The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Iodine
Posted by Frankie (Franklin, Louisiana )
★★★★★
1st I tried BSM remedy for a knee issue but I needed surgery for it. Arthritis was found in right knee and now is in left knee. For a week and some I have been doing the honey-cinn and I positively feel the difference. I have not taken any prescribed meds. for a week. I add 2 teaspoons honey and 1 teaspoon cinnamon and add this to a cup very hot water. I drink this morning and nite. I also love the fact that it benefits me in other ways. Hope this helps someone else.
Comfrey Oil, ACV
Posted by M.A (Phoenix) on 04/05/2021
I also want to add that I'm taking borax for my RA. 1 large pinch 4x's daily in water. It's been 2 weeks and I think it might be helping. Not sure bc I have so many areas that are painful (ie hands, ankles, knee, arms, and shoulders).
For my RA pain, I'm taking 1/16 tsp of pure powder aspirin (bought at a feed store for horses) and then 1/16 tsp of lysine with 1/8 tsp of chlorophyll and 2000 mg of vit c powder with bioflavonoids in my yogurt. I only take this once in the morning as it lasts me all day as a pain reliever.
I also have h.pylori that I'm dealing with which I take 1 tsp black seed oil 2x's day and 15 drops of oregano 2x's day with black walnut wormwood and clove extract from NOW. I think the oregano is working bc I'm having less burping, gas, and nausea. I'm also drinking cabbage juice. Going to try this for 2 weeks and see how I feel. Next, I will add turpentine and dgl and mastic gum to see if that works. So many Natural remedies out there it's difficult to know what to try.
Thanks for the info.
Borax
Posted by Art (California) on 10/13/2020 2933 posts
Hi Mary,
As I mentioned to Gracie, I have not tried it topically for anything except the hands and it was effective for that, but the hands are relatively thin and apparently enough borax is able to penetrate the the hands to be effective. For arthritis of the the hips and knees, the oral route is already proven effective for many people. Borax is very poor at penetrating the skin and dermal layers and this is why I have never mentioned it for anything other than the hands. I have only used it orally for other areas of the body.
Orally, I use Ted's method of 1/8th level teaspoon per day for women measured with a measuring spoon set using the 1/8th teaspoon at level full and adding that to a quart or liter of water, stirring or shaking until dissolved and drinking it throughout the day. For men it is 1/4th teaspoon per day in a quart or liter of water. I drink the whole quart during the day and make a new bottle each day. I drink one bottle each day of the week and take Friday, Saturday and Sunday off now.
If you want to try making the borax lotion, I have written about that already on Earth Clinic here :
https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/art-solbrig-topical-arthritis-lotion.html
Art
Arnica
Posted by Arlene (Fort Lauderdale, Fl) on 10/09/2019
★★★★★
I am 62 yrs young and very active but I guess I over did it and strain my right knee. Terrible pain and swelling and tried ice and wrapping my knee but it didn't help at all. I tried arnica gel, there's also arnica cream and amazing how much better my knee is within 2 days. I urge anyone with knee pain or anywhere else to use arnica topically. I know you can get the pellets but I don't know if it works as well as the cream. Pain is so depressing. Wish all of you the best and thanks EC for your site.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Gracie (Nottingham Uk) on 06/15/2017
Hi Michael
Thank you very much for taking the time to reply to my posting on the arthritic pain in my knee. I find your recommendations very sound, helpful, and above all your letter put a smile on my face!
Right, I was a little premature in posting on Earth Clinic the other day, because yesterday I saw my doctor who was able to give me the results of the x ray I'd had, which has helped clarify matters. I do have osteoarthritis, which you thought was almost inevitable for anyone over seventy, but in addition to this fragments of bone have broken loose in my kneecap and need to be removed. As I understand it, it's the fragments that are causing the intensity of pain I'm experiencing. So the next step is an MRI scan, and removal of the fragments.
I shall continue with all the natural remedies I've been taking, gleaned from Earth Clinic contributors, and, like you, I'm not adverse to a bit of voodoo, and may try acupuncture or other alternative therapies if the condition doesn't improve.
Best wishes.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Bel1954 (New Mexico) on 04/10/2017 2 posts
★★★★★
I've been taking 1tbsp ACV in warm water for quite a few months now for my knee arthritis and feel great.. I want to add BS for added benefits... How much should I use?
Apple Cider Vinegar and Cayenne Wrap
Posted by Art (California) on 09/15/2024 2933 posts
Hi Neema,
Please look at the EC link for Borax here :
https://www.earthclinic.com/remedies/borax.html
This page also explains how to use it.
Another advantage to borax aside from its antiarthritic activity, is it's boron content, which helps maintain bone integrity and helps prevent osteopenia/ osteoporosis.
Art
Apple Cider Vinegar and Olive Oil
Posted by Mary (Kannapolis, Nc) on 08/12/2013
★★★★★
Read the post today about the olive oil and ACV for knee problems:
04/09/2006: Skyye : "Within the hour, a mix of ACV & Olive oil applied with cotton wool on the knee, massaged in after about 20 mins and the severe pain is gone. Also took 2 tbsp in a glass of water. No painkillers necessary!!!"
My husband hurt his knee last week, had a shot in the knee, no help. Was scheduled to see Dr again tomorrow. He massaged the mixture into his knee JUST ONCE and got immediate relief. Just used the massage mixture for a second time. Also mixed up 2 tbsp of ACV in water and is drinking that, too. AMAZING!!! Hopefully he won't need the Dr visit tomorrow.
Gelatin Powder
Posted by Brendan (Adelaide, South Australia) on 12/22/2010
Hey Ken, I am very interested about this gelatin stuff for knees. I've been skateboarding since about 12 yrs and I'm now 25 and my knees are not great especially for my age. My mate is even worse as he is a commercial vinyl layer and skates too so has terrible knee problems. Mine are not so bad but I'm sure they could do with a bit of restoration and I'd rather help them now before I have a serious problem with them. I know my mate would also appreciate some help in this area as he's already had several knee ops and he's my age. Is the gelatin any specific type or if I just go to the pharmacy will they have the same sort of stuff. I'm in Australia so I don't know but I doubt we've got the knox one you are refering too. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks, Brendan.
Gelatin Powder
Posted by Brooke (Montgomery, Tx, Usa) on 12/22/2010
Hello Brenden,
The gelatin does have a role in our body, it isn't the vitamin content but it is ability to work with the activities of the glands, causing the glands to take from the digested vitamins. The gelatin when taken at least 3x a week is a really good thing to do to your body, especially after eating or after taking your vitamins. For your knees, I would try rubbing peanut oil on them, especially after a hot sauna, or hot bath, or a steam bath. The reason is that when your pores are open, the peanut oil really gets into your bones and your cartilage areas. Peanut oil, olive oil, Castor oil, any of those oils will work. You can follow the oil rubs with a little bit of grain alcohol to close the pores to really get the oil in there. Also you can do a salt and apple cider vinegar rub on your knees if they hurt. Get salt and put ACV in it until it is wet all over. I would do this before the bath and then the bath and then the oil rubs.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Sandy (Naperville) on 06/20/2026
Love you Mama to many. You are always giving good advice/remedies. Today after six years again having severe pain, in knee and calf muscle, was looking at Earth clinic and realized that I didn't thank you for your encouraging words. Thank you dear.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Diane (Irvington, Nj, Usa) on 05/20/2010
★★★★★
I suffer with knee pain. I tried rubbing vinegar on my right knee. The pain has gone away.
Arthroscopic Surgery
Posted by Earth Clinician (Salvador) on 03/12/2014
The problem with arthroscopic surgery is that as soon as the surgeon starts poking around in there damage is being done by the nature of the surgery itself. The long term effects are a very high likelihood for osteoporosis or similar due to the degradation of the meniscus.
If you can avoid invasive surgery I would strongly advise that you do so. Prolotherapy is well worth looking into if you can afford it.
There's a guy who wrote a book called something like 'how I cured my knee pain', who was told he would not be able to walk within a short number of years, but cured himself by exercising the joint rather than the muscles.
I would look into maintaining activity, increasing joint friendly activity and eliminating those activities that put your joint at risk.
Your diet is very significant as is your mental health and attitude. Eat healthy nutritious meals. Organic vegetables in plentiful supply. Avoid all processed carbohydrates. If you are overweight - lose it. All of these things will aid your overall health, and consequently the condition of your joints.
I hope this helps. I must add that I am not a doctor, and this is all just personal experience that I am passing on. None of the above should be considered as qualifed medical advice. Consult your physician.
Very best of luck to you.
Osgood Schlatter Disease
Posted by Dan (Montreal, Canada) on 08/10/2026
★★★★★
I got OSD symptoms in my mid to late 40s, likely as a result of all the time spent on my knees from my sport (grappling). I never got a diagnosis, but I have the boney bumps under the knees, making it nearly impossible to get to the knees, even when kneeling on 2-inch mats, and even with knee protection/cushioning.
I was speculating that those boney bumps may be bone spurs. I decided to test this theory by applying castor oil to a cotton pad, mostly soaking the center of the pad (leaving just the outer edge of the pad dry), and taping the pad directly on top of the bumps. I covered the entire pad with tape to prevent the castor oil from staining clothing. The goal was to keep as much oil on the bump for long stretches of time.
I did this every morning for many weeks, and left the cotton pads on for at least 8 hours every day. Often times, the oil was nearly fully absorbed into the skin after 8 hours.
Now, the bumps are noticeably smaller. The pain is gone. I can now get to my knees again pain free. Good luck.
MSM
Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn.) on 08/29/2009 489 posts
★★★★★
One other thing I suggest for that painful knee is MSM which is something our body needs to function properly. I started taking it l5 or more years ago and still sing its praises. You really aren't aware that it is doing anything until it suddenly hits you that the weather has changed (increased pain with weather change is why people with arthritis pain are so good at predicting rain or snow) and you aren't getting that confounded pain you are so used to getting at that time. To find out what this stuff, just type MSM in the search window and have fun reading. Seems it has some antiflammatory as well as cell regeneration effects. It is a whole lot cheaper and less] painful than surgery.
Baking Soda
Posted by Alexis (Los Angeles, CA) on 07/04/2009
★★★★★
I am 31 years old and spent the last 20 years of my life being very active. I used to run 4-6 miles every morning and played tennis regularly. About 2 years ago I noticed a pain in my left knee. I saw doctor after doctor and the pain seemed to just get worse. I finally had an MRI and the Dr. said I had patella Tendinitis which is common. Many people have patella Tendinitis and continue to live and workout. I stopped working out completely and found myself becoming more and more sedentary. I live one block from the beautiful Pacific Ocean and I wouldn't even walk to the ocean because the pain in my knees had gotten that bad. I even started using a cane to get around. About 3 weeks ago my younger sister recommended that I boil some water and take 2Tbl spoons of ACV and that every morning I should drink 6oz of water with 1/4tsp of baking soda. I am an avid baker who has a gluten allergy so I never get to eat what I bake but I always have fresh baking soda on hand. I didn't have the ACV so I just started drinking the baking soda every morning and OMG I have been smiling from cheek to cheek because my pain has gone away. I am not running yet but I walk everywhere now. Baking Soda once a day has changed my life. After reading others stories I am going to start using the ACV because it sounds like it has many healthy benefits.
Calcium, Magnesium, D3
Posted by Victoria (Toronto, ON, Canada) on 04/29/2009
About a month ago, I started feeling pain in my knees... it started when I was sitting down. As time went on, it got worse and I went to see the doctor, who said that I had patellofemoral pain syndrome. Well, a friend of mine suggested that I take calcium, and I feel incredibly better. I take it twice a day- its in one supplement- calcium,magnesium, and vitamin D3 ... Calcium 333mg, Magnesium 167mg, D3133IU Please try it, it works !
Knee Pain Exercise
Posted by Jan (Edmonton, AB) on 06/05/2008
★★★★★
hello, Im 58 and sometimes have pain in my knees, probably onset of arthritis, I found out that laying on my back raising my legs up and moving them as if riding a bicycle tends to relive the pain.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Posted by Connie (Manitowoc, Wisconsin) on 08/10/2009
If you don't add additional potassium to counter the salt in the baking soda you may find that your blood pressure rises on this regimen.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Cayenne Wrap
Posted by E-dog (Pacific Northwest, Usa) on 11/07/2010
WARNING!
We tried this and it left a nasty skin burn on my poor husband's leg. Be careful when taking this advice.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Roger (Fairless Hills, Pa) on 07/07/2007
★★★★★
The ACV remedy using 1/2tsp of Baking Soda, 2 tbsp of ACV (_____s) and 4 oz of water does a great job of relieving the acid reflux I was suffering from. At first I was a little skeptical but it works...and works quickly. Additionally, when I can't use it, a Granny Smith apple helps relieve it but not as good. I was on Protonix for almost a year prior to trying ACV, this is a much better solution. I have recommended the site and remedy to many others. Side effect or coincidence? I noticed about 2 weeks after taking ACV that the pain I have had in my knees (had about 2yrs) was also relieved. I had been suffering with pain in my knees every evening to the point I had put a 'neck' pillow under them to help relieve it by slightly bending them...not any longer!:) Thanks Ted!!!
Eliminate Aspartame and Artificial Sweeteners
Posted by Jim (Upstate New York, US) on 11/30/2014
I completely concur. I did a research article once on aspartame and it was published. My publisher got a threatening call from NutraSweet's lawyers! They seem to keep a number of lawyers on permanent retainer to try and squelch the consistent bad press about diet drinks that contain aspartame.
It is nasty, nasty stuff. Using the completely natural extract of stevia for sweetening will get you off any dependence on artifical sweeteners or sugar, for that matter.
Aspartame is unhealthy and will harm your body. The companies that produce it, including NutraSweet, know it is bad for you. They have to hire lawyers to try and suppress the truth from getting out! That alone should give you all the info you need to make a life-affirming choice for yourself or others.
By the way, my editor stood behind me and refused to retract the article or apologize for it. We never heard from those cretins again.
Vitamin C
Posted by Barbara (Portland, OR) on 12/06/2006
★★★★★
I started taking high doses of Vitamin C to help ward off a cold virus. For the past several weeks I took 5-10 grams of Vitamin C. I noticed my knee pain disappeared. I am a runner/cross country skier who has virtually stopped these activities due to pain in my right knee. For 7 years I have tried glucosamine, calcium, MSM, and NSAIDs. I don't like taking NSAIDS. However, the other remedies did not relieve the pain and inflammation. Therefore, I have been tolerating the pain and have discontinued using NSAIDS. I was very surprised to find that the Vitamin C use correlated with complete pain relief and reduction of inflammation. So I stopped the C for a week and the pain returned. I have resumed the C and the pain is gone again.
Vitamin C
Posted by Barbara (Portland, OR) on 12/06/2006
★★★★★
I started taking high doses of Vitamin C to help ward off a cold virus. For the past several weeks I took 5-10 grams of Vitamin C. Then I noticed my knee pain disappeared.
I am a runner/cross country skier who has virtually stopped these activities due to pain in my right knee.
For 7 years I have tried glucosamine, calcium, MSM, and NSAIDs. I don't like taking NSAIDS. However, the other remedies did not relieve the pain and inflammation. Therefore, I have been tolerating the pain and have discontinued using NSAIDS.
I was very surprised to find that the Vitamin C use correlated with complete pain relief and reduction of inflammation. So I stopped the C for a week and the pain returned. I have resumed the C and the pain is gone again.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jack (Sweetwater, TN) on 10/05/2006
★☆☆☆☆
Don't believe every thing you read!!! I tried apple cider vinegar for weak knees and it didn't work. I took two table spoons a day for five weeks and it didn't work.When I got off of it about three weeks later my knees started getting better.
Apple Cider Vinegar and Olive Oil
Posted by Skyye (USA) on 04/09/2006
★★★★★
Within the hour, a mix of ACV & Olive oil applied with cotton wool on the knee, massaged in after about 20 mins and the severe pain is gone. Also took 2 tbsp in a glass of water. No painkillers necessary!!!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mama To Many (Middle, Tennessee, Usa) on 05/27/2013
I would agree that Apple Cider Vinegar may give a lot of help and won't hurt. I notice a difference in my back pain when I let up on using ACV.
Peppermint essential oil is good for pain and healing and so is castor oil. (I use these for lots of things if you read my other posts! ) Massage either into the pained area as needed.
Lots of water is also very good for pain. Symptoms for everything are much worse when your body isn't fully hydrated.
Sugar is very bad for pain and healing. (Too bad it is so delicious! ) Some honey is okay.
Hope you get some relief. My mother has terrible, terrible knees and I have watched her suffer since I was a girl, so I sympathize in that.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Katherine (Lake Harmony, PA)
★★★★★
I don't know if this has anything to do with the acv but I was in a car accident and also injured my L knee. I had a problem moving it and I was stiff and sore all over back pain and neck pain. I even went to PT 3 times a week for about 4 months. Well I started taking 1 teaspoon of acv in the morning and a couple of times I took 2 teaspoon full of it and I have noticed a real improvement in being that I can now move my knee and less or no pain in my back and neck. How about that. I even told my doctor about it.
