Herbal Remedies To Help With Osteoporosis

According to the National Institutes of Health, osteoporosis -- a condition in which the bones become brittle and break easily -- is responsible for two million fractures every year. You can reduce the severity of osteoporosis by exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet. While several drugs on the market claim to stop, or even reverse, bone loss, the list of side effects may have you looking for alternative therapies. Although herbal remedies have been used for thousands of years, many remain clinically unproven. Consult your physician before using any herbal or alternative remedy for bone loss.

Red Clover

The isoflavones in red clover have shown some effectiveness in the treatment of osteoporosis and in minimizing pre-menstrual breast pain, according to Heather Boon in the "55 Most Common Medicinal Herbs: The Complete Natural Medicine Guide." Even though this herb is generally well tolerated, adverse effects may include headaches and a mild increase in liver enzymes, as indicated by a liver function test. Red clover is available in dried form or as a liquid extract.

Black Cohosh

Common uses for black cohosh include alleviating symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, anxiety, depression, premenstrual syndrome and painful periods. However, because this herb contains phytoestrogens -- estrogen-like substances known to help protect against bone loss -- the University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, lists black cohosh as a herb that may be helpful in the treatment of osteoporosis. Adverse effects of this herb may include an upset stomach and headache. Black cohosh is available as a dried root, extract or tincture.

Horsetail

In ancient Roman and Greek medicine, horsetail treated a variety of ailments, such as ulcers, wounds, tuberculosis, kidney and bleeding issues, says Boon. According to UMMC, this herb contains silicon, known to strengthen bone, making it a possible treatment for osteoporosis. However, as with black cohosh and red clover, horsetail is unproven in its effectiveness in treating osteoporosis, due to lack of research.