Beneficial herbs for migraine

Best herbs for osteoarthritis

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).
Alfalfa
Form and dosage	Capsules. Take as directed on the label; or fresh sprouts. Eat a handful or so daily.
Comments	Contains all the minerals essential for bone formation.
Ashwaganda
Form and dosage	Withanolide gel-caps. Take as directed on the label.
Comments	Anti-inflammatory effect similar to aspirin, without stomach irritation.
Boswellia (Do not take boswellia if you are pregnant.)
Form and dosage	Boswellin capsules or tablets. Take as directed on the label.
Comments	Relieves swelling and inflammation.
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 1,000~2,000 mg 3 times daily.
Comments	Relieves swelling and inflammation.
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.
Chaparral and/or osha (Chaparral and osha sensitize skin to sunlight; use sunscreen on the treated area when you’re outdoors. Do not take these herbs internally).
Form and dosage	Tea. Use in a hand bath no more than once a month.
Comments	Stops inflammation.
Copaiba
Form and dosage	Tincture. Take as directed on the label.
Comments	Relieves arthritic inflammation.
Devil’s claw (Devil’s claw can slow heartbeat. Avoid this herb if you have congestive heart failure).
Form and dosage	Enteric-coated capsules. Take 1,500~2,500 mg 3 times daily.
Comments	Relieves pain.
Feverfew (Discontinue taking feverfew if you have an allergic reaction).
Form and dosage	Freeze-dried leaf in capsules. Take 25 mg daily and increase to 100 mg daily after 2 weeks.
Comments	Anti-inflammatory. Also reduces headache symptoms.
Ginger
Form and dosage	Tea, prepared by adding 1/3 tsp (1gm) powdered ginger to 1 cup water. Take 1 cup 1~2 times daily.
Comments	Stops production of inflammatory chemicals.
Hawthorn
Form and dosage	Tablets. Take 100~250 mg 3 times daily.
Comments	Helps stabilize collagen, protecting joints from wear.
Turmeric
Form and dosage	Powder. Apply in a poultice twice daily.
Comments	Relieves pain as effectively as steroid drugs without weakening immune system.
Willow bark
Form and dosage	Salicin tablets. Take 20~40 mg 3 times daily.
Comments	Pain relief similar to aspirin, but longer-lasting and without stomach irritation.
Yucca
Form and dosage	Saponin extract. Take 3~6 drops in 1/4 cup water twice daily.
Comments	Prevents inflammation. Stops circulation of toxins to the joint.

Recommendations:

Use every available alternative to aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and steroids for pain control. Evidence is mounting that these painkillers have a destructive effect on cartilage. Aspirin and NSAIDs suppress the joint’s ability to manufacture cartilage-building proteins, and they deactivate enzymes that are essential for making chondroitin, an important cartilage component. The more the joint has been damaged by OA, the more it absorbs NSAIDs that damage it even further, starting a spiral of pain and tissue destruction. Steroid inflammatory drugs are even more destructive, causing chondroitin-making cells to die at five times the normal rate. It is especially important to avoid cortisone injections, which damage the joint and weaken the immune system.

Avoid aspartame. While there is scientific evidence that aspartame can relieve arthritis pain (from a clinical study conducted by a scientist who noticed that his arthritis pains went away whenever he had a Diet Coke), aspartame is likely to have many of the tissue-destructive effects of aspirin and NSAIDs.

Take 400 milligrams of chondroitin sulfate and 400 to 500 milligrams of glucosamine sulfate daily. These substances are essential to joint repair. Taking glucosamine supplements reduces pain as effectively as taking ibuprofen without tissue damage, although not as quickly. Chondroitin, although poorly absorbed through the digestive tract, is useful in increasing the effect of glucosamine.

Chondroitin and glucosamine are made even more effective by supplementation with 200 to 300 milligrams of magnesium ascorbate daily. This triple combination is especially helpful in treating OA of the knee and lower back.

Eat foods rich in vitamin K, such as alfalfa, blackstrap molasses, and dark-green leafy vegetables. Together, vitamins D and K are especially helpful in preventing severe OA of the hip joints and knees.

Eat fresh pineapple frequently. Bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapple, is excellent for reducing inflammation. To be effective, the pineapple must be fresh, as freezing and canning destroy enzymes.

Reduce the amount of fat in your diet. Do not consume milk, dairy products, or red meat. Also avoid caffeine, citrus fruits, paprika, salt, tobacco, and everything containing sugar.

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