Plants for rheumatic complaints – gentle relief

Plants for rheumatic complaints – gentle relief

For many, rheumatic symptoms are a daily accompanying evil, and often you look for gentle methods to relieve the pain. What could be closer than taking a look at nature? Herbal medicine has had its place in medicine for thousands of years and offers fascinating opportunities to support Rheumatism. Not only are old home remedies in demand - new scientific studies also show the effectiveness of plant remedies. But which plants are really suitable for the treatment of rheumatism pain? In this article we discover the role of plants in naturopathy, take a look at the latest research results and give practical recommendations for the use of vegetable preparations. Get ready to discover the power of nature and possibly find new ways to relieve your symptoms!

The role of plants in natural medicine for rheumatic diseases

Plants play an essential role in natural medicine, especially in rheumatic diseases, which are often accompanied by chronic pain and inflammation. The use of herbal remedies goes back a long way and is firmly anchored in various cultures. Traditional healing systems, such as Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, have been using plants to treat rheumatic complaints for centuries. The roots, leaves and flowers of various plants are used here.

A variety of plants have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties that can help with diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and other rheumatic diseases. The most commonly used plants include:

• Ingwer: Bekannt für seine entzündungshemmenden Wirkungen, unterstützt Ingwer die Linderung von Schmerzen und Schwellungen.
• Kurkuma: Der Wirkstoff Curcumin hat nachweislich starke entzündungshemmende Eigenschaften.
• Weidenrinde: Enthält Salicin, was schmerzlindernde Effekte ähnlich wie Aspirin haben kann.
• Teufelskralle: Oft bei Arthritis eingesetzt, zeigt sie positive Effekte auf die Gelenkbeweglichkeit.

These plants are often used in the form of teas, extracts or ointments. A specific composition of ingredients can often make the difference as to whether the therapy works or not. There are also certain combinations of plants that work synergistically, enhancing their positive effects.

It is also important to note that the application of plant remedies is not without risks. Interactions with other drugs are possible, which is why individual advice from experts is recommended. The qualities of plant products in particular vary. Pharmaceutical plants should therefore come from controlled cultivation and the quality must be ensured by appropriate certificates.

The role of plants in naturopathy remains an exciting field of research. Numerous studies continue to examine the specific active ingredients and their effects on rheumatic diseases. By combining traditional approaches and modern scientific findings, a promising way to improve the quality of life of people with rheumatism could be found.

Scientific studies on plant remedies and their effect on rheumatism

In recent years, research on plant remedies for relieving rheumatic diseases has gained importance. Numerous studies have focused on examining the effects of different plant components for inflammatory processes and pain associated with rheumatism. A frequently examined ingredient is turmeric that is obtained from the turmeric plant. Several clinical studies have shown that turmeric has an anti -inflammatory effect and can significantly reduce pain in arthritics patients ( NCBI ).

Another popular vegetable remedy is ginger that is often used to alleviate symptoms in rheumatism. Studies have shown that ginger extracts can reduce pain and swelling in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. An analysis of placebo-controlled studies stated that ginger can cause significant improvements in patients with osteoarthritis ( NCBI ).

The following table offers an overview of relevant vegetable remedies and its proven effects:

The devil's claw in particular has recently attracted attention. It is traditionally used to treat rheumatic complaints. A meta -analysis of randomized controlled studies has shown that extracts of the devil claw can significantly reduce pain in patients with inflammatory diseases of the joints. These results indicate that vegetable remedies can be a valuable addition to conventional treatment methods.

In addition, interest in the effect of omega-3 fatty acids is growing in inflammatory diseases. Studies show that consumption of fat-rich fish or taking fish oil supplements can contribute to reducing joint pain and stiffness. The anti-inflammatory properties of the omega-3 fatty acids are related to the modulation of the immune response-an important factor in rheumatic diseases.

The findings from these studies suggest that vegetable remedies in the treatment of rheumatism are not only popular, but also scientifically based. However, the use of such remedies should always be taken into account, taking individual patient needs into account and in consultation with experts.

Practical use and recommendations for herbal preparations to relieve rheumatism pain

The practical application of vegetable remedies for relieving rheumatism pain includes different preparations that aim at different symptoms. The frequently used plants includePasture bark,turmericandDevil's Claw. These plants have proven to be effective in numerous studies to develop anti -inflammatory and pain -relieving effects.

• Weidenrinde: Enthält Salicin, das im Körper zu Salicylsäure umgewandelt wird. Dieser natürliche Inhaltsstoff wirkt entzündungshemmend und schmerzlindernd.
• Kurkuma: Der Inhaltsstoff Curcumin besitzt starke antioxidative und entzündungshemmende Eigenschaften und wird häufig als Nahrungsergänzungsmittel empfohlen.
• Teufelskralle: Ihre Wurzeln werden bei rheumatischen Beschwerden eingesetzt. Studien zeigen, dass sie die Schmerzen bei Arthritis signifikant reduzieren können.

The shape of the application varies. Wicker bark is often found in the form of teas or extracts. Kurkuma can be used as a spice in foods or taken in capsule form. Devil's claw is mainly administered as a tincture or tablet.

The dosage is crucial. At willow bark, studies recommend taking 60-120 mg of the extract daily, while at least 500 mg curcumin per day is considered effective for turmeric. For devil claws, 1,500 mg should be taken per day to achieve optimal results.

It is important to note that the effects of herbal remedies can vary from person to person. Consulting a professional is essential to avoid interactions with other medications. Current research shows that a combination of different herbal preparations is often more effective than using a single agent.

In summary, it can be stated that plants play an important role in naturopathy to relieve rheumatic complaints. The analysis of scientific studies shows that vegetable remedies are quite effective and that the symptoms of rheumatism can have a positive effect. Through the targeted use and consideration of individual needs, vegetable preparations can be a valuable addition to conventional treatment methods. The integration of such approaches into the therapy concepts could open up a promising path to improve the quality of life of those affected. Future research is necessary to identify the full potential of plant remedies and to further optimize their application.

Sources and further literature

References

• Buchwald, A. (2017). Pflanzenheilkunde und Rheuma. In: Pflanzenheilkunde – Grundlagen und Anwendungen. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft.
• Zimmermann, H., & Müller, D. (2018). Phytotherapie bei rheumatischen Erkrankungen. In: Lehrbuch der Phytotherapie. Elsevier.

Studies

• Strand, V., et al. (2020). Efficacy of herbal treatments for rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review. Journal of Herbal Medicine, 21.
• Vetter, H., & Kietzmann, M. (2019). The impact of anti-inflammatory herbal extracts in osteoarthritis treatment: A clinical study. Pflanzenmedizin, 85(3), 145-152.

Further literature

• Köller, T. (2016). Die Heilkraft der Pflanzen: Behandlung rheumatischer Erkrankungen mit Phytotherapie. Geheilt durch Pflanzen. Linde Verlag.
• Schmidt, H. (2015). Rheuma natürlich heilen: Die besten Heilpflanzen und deren Anwendungen. Ratgeber Naturheilkunde. Kösel-Verlag.