Herbal Supplements for arthritis and Joint pain

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Please be aware that the study of the therapeutic ramifications of taking any medication, including herbal supplements, is far from an exact science. Some sources, presumably in an effort to present an impression of providing responsible, guarded and cautionary advice, present a mountainous list of “possible” side effects, interactions and contraindications for which they neither quote, nor can we find, supporting evidence. Others simply steer clear of the subject..

Hopefully we have steered a middle course. Where there are well-established precautions to be observed we have pointed those out. Where sources make statements for which there is no supporting evidence we have not included such statements.

We value our reputation as a provider of reliable, high quality and non-sensational and non-alarmist information on the therapeutic value of herbs. That includes advice on adverse side effects and interactions with other medications where they is evidence to support such advice.

We strongly suggest that you seek professional advice on the use of herbal supplements if they are to be used to treat a specific condition, rather than as a dietary supplement taken to improve one's general feeling of wellbeing. If you do seek advice, please do so from someone who is qualified to advise on the therapeutic ramifications, good and bad, of using herbs for medicinal purposes. That would have to be a qualified herbalist or, ideally, an ND, a Doctor of Naturopathy, if you can locate one ( this link might help).

Furthermore, we point out that statements regarding any products mentioned on this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration of the USA or the equivalent statutory authority of any other country. The products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information on this Web site is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. Again we emphasise that you should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your health care professional

Herbal Medicine Guide - Arthritis and Joint Pain

Arthritis means joint inflammation. The pain from arthritic joints can be anything from irritating and restricting to excruciating. Arthritis can be osteo- resulting from the wearing out of the joint cartilage or rheumatoid which is not fully understood but occurs when the immune system, which normally protects the body from infection and disease, harms the body's own healthy tissues resulting in painful joint swelling.

Osteoarthritis is the more common of the two, effecting 10% of the population whereas rheumatoid arthritis affects about 1%. Rheumatoid arthritis can be identified as usually affecting both sides of the body equally – it is said to be symmetrical – whereas osteoarthritis effects joints that have had the most wear.

You should check with your medical practitioner to diagnose which type of arthritis you have. It is most likely to be osteoarthritis, and particularly so if you have reason to believe that the joint in question has had excessive use over a period of time. “Conventional” medications for osteoarthritis are still pretty primitive. They basically consist of analgesics or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or celebrex, chondroitin sulphate and glucosamineall of which are certainly not without their undesirable side effects.

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What are the herbs for arthritis and joint pain? There are a number of herbs that have anti-inflammatory properties, such as Devils Claw, White Willow - which acts like aspirin but without the associated gastric problems, Grape Seed, Nettle and Ginger. But probably the most commonly used and generally accepted herbal anti-inflammatory comes from extracts from the gum of the Boswellia Serata tree. Boswellia appears as an ingredient in half of the products we have selected on this page. Other ingredients include Alfalfa, a great all round detoxifier and tonic, and Black Cohosh, a potently therapeutic herb more usually associated with relieving menopause symptoms.

Other herbs for arthritis and joint pain relief included in herbal supplements are Ginkgo Biloba, Burdock Root, Licorice, Parsley and Curcumin (the active component of Turmeric)

Of the two products mentioned here, SciatiGon from Native Remedies uses the well established anti inflammatory properties of Devils Claw with the less commonly used Prickly AsH and burdock root, together with the calming effect of Chamomile.

Vitabase's main joint relief product uses the anti-inflammatory properties of Cats Claw

There are many other herbal products for joint pain. These two are the most popular with our visitors