It’s hard to be our happiest, best-ever selves when we’re dealing with pain, whether it’s from a splitting headache, a chronic disease like Lupus or arthritis. When you’re in pain, it’s harder to enjoy doing the things that you love.  Being some who has suffered from the debilitating pain cause from a chronic disease like Lupus  I always try  to seek alternative ways to help relieve my pain, and have compiled this list of five things you can do to help relieve the pain and discomfort from joint pain and inflammation.

1. White Willow Bark White willow bark is the bark of the white willow tree, it has been used for thousands of years to reduce fever and inflammation. It contains salicylic acid which is also found in aspirin, it helps with pain relief. This herb is rich in medicinal properties and is helpful in treating pain of joints and inflammation associated with SLE. White willow is available dried as a tea, powdered in capsules or as a tincture.

2. Bromelain: Bromelain is a powerful enzyme found in pineapple. While most enzymes get broken down in the digestive tract, bromelain actually gets absorbed into our bodies whole, studies have shown that it can reduce inflammation and reduce pain.  Try eating pineapple to get bromelain, or juice it and drink it on an empty stomach or combine your pineapple juice with aloe, ginger and turmeric is a powerful of anti-inflammatory pain relief remedy that packs a punch! You can also get Bromelain as a supplement at your local vitamin shop or health food store.

3. Egg Membrane The egg membrane is that transparent layer between the eggshell and the gel-like part inside of an egg. It’s easy to see on hard boiled eggs. Egg membrane protects the egg but it also contains collagen and glucosamine. According to a recent study, egg membrane significantly reduced joint pain and stiffness in patients with arthritis of the knee. Egg membrane can be purchased in supplement form. If you have a cut or a wound you can also use the membrane from your boiled egg in place of a Band-Aid to accelerated healing.

4. Turmeric Turmeric is a root. It looks a lot like ginger, but it’s bright orange inside. It’s available as a whole fresh fruit, or as a dried, ground spice. Turmeric has been used for 4,000 years to treat a ton of different conditions ranging from infections to cancers to inflammation as well as digestive problems. In a study, researchers found that turmeric eased pain as much as ibuprofen did in patients with arthritis. The powerful compound in turmeric is curcumin. You can also have turmeric as a tea, or used it as a spice in recipes (many Indian dishes use turmeric). You can also buy it in capsule form.

5. Devil’s Claw: I invite you to do a google image search  to get a glimpse of this creepy looking root. Studies have shown that it can reduce pain in patients with osteoarthritis. Devil’s claw contains components called iridoid glycosides, which are thought to be the source of its pain relieving properties. Devil’s claw root can be taken as a tea, and it is also sold in capsules and ointments.  My mom uses the ointment for joint pain and it has been effective in giving her some relief.

These are just a few of the many alternative ways you can help relieve joint pain caused by Lupus and other auto-immune diseases. If you have any alternative remedies for pain please share them with me. I would like to learn what alternative remedy works for you.