For the past several weeks I have been discussing garden herbs which can lower high blood pressure naturally, inexpensively, and without adverse side effects. Recently, I received several requests to discuss herbal remedies that can relieve the pain of arthritis. Consequently, I am going to switch focus this week to address that topic. (Those interested in learning more about herbal blood pressure medicines are invited to review my book, The Blood Pressure Garden, available at www.bloodpressuregarden.com.)
I think that it is worth noting at the outset that the Centers for Disease Control has reported that arthritis is the number one cause of disability in the United States today [i] (even more common that back/spine problems and heart trouble). Over 50 million U.S. adults are reported to have doctor diagnosed arthritis, and 21 million of them report suffering physical limitations as a result. [ii] The most common physical limitations reported were difficulty climbing stairs (21.7 million, or 10%) and walking 3 city blocks unaided (22.5 million, or 10.3%). [iii] The incidence of arthritis increases with both age and gender. For example, we know that arthritis rates are higher among women than men in every age group. [iv] We also know that excess body weight can be a contributing factor in the development of arthritis. While arthritis is found among 16.9% of normal weight adults, its prevalence increases to 29.6% among those who are overweight. [v] By the year 2030, an estimated 67 million U.S. adults are expected to have arthritis (as compared to 50 million today). [vi] Two thirds of those affected are expected to be women. Some 25 million of those affected are expected to suffer significant physical limitations as a result.
While over a hundred different types of arthritis have been identified to date, the vast majority of cases in the United States today are caused by just two kinds: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is a localized joint inflammation, typically of the hands, knees or hips. It generally appears among people by 50 years of age, and the symptoms typically worsen with age. It is caused by the loss of joint cartilage, which usually occurs because the cartilage in the joints has worn away. Typical symptoms include pain and swelling, heat and redness in the affected joints, stiffness form joint damage and increased bone density.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease which occurs when the body’s autoimmune system malfunctions and attacks the connective tissue in the joints, causing swelling, stiffness and inflammation. Joints in the finger and toes, wrists, ankles, shoulders and elbows may all be affected. It is most commonly found among women 30 to 50 years in age. While the pain of rheumatoid arthritis is initially caused by joint inflammation, it may later be exacerbated as a result of mechanical stress between the bones. Typical symptoms may include chronic aches, stiffness, weight loss, muscle weakness, fatigue, fever and depression.
At this point, I should note that there is no known cure for arthritis, short of joint replacement. However, alleviating arthritis pain is possible, and this fact is the source of enormous profits for the pharmaceutical drug industry in the U.S.
There are many different drugs prescribed for arthritis in the United States today. These include analgesic drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), biological response modifiers (BRMs), disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS), counter-irritants, steroids, muscle relaxants and physical therapy. All of these treatments (with the exception of physical therapy) have potentially serious adverse side effects.
However, the question we need to answer today is which garden herbs can be used to alleviate arthritis pain. The list of effective natural remedies is extensive and includes Ashwaganda (Withania somnifera), Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum annuum), Comfrey (Symphytum officinale), Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium). Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria), Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioca) and White Willow (Salix alba). I will discuss some of these herbal medicines individually in my next few posts.
[i] Helmick C.G. et al. “Prevalence and Most Common Causes of Disability Among Adults United States, “ 2005, MMWR 2009;58 (16) 421-426
[ii] Centers for Disease Control, National Health Interview Survey, 2007-2009
[iii] Shih, M., et al. “Physical Activity in Men and Women with Arthritis,” National Health Interview Survey 2002. American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2006;30(5):383-93
[iv] Theis, K. A., et al. “Arthritis burden and impact are greater among U.S. women than men; intervention opportunities.” Journal of Women’s Health 2007; 16(4):441-453
[v] Cheng Y.J. et al. “Prevalence of doctor diagnosed arthritis and arthritis attributable activity limitation” United States, 2007-2009. MMWR 2010;59:1261-1265
[vi] Hotman J.M. et al. “Projections of U.S. prevalence of arthritis and associated activity limitations.” Arthritis Rheum 2006;54(1):226-229
greenmedicineedu 