Arthritis: Herbs For Rheumatism And Arthritis



Anti-rheumatic herbs are helpful in a wide range of arthritic conditions including Rheumatoid arthritis , OsteoArthritis, Lupus and, Gout. Herbs in this category often have Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic properties as well.


  • Herb Properties
  • Herbs Alphabetical by Common Name


    • See List Herbs by Botanical Name
  • Alfalfa Alfalfa, Medicago sativa L. :
    Perennial Plant : Alfalfa is not recommended as primary treatment for any condition, alfalfa is a tonic herb, one that supports health by nourishing the body. Alfalfa is of special interest to women because of its estrogenic activity....
  • Balm of Gilead Balm of Gilead, Populus spp : Poplar Buds
    Evergreen tree : The dried, unopened buds of the poplar tree are used in ointments and skin treatments to reduce pain and inflammation....
  • Benzoin Resin Benzoin Resin, Styrax benzoin : Friar's balsam
    tree : The dark, vanilla-like resin acts as an anchoring base note in aromatherapy blends, and is soothing and warming to the skin....
  • Blue Cohosh Root Blue Cohosh Root, Caulophyllum thalictroides : squaw root
    Perennial herb : Blue cohosh is generally used in combination with other herbs, often black cohosh, to treat menstrual disorders. The herb is one of the traditional herbs often used to induce labor....
  • Bogbean Bogbean, Menyanthes trifoliata : Buckbean, March Clover
    : Bogbean is a traditional herb for the treatment of rheumatism, osteo-arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis....
  • Boswellia (Frankincense) Boswellia (Frankincense), Boswellia thurifera : Olibanum, Indian Frankincense, Arabic Frankincense, and Salai guggal
    Resinous tree : Boswellic acids are often combined with glucosamine to relieve the joint pain and inflammation of arthritis...
  • Calamus root Calamus root, Acorus calamus : Sweet Sledge. Sweet Myrtle, Sweet Flag
    perennial wetland monocot : Sweet flag, or calamus has been in use worldwide in Asian European and Native American herbal traditions since the times of ancient Greece...
  • Camphor Camphor, Cinnamomum camphora :
    Evergreen Tree : When first applied camphor oil numbs and cools the peripheral nerve endings, then warms the painful area as it stimulates circulation to cold, stiff muscles and limbs....
  • Castor Oil Castor Oil, Ricinus communis :
    Evergreen shrub/annual : Apply castor oil externally for muscle and arthritis pain, bruising and nerve damage. It is well suited to the slow relief of chronic pain and swelling...
  • Cat's Claw Cat's Claw, Uncaria tomentosa : una de gato
    Tropical Vine : Cat's claw bark is traditionally used for inflammatory arthritis and intestinal complaints such as stomach ulcers....
  • Centaury Centaury, Centaurium erythraea : Erythraea centaurium, bitterherb, centaury gentian
    Annual/Biennial Herb : bitter tonic effect on the digestive system. A gentle laxative, and an excellent remedy for heartburn...
  • Chamomile Chamomile, Matricaria recutita : Camomile, Chamomilla, German chamomile
    Annual herb : Chamomile is an excellent remedy for any emotional disorders that involve stress, anxiety, and tension. The apple-like aroma relaxes and calms and the tea is used home remedies....
  • Cypress Oil Cypress Oil, Cupressus sempervirens :
    tree : Cypress is best known for it's use in oily and over hydrated skin and is one of the essential oils often recommended for cellulite massage blends, treatment of varicose veins and wounds...
  • Datura Datura, Datura spp : Jimsonweed, metel nut, Thorn Apple
    herbaceous : Datura are potent members of the Solanaceae family, relatives of other well known narcotic plants such as henbane and mandrake....
  • Eucalyptus Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus globulus : Eucalyptus
    tree : Eucalyptus is one of the best known cold and congestion remedies. Eucalyptus oil is also a good pain reliever for sore muscles and arthritis pain....
  • Garlic Garlic, Allium sativum : Poor Man's Treacle, Bawang, Bauang
    Monocot Perennial : Readily available and inexpensive garlic may be the first line of defense in treating high blood pressure, and dealing with common skin and fungal infections....
  • Ginger Root Ginger Root, Zingiber officinale : Luyang Dilaw
    Perennial Monocot reed : Ginger combines well with many herbs, improving taste and potency. Ginger speeds up the delivery of healthy plant chemicals into the bloodstream while adding a spicy, hot zest to your favorite dishes....
  • Juniper Berries Juniper Berries, Juniperus communis :
    tree : Juniper is used as a mild diuretic to treat to treat urinary problems. Juniper detoxifies the system and helps prevent the buildup of uric acid in cases of gout and rheumatoid arthritis....
  • Lavender Lavender, Lavandula spp :
    Woody Perennial Herb : Lavender can lift your spirits, help you sleep, relieve pain, kill germs, heal burns and rashes, and help keep annoying insects at bay. Lavender oil is also antibacterial and healing to the skin...
  • Lime Oil Lime Oil, Citrus aurantifolia :
    Citrus tree : The lime fruit is antiscorbutic, (high in Vitamin C). The delightful, tangy, citrus aroma of lime essential oil is used in aromatherapy to compliment or substitute for the lemon....
  • Myrtle Myrtle, Myrtus communis :
    Evergreen shrub : In traditional herbal medicine myrtle has been taken internally for urinary infections, digestive problems, bronchial congestion, and dry coughs....
  • Noni Noni, Morinda citrifolia : Indian Mulberry, Mengkudu, Nono, Nhau, Ashyuka.
    Evergreen tree : Noni juice, and powder is far from a new fad,, the fruit and other parts of the tree have been used in Ayuverdic medicine and by traditional Polynesian healers for centuries....
  • Parsley Parsley, Petroselinum crispum :
    : Parsley leaves and root are high in iron content and rich in vitamins A, B, C and trace minerals. Parsley adds color and aids digestion of the foods we eat and acts to prevent gas and bloating...
  • Poke Root Poke Root, Phytolacca americana : Pokeweed, American nightshade, pigeon berry, chui xu shang lu
    herbaceous perennial plant : Poke root tinctures are used in creams and ointments as a treatment for skin diseases, and the plant has a folklore reputation as a cancer cure that needs further study....
  • Rosemary Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis :
    Woody perennial herb : Amazing, versatile rosemary is valued by cooks, herbalists, aromatherapists, and gardeners alike. Rosemary oil combats mental fatigue, increasing concentration and memory...
  • Sassafras root Sassafras root, Sassafras albidum : Sassafrass, Saloop, ague tree, root beer tree,
    Tree : A cup of sassafras root tea has been a traditional spring tonic in the South for hundreds of years, and was part of the home medicine of the early American colonists...
  • Solomon's Seal Solomon's Seal, Polygonatum biflorum :
    Perennial herb : Polygonatum has been used medicinally by many diverse folk traditions, Native American healers in North America, and in ancient Chinese medicine in Asia in lung, stomach and skin complaints. ...
  • Spikenard Spikenard, Aralia racemosa : Indian Root, Spignet, Fleabane
    rhizomatous herbaceous perennial : Spikenard root has a mild, pleasant licorice like flavor, often used as a substitute for sarsaparilla, though unrelated botanically, Spikenard is a relative of ginseng....
  • Thuja oil Thuja oil, Thuja occidentalis : Arborvitae, tree of life, white cedar, yellow cedar, American cedar
    evergreen coniferous tree : Thuja may be used in hot compresses and steam baths to ease rheumatism, arthritis, and achy muscles....
  • White Willow Bark White Willow Bark, Salix Alba :
    Deciduous tree : White willow may be the oldest herb known to treat pain and inflammation. White willow contains salicin, a precursor to the compound in aspirin. ...
  • Wild Yam Root Wild Yam Root, Dioscorea villosa : Colic root, rheumatism root
    Perennial Vine : Wild yam root is a potent source of diosgenin that was used in the manufacture of the first oral contraceptives...
  • Yarrow Yarrow, Achillea millefolium : Milfoil, Old Man's Pepper, Nosebleed
    Perennial herb : Yarrow is one of the best-known herbal remedies for fevers and bleeding. The chemical makeup of yarrow is complex, containing many active medicinal compounds ...
  • Yucca Root Yucca Root, Yucca spp : Adam's Needle, Soap Tree, Mojave yucca
    Monocot perennial shrub : Yucca's most promising use is in the treatment of both osteo and rheumatoid arthritis. The steroidal saponins in yucca are used in the production of synthetic steroid drugs....