Since 2004, at least four different scientific reviews of the efficacy and safety of popular natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis have been published. In search of a natural cure for rheumatoid arthritis, they have tried herbal remedies, nutritional supplements and alternative non-invasive therapies, such as chiropractic care.
According to data compiled by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a division of the National Institutes of Health, 62% of all adults use some form of alternative therapy. 33% of them suffer from back pain, neck pain, joint pain or arthritis. These numbers indicate that the use of natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis is common, and this “common use” has prompted scientific reviews.
Devil Claws, Feverfew, Lei Gong Dan and Cat Claw : Natural Healing Rheumatoid Arthritis?
In 2005, researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital reviewed evidence regarding the safety and effectiveness of Devil's Botanical Claws, Feverfew, lei gong teng and Cat claw. The results were as follows.
The devil's claw appears to have a natural anti-inflammatory activity, and there is evidence to support its use in the treatment of chronic lower back pain and pain in osteoarthritis affecting the hip or knee.
But for effective natural healing, rheumatoid arthritis who suffers may want to look elsewhere. Devil's claw can affect several prescription drugs, including ticlipidine and warfarin. This increases the production of acid in the stomach and can aggravate conditions such as peptic ulcers and acid reflux.
Feverfew, lei gong teng and Cat & Knaw were used historically by local healers as natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis, as well as other health conditions. According to researchers in the state of Massachusetts, the test tube results show that fever can be very active in modulating the responses of the immune system, but "human studies have not proven its usefulness in treating rheumatoid arthritis." The adverse side effects of fever may include indigestion and mouth ulcers.
Clear clinical evidence is available to confirm the effectiveness of lei gong teng and Cat Cat as natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis. To quote the researchers: "Modern experience ... considers them effective in treating RA." However, in their final conclusion, they make this warning: “... many studies carried out to date are scientifically erroneous. Further systematic and scientific study of this topic is necessary to confirm or refute clinical claims. ”
There are safe and natural remedies for treating rheumatoid arthritis, but both lei-gong-teng and cat-cat are accompanied by pernicious and sometimes dangerous side effects, which are described in detail below.
Unwanted side effects
Most current research related to lei gong teng focuses on its potential as a male contraceptive. Components were detected even at low doses to reduce sperm count and cause temporary infertility. Because of its immunosuppressive activity, it can increase the risk of infection.
Since suppression of the immune system and an increased risk of infection are complications associated with prescription drugs, often used to treat this condition, when looking for natural healing rheumatoid arthritis, you may want to avoid lei gong teng, especially if the reason for the search is related with the use of immunosuppressive drugs.
Great care should be taken when using the Cat claw. When they are randomly collected in a natural setting, the positive effects of botanical exposure cannot be scientifically or medically guaranteed. Since there are at least two different "chemo-type" plants and numerous other plants known by the same name (some of which are toxic), a chemical assessment is necessary to determine its safety for human use.
In some cases, even when the chemical composition has been confirmed, serious allergic reactions have occurred, including inflammation of the kidneys. In at least one case, renal failure has occurred. If an abnormal chemo-type is used with loss of coordination, a decrease in the speed and strength of the heart rate and sedation effects, such as those that have drugs, can occur.
The safest chemical type was originally sold as an immune booster, while one of the other types has immunosuppressive activity. It is unclear which chemical type was used in studies regarding its efficacy as one of the natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis, but it is likely that it was the least safe type because RA is caused by inadequate immune system responses and the immune system Suppressive drugs are a popular treatment option.
The safest natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis
Like most people who seek natural healing, rheumatoid arthritis is definitely looking for safe, effective alternatives without any side effects. For years, researchers have been studying the role that omega-3 fatty acids (the dietary component found in fatty fish and fish oil) play in rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.
In March 2007, researchers from the University of Adelaide in South Australia published laboratory results regarding the possible causes of the effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acids as natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis, as clinical trials constantly report positive results without any adverse side effects.
The researchers began by realizing that omega-6 fatty acids (found in large quantities on average) increase the activity of immune cells that cause inflammation. Their goal was to find out whether omega-3 fatty acids can block the inflammatory activity caused by omega-6 fatty acid. Their conclusion was that EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids actually negate the response of the immune system to omega-6 fatty acids and thereby reduce or inhibit inflammation.
The researchers concluded: “These results help to fill gaps in our knowledge of the mechanisms of action of n-3 PUFAs, which allows us to make specific recommendations on the use of n-3 PUFAs in the regulation of inflammatory diseases.”
In a meta-analysis similar to a review of natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis, conducted in 2005, researchers in Canada reviewed clinical studies related to the addition of omega-3 fatty acids for joint pain. The results were published in May 2007. In short, the analysis showed that patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis who received a dietary supplement of omega-3 fatty acids for 3-4 months, reported a decrease in the intensity of pain in the joints, minutes of morning stiffness, pain or tender joints and the need for painkillers.
Conclusion: “The results show that Omega-3 PUFAs are an attractive additional treatment for joint pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis.”
When searching for natural healing, patients with rheumatoid arthritis can be sure that omega-3 fatty acids are 100% natural (if the manufacturer of the product does not contain any additives or preservatives) and 100% safe (if the manufacturer surpasses and cleans fish oil to remove contaminants) .
In general, people also find that they receive many additional health benefits from fish oil, including improved concentration and reduced depressive feelings.
In conclusion, of all natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis, there is the greatest evidence confirming the safety and effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acids derived from meat from fatty fish.
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center:
"Most clinical studies on the use of omega-3 fatty acid supplements for inflammatory conditions of the joints have focused almost entirely on rheumatoid arthritis and can reduce the amount of medication needed for people with rheumatoid arthritis."
They further declare that:
"... New Zealand's green green mussel (Perna canaliculus), another potential source of omega-3 fatty acids, has been shown to reduce joint stiffness and pain ..."
We hope you found this article on natural remedies for rheumatoid arthritis.
