Q. I’ve got a friend who swears by WD-40 for her arthritic knees. Well, I tried it on my painful shoulder, and to my astonishment, it really helped. My question is–can WD-40 do any harm if used frequently?
A. You are not the first reader to confess to using WD-40 metal lubricant on stiff joints. One woman wrote that she buys it by the gallon. She had a hip replacement that aches when the weather is bad. When she rubs on WD-40, she claims, “the pain goes right away.”
This is a product designed to lubricate hinges and all sorts of squeaky or sticky metal parts and joints. It is made of petroleum products that might be toxic if applied to the skin. There are, to our knowledge, no scientific studies on either safety or effectiveness for human joints. The company does not make any medical claims for WD-40. Since there is a warning on the label that it could be “harmful or fatal if swallowed,” we urge caution.
One woman developed pneumonitis, an inflammation of the lungs, from breathing the spray. A physician told us several years ago that a patient of his developed muscle breakdown after repeatedly applying WD-40 to his joints. He had to be hospitalized.
We also cannot predict what if anything is being absorbed into the blood stream from topical application and whether there might be long-term complications.
Why not use food-based remedies? Visitors to this website have some fascinating stories to share:
“I tried the golden raisins soaked in gin. This was very unusual for me because I abstain from alcohol. I put the raisins in my morning oatmeal along with a variety of nuts, raisins, sunflower seeds and dried cranberries.
“Whoopee! Hic! My knees are nice to me now.” A.M.R.
“I am in my early 60s and have been hobbling around like an old man for the last several years after a couple of bad bouts with gout. I have been on an Rx to treat that, along with various other meds for my high cholesterol and blood pressure, etc. I am sure they all contributed to all my aches and pains.
“Several months ago I felt my gout flaring up in my big toe and instead of getting a new Rx to treat this, I researched online and read a lot about how a little concentrated tart cherry juice every day can knock this out almost overnight and for long term treatment as well.
“I had a hard time finding concentrated tart cherry juice but finally found a bottle at a health food store. I took two tablespoons of the stuff before going to bed and woke up the next morning with no pain in my big toe. Then, a couple of days later, I realized that my very creaky and painful bones in my feet, ankle, knees and hips were not hurting and I was no longer hobbling when I walked.
“Now, several months later, I am still almost virtually pain free – almost to the point that I thought about jogging a little – but then decided I better wait awhile before getting back into that kind of a routine. BUT it is so good to be rid of the daily pain I had and to be able to walk normally again.” C.G.
“My sister who has had one hip replaced twice was having days where she could hardly move until mid afternoon because of arthritis pains. I told her about the pectin (Certo) and grape juice. Being the older sister, I didn’t think she would listen but she called and said she was starting. I told her don’t expect anything overnight; it will take a couple of weeks.
“In the meantime, I had been having ‘hippy’ type of flare ups so I thought what is good for the goose is good for the gander and went and got my bottle of Welch’s grape juice and packet of liquid Certo and off I went.
“I have to tell you BOTH of us are feeling the results.. when my sister told me she was so much better, I was like harrah harrah… she listened. A friend also tried the regimen and is getting results. I drink a glass of Certo and grape juice (6 oz) each morning while my coffee is brewing.” Mac
If you find these stories intriguing, you will be very interested in our book, The People’s Pharmacy Quick & Handy Home Remedies. It has details on these and lots more remedies for the pain and inflammation of arthritis. Here’s a link to all our publications.
