View Full Version : Herbal muscle/joint treatments
saimyoji
10-11-2009, 22:49
Recently I was recommended using Arnica (an extract of the flower Arnica montana) as a treatment for muscle and joint pains. It has worked pretty well, I guess....not a miracle instant cure, but with regular, consistent use, seems to help. I take it as drops, a few in a glass of water, and as an ointment. Just wanted to see if anyone else has used it.....what kinds of results did you find?
Any other herbal remedy suggestions? (spare the obligatory weed suggestions :))
Arnica is listed in The Green Pharmacy as an anti-edemic. Others listed include ginger, pineapple, turmeric, aloe, cat's claw, dandelion, multiflora rose and Spanish needles.
I have used arnica gel for bruises. Unsure whether the bruise heals faster or not. The docs state not to use on broken skin.
warraghiyagey
10-12-2009, 21:00
Herbal remedies for joints work for me. . . :)
Yogi makes a Joint Comfort tea that is delicious (and good for you).
I used arnica gel for foot pain. I don't know if it worked or not, but it felt good to rub my feet. I also took a daily EmergenC joint health formula drink. Overall, I had less pain and used a lot less Ibuprophen on the trip than previously.
I'm not against people using herbal remedies, and there is some (scant) evidence that they (occasionally) work. I do want to offer a few cautionary notes:
1. Herbal stuff is no more or less safe than evil pharmaceutical industry stuff. Low levels of biologically active chemicals probably make them a bit safer, but a total lack of regulation and a superficial level of research negates this protective factor. These low levels also make them (presumably) less effective.
2. If it works for you: great. However, I've met a lot of people who spend gargantuan amounts of money on this stuff for what may be little more than placebo effect. I've met several patients who balk at paying $4 a month for their BP meds, but bring in countless bottles of "natural" supplements that sell for many times that.
3. In my very few years in medicine, I've already seen 2 cases of herbal remedy fanatics inadvertently OD'ing on "natural supplements," leading to serious morbidity. There is too much of a good thing.
The herbal stuff is not for me. If it's for you: do it in moderation, with the knowledge that nothing is a miracle-cure, and with an eye on your bank account. The pharmaceutical industry is full of blood-sucking vampires trying to make a buck at all costs; so is the hippie, all-natural, herbal supplement industry...and they have the advantage of ducking under the FDA's stringent drug regulations because they're "food" and not "medication." And, while most of them will probably ignore you, tell your doctor what non-traditional meds you are using...it's occasionally important.
Petr
I am a personal fan of Badger Balm Sore Muscle Rub. I used to be a pro tree climber,(got out of it due to moral reasons, like I don't want to kill trees) but was often sore. Used many different sore muscle treatments. This was always effective for me. Works well, not bad for me or the environment. Win win in my book.
Glucosamine / Chondroitin allows me to walk, & use my hands, & move my arms mostly pain free. That is, I can actually walk & not limp (& whimper), I can open & close my hands in the morning without prying them open (& groaning), I can straighten my arms in the morning without screaming.
So,,,, anyway,,, I like it.
beakerman
10-13-2009, 01:38
Glucosamine / Chondroitin allows me to walk, & use my hands, & move my arms mostly pain free. That is, I can actually walk & not limp (& whimper), I can open & close my hands in the morning without prying them open (& groaning), I can straighten my arms in the morning without screaming.
So,,,, anyway,,, I like it.
same here only difference is I go straight to the source so to speak. Here in Houston we have a large Vietnamese population and they makea noodle dish (pho) that has of all things tendon and cartilage in it. My knees used to crack and fuss me all the time but since I started eating it twice a week I only occasionally have issues now.
I can't exactly say that I've lost weight and that is really the only other change so I'm a believer and hey I like the taste too so who cares right? Just don't ask too many questions about the ingredients;)
same here only difference is I go straight to the source so to speak. Here in Houston we have a large Vietnamese population and they makea noodle dish (pho) that has of all things tendon and cartilage in it. My knees used to crack and fuss me all the time but since I started eating it twice a week I only occasionally have issues now.
I can't exactly say that I've lost weight and that is really the only other change so I'm a believer and hey I like the taste too so who cares right? Just don't ask too many questions about the ingredients;)
REALLY?! I eat regularly at a Vietnamese place near me, Ill have to ask the owner about Pho. If he doesn't know it, his mom will (He: raised in US of A, She: Native to Vietnam) & she too has a restaurant, so I can drive the hour to her place to sample it. Thanks for the tip!!!
I use Arnica gel on achy muscles and I'm happy with the relief it gives me. I also take glucosamine, chondroitin & MSM daily and that has been very beneficial in helping my knees especially noticeable when I'm hiking.
LimpsAlong
10-13-2009, 12:54
Read up on essential oils. My wife and I both use them to great benefit. She for her neck and I for my knee.
Panaway is the name of the one I find to be the best for me.
They DO work.
ShelterLeopard
10-13-2009, 13:12
I've never found that any herbal remedies really worked for me- I always end up using Ibuprofin (which works just fine), but I haven't tried too many of the specifically joint/muscle pain herbs. Maybe I'll give it a go again.
I have heard that if you have really bad joint pain you should eat a large teaspoon full of baking soda (either that, or baking powder- I get the two mixed up, does anyone know?), or mix it in with a glass of water and drink it. Though that sounds pretty much like an antacid tablet. But, it's supposed to work wonders.
saimyoji
10-13-2009, 13:50
Panaway: 5ml bottle for 40$. I'll pass.
I've also heard of the gelatin thing, except making an herbal tea (whatever your favorite tea is) and adding some unflavored gelatin powder to it.
I have used Glucosamine / Chondroitin for years and swear by the results. I couldn't do the hiking/biking I do without it. As a matter of fact I give it to my 14 year old Beagle as well, a daily dose in her food. Keeps the vet bills down to a manageable level. As for Arnica, I used that after I broke my finger (don't ask!). It helped me heal much faster and pain free than the surgeon had even anticipated. Use what works for you, inspite of the nay-sayers.
Try "Monkey Holding Peach" balm found in most any Asian markets.
placebo effect
Here's my opinion on the pacebo effect. If you feel better or get better and it happened without an actual chemical reaction happening in your body, then in my opinion, it's actually been a better remedy than one that did make a chemical reaction in your body. Too many drugs get recalled later after a bunch of people die. If you can get the same treatment or cure with just the power of your deluded mind, that sounds a lot better to me.
LimpsAlong
11-03-2009, 15:18
Panaway: 5ml bottle for 40$. I'll pass.
Yup, $40 for 5ml sounds like a lot but you use about 2 drops at a time. Usually 1 application does the trick for the whole day.
I thought the guy who turned me on to essential oils was a litttle over stating their benefits......till I tried them.
Try 'em or not. It's your pain.
LimpsAlong
11-03-2009, 15:21
Try "Monkey Holding Peach" balm found in most any Asian markets.
Asian markets, reminds me of a japanese manufactured t-shirt I saw. It read "Stop seeing at my Bobs".