Herbal Remedies

Bone And Joint Health Articles > Herbal Remedies

The use of herbal remedies is rapidly gaining popularity for the treatment of a variety of ailments including ailments of bone and joint. In the United States, herbal remedies are available as over-the-counter preparations and consumers are increasingly interested in their use. Although herbs and supplements are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), pharmacies across the country are experiencing a tremendous surge in the demand for these alternative remedies. From 1991 to 1996 alone, the demand for over-the-counter natural remedies (including herbs and supplements) doubled. According to the results of a recent survey, the use of herbal remedies by people in the United States may be as high as 34%. Interest in the use of alternative medicine is likely to be widespread, particularly by patients suffering from chronic illness such as arthritis.

The most widespread herbal remedies for bone and joint health consist of calcium and herbal supplements. These claim to contain pure sources of calcium and other minerals required for the absorption of calcium.

Alternative medical systems include homeopathy, naturopathy, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and Ayurveda. These use herbal remedies in various ways to provide relief for bone and joint related problems especially arthritis. For instance, Ayurveda, the traditional medicine system of India, uses ancient herbal remedies and claims to provide relief for a variety of bone and joint related health problems like arthritis and gout. The treatment consists of local application and massages with mixtures of herbs and oils as well as intakes of herbal mixtures.

While scientific research into the efficacy of herbal remedies is still in its early stages, initial results seem to indicate that some herbs have a beneficial impact on bone and joint related health problems:

Osteoarthritis:

Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens)

Willow bark (Salix spp.)

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica)

A combination of aspen (Populus tremula), ash (Fraxinus excelsior), and goldenrod (Solidago viraurea)

Capsaicin

Ginger

Cat’s claw

Rheumatoid arthritis

Burdock (Arctium lappa and other Arcticum spp)

Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea)

Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)

Lavender (Lavendula augustifolia) – used topically

Pau d'Arco (Tabebuia avellanedae)

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica)

Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

Wild yam

Osteoporosis

While there hasn’t been much research into osteporosis treatments, the following herbs are the most commonly prescribed -

Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)—contains phytoestrogens; used traditionally by Native Americans for musculoskeletal disorders

Chaste tree (Vitex agnus castus)

Red clover (Trifolium pratense)—isoflavones extracted from this herb may slow bone loss in women

Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa)—may be beneficial for menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis but further studies are needed

Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)—contains substances believed to strengthen bone

Kelp (Fucus vesiculosus L.)—used for disorders of the male and female reproductive systems as well as for musculoskeletal disorders; rich in minerals so may be an effective complementary treatment for osteoporosis

Oat straw (Avena sativa)—boosts hormone levels that stimulate cell growth