasta and vegetable dishes, among other recipes.

Recipe: Bring 3 cups of water and 3 halved garlic cloves to the boil. Turn off the heat and add 2 teaspoons of honey and the juice of a fresh lemon. Drink 1 cup morning and evening. 

Clove

Rich in eugenol, clove acts on the inflammatory processes associated with arthritis. A review entitled ‘An Overview on the Anti-inflammatory Potential and Antioxidant Profile of Eugenol’ shared by ‘Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity’ highlighted the clinical potential of eugenol for the treatment of diseases associated with oxidative stress and inflammation. Its uptake has health benefits and improves quality of life. Eugenol has improved experimental arthritis and may be useful as an adjunct in the treatment of arthritis.

Recipe: 5 cloves, 1 glass of water (200 ml). Boil the water. When it reaches boiling point, add the cloves. Remove the drink from the heat and leave to stand for around 5 minutes. Then strain and consume. Take up to 2 times a day.

Raymond DZAKPATA