to 1 ½ teaspoons per day, and 10 percent lose as much as two teaspoons per day.
A recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine showed that use of NSAIDs such as aspirin
and ibuprofen increased the risk of high blood pressure (HPP) by nearly 40 percent. Similar use of
acetaminophen was found to increase HBP risk by 34 percent.
The following list provides you with alternative solutions to pain management, without interfering with
the body’s own efforts to heal itself:
- Boswellia (Boswellia serrata) is an Ayurvedic herb. It alleviates pain and improves mobility in
people with arthritis. It also has anti-carcinogenic, anti-tumor, and blood lipid lowering activities.
Dosage: 1,200 to 1,500 mg of a standardized extract containing 60 to 65 percent boswellic acids two
to three times daily. - Bromelain, an enzyme derived from the pineapple stem, has anti-inflammatory effects. Dosage: 500
mg three times daily between meals. - Cayenne (Capsicum annuum) cream. For pain relief, apply to the affected area two to four times
daily. - Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) may improve knee and hip pain. Dosage: 1,500 to
2,500 mg powdered extract daily, or 1-2 ml of the tincture three times a day. Do not take devil's claw
if you have a history of gallstones, heartburn or ulcers. - Evening primrose, black currant and borage oils reduce joint inflammation. Dosage: Up to 2.8 g
of Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA) daily. Avoid any refined oils or margarine. - Fish oils to reduce joint inflammation and promote joint lubrication. Dosage at least 1.8 mg of
DocasaHexanenoic Acid (DHA), an omega-3 fat and 1.2 mg of Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an
omega-3 fat. - Ginger (Zingiber officinale) tea made with fresh ginger. Eat fresh ginger before and with meals, take
1 to 2 grams of ginger powder in capsule form two or three times daily, or use 1 to 2 ml of the
tincture two or three times daily. - MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)—organic sulfur—has natural anti-inflammatory properties.
Dosage 2,000 to 8,000 mg daily. Start on a small dosage and build up gradually. - SAM-e (S-adenosylmethionine) prevents the loss of water in cartilage, which keeps the joint more
flexible. Dosage: 600 to 1,200 mg daily for two months, followed by 400 to 800 mg daily as a
maintenance dosage.
Caution: If you take any of the above, be sure to avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen to avoid adverse reactions.
Besides taking supplements, there are of course, other options for pain relief that you may wish to
explore. These include dietary adjustments, exercise, physical therapy, stress management, massage
therapy, acupuncture, acupressure and yoga.
Stimulants Make Strong People Weak
All stimulants are “sweet” when ingested but “bitter” in their effects. You can become addicted to
them without even recognizing your dependency. If you are used to drinking a few cups of coffee a day,
try this: Go on a “coffee fast,” which means having no coffee for an entire day, and observe how you feel
as the day progresses. After a few hours you may notice a dull sensation in your head and a feeling of
weakness and lack of energy throughout the body. Some people develop headaches in the afternoon;
others yawn and feel downcast. These effects may seem to be due to the absence of coffee in your diet