Herbal Relief for Osteoarthritis Stiffness

Enlarge Image Image Gallery Nettles may help rebuild connective tissue. By Christopher Hobbs

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I am an 87-year-old male. X-rays show I have osteoarthritis in my back, hips and knees. I do not have any pain but am so stiff I have trouble walking. Are there any herbs that would help the stiffness? I exercise one hour daily about five days per week but still have trouble walking.
—H.C., Williamstown, Kentucky 

Stansbury responds: Osteoarthritis, as you probably know, involves a wear-and-tear sort of degeneration of the bony aspects of joints, which itself can create pain. Mechanical and inflammatory irritation of the surrounding tissues also can accompany and contribute to the pain. While your exercise routine sounds impressive, please be certain you’re not overdoing it and contributing to the wear-and-tear and painful inflammatory processes.

Perhaps you have heard of, or are already taking, glucosamine and chondroitin, animal-derived substances that help rebuild bony and connective tissues. About 50 percent of people taking these products experience relief from osteoarthritic symptoms after taking them for several months.

Herbal choices include botanicals thought to rebuild connective tissue, such as nettles (Urtica dioica), horsetail (Equisetum arvense), gotu kola (Centella asiatica) and oatstraw (Avena sativa). These herbs also need to be taken for many months, as they relieve pain by nourishing and helping improve the tissue abnormalities causing the pain; they’re not pain relievers themselves. Research also is currently investigating nutrients such as boron, phosphorus, fluoride and others for rebuilding degenerated bony tissues.

Options that can more quickly relieve pain and stiffness are perhaps more palliative but certainly can be combined with the above remedies. Herbs that may help reduce inflammation and allay your stiffness include black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa), devil’s claw (Harpagophytum procumbens), bromelain, boswellia (Boswellia serrata) and the salicylate-containing herbs — white willow (Salix spp.) and meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria).

Another option to consider is topical therapies — cayenne or capsicum ointments, wintergreen and other analgesic balms and sports rubs, plus Epsom salt soaks. Epsom salts have anti-inflammatory and restorative effects for the joints, especially when used frequently for many weeks, such as one to two times daily for six weeks.

Willard responds: You’re not the only one — several of my patients have a more difficult time with stiffness than they do with pain. Mild exercise is the first thing I find that helps. Because you already exercise, stretching might be the missing link in your program. Even though there is stiffness, this part is important. Exercise and stretching should be started out slowly, and expanded gently over a few months.

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