Nix Arthritis Aches NATURALLY

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Willow (Salix, various species), garlic (Album sativum) and licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra). Willow bark was the original herbal aspirin. It contains a chemical called salicin, which Bayer eventually transformed into little white tablets of acetylsalicylic acid, or aspirin.

Willow bark tea had pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects similar to those of aspirin. But because the irritation-causing ingredient in aspirin is diluted in tea, you'll have less risk of stomach upset, ulcer and overdose if you take the tea instead of the pills.

Still, because willow bark might upset your stomach, I've included licorice in this formula. Not only does licorice have antiinflammatory effects, it may also help treat any gastrointestinal problems caused by the willow.

But the formula is not quite complete without garlic. While long-term use or ingestion of large amounts of licorice can raise some people's blood pressure and lead to other problems (headache, lethargy, sodium and water retention, excessive loss of potassium), garlic helps reduce blood pressure. So here's the formula for a well-balanced anti-arthritis tea: approximately three parts dried willow bark, two parts dried licorice root and one part minced garlic. Pour boiling water over the mixture and steep for about 15 minutes. If you don't like the taste, add lemon and/or honey, plus ginger and turmeric to taste.

When you're nibbling mixed ruts in company, don't apologize for monopolizing the Brazil nuts.

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