A series of LecturesByMr. Allah Dad Khan former DG Agriculture Extension KP Province and Visiting Professor the University of Agriculture Peshawar allahdad52@gmail.com

1. • Rheumatism

2. Medicinal Plants for Diseases
“Reheutism ”
A series of Lectures
By
Mr. Allah Dad Khan
former DG Agriculture Extension KP Province
and Visiting Professor the University of
Agriculture Peshawar allahdad52@gmail.com

3. Ginger
• Gingerol is the compound in ginger that
gives it flavor and some of its anti-
inflammatory properties. Elements in
ginger were found to reduce the action of
T cells, immune cells that can add to
systemic inflammation, in an analysis
published in the July 2015 issue
of Phytotherapy Research.
• Try stir-frying with ginger or eating fresh
pickled ginger. 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.

4. Turmeric
• Animal studies have shown that essential
oils of turmeric have anti-arthritis
properties. In a review published in
January 2013 in The AAPS Journal of
curcumin, the active ingredient that gives
turmeric its yellow color, researchers at
the University of Texas MD Anderson
Cancer Center found that this natural
remedy may have antibacterial and anti-
cancer properties, as well as anti-
inflammatory properties that could help
with rheumatoid arthritis.
• “Both turmeric and curcumin, two parts of
the same plant, have very strong anti-
inflammatory activity and can be used
for treatment of inflammation, especially
joints,” Roofener says. But she cautions
that turmeric is also a blood thinner and
should be avoided in large doses if you
take a blood-thinning medicine. Want to
try turmeric? Opt for a curry dish like
this healthified chicken curry with
couscous recipe.

5. Green Tea
• Green tea contains polyphenols,
says Dr. Jonas, which could aid in
reducing inflammation and
protecting joints, according to
research published in December
2014 in Arthritis Research &
Therapy. Evidence from animal
studies suggests that polyphenols,
which are rich in antioxidants, may
suppress the immune response.
That could be important because
rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in
which the dysregulation of the
immune system leads to
inflammation in the joints, causing
pain and swelling, Jonas says.
And you don't have to stick to
plain green tea either — next time
test out this recipe for iced mint
green tea.

6. Cinnamon
• In China and India, cinnamon bark
is used to make natural
remedies such as medicinal
powders and teas. "Cinnamon
may have some properties that
fight inflammation," Roofener
says. "Cinnamon is a hot herb. It’s
very useful for aches and pains,
especially when they are worse
with cold or cold weather."
Researchers who published an
analysis of the phytochemicals in
cinnamon that help reduce
inflammation theorized that
cinnamon could be used for
inflammation if the right
concentration is determined. The
findings were published in Food &
Function in March 2015

7. Garlic
• Fresh garlic can liven up any dish and may help ease rheumatoid arthritis pain. A study
published in August 2013 in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology noted that garlic
has significant anti-inflammatory effects because it inhibits the production of pro-
inflammatory substances known as cytokines. But the study found that heating garlic
extract significantly reduced its anti-inflammatory properties.
• Garlic can be added to many types of foods, including roasted vegetables, stir-fries, and
sandwich spreads.
• ThinkstockBlack Pepper
• Peppers are widely used to fight pain and swelling in traditional natural remedies. For
instance, capsaicin, the substance that gives hot peppers their heat, is used in gels and
creams as an arthritis treatment, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Research
published in August 2010 in the journal Natural Product Communications found that
many of the anti-inflammatory properties found in capsaicin are also found in black
pepper.
• ThinkstockWillow Bark
• Willow bark has been shown to help reduce markers of inflammation, according to
research published in April 2013 in Phytotherapy Research. When researchers gave a
willow bark extract to 436 people with rheumatic pain or back pain for three weeks, they
saw a significant reduction in pain, according to a report in the August 2013 issue
of Phytomedicine.
• ThinkstockThe Bottom Line?
• "Adding herbs and spices to your diet for their anti-inflammatory properties is usually
safe," Roofener says.
• She advises using herbs or supplements at least two hours before or after taking your
medications. And, she adds, your treatment should be personalized. Work with a health
professional trained in herbal medicine, she suggests, because such a person will
consider many factors, including your overall health and symptoms, before
recommending specific herbs.
• "When you look at herbs, it is important what they do but also for whom they are
prescribed," Roofener says. "If you want to use them in high doses as medicine, make
sure to check with your doctor first.”
• Additional reporting by Madeline Vann, MPH
•

8. Black Pepper
Peppers are widely used to
fight pain and swelling in
traditional natural remedies.
For instance, capsaicin, the
substance that gives hot
peppers their heat, is used in
gels and creams as an arthritis
treatment, according to
the Arthritis Foundation.
Research published in August
2010 in the journal Natural
Product
Communications found that
many of the anti-inflammatory
properties found in capsaicin
are also found in black pepper.

9. Willow Bark
• Willow bark has been
shown to help reduce
markers of inflammation,
according to research
published in April 2013
in Phytotherapy Research.
When researchers gave a
willow bark extract to 436
people with rheumatic pain
or back pain for three
weeks, they saw a
significant reduction in pain,
according to a report in the
August 2013 issue
of Phytomedicine.