Discover 3 natural remedies for arthritis in hands and feet with recipes to soothe aches and pains without the worry of side effects.
If you have arthritis, you know how discouraging it feels when your joints don’t move the way you need them to. I’ve seen friends and family reach for prescriptions and ibuprofen just to get through the day, and while these meds can take the edge off, they can also upset the stomach and cause ulcers or bleeding if used for extended periods of time. Corticosteroids may also help, though they can lower your immune defenses, making you more likely to pick up any bugs going around.
Herbs are my first choice for arthritis, because they calm swelling without those side effects. Topical care is my favorite when joints are acting up; putting herbal oil or a warm compress directly on your joints lets the plants get right to the spot that hurts. Stir herbs into oil or warm water and place them where you need comfort.
Here are three of my go-to recipes. Try the one that feels easiest and build from there.
What to Keep in Mind
While these herbs can support joint care, they don’t replace lifestyle changes that can help address root causes.
Caring for your joints takes patience, but sticking with basic herbal routines like these has helped me a lot. Assess which recipes could fit easily into your day. Salve can be applied anytime, whereas the foot bath and packs could be nice ways to care for yourself at the end of the day.
Sore Joints Salve Recipe
This salve combines three herbs that have long been used for joint discomfort. Ginger warms the body and supports circulation, which can help loosen stiffness. Cayenne has capsaicin, which changes the way nerves send pain signals. Arnica is toxic to consume but can be used for strained muscles and swelling under unbroken skin.
- 1 tablespoon dried ginger (Zingiber officinale) root
- 1 tablespoon dried cayenne (Capsicum annuum) powder
- 1 tablespoon dried arnica (Arnica montana) flowers
- 1 cup olive oil (or another carrier oil)
- 1 ounce beeswax pellets
- Add the ginger, cayenne, arnica, and oil to the top pot of a double boiler.
- Warm the double boiler on low heat for 3 hours, making sure the lower pot has water in it the entire time.
- Strain the oil through a clean muslin cloth placed over a strainer. Discard the herbs.
- Return the strained oil to a clean pot, add the beeswax, and stir gently until melted.
- Pour into tins or jars and let cool completely.
- Label and store in a cool, dark place. Use within 6 to 12 months. To use, rub a small amount onto tender joints. Try it on a tiny area first, since cayenne can irritate the skin for some people. Don’t use on broken skin, and keep it away from sensitive areas.
Castor-Oil Packs for Deep Joint Support
Castor oil contains ricinoleic acid, which helps ease inflammation and pain. For these castor-oil packs, I warm the oil, soak a piece of cloth in it, and lay it over the sore spot with low heat applied on top of the cloth. It gets blood moving and soothes heaviness and swelling.
• Cold-pressed castor (Ricinus communis) oil
- Soak a piece of cloth (large enough to cover the sore joint) with enough warm castor oil to saturate it, but not so much that it drips.
- Place the cloth on your joint.
- Cover with a towel to keep the oil from spreading and to protect your clothing and bedding.
- Apply a hot-water bottle or heating pad over the pack.
- Relax with the oil applied for 30 to 45 minutes.
- Wash your skin with a mild soap to remove the oil.
Rosemary Foot Bath
I fill a basin with hot water and rosemary when my ankles or feet hurt. The heat and rosemary support circulation and make things less stiff. Trust me, you’ll love this foot bath after a long day of standing.
• 4 tablespoons dried rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) leaves
- Place rosemary in a heatproof basin, large pot, or bowl big enough for your feet.
- Pour 1 quart hot water over the herb and let it steep 10 to 15 minutes. You don’t need to remove the rosemary.
- When the water is warm but comfortable, soak your feet in it for 15 to 20 minutes.
Kami McBride is an herbalist whose courses and bestselling book, The Herbal Kitchen, have helped thousands of people learn how to use common kitchen herbs and spices in delightful ways.
Originally published in the February/March 2026 issue of MOTHER EARTH NEWS and regularly vetted for accuracy.
