Home remedies that really work for arthritis
There are plenty of natural arthritis remedies out there, but one of the most powerful may be green tea. A potent antioxidant found green tea called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) may put the brakes on the joint pain and inflammation that are hallmarks of rheumatoid arthritis, according to a study in the January 2016 issue of Arthritis and Rheumatology. Researchers suggest drinking two or three cups a day to reap the benefits. And if we are talking about osteoarthritis, the wear-and-tear form of the disease, red hot chili peppers may do the trick. Chili peppers contain capsaicin, which research shows can reduce joint pain, stiffness, and swelling of OA. Try applying a capsaicin cream four times daily to sore joints. Find out 23 of the best home remedies for arthritis pain.
Home remedies that really work for bug bites
For run-of-the-mill itching, look no further than that breakfast staple, oatmeal. “Colloidal oatmeal has a long history and equally solid biological basis for its anti-inflammatory and anti-itch effects,” says Adam Friedman, MD, an Associate Professor of Dermatology at George Washington School of Medicine and Hospital in Washington DC. Find it in the form of creams or even over-the-counter bath powder and follow instructions on the label.
If you’ve already scratched the bite, prevent infection with Healthful Manuka honey (not regular honey), which comes from New Zealand and is approved for the treatment of wounds. “It is a great osmotic agent, meaning that it pulls water into the wound/skin and an antibacterial agent,” Dr. Friedman says. “Hydrating the skin can help cool it off, and the antibacterial properties are useful as a scratched bug bite is susceptible to infection.”