Coconut oil is a popular remedy for arthritis. It has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-infective, and antioxidant properties. [3]
Coconut oil contains about 90% high-saturated fats, which makes it different from other vegetable oils.
The pleasant-smelling oil can benefit arthritis, slow aging, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and heart diseases. You can also use coconut oil to enhance your immune system.
While reading this article, you will learn about some benefits of coconut oil for arthritis problems.
What is Arthritis?
There are some chronic diseases that modern prescribed medications can’t handle well.
Some of them are autoimmune diseases. These medical conditions make your immune system attack your healthy cells and organs instead of pathogens, leading your body to debilitating diseases. [1]
Arthritis is an autoimmune disease.
It’s a disabling condition of the joints between our bones. It causes swelling and severe pain, preventing the patient from working.
Arthritis can attack both children and adults. The common syndromes of this disease are swelling, pain, redness, and stiffness of joints. [2]
Arthritis can come in different forms, such as Rheumatoid arthritis, Juvenile arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Psoriatic arthritis, Gout, etc.
Although some medicines claim to cure arthritis, they come with some adverse side effects. In addition, over-the-counter medications are pretty expensive as well.
Some exercises, modifications in diet, and natural remedies could be more effective without any side effects. Coconut oil is one of those effective home remedies for arthritis.
Benefits of Coconut Oil for Arthritis
Coconut oil is a safe option to treat arthritis, and you can take it orally and topically.
Its lubricating effects improve blood circulation in the joints. It’s also a relatively cheap and readily available remedy to cure arthritis.
1. Coconut Oil Reduces Inflammation
Coconut oil is famous for reducing inflammation.
Generally speaking, inflammation is the body’s immune system response to a stimulus. [4]
Inflammation happens to protect our body from foreign organisms, such as viruses and bacteria.
However, in arthritis, the body’s immune system causes inflammation where there are no foreign attackers to fight off, meaning that it causes damage to its tissue.
Coconut oil contains Lauric acid that can deliver anti-inflammatory properties and helps reduce inflammation in arthritis.
Coconut oil massage is an excellent Ayurvedic therapy to decrease inflammation in arthritis.
You can also consume coconut oil orally in some particular cases because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. [5]
Read More: Coconut Oil for Herpes: How Effective
2. It is an Amazing Lubricating Agent
Gout, a type of arthritis, can cause severe joint pain that you can sometimes alleviate by massaging the joints. [2]
Coconut oil has lubricating properties, meaning you can use it as a long-term pain relief balm as a base or carrier oil. The oil also has moisturizing effects on the skin. [3]
Just apply the oil to the joint and gently massage to improve the blood circulation of your joints and get some relaxation from the pain.
3. Coconut Oil Keeps Up Oxidation-Reduction in Balance
If you have painkillers or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for arthritis, you’re likely to reduce your body’s antioxidants.
Free radicals can cause uncontrolled oxidation in your body if you lack antioxidants.
Coconut oil is rich in antioxidant properties, meaning it can restore your body’s antioxidants. [6]
Certain chemicals in coconut oil can deliver an antioxidant effect, helping the arthritis patient. [7]
You can consume coconut oil orally to increase the antioxidant level in your body.
Read More: Coconut Oil for Bruises: 8 Simple Ways to Heal Bruises at Home
4. It has Anti-Stress Effects
One of the main problems with arthritis is stress.
Most patients have to go through a lot of pressure to cope with arthritis, which leads to anxiety and stress. Stress, in turn, can worsen the situation of this disease and create some other health-related issues.
A study shows that consuming coconut oil can effectively reduce stress. [8]
Virgin coconut oil contains anti-stress and antioxidant properties that help alleviate stress.
You can also massage coconut oil as a non-medical therapy for arthritis-related stress. [9]
While you rub some coconut oil, the sweet smell helps you get revived and refreshed. It’s pretty essential for better management of arthritis.
Read More: 12 Essential Oils for Stress Reduction & How to Use Them
5. Coconut Oil Alleviates Pain
Pain is the most annoying part of having arthritis. Sometimes, the pain becomes so intense that it cripples you from doing your regular job.
Coconut oil can soothe the pain to some extent, especially the virgin coconut oil employs analgesic properties that can help you with arthritis. [10]
You can massage your joints regularly where you have pain. You can also consume the oil orally by using it for cooking your favorite dishes.
Read More: 15 Essential Oils for Knee Injury-Fastest Relief from Knee Pain
6. It has Cardio-Protective Effects
People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at high risk of heart disease. [11]
It’s because the inflammatory processes in any heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis are the same.
If you have RA, the inflammation attacks the thin layer of the tissue that lines your joints, further moving to other organs, including your heart.
Inflammation can also damage your inner blood vessel lining, helping the plaque to grow and narrow your arteries.
Although coconut oil consists of saturated fats, it has been proved that moderate consumption of virgin coconut oil can be cardio-protective. [12]
So, if you have RA, consuming coconut oil may prevent your chances of cardiovascular disease.
7. Coconut Oil Contains Anti-Infective Properties
Infection usually causes infectious arthritis or septic arthritis in some parts of your body. [13]
You might suffer from inflammation in the joint caused by that infection. Some infections are responsible for rheumatoid arthritis. [14]
Coconut oil can act as an antibacterial in this situation. [15]
Due to its anti-infective properties, coconut oil is widely used to prevent infections. Regular massage with coconut oil can heal the diseases that lead to septic arthritis.
Bottom Line
Arthritis is a disease that you shouldn’t take lightly at any cost. If you see any early symptoms of this disease, you should immediately consult with a doctor.
However, you must be careful while taking any medication to avoid their adverse side effects. Coconut oil can be a reliable home remedy for you as it’s usually safe to be taken internally and topically.
Haven’t you tried the remedy yet? We would love to know about your experience. Please let us know in the comment section below.
Read Next: 12 Useful Essential Oils for Arthritis & How to Use Them
