Arthritis herbal remedies can be original or adapted from existing formularies. Non-specific remedies can aid in relieving general symptoms. Specific remedies are best as they address and support the patient’s exact type of arthritis. The solutions can be a single herb, a complex recipe with multiple herbs, an adaptation of an existing formulary, or can be a topical remedy. Each one addresses the clients arthritis care but on different levels and in different applications.
Preparing formularies or recipes for those living with arthritis must start with the client’s accurate self-diagnosis or the client’s physician diagnosis. Accurate diagnosis will permit the herbalist to develop an individual product for the client’s specific type of arthritis and symptoms. A nonspecific or general arthritis treatment for some or multiple symptoms could be created though may not be as effective. Following are four possible non-specific herbal recipes for those dealing with arthritis starting with a single herb solution, advancing to a complex recipe, adaptation of existing an formulary and last a topical balm.
Pain
A common symptom of arthritis is pain. Herbs with the medicinal property of analgesic, “decreasing sensitivity to pain without loss of consciousness”1, would be a proper choice for pain relief. White Willow bark (Salix alba) is one of the oldest known and continually used analgesic herbs. The herb contains salicin which the body converts to salicylic acid. The main compound in aspirin is derived from salicylic acid.2 As a single ingredient recipe a White Willow decoction would be the best extraction method due to the herbs woodiness. A decoction method would be to pour 500ml of tepid water over 24g of the powdered herb, slowly bring it to a simmer, simmer for ten to fifteen minutes, remove from heat and allow to cool. Strain the herb from the water. The dose would be 250ml twice a day. Another option would be a 1:5 m/v (mass to volume) tincture, 2-4 ml three times a day.3
Original Complex Recipes
A complex recipe is based on a primary ingredient, complimentary adjuvant and a corrigent for palatability.4 A decoction of 1 part White Willow bark (Salix alba), and 1 part Black Cohosh root (Cimicifuga racemose), with Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) would be a complex recipe. Black Cohosh also contains salicylic acid and would be a complimentary adjuvant to the White Willow bark. An aromatic analgesic like Chamomile, which also has anti-inflammatory properties, could be added to the decoction after it is removed from heat and left in as the decoction cools. Chamomile would then be the corrigent.
Adaptation of an Established Recipe
If a practitioner has not worked on formularies before then an alternative creation is an adaptation of an established recipe. Like a cake, once you bake one you can refine it, an herbalist should be willing to start with someone else’s work then refine it. Bartram’s Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine gives a tea formula for rheumatoid arthritis on page 37. The recipe specifies 1 part each of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), Bogbean (Menyanthes trifolia L.), and Nettle (Urtica dioica); infuse for 5-10 minutes, 1 cup three times daily.
The properties of these herbs include: Alfalfa, stimulates growth of supportive connective tissue5; Bogbean, anti-inflammatory6; and Nettle, circulatory stimulant and anti-rheumatic7. The apprentice herbalist can substitute herbs with similar properties combining them accordingly. I would choose to keep the Alfalfa due to its many beneficial properties.
I would replace Bogbean with Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) as it’s a delicious anti-inflammatory. Chaparral (Larrea divaricata) is a blood cleanser and, as the MHP arthritis monogram states it stimulates mitochondrial respiration. (Mitochondria are cellular organelles that produce energy for a cell through cellular respiration.8) Proceed with the original 1 part each and preparation method. (While Licorice is a root and should be decocted; I have had equal success with extracting Licorice by infusion.) This is how a new original recipe can be produced by taking an existing recipe and substituting herbal analogues.
Topical Aid
While infusions are good long term conditioning therapies; there are times when immediate relief is desired. Light massage of an arthritic area helps with circulation, warming and relaxing muscles relieving the strain on joints and tendons. Applying an infused balm while massaging reduces skin friction and applies healing phytomedicines in the process. I would suggest the following ingredients and portions: 2 parts Comfrey root (Symphytum off.), 2 parts Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens), and 1 part Cayenne (Capsicum annuum var. annum). The properties of this herbal are: Comfrey, demulcent9; Devil’s Claw, anti-inflammatory and anodyne10; and Cayenne, analgesic and anti-inflammatory11.
A standard oil infusion is 1:10 m/v. Due to adding oil and wax later in the process I suggest a 2:10 m/v almond oil infusion for each herb. Once the individual oil infusions are ready mix 100 ml of Comfrey root and Devil’s Claw infusions and 50 ml of the Cayenne infusion. Add to this 50 ml of Hemp seed oil which acts as an anti-inflammatory and is easily absorbed through the dermis. Warm the 300 ml of oil then add 28 g of grated bees wax. Pour this mixture into shallow tins or jars with lids. Mix the balm with a bamboo skewer during the cooling process to keep the oils and wax from separating. Use this balm as long as you wish. If you experience a burning sensation due to the Cayenne, wash the area and use less balm less frequently. Do not use this balm on open cuts or wounds.
Summary
Those are four possible nonspecific recipes for those dealing with arthritis. The solutions can be a single herb, a complex recipe with multiple herbs, an adaptation of an existing formulary, or can be a topical remedy. Each one addresses the clients arthritis care but on different levels and in different applications. These would suffice as nonspecific or general arthritis treatments. The best treatment for arthritis is a formulary that is specific to the individual client which addresses the whole health and wellbeing of the client based on their specific needs and complications.
1 The Hermit’s Grove Glossary, 1999ce ed., page 2
2 The Herbal Drug Store, White & Foster, page 99
3 The Holistic Herbal, Hoffman, page 138
4 Herbal Medicine, 2nd ed., Weiss & Fintelmann, page 25
5 Bartram’s Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, Bartram, page 14
6 Bartram’s Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, Bartram, page 63
7 Bartram’s Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, Bartram, page 306
8 Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth ed., page 746
9 The Holistic Herbal, Hoffman, page 148
10 The Holistic Herbal, Hoffman, page 102
11 The Herbal Drug Store, White & Foster, page 96
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