Bone spurs are smooth, bony projections that manifest slowly, sometimes over the span of many years. Bone spurs, according to the Cleveland Clinic, are growths of normal bone that tend to occur as you get older. In most cases, bone spurs are not painful, although they may affect various structures or tissues in their vicinity, causing pain or other symptoms. If you are considering using dietary supplements to treat or prevent bone spurs, meet with your doctor first to discuss procedures, alternatives and risks.
Bone Spur Information
Bone spur-related symptoms, says Spine-Health.com, are often made worse after physical activity and improve with rest. Your bone spur symptoms may improve if you bend forward. People with spine bone spurs -- the spine is one of the most common locations for bone spurs -- may experience symptomatic relief by bending over a shopping cart or a cane. Bone spurs may be particularly problematic if they are situated in or around your intervertebral foramen -- the holes in your spinal cord where nerve roots exit.
Common Herbal Remedies
Once a bone spur has formed, it is unlikely that herbal remedies may help eliminate it or even reduce its size. However, herbal remedies may be helpful in treating degenerative joint disease, which is one of the most common causes of bone spurs, or osteophytes. In his book "Therapeutic Herb Manual," expert herbalist Ed Smith states that prickly ash, devil's club, cat's claw, devil's claw, feverfew, nettle and angelica may be particularly effective in treating this condition. Further scientific testing may be needed to assess the true effects of these herbs in preventing bone spurs.
Herb in Focus
Feverfew is an herbal remedies that may be helpful in treating degenerative joint disease, or osteoarthritis -- the condition that is most commonly responsible for bone spur formation. Feverfew, according to certified nutritional consultant Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," helps combat inflammation and muscle spasms and has historically been used in treating arthritis, transient migraines, muscle tension and pain. The dried flowers and leaves of the feverfew plant are used medicinally.
Additional Information
Herbal remedies are a supportive therapy in the treatment of your bone spurs and are not likely to cure or eliminate the spur itself. Herbal remedies may contain active ingredients that exert powerful effects within your body, and they should always be used with caution. Avoid self-treating your health problem with herbs, and only use these natural healing agents if you are under the supervision of a qualified health-care professional.
References
- Cedars-Sinai: Bone Spurs (Osteophytes)
- Spine-Health.com: Clinical Symptoms of Bone Spurs
- "Therapeutic Herb Manual"; Ed Smith; 2007
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
