Very common in nearly 93% of French people, joint pain often occurs after inflammation of the body tissues. Chronic or moderate, they can be very uncomfortable, especially when they affect the joints at the knees. If many of us rush on analgesics and anti-inflammatory to relieve them, we must know that this reflex is not without consequences, since the side effects of these treatments can sometimes cause digestive disorders, risks of hypertension or vertigo. As a precaution, it is better to look at some natural remedies before using them systematically and excessively.
Obviously, any type of pain manifesting itself in the body requires an essential medical opinion to evaluate your state of health. This will allow you to take stock with a professional to better understand the origin of your pain. After consultation, you can use natural ingredients to relieve pain at home by accompanying your treatment with this remedy. Without side effects, it will act on the joints to reduce inflammation, including lemon and olive oil.
Joint knee pain: what you need to know
Known as knee osteoarthritis, knee pain (osteoarthritis) is a joint condition characterized by stiffness that impedes fluid movement. In the long term, this can lead to a functional disability, ie a decrease in the physical potential of the person affected. Its treatment is essential to avoid any deterioration of the joints. Namely that the knee is composed of a femoro-tibial joint reinforced by a fibrous cartilage (the meniscus) and a patellofemoral joint, linking the kneecap and the femur.
When the pain manifests, it is usually mechanical or inflammatory. The former is likely to be exacerbated by different movements such as walking, kneeling or climbing stairs, the second usually occurring at night, during sleep. It should also be known that both types of pain can occur at the same time. Knee osteoarthritis, the osteoarthritis of the knee, is the most common joint condition.
In order to relieve the symptoms and prevent its progression, it is therefore recommended to start by reducing the inflammation. For this purpose, lemon and olive oil are ideal, especially because of their combined anti-inflammatory effects.
Why does it work?
Rich in vitamins, polyphenols and omega-3, olive oil has natural anti-inflammatory properties often recommended to relieve local pain. According to an article published by the scientific journal Nutrients, this action would be due to its content of polyphenols which would have a chondroprotective effect, that is to say that they would protect the cartilages. A study confirms these benefits. Using flagship oil from the Mediterranean Basin as a massage base, scientists reportedly observed considerable anti-inflammatory activity in 60 women with rheumatoid arthritis.
The lemon zest, on the other hand, regulates the inflammation thanks to its content in essential oils which would help to relax the blood vessels and to relieve the pains. According to an in-vivo study, lemon zest extract has been shown to act on pro-inflammatory cytokines, cell mediators responsible for joint pain and tissue destruction in rheumatoid arthritis cases according to Inserm.
How to prepare your poultice?
- 1 cup of extra virgin olive oil
- The zest of two lemons (organic)
- A clean bandage
- A glass jar
- From the food film
Once your ingredients are in hand, take the lemon peels that you will place in your glass container. Add the olive oil to completely cover the bark of the citrus fruit. Close tightly and keep cool, preferably in a dark place for 2 weeks. After 15 days, filter all with a sieve.
How to apply it?
Soak your bandage with the filtered mixture, then apply to the joint that is prone to pain. Cover it with food wrap and a wool scarf to keep the poultice in place and let it work all night. This remedy is to be used once a night until the pain is reduced.
Warnings: This poultice acts as a supplement and not a substitute for a treatment recommended by your doctor.