Herbs Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis

Herbs are one way of treating Rheumatoid Arthritis naturally; there are a number of herbs out there that will help alleviate the everyday pain, stiffness, and swelling of the tissue and joints. Remember this list is for informational use only; all treatments should be discussed with a doctor or a certified homeopath.

Arnica – The mountain plant, Arnica Montana is the variety widely used in herbal medicine. Can be made into a salve to help relieve the pain from bruises and sprains and if mixed into a tincture can be used as an anit-inflammatory. Homeopathic stores also offer it in the form of tablets and as a topical gel.

Aurum metallicum – Metallic Gold by homeopathy standards is often used for pain felt in the muscles and joints that worsens at night or causes the person to wake up during the night due to the pain.

Boswellia – A tree that is grown in the hills of India and is known for the anti-inflammatory properties found within the acid of the tree resin. Its anti-inflammatory properties have been compared to those of NSAIDs, but unlike NASIDs have not shown any adverse reactions.

Bryonia – Can be one of 12 species, the most commonly one used in homeopathy is the English species, Bryonia alba. Is often used to treat inflammation that is a throbbing pain or becomes progressively worse in cold weather.

Burdock – Native to Asia and Europe, the root of the plant which has a sweet taste is the main part used in homeopathic remedies; and has shown that it has an anti-inflammatory effect.

Cajeput Oil – Derived from the Australian native Cajeput tree by distilling the leaves, is similar to Tea Tree Oil. It has been found to be used as a pain killer and to treat joint problems.

Calcarea carbonica – Made from the center layer of oyster shells, it is often used to treat deep bone and joint pain caused by cold and damp environments and inflammation of the rheumatic nodules that may have developed on the joints.

Calcarea fluorica – Also called Calcium Fluoride, this is used to treat the breakdown of the bones. The best types of pains that find relief when treated with this remedy are those that seem to improve with either heat or gentle motion.

Camphor Oil – Derived from the Camphor Laurel, an Asian native evergreen, has been used as an anti-inflammatory. When mixed into a cream it has shown ability to reduce redness and ease inflammation.
Cat’s Claw – Grown in the Andes Mountains forests, it is the root bark that is most commonly used for homeopathic remedies. Can be used in as a tea or as a freeze-dried mixture; when used to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis the freeze-dried mixture is used more often.

Causticum – Created by Samuel Hahnemann, in the early 19th century, it is an exclusive homeopathy potassium compound. This remedy is commonly used to treat the burning raw pain of the joints that accompanies Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Cayenne – A member of the capsicum family and is grown in many places including Louisiana, Mexico, Africa, Japan, India, and China. As a remedy it can be taken orally mixed with food or topically in a cream to relieve the pain and stiffness.

Chaparral – Grown in the southwest and northern Mexico, this remedy is also known as creosote or greasewood. The stems and leaves of that plant are the most useful in homeopathy. It can be used as a tea or as a topical treatment for inflammation.

Devil’s Claw – Native to the Kalahari Desert, Madagascar, and Namibia it is the secondary tuber that are used in the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis, since they contain more harpagoside, which is the property sought to relieve the inflammation.

Dulcamara – Native to Europe and Asia and domesticated in North America it is commonly known as Bittersweet and is used for its effects of relieving the inflammation of the membrane or tissue around the joints.

Eucalyptus Oil – A native Australian evergreen tree, the leaves are steamed to extract the oil from them. This remedy is known for warming the muscles and tissue around the joints which promotes the relief of painful inflammation.

Ginger – Native to India and China, the bulb of the plant is what is used in homeopathic remedies. It can be taken in fresh or dried form, as well as in capsules, tablets, teas, or as a tincture to help alleviate pain and inflammation associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Kali bichromicum – A compound derived from chromium iron ore it is used in homeopathy to treat conditions with pain in the joints such as Rheumatoid Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions.

Ledum palustre – Also known as Marsh Tea is grown in bogs across the U.S., Canada, and Europe. The flower in dried or powdered form is used to treat conditions, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, with signs of inflammation stinging pain, and stiff painful joints.

Meadowsweet – Grown in North America, Europe, and Northern Asia, the flowers of the plant and sometimes the root is used in homeopathic remedies. The salicylates, a natural substance resembling aspirin, are what provide the anti-inflammatory effects.

Nettle – Found in mild areas of the world the leaves of the plant are what is used for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. When used properly it helps block the body from creating prostaglandins, which are the chemicals that produce an inflammatory reaction within the body.

Picrorhiza – Also called Kutki or Katuka, it is a native of the Himalayan Mountains; and the bulb is mainly used in homeopathic remedies. The major components of the plant have shown to hinder an inflammatory molecule within the body which helps lessen the inflammation of the joints.

Pine Needle Oil – Extracted by steaming the twigs, buds, and edible grade needles it can come in a variety of products including a topical oil, soap, and capsules. Its warming effects are the main reason why it helps aid in the relief of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rhododendron – Also called Siberian rhododendron and Snow rose it is native to Siberia. It is traditionally used as a drinkable infusion it helps to ease the inflammation and joint pain from Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rhus toxicodendron – Commonly called Poison Ivy it grows in areas of North America with dense woods. The homeopathic remedy was found by accident, but has proven to be very effective at relieving inflammation. The stem and leaves are harvested at night when the poison is most powerful then they are crushed and mixed with alcohol, and then strained and thinned out.

Rosemary Oil – An aromatic evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean, but can be grown in the U.S., the leaf is the main part of the plant used in homeopathy. The most popular form of this remedy for Rheumatoid Arthritis is as a tea.

Ruta graveolens – Is a scented evergreen native to the Mediterranean, and Southwest Asia. When applied to the skin in oil form it can help relieve pain caused by Rheumatoid Arthritis because it helps prevent the body from releasing nitric oxide and cox-II enzymes which are responsible for inducing inflammation

Tripterygium wilfordii – Lei Gong Teng or Three Wing Nut is a vine native to China and Burma. Chinese medicine showed it to be effective in treating the inflammation from Rheumatoid Arthritis as well as act as an immune-suppressant, which may also help in treating Rheumatoid Arthritis by preventing the body’s immune system from attacking the tissue around the joints.

Turmeric – A member of the ginger family native to the tropics of South Asia; the bulbs are cooked then dried and ground into a powder which can then be used in a number of anti-inflammatory remedies. Its active ingredient, curcumin has been shown to be a powerful pain relieving agent that works as a natural restraint of the cox-2 enzyme which produces inflammation in the body

Willow – A deciduous tree found in mild Northern Hemisphere regions is used for its leaves and bark in homeopathy. An acid extracted from the bark of the tree when used in the proper proportions has the same effect, at relieving pain and inflammation from Rheumatoid Arthritis, as aspirin, since aspirin is derived from the same acid.

Yucca – Native to the desert areas of North and Central America and the West Indies, it is a remedy that has been used for centuries. It reduces the build-up of toxins surrounding the joints and eases inflammation. Rheumatoid Arthritis suffers may benefit from either a topical treatment of dried yucca root or by eating fresh yucca root everyday.