Get a Grip!
Hi, Dave here.
Today I thought I could share with you my experience, strength and hope for the future. Sounds pretty big doesn’t it? Well, to right size this blog post I would like to touch on a problem that many of us experience daily. Arthritis.
So my mantra has become “Arthritis, Get a Grip!“.
It’s probably best to give a brief ‘back’ story at this point, otherwise there would be no point to validate this post.
In a former life I was a sheep farmer and fencing contractor and also spent many years involved in building work and such like. ie: manual work, wear and tear, good for the soul, not so good for the body!
As a result, I have pretty bad arthritis in my joints, mainly hands and feet. All of which is not only painful, but also pretty frustrating, for this sixty something year old anyway.
It also affects my guitar playing, and that my friends is not acceptable!
Now to cut a long story short, I had been taking Ibuprofen for years and when that no longer worked sufficiently, I was prescribed Naproxen, another anti-inflammatory… albeit a stronger drug.
I took this for a couple years and it seemed to help, until about four years ago… when…
One fine Saturday morning I was working in the garden at home, and I had what Barbara has described as a ‘funny turn’… funny not funny! An ambulance ride later and a day at the local hospital, we left none the wiser. Was it a Stroke, a TIA or similar? We still don’t know.
What I do know is that I am allergic to these drugs ie: all NSAIDS (Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs).
How do I know this, you ask. Well, Barbara and I ‘Googled’ Naproxen and low and behold, many of the side effects that I had been experiencing were there, in black and white.
I was pretty much out of action for some months, well just pretty much out of it actually! Vague, unable to concentrate, mind fog etc etc..
Which brings us up to now, today.
I try to use only Homeopathic / Herbal remedies. Including Acupuncture, hemp hand cream, and Turmeric!
Which brings us to the point of todays blog… Golden Milk!
Turmeric is a natural anti inflammatory, and for this recipe I like to use Fresh Turmeric.
Ingredients:
3 or 4 good sized pieces of lovely fresh turmeric.
About an inch of fresh ginger
A couple of cinnamon sticks
A dozen or so whole black peppercorns.
1 litre of milk (whatever milk you drink! I like oat milk these days)
Honey to taste.
My method..
Wash the Turmeric under a cold tap, just to get the loose bits off.
Now chop them up. A word here, I cut mine up on a piece of kitchen paper, that way the kitchen worktop stay the right colour! How does he know this you ask? Turmeric stains everything. So use the kitchen paper idea, then you don’t even have to handle the cut Turmeric.
Slice up the piece of ginger, bruise the black peppercorns in a mortar and pestle.
Put everything into a stainless steel pan or jug, adding the two cinnamon sticks, and gently bring to heat.
Theres no need to boil this, heat it up and let it simmer away for 15 to 20 mins. Give it a stir!
At this point you may want to add a little honey, just to taste.
Now, strain into a jug… pour into your favourite mug or cup.
Delicious… Hot or cold.
Keeps in the fridge for a week or so… that’s if it lasts that long!!
Turmeric’s anti inflammatory and strong antioxidant properties are well documented.
However you do need to use black pepper with the turmeric in this case to get the benefits, because of the reaction between these two. The body does not absorb the turmeric (curcumin) without black pepper (piperine)… least ways, not very well. You can always adjust the taste.
So finally, does it work? I hear you ask…
Personally I find it helps a lot, and I am all for alternative remedies.
Unfortunately I have not been able to get to an acupuncturist for the last couple of months due to the Corona Virus pandemic… but hey ho, we will get through this, together.
My own experience with pharmaceutical drugs was not good and although I am not qualified to advise about their use or non use, I can only share my experience…
I hope that you will give this a try, it really is pretty special.
Take care, stay safe Dave x
Thanks for this Dave. I suffer with arthritis in my hands so will give anything a go. Can I ask how much you have each day please?
Stay safe Cathryn
Hi Cathryn
I have a good sized cup full every day !
Give it a try, it might just help
Dave
Thank you for sharing this Dave with us. How much milk do you add ?.. unfortunately your recipe doesn’t state this. I’m not a milk drinker but will give it a go. Like you, I too suffer with arthritis in my hands, spine and neck …. all associated with my previous profession. It’s always worth trying an alternative.
Sorry about that !! I use 1 litre. (one)
Hope that helps
Dave
Thanks for the recipe Dave. Where can I buy fresh Turmeric please?
Sainsbury’s say it is out of stock, Tesco don’t sell it but Amazon have it with usual mix of reviews depending on seller. The Telegraph grew it from roots supplied here https://www.thai-food-online.co.uk/collections/fresh-thai-herbs/products/fresh-thai-turmeric but you could just use them as it sounds to take a long time and to need to be grown indoors as it is a tropical plant.
Thank you Dave. I too suffer with arthritis in my hands, so I will definitely be trying this!
My friend Aruna makes delicious cardamom tea and I believe this has health benefits too. Next time I speak to her, I’ll find out how she makes it. She’s a whirlwind in the kitchen so I’ve never really seen what she adds to the pan!
Have a good day and take care, Carole x
Hi Dave, some years ago we were going on holiday and my hubby had arthritis in Hands, back and one of his big toas. The toa was very swollen and hurt like h…. He had to use larger shoes than normally. The trip from Denmark to Bath was painful. Our ex son in law googled natural remedies. He found that cherries are great for arthritis. We want and bought a pound of cherries and he ate most of Them that evening. The next day his foot was ok. In the summer he eats fresh cherries and in the rest of the Year he eats freeze-dried capsuls from Holland and Barrett.
We have told a lot of people about this and those who tried cherries are feeling better.
Hope it will help you too. Pia
Thank you Pia,
That sounds very interesting …I will certainly try this.
I also drink the juice from half a fresh lemon most days.
Basically, I will try anything natural to ease the pains !
Take care
Dave
Hi Dave here…sorry forgot to mention the quantity of Oat Milk !!! About 1 litre.
Hello Dave,
I remember that time. Everybody was so worried about you and Barbara. My cousin has an arthritic spine, together with two artificial hips. She is in constant pain from her back so I am passing on your recipe for her to try. Thank you.
Love
Roz.xxx
I am pleased you have found a resolution to your problem and wish you well.
My husband is in constant pain in his hands and arms for other reasons ( 6 operations in total ) and is on very high doses of very strong painkillers. At times these affect his eyesight so he has to lower the dose to correct this and therefore suffers more pain. They also make him giddy, sleepy and lacking in concentration. The pain clinic say there is nothing else they can do for him except give him more pills to counteract the side effects and keep the situation under review.
I will see if I can get him to try your recipe to see if it helps.
Best wishes to you both.
Thank you for sharing Dave. Certainly worth a try if I can get fresh turmeric. Keep safe
Hi Dave made your Pesto last week with wild garlic from the garden. Delicious and have frozen some. So I will be trying your milk. I don’t suffer from arthritis myself but it sounds so good .
So glad you and Barbara manage to get you sorted
All the best
Xx
Thanks, Dave. I have had side effects from Naproxen too and my neck pain went with acupuncture, so I empathise. I will try your recipe for my arthritis. I’m glad you are feeling better now.
Just a note ……Fresh Turmeric is generally available from good Farm Shops, Wholefood stores or you local Organic Growers. Failing that you can buy it fresh online …
Hope this helps. Dave
Hi there, That sounds good. I think I’ll give that a go and see if it helps the after effects of gardening, Dave, assuming I can get the various bits and bobs in this part of the country! Sounds like a very nice drink. I need something for sunburn, too!! Lol. Loving this weather. Take care. Hx
I am way behind with my blog reading and so I have only just had the chance to read this. Dave, I cannot begin to tell you how grateful I am for this recipe and I will definitely try it, as I am also missing my regular physio and acupuncture sessions that gives me some degree of mobility. I know the difficulty that you are experiencing with dexterity as my crafting has had to take a back seat for a while. Sadly the condition is also affecting my eyesight – not easy aligning or doing detailed work when everything you see has a halo around it! I will gather my ingredients and make myself a brew, just as a you describe. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing this. Keep safe both you. xx
It’s probably much too late to ask -but Tesco don’t do fresh turmeric, so where can I get it please?? I’m shielding so can’t go out to the shops. I really want to try this as I have so much pain just now (possibly fibromyalgia but maybe arthritis so no harm trying this recipe) and looking for help.