The prevalence of knee pain has increased during the last two decades, currently affecting nearly 10 million Americans. Defect in the bony structure of the knee cap and knee joint is the major reason for this pain, which affects people of all ages. This article focuses on the causes, symptoms, and natural remedies which relieve knee pain. Check them out!
Causes of Knee Pain
- Arthritis and osteoporosis
- Knee injuries like injured tendons, injured ligaments, ligament tears, fracture in the knee cap
- Aging
Symptoms of Knee Pain
- Sharp and dull pain in the knee joints
- Swelling in the knee
- Stiffness and limited mobility of the knee
- Inflammation in the affected area
- Difficulty walking
Home Remedies for Treating Knee Pain
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar acts as alkalizing agent, ably decreasing pain in the knees. It also improves mobility by lubricating the joints and dissolving toxins accumulated in the knee joints.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of water
- 2 tbsp of apple cider vinegar
Instructions:
Mix the ingredients and drink the solution once daily.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar with Hot Water
Ingredients:
- Hot water ( hot bath)
- 2 cups of apple cider vinegar
Instructions:
Pour the apple cider vinegar to a bathtub filled with hot water and soak the knees for about thirty minutes. Repeat the procedure once a day, for a few days in a row.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar with Olive Oil
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp of olive oil
Instructions:
Mix the ingredients and apply the mixture onto the affected area. Leave it on for thirty minutes before rinsing it off.
4. Turmeric and Ginger
Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, acts as potent anti-inflammatory agent which relieves both inner and outer knee pain.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of water
- ½ tbsp of chopped ginger
- ½ tbsp of turmeric
- 2 drops of honey
Instructions:
Mix all the ingredients and boil for about ten minutes. Allow it to cool for a few minutes, strain the liquid, and drink it right away. Repeat the procedure two times daily.
5. Turmeric and Milk
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp of turmeric
- 1 glass of milk
- 2 drops of honey
Instructions:
Add the turmeric and honey in the milk and boil for five minutes. Allow it to cool for a few minutes and drink right away.
6. Cayenne Pepper with Olive Oil
Capsaicin, the active ingredient in cayenne pepper, relieves pain and reduces swelling by creating a warming sensation in the affected area.
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp of cayenne pepper
- 1 ½ cups of olive oil
Instructions:
Mix the ingredients to create a paste. Apply onto the affected area two times daily.
7. Cayenne Pepper with Apple Cider Vinegar
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ tbsp of cayenne pepper
- 1 cup of apple cider vinegar
Instructions:
Mix the ingredients and add the mixture into a bath water. Soak the knees for about twenty minutes, once daily.
8. Ginger Tea
Ginger acts as potent anti-inflammatory agent which effectively relieves painful and swollen knees.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of water
- ½ tsp of chopped ginger
- 2 drops of lemon juice
- 2 drops of honey
Instructions:
Mix the ingredients and boil for about ten minutes. Strain the liquid and drink the tea while it`s still hot.
9. Ginger Oil
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Apply the oil onto the knee and leave it on for about thirty minutes before rinsing it off.
10. Lemon
Lemon is high in citric acid which dissolves uric acid crystals, which are the major reasons for arthritis. Therefore, lemon is an effective tool in the battle against knee pain.
Ingredients:
- 1 cheese cloth
- 1 lemon
- ½ cup of sesame oil
Instructions:
Cu t the lemon and put the small pieces in a cheese cloth. Tie it up and dip the sesame oil for a few minutes. Apply the cloth onto the affected area and leave it on for about ten minutes. Repeat the procedure two times daily.
11. Fenugreek Seeds with Water
Fenugreek seeds possess anti-inflammatory properties which provide relief from knee pain.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of water
- 2 tbsp of fenugreek seeds
Instructions:
Soak the seeds in water during the night and strain them the following morning. Eat them on a daily basis.
12. Fenugreek Seeds with Water
Ingredients:
- ½ cup of water
- 5 tbsp of fenugreek seeds
Instructions:
Roast the seeds and powder them, when cooled down. Add the powder in half a cup of water to create a paste. Apply onto the affected area and leave it on for thirty minutes.
13. Mustard Oil
Mustard oil improves blood circulation in the area around the knees. It is recommended to use it when you exercise to relieve pain and inflammation.
Ingredients:
- A towel
- Hot water
- 2 tbsp of mustard oil
- 2-3 garlic cloves
Instructions:
Heat the oil and then add the chopped garlic cloves. Apply onto the affected area and leave it on for about an hour. Dip the towel in hot water and place on the knee to reduce pain. Repeat the procedure two times a week.
14. Epsom Salt
Epsom salt is abundant in magnesium sulfate, a natural muscle relaxant. It helps lower knee pain and swelling by removing excess fluid in the tissues.
Ingredients:
- Hot water
- 1 cup Epsom Salt
Instructions:
Add the Epsom salt in a bathtub with hot water and soak the knees for about fifteen minutes, two times a week.
15. Cold Compress
Using cold compress constricts blood vessels, which in turn lower blood flow in the knee and reduces swelling.
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Put the ice cubes in a towel and place onto the affected area. Leave the cold compress on for up to twenty minutes. Repeat the procedure every day.
16. Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil possesses analgesic properties, which makes it effective in relieving knee pain. It penetrates deeply into the skin, soothing the knee and providing relief.
Ingredients:
- A small glass bottle
- 5 drops of eucalyptus oil
- 2 drops of olive oil
- 5 drops of peppermint oil
Instructions:
Pour all the oils in the bottle and blend well. Apply some of the mixture onto the affected area, when needed. Leave it on for about an hour and then rinse it off.
17. Olive Oil
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Apply a few drops onto the affected area and leave it on for an hour before rinsing it off. Repeat the procedure on a daily basis.
18. Dandelion Leaves
Dandelion leaves contain vitamin A and C, which increase blood circulation in the knee and improve its function.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of water
- 3 tbsp of powdered dandelion leaves
- 4 drops of honey
Instructions:
Mix the ingredients and boil over a medium heat. Strain the liquid and drink it right away. For severe pain, do this three times weekly.
19. White Willow Tea
White willow tea contains salicin which provides relief from knee pain.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of water
- 2 tbsp of powdered white willow bark
- 4 drops of honey
Instructions:
Boil the water and then add the powdered willow bark. Let it sit for about ten minutes before removing the pot from the heat. Add the honey, strain, and drink twice weekly.
20. Juniper Berry Tea
Juniper berry tea works wonders for swelling, inflammation, and knee pain caused by arthritis.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of water
- 1 tbsp of dried juniper berries
- 3 drops of honey
Instructions:
Boil the water first and then add the dried berries. Let them soak for about fifteen minutes before adding the honey. Strain and drink the tea right away.
21. Grape Juice
Grape juice effectively treats knee pain and heals sore joints.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups of grape juice
- ½ tbsp of pectin
Instructions:
Mix the ingredients and drink twice daily over the course of two weeks.
22. Coconut Oil
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Heat the coconut oil for about three minutes and then apply the warm oil onto the affected area by using your fingers. Leave it on for two hours before rinsing it off. Repeat the procedure two times a day.
Additional Tips to Ease Knee Pain
- Avoid lifting heavy objects
- Avoid standing for an extended period of time
- Take proper care in case of a knee injury
- Apply hot pad onto the affected area to reduce pain and swelling
- Heal your knees with massages
- Give your knees enough rest
- Apply frozen peas compress to reduce severe pain
- Don’t smoke
- Stay well-hydrated
- Wear comfortable shoes
- Do exercises which target the knee joints
- Eat fruits and veggies rich in magnesium
- Avoid wearing high heels
- Avoid activities which strain the knees
- Make 15-minute walks on a daily basis
- Lose weight, if needed.
