Hi there. Combating inflammation knee osteoarthritis in elderly can be tough, but not impossible. First of all you have to understand that osteoarthritis mainly arises due to normal degenerative processes that occur with ones ageing. So the best way to reduce inflammation and pain is to reduce the factors that cause them. The most important aspect of the treatment that i prescribe to my patients is physiotherapy. Not only does it strengthen the quadriceps muscles, which are important stabilizers of the knee joint, the physiotherapy is useful in terms rehabilitation following knee replacement, if at all it comes to that. Secondly if the muscles are strengthened the surface of the bones that rub against each other and cause pain in osteoarthritis are less prone to do so and the further rate of degeneration comes down. Analgesics can help control acute flares. But like you i prefer less of allopathic treatment for osteoarthritis and more of exercises. With their muscles becoming stronger they become more confident of ambulating around the house as well. I am not very certain of the extent natural remedies and alternative medicines can help. And rest assured that inflammation arising in osteoarthritis is least likely to affect the heart and brain. There is no correlation. Some lifestyle changes like avoiding too much of climbing stairs or squatting can be avoided.