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  • Inflammation
  • Osteoarthritis
  • UK Herbalists Survey
    • Date: February 15, 2005HC# 110444-274

    Re:A Survey of Herb Use for Osteoarthritis by Herbal Practitioners in the UK

    Hamblin L, Laird A, Parkes E, Walker A. Herbs used by well-established medical herbalists in the UK in the management of osteoarthritis: a small-scale survey Eur J Herbal Med. 2004;6(3):5-13.

    Osteoarthritis is the most common form of joint disease. Complementary and alternative medicine is frequently used to treat arthritis. The primary goal of treatment is to reduce inflammation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prescribing practices of herbal practitioners in the United Kingdom (UK).

    A questionnaire was sent to 20 well-established and experienced Medical Herbalists in the UK. They were chosen from the registers of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists and the College of Practitioners of Phytotherapy. The questionnaire asked which herbs the respondents used to treat patients with osteoarthritis. They were also asked to rank the usefulness of specific herbs. The questionnaire also asked to specify the dietary and lifestyle advice given to patients with osteoarthritis.

    Twelve (60%) of the 20 questionnaires were returned. The respondents spent an average of 12 years practicing as medical herbalists. The most frequently recommended herb to treat osteoarthritis was white willow (Salix alba), followed closely by celery seed (Apium graveolens) and devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens). Other popular herbs used in order of frequency were black cohosh (Actaea racemosa syn. Cimicifuga racemosa), meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria), licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale), turmeric (Curcuma longa), bog bean (Menyanthes trifoliata), wild yam (Dioscorea villosa), guaiacum (Guaiacum officinale), and burdock root (Arctium lappa). The most popular recommendations to patients were to avoid acid food, avoid meat, and perform gentle exercise.

    The herbs chosen are not surprising once the treatment goals are understood. Since the primary goal of treatment is to reduce inflammation, two anti-inflammatory herbs, willow bark and meadowsweet, were frequently used. Both willow bark and meadowsweet contain aspirin-like salicylates. Reducing pain is also paramount. Devil's claw, black cohosh, white willow, and meadowsweet are traditionally used for pain relief. A medical herbalist may want to improve liver function. The purpose of this process is to clear toxic substances from the body more quickly so they do not accumulated in the joints and cause inflammation. Dandelion root, bog bean, turmeric, and devil's claw are traditionally used to improve liver function. Herbalists are taught that ensuring healthy gastrointestinal function is a priority with any condition. Licorice and meadowsweet benefit gastrointestinal function.

    Many herbs can provide the same outcome but the practitioner must make a selection. Treatment is holistic so other signs and symptoms of poor health influence the practitioner's choice of one herb over another.

    —Heather S. Oliff, Ph.D.