Herbs for Arthritis: Herbal Remedies are Gaining Popularity as a More Natural Method of Treating ArthritisArthritis, literally meaning ‘joint inflammation,’ is one of the oldest known afflictions of the human body, as well as one of the most common ailments affecting society today. In fact, it has even been suggested that nearly everyone will experience some degree and form of arthritis by age 70. Although rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are the two most common forms of arthritis, over 150 types have been identified. Since a cure for arthritis has yet to be discovered, people who suffer from arthritis are interested in exploring the options available to them in terms of relief from arthritis, including the existence of natural herbs for arthritis pain relief.While a variety of drugs are available for people with arthritis, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids, herbs have a long history of being used in the management and treatment of arthritis, and herbal remedies continue to be used today as a more natural approach to other arthritis treatments. Although more long and short-term clinical studies are still needed to assess the risks and benefits of using herbs for arthritis treatment, alternative remedies, including the use of some herbs, have been shown to provide symptomatic relief of arthritis pain. A Look at Some of the More Commonly Used Herbs for Arthritis: Devil’s Claw: Devil’s claw, named after the claw-like shape of its seed pods, has experienced much popularity as an herbal remedy and is available in many forms, including as herbal cream, tinctures, tablets, and capsules. Devil’s claw is especially useful for people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, relieving swollen and inflamed joints. White Willow: The bark of the white willow tree has a long history of use in China as a medicine due to its ability to relieve inflammation and bring down fever. White willow is sometimes referred to as herbal aspirin because of its main ingredient salicin, which the body turns into salicylic acid. The first aspirin was created from meadowsweet, a different herb containing salicin. When combined with other herbs, white willow has been shown to lead to significant improvements in people with mild to moderate arthritis. Red Pepper: Red pepper interferes with pain perception in the body and capsaicin, the active compound, triggers the body to release endorphins, your body’s naturally occurring ‘feel-good’ chemicals. In terms of a potential benefit as an herb for arthritis, when applied directly to the skin, creams containing capsaicin have been shown to reduce arthritis pain. In one study of applying capsaicin cream 4 times daily, rheumatoid arthritis pain was reduced by more than half and osteoarthritis pain was reduced by about one third. Make sure to wash your hands after using capsaicin cream as it can be very irritating to the eyes and test the cream on a small patch of skin first to ensure that you will not react adversely to its application. Stinging Nettle: Stinging nettle can be used to help alleviate arthritis pain by either ‘stinging’ yourself with the fresh plant or steaming and eating the leaves as vegetables. To avoid being ‘stung’ by the plant, be sure to wear gloves during harvest. The plant loses its stinging power once cooked, however. Stinging nettle contains boron and, according to the Rheumatoid Disease Foundation, boron is important as part of arthritis management due to the role it plays in helping bones retain calcium. An analysis of boron conducted by USDA scientists suggests that a 100 gram steamed serving of stinging nettle could contain at least the daily recommended amount of boron. Oregano: The number of studies is rising that show that oregano, a popular herb used as a spice in cooking, is also a powerful antioxidant. As an antioxidant, oregano can play an important role in helping prevent cell damage caused by free radicals (highly unstable oxygen molecules). Free radical reactions are thought to be involved in inflammation, degenerative arthritis and the aging process in general, thus antioxidants can play an important part in alleviating the pain of arthritis. Pineapple: Research on bromelain, an enzyme in the pineapple plant, suggests that it is helpful in preventing inflammation. Bromelain is thought to help the body by stopping the production of prostanoids, that cause swelling and pain, and by breaking down fibrin, a protein that can cause chronic pain by causing blood clotting and impeding circulation. The effectivenss of bromelain as treatment for arthritis pain has been well documented in many clinical studies and experiments. It is best to take bromelain between meals, on an empty stomach. Ginger: Ginger has been recognized and valued for centuries as an important anti-inflammatory herb. Recent research supports the efficacy of ginger as part of arthritis treatment, suggesting that ginger root inhibits the production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which are involved in pain and inflammation. Turmeric: Used extensively for its brilliant yellow color and flavor in Indian cuisine, turmeric also inhibits prostaglandin production and stimulates the creation of cortisol, which relieves inflammation. Turmeric is also one of the oldest, natural anti-inflammatory drugs used in Ayurvedic medicine. A number of studies support the ability of turmeric to alleviate arthritis pain, with most notable improvements being made in terms of reducing morning stiffness and increasing physical endurance. Celery Seed: A lesser-known herb in Western herbal medicine, celery seed has been used extensively elsewhere for a variety of purposes. For example, celery seed has been prescribed by Ayurvedic physicians to treat people with ailments ranging from water retention and colds to various types of arthritis. Today, celery seed is more frequently used to aid in the maintenance of healthy joints. Celery seeds have been found to have anti-inflammatory properties that reduce swelling and pain around the joints. Feverfew: While most widely known for its ability to relieve migraine headaches, studies has also demonstrated that feverfew has anti-inflammatory effects and may be useful in helping reduce pain from arthritis. Like the herb cayenne, feverfew is said to increase blood flow and promote the body’s natural healing efforts. As people suffering from arthritis often find themselves seeking ways to reduce their pain and inflammation, it should not be surprising that many are also turning to herbs for arthritis pain relief. While it may be necessary to experiment with different herbs, given the wide variety in types of arthritis and other individual differences of the people affected by the disease, this may be a worthwhile endeavor as certain herbs seem to offer the possibility of a more natural way of dealing with the pain of arthritis. However, regardless of what natural remedies you choose for helping combat arthritis, it is important to consult with a health practitioner to ensure that the herbs you decide to try do not interfere with other prescribed medications. |
