As the name of this dish suggests, this particular recipe is designed to help manage (note: rheumatoid arthritis cannot be cured, but we know enough about lifestyle choices that may improve or exacerbate symptoms) the painful symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is believed to be an “autoimmune disease”. The immune system normally makes antibodies (chemical messengers that help the immune system identify an invader that it has successfully dealt with before) to attack bacteria, viruses, and other foreign invaders. Once these antibodies are created, the immune system can then remember the invader and what type of biological attack successfully destroyed it. In autoimmune conditions, the immune system makes antibodies against tissues of the body, and subsequently mounts an almost continuous attack upon those tissues. It is not clear why this happens. Some people seem to have a tendency to develop autoimmune diseases. In such people, something might trigger the immune system to attack the body’s own tissues. The “trigger” is not known, although some people believe that this could be anything from exposure to some kind of environmental influence, viral or bacterial infection, food sensitivity, or compromised gut function. However, as there are so many possible instigating factors, it is often best to support the way in which the body reacts to such conditions, rather than trying to isolate the single aggravating agent. In people with RA, antibodies are formed against the synovium (the tissue that surrounds each joint and lines non-cartilagenous surfaces). This causes inflammation in and around affected joints. Over time, the inflammation can cause damage to the joint, the cartilage, and parts of the bone near to the joint.
This delicious recipe contains some wonderful ingredients that are major players in the management of rheumatoid arthritis. These ingredients are anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and immunomodulating. These are the three main actions that herbalists would have in the forefront of their minds when developing a prescription for a rheumatic patient. Thankfully there are foodstuffs that also have these actions. Such recipes can support the medication given to you by either your herbalist or your doctor, and are perfectly safe in combination. And the recipe is delicious!
Vegetable bouillon
1 red onion
2 cloves of garlic
6 sun-dried tomatoes
1 stick of celery
Extra virgin olive oil
250 g (9 oz) Arborio risotto rice
8–9 dried shiitake mushrooms (see ingredient index for stockists)
Dash of white wine (the rest can be your treat for working so hard in the kitchen)
Handful of fresh spinach leaves
- Make up 1 litre of stock using the vegetable bouillon – I’d advise about 1 level tablespoon to 1 litre (2 US pints) of water.
- Finely chop the red onion, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and the celery, plus a little salt. Sauté these in a large pan in a little of the olive oil until the onion is soft and becoming transparent.
- Next, add the risotto rice to the pan and stir the onion mixture and rice together. Add to this just enough stock to almost cover the rice. Allow this to simmer constantly.
- As the stock gets absorbed, keep topping it up until you are left with about 300 ml (10 fl oz) of stock.
- At this point add the shiitake mushrooms. The reason that these are added in so late is to protect their active chemicals which can be damaged if exposed to extremes of temperature for too long.
- Continue to cook in the same way – adding stock as the rice absorbs more and more. When all the stock has gone in, add the dash of white wine (maybe 80 ml/3 fl oz). Then allow the whole mix to cook down until the texture is close to a thick oatmeal texture, and the rice is soft. At this point add the spinach as it will wilt in seconds.
- To finish, add a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil to the mix and beat the mix until a creamy texture is reached.
Medicinal Properties
Red Onions – These contain strong anti-inflammatory flavonoid chemicals called anthocyanins. Inflammation is the key factor responsible for the pain and destruction within the joint in rheumatoid arthritis. Even though over activity of the immune system is the trigger, inflammation is that final factor that causes the greatest destruction within the joint.
Celery – as we have discussed in detail, is a very effective diuretic agent, and natural painkiller that has proved effective in two clinical trials so far, particularly in the treatment of rheumatic and muscular pains when taken internally.
Shiitake Mushrooms – These delicious fungal treats are almost miraculous when it comes to the effect they have on the immune system. In rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system develops antibodies to the synovial tissue within the joint, and certain cells within the immune system start attacking this tissue, causing inflammation and destruction. Now, the immune system has two very specific ways of operating. The first is antibody-mediated – where the immune system will recognize a certain invader from past experience and mount a specific attack on it. It is this that is responsible for rheumatoid arthritis and other auto-immune conditions. The second is called non-specific. This means that the cells associated with it are able to tell if something is self (part of the body) or non-self (an invader or foreign substance). Shiitake mushrooms drastically stimulate the activity of the non-specific branch of the immune system. The good news here is that these two branches of the immune system are mutually inhibitory, meaning that they cannot both work at the same time. One counteracts the other. So, if the non-specific branch is stimulated, the antibody-mediated is suppressed!
