Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that attacks the lining of the joints, causing inflammation and pain. Over time, the condition can worsen, leading to permanent joint deformity. Conventional treatments may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, corticosteroid medications like prednisone, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs like methotrexate or immunosuppressants like cyclosporine. Long-term use of these drugs may produce serious side effects. Herbs offer a natural way to ease the pain and inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis. It is important to consult a professional before beginning herbal therapy and to be aware of potential herb-drug interactions.
Chinese Nutmeg Yew
Chinese nutmeg yew, or Torreya grandis, is a large conifer native to China and Japan. It is an ornamental tree with parts used in folk medicine for cough, pain, rheumatoid arthritis and intestinal parasites. The seed oil and the leaves are rich in lignans, alkaloids, polyphenols and flavonoids, and have potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions. A study published in the February 2010 issue of the “Journal of Ethnopharmacology” tested a leaf extract of the plant and found it effective as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory on test animals. The researchers attributed the positive effects to the plant’s flavonoids, tannins and anthocyanins, which may have inhibited the release of pro-inflammatory mediators such as histamine and prostaglandin. This research supports the folk use of Chinese nutmeg yew for rheumatoid arthritis, but more studies are needed to determine precisely how the plant effects the inflammatory response in humans.
Sophora
Sophora, or Sophora flavescens, is a perennial herb with pale-yellow, bell-like flowers native to east Asia. Traditional medicines in China, Japan and Korea use the root to treat fever, inflammatory disorders, diarrhea, ulcers and gastrointestinal problems. Sophora contains the antitumor alkaloids matrine and oxymatrine, and the anti-inflammatory flavonoids sophoraflavanone G, kuraridin and kurarinone. A study reported in the February 2010 issue of the “Journal of Ethnopharmacology” tested a flavonoid-only extract of sophora to avoid any potential toxicity from the plant’s alkaloids. The research found the extract to be effective against the pain and inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis in animals, and to inhibit ulcer formation, a common problem with most nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Further studies on humans will determine if the folk use of sophora to treat inflammatory disorders like rheumatoid arthritis can be clinically proven.
Costus
Costus, or Saussurea costus, is a large-leafed perennial native to south and east Asia. It is called mu xiang in traditional Chinese medicine, and kuth in Indian Ayurvedic medicine. Traditional uses of costus include treating asthma, cough, dysentery, rheumatoid arthritis, digestive problems and ulcers. A study in the April 2007 issue of the “Journal of Ethnopharmacology” evaluated the chemical constituents of costus and found that cynaropicrin, a sesquiterpene lactone, reduces inflammation by inhibiting the NF-kappa B complex, which is involved in inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. This research partially supports the folk use of costus as an anti-inflammatory herb for rheumatoid arthritis, but more studies on humans are needed to determine the bioavailability and safety of costus on humans.
References
- “Journal of Ethnopharmacology”; Appraisal of antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory potential of extract and fractions from the leaves of Torreya grandis Fort Ex. Lindl; Saeed MK, Deng Y, Dai R, Li W, Yu Y, Iqbal Z; February 2010
- “Journal of Ethnopharmacology”; Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity of total flavonoids of the roots of Sophora flavescens; Jin JH, Kim JS, Kang SS, Son KH, Chang HW, Kim HP; February 2010
- “Journal of Ethnopharmacology”; Saussurea costus: botanical, chemical and pharmacological review of an ayurvedic medicinal plant; Pandey MM, Rastogi S, Rawat AK; April 2007
