What Can It Be?

[Crocus]

Suddenly, my left thumb, finger next to thumb and right hand's 3rd finger, the first joints ache slightly. It's also only on the underside of the joint. Do you think it is the start of arthritis maybe?

[buecherwurm]

Could well be crocus. I have it in all the joints of all the fingers and it can hurt in all places. Sorry

[Gentian]

Sounds like it, Crocus, I have it in my left thumb most of the time. I try to exercise it by placing thumb tip next to all the finger tips on that hand one after the other.

[Crocus]

Oh dear, I actually thought it might be...

[dragonfly]

I have it too Crocus and I think it is arthritis. I have been doing the exercises Gentian mentioned and it has gotten a lot better.

[eleanor2]

I too get bouts in 2 fingers and 2 toes.I find if i de junk my diet it subsides.I am on new diet regime as arthritis comes to get most of us after 50yrs.I did read a book a few years back curing arthritis(only certain forms that come as we age)just by eating a certain diet.

[buecherwurm]

I read that rosemary ointment/salve (don't know which word you'd use) is good for aching joints. So I'm testing that at the moment.

[Ivy]

I find that massaging and rubbing the aching joint really helps, seems to get the metabolism in the joint going. I think someone suggested it on here some time back, and I found I was doing it instinctively.

[Crocus]

My thumb was quite a bit swollen last night but today it's gone and I'm not aware of it. Perhaps I bumped my thumb onto something I can't remember. But I will take all the advice on board, especially the massaging of the joints whenever it appears again, thanks. xx

[eleanor2]

i have just read rosemary oil is good for achey joints.

[Rustic Pumpkin]

just remember that Rosemary oil should not be used if you are pregnant, have seizure disorders, or suffer with high blood pressure. It can also act as a stimulant and keep you awake if used to close to bed time.

Aromatherapy oils, although natural, should always be thoroughly researched for contraindications and sensitivity and prefereably prescribed by a qualified practitioner. Self dosing can be risky. I once nearly o~d'd on peppermint oil (dropper broke as I was measuring) and I spent a very unpleasant night with an elevated heart rate and nearly had to seek medical attention. It was very frightening.

[Crocus]

Hi RP, I'm reasonably sure that I'm not pregnant;):D

[Ivy]

I am with RP, people seem to under -estimate the power of natural remedies. "What cant harm can't heal" was one of my old teacher's favourite quotes (well he wasn't talking about Bach flowers and most homeopathic remedies I believe, but natural oils when used un--diluted should not be used on soft skin either. My mother has a scar from rosemary oil on her chest because she used it pure. Tea tree oil, in the undiluted version, can be used as a furniture stripper!

[buecherwurm]

That's why they always tell you to put calendula ointment on the skin before applying tea tree oil and the like.
But when you get the rosemary ointment it should be alright, I think. And you don't use a lot of it anyway.

[eleanor2]

I would 100% rather spend some time reading a herbal book and find a natural remedy any day to having synthetic chemicals rubbed on my skin or ingested. These to can be very harmful if you dont read up on them and take them. correctly.......even if you take some of them correctly they only deal with the sympton and dont treat the cause. treating one problem and causing another. Tea tree is my no1 oil.I use it for many things and wouldnt be without it.As with anything it is best to read up and find the best information.To treat yourself with natural products is in my eyes the best way if possible.