Joint pain, also known as arthritis or arthralgia, is a blanket term used to describe any form of discomfort in the joints. Joint pain can range from mild to severe. It may be caused by a number of factors, including age, injury or disease. Though a number of medications are designed to treat joint pain, some people may prefer more natural solutions in the form of herbal remedies.
Identification
Herbal solutions for joint pain can come in several different forms. Leaves, stems and roots can be steeped in hot or boiling water to release their active ingredients, making an herbal tea, or infusion. Liquid forms--such as tinctures and extracts--are usually more intense versions of a particular herb, so expect to take them in smaller doses. Capsules and tablets made with powdered, dried herbs are also common preparations that vary in intensity.
Benefits
According to Beth Israel Medical Center's Department of Pain Medicine and Palliative Care, several herbal remedies may benefit people with joint pain. Ginger extract provides moderate improvement for joint pain, stiffness and mobility for people with osteoarthritis. The herb devil's claw may improve the effectiveness of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Curcumin can be as effective as cortisone for treating some forms of inflammation. The herb boswellia reduces inflammation in a way similar to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Considerations
Though herbal remedies can be helpful for treating joint pain, don't rely on them alone to treat joint pain. Eat a balanced diet and get regular exercise to maintain a healthy body weight, get plenty of water and see a joint health specialist who can diagnose your problem and make appropriate recommendations.
Expert Insight
James McKoy, M.D., chief of rheumatology at Kaiser Permanente in Honolulu, recommends in Arthritis Today magazine the herbs boswellia, cat's claw and Kaprex--a blend of rosemary, hops and oleanolic acid--as part of a natural care regimen for joint pain caused by osteoarthritis. For joint pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis, McKoy recommends adding curcumin or tumeric to the mix.
Warning
Herbal remedies contain chemicals that can interact with medications you're taking to treat joint pain, sometimes dangerously increasing the amount of a particular substance in your body or counteracting each other's effects. Always check with your health care provider before making herbal remedies part of your joint care regimen.
