I’m not sure that I fully agree with the
conclusions of a recent report about the validity of using herbal preparations
for the treatment of osteoarthritis or OA, what used to be known as
wear-and-tear arthritis, and which is also by far the most common form of
arthritis.
In this report in the journal Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin in which
the author reviewed studies about the use of herbs in OA, he concluded that
since there is very little evidence that any herbs work in OA, and I agree they
probably don’t, then people should avoid using them because some herbals
products can rarely interact with other medications a person has to take.
To which I say, “Whoa, there, pardner” or
something like that.
The problem with that kind of conclusion is
that the a person with OA may be left much worse off.
First, not only is OA very common – it’s
the reason that so many baby-boomers are having knees and hips replaced –but it
also hurts a ton, and unfortunately, all that we doctors can offer - besides the
eventual surgery that so many people opt for but which can’t be done on
everyone who needs it nor on all the joints that can suffer from OA – are
Tylenol and way more commonly, drugs known as NSAIDS (ASA, Motrin, Naprosyn,
etc.) which are really only minimally effective at reducing the pain (hence, so
many operations) not to mention that they certainly more potentially dangerous
than your ginger or devil’s claw might ever be.
So, if you ask me, if all that you’re
getting is a placebo effect from your nettle or rosehip, I would still go for
it man and don’t let some doctor talk you out of it.
Besides, one added benefit from the herbs
is that you will get so mellow that you won’t wanna do anything, and hey,
that’s likely to make the pain better, too.
Originally posted on the London Drugs Blog- January 12, 2012
