Osteoarthritis is more an expression of cartilage and joint deterioration than inflammation. While inflammation does not dominate the process as in rheumatoid arthritic conditions, it does stimulate bone deterioration and can impede bone and cartilage repair. No matter what type of arthritis you may have, they all have pain and inflammation in common.

COX-2 inhibitors refer to compounds, both synthetic and natural, that have the ability to inhibit an enzyme in the body referred to as cyclooxygenase-2. Anyone living with arthritis is all to familiar with the benefits and dangers COX-2 type pain medications. You may not realize, however far from being a modern medical phenomenon, the story of COX-2 is as old as Hippocrates, who was prescribing an herbal COX-2 inhibitor for pain and inflammation thousands of years ago. As is so often the case, the pharmaceutical industry attempts to synthetically recreate the extraordinary healing properties of traditional herbal medicine has gone awry. So what makes the difference? Synthetics like Celebrex have only one molecule, designed to do one thing. Ginger has at today's count, approximately five hundred identified compounds, many with known biological benefit. Each compound has some effect, whether influencing a particular enzyme or protein, or buttressing the activity of other compounds. It is the synergistic wisdom of the whole herb that makes the difference.

Herbs Used for Osteoarthritis

Ashwagandha * Boswellia * Cayenne Pepper * Comfrey * Ginger * Nettle * Rehmannia * Turmeric * White Willow * Yucca *

Ashwagandha For: Arthritis
Profile	Ashwagandha has an anti-inflammatory and tonic effect for arthritis. Arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. Animal studies have found that naturally occurring steroids in ashwaganda are more potent than treatment with the synthetic steroid hydrocortisone for controlling inflammation. These natural steroidal compounds also reduce the pain of arthritis as effectively as aspirin and phenylbutazone when given in the same amount, but without the immune-depressing side effects those drugs cause. Ashwaganda increases red and white blood cell counts after treatment with prednisone for autoimmune diseases such as lupus. Phyllis A. Balch, Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002)

Boswellia serrata For: Osteoarthritis
Profile	In a recent 90-day, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study osteoarthritis (OA) patients taking Boswellia serrata extract showed significant improvements in pain score and functional ability as early as 7 days after the start of treatment. Boswellia serrata extract exhibits potential anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting the 5-lipoxygenase enzyme reduces pain and improves physical functioning significantly in OA patients; and it is safe for human consumption. Doses ranged from 100 mg to 250 mg daily of Boswellia serrata extract enriched with 30% 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA). . . (July 2008), Arthritis Research & Therapy, Volume 10,Issue 4

Boswellia serrata For: Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
Profile	Clinical studies using boswellia have yielded good results in both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, finding that boswellia is a potent anti-inflammatory, antiarthritic, and pain reliever without any appreciable side effects. Boswellic acids, active components in boswellia, deactivate the hormonal triggers for inflammation and pain in osteoarthritis. These acids effectively shrink inflamed tissue by stimulating the growth of cartilage, increase blood supply to inflamed joints, and enhance the repair of local blood vessels damaged by inflammation. Phyllis A. Balch, Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002)

Cats Claw For: Arthritis, anti-inflammatory
Profile	The traditional application of cat's claw has been to treat rheumatoid arthritis.Cat's claw contains quinovic acid glycodides that cool inflammation throughout the body. . James Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook (2000)

Cayenne For: Rheumatoid arthritis
Profile	Clinical studies have demonstrated its value in alleviating pain and discomfort from rheumatoid arthritis. Salicylates (like those in aspirin) add to its pain-preventing power. James Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook (2000)

Comfrey root extract For: Osteoarthritis
Profile	The results of patients with painful osteoarthritis of the knee treated with comfrey root extract in an ointment showed a reduction in pain , mobility of the knee improved and quality of life increased : . . Efficacy of a comfrey root (Symphyti offic. radix). (2007 Jan;14(1):2-10), Phytomedicine

Evening Primrose Oil For: Rheumatoid arthritis, GLA
Profile	The seed oil of evening primrose may significantly help arthritis pain, and reduce inflammation especially in cases of rheumatoid arthritis, due to it's GLA content Linda B. White, M.D., The Herbal Drugstore (2003)

Feverfew For: Arthritis Inflammation
Profile	Feverfew calms inflammation by inhibiting the COX-2 enzyme process. Thomas M. Newmark, Beyond Aspirin (2000)

Flaxseed oil For: Arthritis inflammation
Profile	The linoleic acid found in flaxseed oil may be beneficial for arthritis because it alters how the body breaks down prostaglandins, chemicals involved in inflammation. Linda B. White, M.D., The Herbal Drugstore (2003)

Ginger For: Arthritis
Profile	Ginger combines well with turmeric, which is also anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving, and inhibits the COX-2 enzyme Linda B. White, M.D., The Herbal Drugstore (2003)

Hawthorn Berries For: Osteoporosis, arthritis
Profile	Arthritis, fractures, and osteoporosis. Substances in hawthorn berries called anthocyanidins and proanthocyanidins help to stabilize the collagen in cartilage, which reduces joint damage, and hawthorn-flower extracts prevent the formation of thromboxane A2, a hormone involved in inflammatory processes. Hawthorn also stabilizes collagen in the bone itself Phyllis A. Balch, Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002)

Oregano For: COX-2
Profile	Oregano has 31 know anti-inflammatories, 28 antioxidants and 4 known potent COX-2 inhibitors, including rosemarinic acid. Thomas M. Newmark, Beyond Aspirin (2000)

Pinnapple (bromelain) For: Anti-inflammatory
Profile	Research demonstrates bromelain helps the body eliminate substances related to arthritis and triggers the release of a prostaglandin that tamps down inflammation. James Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook (2000)

Rehmannia For: Arthritis Pain
Profile	Root extract used against arthritis pain and asthma. Encourages fluid excretion, relaxes blood vessels and stimulates the adrenal glands. James Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook (2000)

Stinging Nettle For: Acute arthritis, osteo, rheumatoid
Profile	In a scientific study of patients with acute arthritis, stewed stinging nettle leaves enhanced the anti-inflammatory effect of diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID) . Stinging Nettle. (2007-12-13), www.umm.edu

Turmeric For: Arthritis, COX-2 inhibitor
Profile	The curcumin and curcuminoids in turmeric are first-rate arthritis-alleviating anti-inflammatories and fight inflammation much like COX-2 inhibitors. James Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook (2000)

Turmeric For: Arthritis pain
Profile	It's active ingredient, curmumin, inhibits the production of prostaglandins. Turmeric can be taken in food, or applied topically to the joint as a poultice to relieve pain Linda B. White, M.D., The Herbal Drugstore (2003)

White willow bark For: Chronic joint pain
Profile	Willow bark is the original source of aspirin and many other medications for arthritis and rheumatism.Unlike aspirin, the salicylates in willow bark do not increase the risk of bleeding making willow bark useful for people who have chronic joint pain but cannot take NSAIDs or COX-2 inhibitors.

Yucca For: Rheumatoid and osteoarthritis
Profile	Used to treat both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis The steroidal saponins in yucca work with the natural immune functions of the body, and assist the body in using and producing its steroid related hormones.

Osteoarthritis Information

• Gout :
  Gout, one of the most painful forms of arthritis, is found primarily in men. While we can't cure it, we do have several highly effective treatments to control it.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis :
  Rheumatoid arthritis has been passed down from mother to daughter for at least 5 generations. It seems I have always lived with the pain of arthritis. I used to just accept the fact that I was helpless to do anything about it. Not anymore.
• Fibromyalgia :
  

  Fibromyalgia A herbal approach to treatment will include herbs that address adrenal gland support, stress management, and pain relief, as well as emotional needs.

• Lupus :
  Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect various parts of the body, especially the skin, joints, blood, and kidneys.