Whether you’re scooping up a sandy tennis ball at the beach, tackling a crusty loaf of bread, prying open a stubborn jar, or delivering a firm handshake to a new acquaintance, daily life can be a full-contact sport for your hands.

For those with arthritis, stiffness, swelling, and joint pain can turn simple pleasures into daily hurdles, making everyday actions — from buttoning a shirt to lifting a morning coffee — unexpectedly challenging.

Arthritis is an umbrella term for a range of conditions that cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints. It can affect people of all ages and lifestyles, from the young and active to the older and wise.

While osteoarthritis often results from wear and tear, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition where the body mistakenly attacks its own joints. Regardless of the type, arthritis can limit mobility, dampen independence, and make even the smallest movements feel monumental.

Over-the-counter pain medications can offer much-needed relief, taking the edge off and helping to make each day more manageable. Options like anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, or pain relievers like acetaminophen, work to reduce inflammation and alleviate discomfort, providing a quick and accessible way to manage symptoms.

While complementary medicine might not offer immediate pain relief, it focuses on addressing underlying causes and laying the groundwork for lasting improvement, fostering long-term relief and resilience.

To tame the grip of osteoarthritis, why not turn to a herb with a name which properly defines the pain, Devil’s claw This spiky plant, native to southern Africa, earned its fearsome name from its claw-like hooks, which latch to trees and enable it to climb to the top of the forest canopy.  

Devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens) was traditionally brewed as a bitter tea to aid digestion but has now become a trusted remedy for conditions marked by inflammation and pain such as arthritis. The plant’s active compounds, particularly harpagoside, are known for their powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

According to a 2022 study published by the Walter Sisulu University in South Africa, a number of bioactive compounds such as terpenoids, iridoid glycosides, glycosides, and acetylated phenolic compounds have been isolated from the plant and numerous bioactive compounds have been reported as potential anti-inflammatory agents as well as pain relievers.

There are many medicinal plants which may also prove beneficial in relieving pain. Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) is often compared to aspirin because it contains natural compounds that have similar pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects.

Historically, meadowsweet was used to treat pain and inflammation before the Bayer company, in the late 19^th century introduced aspirin as “The World’s First Wonder Drug”.

Meadowsweet’s plant’s leaves, flowers, and stems are rich in salicylates, which are converted in the body to substances that can reduce pain, fever, and inflammation, much like aspirin does.

While meadowsweet may not have the same potency as aspirin, it offers a gentler alternative for those seeking a more natural remedy. However, it’s still important to use meadowsweet cautiously, especially for individuals who are sensitive to aspirin or have conditions like ulcers or gastrointestinal issues.

Whether we’re chatting over a morning coffee, walking with friends, or cooking dinner together, it’s easy to overlook that caring for our health — especially when managing conditions like arthritis — is one of the most important investments we can make in ourselves.