Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease characterized by painful, swollen joints. According to the U.K. National Health Service's website, NHS Choices, it most commonly affects people between 40- and 70-years-old and usually affects the hands, feet and wrists. Symptoms include pain, stiffness and warmth in the joints. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you may also experience general feelings of malaise. There are a number of medications available to treat rheumatoid arthritis including pain killers non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids. Some herbs may also help to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms. Talk to your doctor before using them.
Examples
The University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, website notes several herbs that may have anti-inflammatory effects including green tea, cat's claw and turmeric. According to the website, green tea may block the effect of inflammatory chemicals in rheumatoid arthritis, while cat's claw and turmeric may help to reduce pain, swelling and inflammation.
Administration
The UMMC website recommends taking 250 to 500 mg of a standardized extract of green tea daily, although you may prefer to take this herb as tea. The website suggests taking 20 mg of a standardized extract of cat's claw daily to alleviate symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, while 400 mg of turmeric taken three times daily may help to reduce pain. These doses should only be used as a guideline. Talk to your doctor about the right dose for you.
Efficacy
Results of a study published in November 2008 in the "Journal of Nutrition" notes that green tea induced changes in arthritis-related immune responses. However, the study was carried in rats rather than humans. However, lead author H.R. Kim suggest that this herb should be considered as an adjunct nutritional strategy for the management of rheumatoid arthritis. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicinem, or NCCAM, notes that cat's claw may be of possible benefit to rheumatoid arthritis patients, although no large clinical trials have been performed to prove this. The anti-inflammatory effects of turmeric have been shown in animal studies, notes NCCAM, but its effect in humans has not been adequately studied.
Side Effects
Cat's claw is considered safe when taken at the recommended dose but may cause side effects including headaches and vomiting. Green tea is also likely safe, notes MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. Library of Medicine. However, drinking more than five cups per day may cause dizziness, tremor, confusion and headache. Turmeric is likely safe for the majority of adults although some people may experience gastrointestinal problems.
Contraindications
Do not use green tea if you are taking drugs that speed up the nervous system such as amphetamines or ephedrine. Green tea's caffeine content may potentiate their effects. Avoid this herb if you have glaucoma as it may increase pressure inside the eye. Avoid using cat's claw if you are pregnant as it may cause a miscarriage. Do not take turmeric if you have gallbladder disease as it may make your condition worse.
