Beneficial herbs for rheumatoid arthritis

Best herbs for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Below are herbs that show promise in treating osteoarthritis. But remember, herbs – like any other treatment – can’t do all the work on their own. Pain management is done through combination of various treatments/therapies, starting with exercise, a good diet, and mind-body work.

Always consult your doctor before taking a supplement, especially if you are taking prescription medications, are pregnant or breastfeeding, are taking blood-thinning medications, have special or severe medical conditions (including but not limited to heart, kidney, or liver disease; high blood pressure; stomach disorders; ulcers; blood clotting abnormalities; or depression).
Boswellia (Do not take boswellia if you are pregnant.)
Form and dosage	Boswellin. Take 150 mg 3 times daily.
Comments	Relieves pain in same manner as celecoxib (Celebrex).
Bromelain and turmeric
Form and dosage	Tablets. Take 250 mg 20 minutes before meals 3 times daily. Curcumin tablets. Take 400 mg 20 minutes before meals 3 times daily.
Comments	Blocks formation of kinins, compounds that cause swelling. Relieves pain and inflammation.
Bupleurum (Bupleurum may occasionally cause mild stomach upset. If this happens, reduce the dose).
Form and dosage	Solid-extract capsules. Take 200~400 mg 3 times daily.
Comments	Enhances effectiveness of cortisone and prednisone treatment; helps prevent their side effects.
Cat’s claw (Do not take cat’s claw if you take insulin for diabetes. Do not use this herb if you are pregnant or nursing.)
Form and dosage	Capsules. Take as directed on the label.
Comments	Helps relieve pain.
Cayenne (Do not apply cayenne to broken skin)
Form and dosage	Capsaicin cream. Apply as directed on the label.
Comments	Causes temporary skin pain that counteracts joint pain.
Feverfew (Discontinue taking feverfew if you have any allergic reactions. Do not take this herb if you are pregnant).
Form and dosage	Freeze-dried leaf in capsules. Take 25 mg daily and increase to 100 mg daily after 2 weeks.
Comments	Relieves fever in joints and reduces pain.
Ginger
Form and dosage	20 percent gingerol and shagaol tablets. Take 100~200 mg 3 times daily.
Comments	Stops production of inflammatory chemicals.

Recommendations:

Use cat’s claw to control RA symptoms associated with food allergy and inflammatory bowel disease. Take 1,500 milligrams in capsule form daily. People who take insulin for diabetes should not take this herb.

Eat two to three servings of baked, boiled, broiled, or picked cold-water fish weekly. Herring, mackerel, sardines, and salmon are natural sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which counteract the effects of inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids and greatly reduce symptoms of RA.

Take 30 milligrams of zinc daily. Zinc is essential for the formation of an enzyme that activates omega-3 fatty acids. Preferred forms of zinc for RA are zinc citrate, monomethionine, or picolinate, which are more readily absorbed by the body than zinc gluconate or sulfate.

Take 2,000 milligrams of pantothenic acid daily. This vitamin reduces morning stiffness and pain.

Consult your physician about taking supplemental niacinamide (a form of vitamin B3). This B vitamin has produced very good results in controlling RA symptoms, but can cause liver damage in some cases. People with RA who use high-dose niacinamide should have their blood tested every three months to monitor for potential liver problems.

Limit your consumption of beef, eggs, refined carbohydrates and sugars, and animal fat. These foods contain omega-6 fatty acids.

References

Balch, Phyllis. Prescription for Herbal Healing. New York, NY: Avery, 2002.

This page was first published on June, 26th, 2008 and was last updated on June, 26th, 2008