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Page 43
| nate the cause of inflammation, reducing or stopping the disease's progress (feverfew, boswella). |
| ANTIRHEUMATIC herbs are not so much specifics for rheumatism as they are alternatives that gradually correct imbalances in the body, repairing an unhealthy state to a healthy one. They work gradually to correct the underlying cause of rheumatic disease and can be taken daily for long periods (alfalfa, bog bean, celery seed, sanaparill, feverfew). |
| An ANTISPASMODIC relieves or prevents involuntary muscle spasms or cramps and helps lessen the impact of friction on the joints (black cohosh, cramp bark). |
| CIRCULATORY STIMULANTS activate and increase circulation and digestion, increasing the flow of blood through the tissues around joints and enhancing the effectiveness of other herbs taken at the same time (prickly ash, cayenne, ginger). |
| NERVINES are herbs that calm and soothe the nerves, reducing stress, tension and anxiety. They strengthen, tone, calm and nourish the nervous system (black cohosh, valerian, skullcap, oatstraw, chamomile) and are used as supporting or secondary herbs in arthritis formulas. |
| A RUBEFACIENT, applied externally, stimulates capillary dilation and causes skin redness by drawing blood to the area, relieving inflammation and congestion; herbs in this category have a warming effect (cayenne, ginger, cloves, mustard) and are used in sports rubs, liniments and therapeutic massage oils. |
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