Natural Remedies for Osteoarthritis: Joint Pain Relief

| Modified on Jan 28, 2026
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.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Denise (Crescent City, Ca) on 10/25/2018
★★★★★

I recently got my sister started on ACV, the good stuff with the Mother. Anyway, I just got a message from her and she says it's like a miracle. All her pain from her osteoArthritis has let up. She's only been doing the ACV 1 tbsp in the a.m. She also never has taken any drugs for pain, so her system is pretty clean so to speak. Maybe that is why it is working so well! I'm thrilled, and wanted to share here with others.

I told her about the honey and Blackstrap Molasses post I saw here as well, she's just ecstatic about the pain being gone. She is 76 and had this for about 20 years at least.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Chrisf (Surrey, Uk) on 04/01/2016 4 posts
★★★★★

Following some research on the use of apple cider vinegar and honey, I started to use a concoction every day in the morning.

The reason for the use is to bring relief for sinus congestion and frequent sore throat.

What has happened though has taken me a bit by surprise. My increasing symptoms of Osteoarthritis have been brought under control, the pain is significantly reduced. My energy levels are increased, my sinus congestion is reduced, my sore throats ..... almost gone! The surprise though is the change to the Osteoarthritis. I suffer with this in my wrists and hands.

The mix I use is as follows: One dessert spoon of good quality honey, 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass and half filled with warm ( partly cooled boiled water ) stir until dissolved and just drink it down or sip it. It is quite palateable. I drink this in the morning.

Organic Broccoli
Posted by Mike (Reading, Pa) on 03/01/2016
★★★★★

Approximately 12 years ago I was suffering with osteoarthritis in both of my knees. The Lord guided me to switch from eating regular broccoli to organic broccoli. I had been eating broccoli daily because I like it so much. After eating steamed organic broccoli daily for one month the arthritis in my knees vanished and has never returned. Praise The Lord!

Subsequently, the Lord has sent scores of individuals into my path who also had osteoarthritis and He had me give my testimony about this wonderful remedy and person after person has reported the same wonderful results by doing the organic broccoli. Some of those got rid of their arthritis in one or two weeks. Praise The Lord!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Susan (Tampa, FL) on 01/03/2007
★★★★★

2 tsp honey, 2 tsp apple cider vinegar in 8 to 16 ounces of water 3 times a day cured my arthritis, back pain and allergies. I was in so much pain for many many years with severe back problems, and then 2 years ago was diagnosed with rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. The dr. prescribed steroids, and 2 different immuno suppresant drugs and the side effects were horrible. I could hardly get out of bed in the morning, my joints and muscles hurt so bad, i also have fibromyalgia. I started this regimen about a month ago and saw immediate results. My hay fever has cleared up also. My sinuses are dry, usually I always have a bad post nasal drip problem. I feel more energized, and my body just feels good, like it is getting what it needs.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Anonymous (Usa) on 06/27/2013

Try boron.... 6 mg a day. Google boron and arthritis. Makes my hands pain free. It takes a week or so to see the improvement. Good luck.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Helen Thomas (FL) on 02/11/2023
★★★★★

I've been doing ACV for over 20 years, off and on. I add 1 tsp cinnamon and a lemon wedge to it, which makes it much more palatable. Both lemon and cinnamon have other benefits as well.


Diet and Exercise
Posted by Iowama (New York) on 09/16/2021

Dear Beladonna,

I'm catching up on reading Earth Clinic and your query from 2 days ago. From my experience, the biggest determiner of whether I'll wake up with joint pain is refined sugar. I don't usually eat it, but I happen to have been on a 2 day binge. This morning, I am hurting.

To calm things down, I've got a jar of bone broth thawing. It is homemade. I can't speak for the store shelf kind, but I have read the labels and don't see calcium in there (How is that possible?). A cup or 2 of bone broth over the next 3 to 4 days is what I will use to turn this around. That and no more sugar.

I make broth with roasted venison bones when I have them, but a good quality hen carcass adds a lot more collagen gel. I have never been bothered by nightshades and lately I take the easy route of using a cup of jarred pasta sauce to flavor a batch of broth. It seems to work as well as when I spend half an hour chopping vegetables. We eat from our garden and I take a walk or a paddle almost every day. I do appreciate the Mediterranean diet and always enjoy Michael's posts, but when cooking, I use the fats suggested by Dr. Terry Wahls instead.

Osteoarthritis pain is no fun. I hope you are successful in finding your answers.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Michael (Va Beach, Va) on 06/27/2013
★☆☆☆☆

I've tried apple cider vinegar with honey for 3 months for osteo arthritis in my hands. So far non beneficial at all. Does anyone out there have any ideas to help? I can't sleep at night the pain and inflamation is terrible. Thanks in advance.

Magnesium
Posted by Littlewing (Boston) on 08/04/2018
★★★★★

Magnesium for Heberden's Nodes / Osteoarthritis

For the past few years, I've been developing bumps on the top bony joints of both index fingers. In my research I've discovered they appear to be Heberden's Nodes – they're bony swellings that form on your hands as a result of osteoarthritis. And they make using that finger or fingers incredibly painful. Starting earlier this spring the one on my left hand was really bothering me, couldn't use it, had to be conscious of not using it for anything or the pain would shoot through me. (ever try to function without your index fingers? it's very challenging).

In the last few months, I've also been getting foot cramps in the middle of the night. Wake-up-cry-out-loud-foot/toe-twisting foot cramps. (I know, I need to drink more water too).

For foot cramps, I use magnesium oil for almost immediate relief. I also use magnesium oil on my legs for my restless legs. In an effort to be proactive in the last few weeks I've been rubbing magnesium lotion on my feet and massaging them for a few minutes each night before bed. I found this great lotion that's cocoa butter with magnesium oil. Or I use my MSM lotion and mix it with my spray mag oil. Like a lightbulb going on the other day, I realized my finger hasn't hurt me in a few weeks. Hasn't hurt AT ALL. Magnesium to the rescue....

AGAIN. I use it for so many things, I don't know how people can live without it. I hope everyone tries it, it has so many uses. I wasn't even using it on purpose for my fingers, but I got results as a side effect of trying to fix my feet. Sweet!


Dietary Changes
Posted by Iowama (Usa) on 03/22/2018
★★★★★

Michael, I hope what I write can help you as much as it has helped me.

When I first started daily use of a tea made with ACV, it helped. I was in my early 50s then and had ended a career in hands on horticulture. I too woke up with aching hands in the night. I'm closer to 60 now and no longer drink that tea, because other things have helped more. I make bone broth to drink and to cook with. I really believe in that broth as a great help for arthritis! I strive to eat no sugar, gluten, or soy. I only eat Irish butter (higher fat content than US butter) and some goat products for dairy, but am cognizant that too much dairy can cause inflammation. I try to eat 7-9 cups of colored vegetables or berries per day. drink plenty of water, and limit alchohol. I take a B complex, magnesium, potassium, CoQ10, and an eye vitamin each day. I seem to be getting the needed minerals by using pink salt. If I wake up at night, my palms do feel a bit knotted, but I continue to work with my hands each day and am, basically, pain free.

For me, there was no single supplement that did the trick; just the overhaul of my diet. When people on this site speak of Alkalizing the body for health, this is what they mean.

Astaxanthin
Posted by Trudyg (USA) on 06/28/2013
★★★★★

I, too, took Apple Cider Vinegar for months (years, really) but saw no impact with my arthritis. Now I take 4 mg Astaxanthin twice a day and no pain. I also take serrapeptase whenever I get any sort of pain (migraine, muscle ache, etc) and it clears it up. I took serrapeptase for a twisted knee and, after a month, no more pain--from last summer and still fine.


Cetyl Myristoleate Supplement
Posted by James (Tucson, Arizona) on 11/07/2009
★★★★★

Osteoarthritis - I have had Arthritis for many years beginning as a teen doing sports. I always pretended it was just sore muscles in my back, but at age 66yrs old my Doc said my entire spine-top to bottom- was diseased.

Initially I went with cold gel pack followed by heating pad and 7 exercises given by a physical therapist. When that was not getting it done I got on the web and a naturopathic Doc, that I like, was recommending an essential fatty acid called cetyl myristoleate. Albino rats don't get arthritis and it's because they have this EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) in their systems. This was discovered by a Dr. Diehl in the 1960's. He worked for the NIH so he had the resources to find a way to produce this rare supplement and it has been offered on the market since 1991.

When I started it, I was in a bad way and feeling some hopelessness. It took approximately one month for me to get pain free. This is a typical time period. I use the product produced by a company owned by Dr Diehl's current family and this formulation is more expensive, but I believe it is the one that gives results. I'm currently doing a second month for good measure. They claim relief can last 2-3 years at which time you repeat. There are zero side effects but you must follow directions to use on an empty stomach and not close to caffeine. This was my salvation from disability!

EC: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cetyl_myristoleate

"Cetyl myristoleate is the cetyl ester of myristoleic acid. It has multiple biological properties, including as an anti-inflammatory and a pain reliever, as well as being an immune system modulator..."

Melatonin
Posted by Art (California) on 01/28/2026 2891 posts
★★★★★

For Those Who Do Not Tolerate Borax, Melatonin May Offer Another Alternative For Osteoarthritis

Based on this new study (January, 2026) Melatonin appears to work against osteoarthritis by inhibiting multiple mechanisms of osteoarthritis as discussed here :

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41562301/

Here are two relevant quotes from the study :

' The proliferation, DNA replication, and expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and c-Myc of FLSs were inhibited by MT intervention. MT arrested the cell cycle by inhibiting the expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin E1, induced apoptosis via down-regulating B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and up-regulating Bcl-2 associated X (Bax), and suppressed the migration by impairing vimentin expression in FLSs. '

' Moreover, MT ameliorated synovial hyperplasia, inflammation, fibrosis, and pathological changes in synovial fluid, as well as the destruction of cartilage and bone in the OA rabbit model. Our findings indicate that MT alleviates synovial pathological changes and delays OA progression, which is related to its ability to suppress aberrant FLS functions. '

This study adds further confirmation that melatonin lotion helps relieve osteoarthritis. Here is a link to how to make melatonin lotion and the multiple health issues it has shown benefit for :

https://www.earthclinic.com/supplements/melatonin-lotion.html

Art


Pineapple and Strawberries
Posted by Leah (USA) on 08/21/2025
★★★★★

Pineapple and Strawberries for Osteoarthritis Pain

Hi, I read that pineapple and strawberries help take away osteoarthritis pain and I was of course skeptical,

BUT!!!! I would say that eating these two foods every day, has eliminated at least 70% of my osteo pain! It truly is a miracle!

I eat about 4 strawberries and about 2 rings of pineapple (almost every day) and it worked in about 2 days!

Hope this helps you and/or your loved ones too!


Hungary Water
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 01/18/2024
★★★★★

Hungary Water for Osteoarthritis of the Hands

I have found this formula to be helpful with pain and arthritis in my hands.

Hungary water (sometimes called "the Queen of Hungary's Water", Eau de la Reine de Hongary, or "spirits of rosemary") was one of the first alcohol-based perfumes/liniment/elixir in Europe, primarily made with rosemary. The oldest surviving recipes call for distilling fresh rosemary and thyme with brandy (vodka modern way), while later formulations contain wine, lavender, mint, sage, marjoram, costus (true ginger), orange blossom and lemon.

According to legend, it was formulated at the command of the Queen Elizabeth of Hungary, sometimes identified as Queen Isabella of Hungary or in one document "Saint Elisabeth, Queen of Hungary". Some sources say that a hermit, witch or monk-recluse first gave it to the Queen of Hungary, though most likely it was made by a monk-alchemist or a band of roaming gypsies. The water was given to the queen in order to help her headaches, and is a cure for rheumatism or gout which the queen suffered in her old age or as a rejuvenation treatment. These legends mostly date to the early to mid-17th century, so the details may have become confused in the intervening centuries.

Ingredients: (Original Recipe from 1370 A.D.)

  • 4 tablespoon rosemary
  • 4 tablespoon thyme
  • Vodka (750ml – 80 proof) to cover

Method:

1. Pour all the herbs into a one quart widemouthed glass mason jar

2. Add vodka to jar; close the jar tight and let it sit in a warm spot for 6 weeks or longer shaking occasionally (Hippocrates states both herbs must be steeped for a minimal of 6 weeks)

3. Strain out the herbs with a fine mesh – try and get all the bits out

4. Re-bottle the mixture and store in a cool, dry place

How to use:

I put this mixture into a spray bottle and spray topically on my hands at nite before bed. You will see a huge difference in your hands if repeated daily. The early recipes advise the user to also drink the tonic (though I would definitely say that you check with your doctor on that first! ).


Boron
Posted by Art (California) on 11/28/2020 2891 posts
★★★★★

Hi Darmae,

For those who can not tolerate oral borax or are otherwise opposed to oral borax, Borax Lotion can act as an effective substitute applied topically. Here is a link to how to make it:

https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/art-solbrig-topical-arthritis-lotion.html

Btw, I recently found out that this also works for other arthritic areas of the body as mentioned by a friend of mine who was testing it on her arthritic knees and wrists which were painfully swollen, so it is not limited to just the hands!

Art


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Cathy (North Carolina)
★★★★★

I have been suffering for 2 years with bursitis and osteoarthritis in my hip. I have been on all kinds of medications for this, and it feels better as long as I don't stop my meds. I have been in so much pain that I could not hardly walk. I started taking ACV for 2 days now and my legs are not even hurting. I have so much more energy than I had before. This is so much better than medications.

Apple Cider Vinegar, Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Om (Hope, B.c., Canada) on 06/28/2013
★★★★★

Hi Michael, I have had that problem for most of my life, my hands becoming extremely painful as it progressed. Guess what! It is gone. For many years I have treasured the booklets on Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) by Bragg, and on Blackstrap Molasses (BSM) by Dr. Lust with all that wonderful info.

Osteoartrithis is, in the books of alternative meds. Due to lack of minerals. Anyway, I love BSM and for almost three months took a large tbsp. Diluted in hot water twice a day, drinking with a straw. After almost twelve weeks my pain was gone for over four years. ACV is essential to remove calcium deposits from the joints according to Dr. Lust and these two remedies should be taken together. BSM has lots of minerals and natural iron. Prescribed iron will bring problems such viral invasions according to my experience, but not natural iron content.

According to Bragg, ACV should be taken with a tsp. of honey (or BSM) for the valuable minerals which have not been assessed so far. Honey is not straight sugar. It has been used to cure diabetes if used over time in daily doses.

So, this is my experience. Even though I have diabetes, I am using BSM daily for its invaluable benefits. Anyway, this is another subject. It comes to mind that, a couple of years ago, Opra told everyone to take BSM. So there you are.

I wish you a speedy recovery and keep in touch on EC. Om


Water + Salt
Posted by Cindy (Wichita, Kansas) on 08/18/2008
★★★★★

WARNING!

Water cannot do its thing without salt. Salt is number 3 on the list of things you can't live without. 1 and 2 are air and water. I suspect that if you do not take salt (preferably unprocessed sea salt) the body will break down the calcium in the bones to get at the salts they contain. I've done a lot of research on dehydration but have not seen this correlation anywhere. It is merely my suspicion due to the relationship between chronic dehydration combined with low salt intake teachings and the epidemic of osteoporosis. It is suspected that over 75% of people in the US are chronically dehydrated which means that 75% of the human bodies in the US are operating in emergency, water rationing mode. Sipping doesn't count and neither do other liquids. The body does not process other liquids the same way it processes plain water on an empty stomach. Water is used by every system in the body. Including the process it must go through to steal water from the colon. My personal rule of thumb is that any liquid that is not plain water belongs to the colon.


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