The word arthritis' actually is a blanket term for over 200 different diseases that involve joint inflammation and pain.

One of the most serious forms, and unfortunately prevalent forms, of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis.

As the commonly prescribed medicine and drugs may help with the majority of the pains and discomforts, however many of these drugs can often have undesired side effects, as such more and more suffers are looking towards alternative therapies rheumatoid arthritis that are more helpful and have fewer 'side effects'.

With this article, and the help of others, I will try to suggest some alternative therapies rheumatoid arthritis that you may find helpful.

The first of these alternative therapies comes from ancient healing philosophy that integrates the use of botanicals to promote healing, Ayurveda. Ginger, Curcumin, Boswellia, and Feverfew have been used for hundreds of years, ayurvedic medicine uses herbs, nutrition, holistic healthcare, and alternatives, to treat the symptoms of arthritis.

* Ginger - Ayurvedic doctors and arthritic suffers claim that it can help relieve the pain and stiffness associated of arthritis. The ease of use and overall safety make it an easy and natural supplement choice. Ginger should not be taken if you take any kind of blood-thinning or high blood pressure medications, as ginger has a mild blood-clot slowing property.

* Curcumin - As with giner, curcumin has the ability to relieve joint pressure and pain. Like ginger, curcumin also should not be used with blood thinning or high blood pressure medications.

* Boswellia - Traditionally has been used in ayurvedic medicine to treat chronic pain and stiffness.

* Feverfew - Is a treatment that has long been used to treat symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

The bad news is that there is not been enough research to prove, most have been studied, however the studies have been too small, that these, and other, herbal supplements and botanical treatments are successful treatments for arthritis. Before you try any herbal supplement, it is important that you discuss its use with your doctor, as herbal supplements can be quite powerful and can potentially have strong side effects, especially and possibly interfering with other medicines that you are taking.

With this in mind another therapy that is used to help treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis is thunder god vine and this herbal supplement and has traditionally been used to treat autoimmune illnesses and inflammatory conditions. While studies do show that thunder god vine does contain anti-inflammatories, and some immune-boosting activity has also been detected, the studies, however, have been too small to be conclussive.

You should know that thunder god vine is not yet produced in the US, so you may want to wait until it is produced in the US and has enhanced safety precautions.

Valerian has been proven as a safe and effective sleep aid many arthritis sufferers have reported that they have difficulty sleeping, and the occasional bout with anxiety so it makes sense that valerian can help in this respect for arthritis sufferers who also have troubles sleeping as a result of the pain and stiffness they suffer from.

In addition some arthritis sufferers take valerian root with the hope that the herb will help alleviate joint pain and stiffness.

While herbs may be good alternatives to the medicine prescribed by doctors, the first step toward alternative treatments is simply lifestyle management choices that are also an important part of treatment, including maintaining a healthy weight and eating a rich and varied diet.