Are there any natural medicines that can help arthritis pain?

Jai Sungaran

6 years ago

Recently there has been more discussion about the use of natural therapy for managing painful arthritis. Most patients would rather avoid an operation if at all possible, so it is important to try all non surgical options to manage arthritis pain and loss of function. Medical management begins with drugs that have the least side effects, so what better way than to consider natural therapies first.

Here are some herbal remedies that have been studied for their efficacy in managing arthritis pain

Evening Primrose oil – this is a plant extract which contains essential fatty acids that work by reducing inflammation.
Flaxseed oil – rich in Omega-3 fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory properties
Ginger – a natural spice that is also known as an antioxidant that can clear impurities.
Turmeric – more specifically, the activated form called curcumin which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. In one clinical trial, turmeric was comparable to NSAIDS (anti inflammatories like Voltaren and Nurofen)

The other mainstream natural supplements include fish or krill oil and glucosamine with chondroitin. Multiple clinical studies have shown these to be equivalent to taking an anti-inflammatory for pain relief.

And please remember to talk to your local Doctor first before starting any new medication or natural therapy. There may be important interactions with your usual medications which could be harmful.