HERBS for HEALTH

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Cayenne, devil’s claw, yucca, and more may ease pain and stiffness.

Is there an effective herbal treatment for arthritis? Some people have found relief from herbal therapies, but what may work for one person may not work for someone else.

Arthritis is far more complicated than simple inflammation of the joints. There are about 100 different types of arthritis, and at least that many herbs have been used over the centuries to treat the condition. In fact, plants can be potent partners in fighting inflammation, and more animal studies have been conducted on the anti-inflammatory activity of medicinal plants than any other research category.

With all the reputed herbal remedies for arthritis, you might have to experiment to find the treatment that works best for you. But caution is in order—this sort of experimentation has led some arthritis sufferers to try questionable practices, such as ingesting highly toxic pokeweed berries, encouraging live bees to sting the affected area, or flailing inflamed joints with stinging nettles.

Herbs such as cayenne, devil’s claw, and yucca are safer alternatives. Each of these herbs has demonstrated some effectiveness in treating arthritis by reducing inflammation, relieving pain, or increasing joint movement. If you choose any or all of these herbs, however, please do so only under the supervision of a qualified medical practitioner.

Capsaicin for pain

One herb that has found its place in conventional management of pain associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis is cayenne (Capsicum annuum), or more specifically, the pungent component in cayenne, capsaicin. Both over-the-counter and prescription ointments and creams containing capsaicin are prescribed by physicians and can be found at your local pharmacy.

The concentration of capsaicin in topical preparations is typically 0.025 to 0.075 percent. A single dose of capsaicin causes minor pain, producing a burning sensation on the skin, along with inflammation and hypersensitivity. However, repeated, long-term application leads to desensitization, numbing of pain, and some reduction in inflammation.

How does capsaicin both cause and reduce pain? The theory is that capsaicin disrupts substance P, a protein that helps transmit pain from nerve cells to the brain. When you first apply capsaicin, substance P is released from nerves in the skin, so you may feel some initial burn. But with repeated treatments, nerve endings stop replenishing their substance P supplies, resulting in fewer pain signals being sent to the brain.