Herbal Remedies For Arthritis & Joint Lubrication

Certain herbal remedies may be helpful in treating your arthritis symptoms. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, arthritis is usually caused by inflammation of the tissue that lines your joints. Common signs and symptoms associated with arthritis include joint pain, redness, warmth, swelling and decreased joint lubrication. Before taking herbal remedies to help treat your arthritis, talk with your doctor about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.

Burdock

Burdock, also known as Arctium lappa, is an herbal remedy that may be helpful in treating your arthritis. According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, burdock, a member of the aster family, has been used to help treat numerous health problems, including diabetes, eczema, psoriasis, microbial infections and arthritis. Burdock is a biennial plant that is cultivated as a vegetable in some parts of the world. Burdock has a bitter, sweet and mucilaginous taste; possesses cooling tendencies; and grows to a maximum height of 6 to 7 feet. The burdock plant's roots are used for medicinal purposes, such as treating arthritis pain and improving your joint lubrication. Ed Smith, an herbalist and author of the book "Therapeutic Herb Manual," states that burdock is a soothing and cleansing diuretic that is used to help treat arthritis and gout. Use of burdock is contraindicated during pregnancy.

Turmeric

Dr. Michael T. Murray, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "The Healing Power of Herbs," states that turmeric, also known as Curcuma longa, is used to help treat inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis. Turmeric is an anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticoagulant that may be helpful in treating numerous conditions, including arthritis, sprains, wounds, jaundice, gallstones and bruises. Curcumin, a constituent contained in turmeric, is particularly effective in treating acute joint inflammation and associated symptoms. Turmeric is a perennial herb extensively cultivated in India, China, Indonesia and other countries with tropical regions. Turmeric has a pungent and bitter taste and possesses stimulating and cooling tendencies. Practitioners of herbal medicine use the rhizome, or underground stem, of the plant to help decrease joint pain and improve joint lubrication.

Devil's Claw

Devil's claw is a leafy perennial plant that has branching roots and shoots and tubers that grow from the plant's main roots. Although devil's claw, also known as Harpagophytum procumbens, is odorless, it contains a substance that gives it a bitter taste. The tubers of the devil's claw plant are used for medicinal purposes, such as reducing your arthritis-related pain and improving your joint lubrication. Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," states that devil's claw is an anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and bitter tonic that is used to help treat arthritis, bursitis, neuralgia, gout, and other aches and pain throughout your body. The plant's secondary storage roots, or tubers, contain fats, waxes and iridoid glycosides. If you are pregnant or have acute gallbladder disease or peptic ulcers, avoid using this herb to help treat your arthritis.