Arthritis and Basil Tea

Imagine trying to go through normal movements on an ordinary day except with one notable difference. Your joints, for seemingly no reason at all, hurt. Every step taken causes a shot of pain in your ankle, while lifting your arms results in a minor shoulder spasm. You have just experienced a day similar to that of someone suffering from arthritis, a condition characterized by the inflammation and stiffness of joints in the body. Incorrectly thought to affect mainly the elderly, any person can contract arthritis at any time in their lives. However, hope is not lost. The anti-inflammatory attributes of basil tea can help to reduce pain associated with arthritis.

What is Arthritis?

The elbow, the neck, and the ankle all have something in common: they’re joints, places in the body where two bones meet. Arthritis causes inflammation at these spots, sometimes causing the bones to rub together and making the joints painful to move and apply pressure to. Inflammation of the joints causes the body to send increased amounts of white blood cells to travel to the problem area, causing further pain. While the direct cause of arthritis is still unknown, healthy lifestyle choices can help to reduce the risk of joint pain.

Osteoarthritis

The degeneration of cartilage and bone at the joints, osteoarthritis is especially common in middle-aged persons and onward. Childhood injuries can actually cause osteoarthritis later on, despite seeming to fully have healed.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

An autoimmune disease in which the body attacks joint tissues, rheumatoid arthritis is more likely to be acquired if someone already has an autoimmune disease like lupus or multiple sclerosis. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include pain and visible swelling, as well as a possible fever and fatigue.

Basil Tea Can Help

Not to be confused with holy basil tea, this variety of basil tea has an assortment of benefits all its own. A cup of basil tea has the same inhibiting effect upon enzymes within the body that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like aspirin and ibuprofen do. Coupled with the magnesium in basil tea, these inhibiting effects can help to reduce inflammation associated with arthritis. You should consult with a doctor prior to drinking basil tea for your arthritis pain, especially if already prescribed to other medication.