Herbal medicine in the treatment of rheumatic diseases

Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2011 Feb;37(1):95-102. doi: 10.1016/j.rdc.2010.11.004. Epub 2010 Dec 3.

Abstract

Herbal medicines are popular, self-prescribed treatments for rheumatic conditions. A recent US survey suggested that approximately 90% of arthritic patients use alternative therapies such as herbal medicines. This article provides a brief overview of the evidence on herbal medicines for 4 common rheumatic conditions: back pain, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / therapy*
  • Back Pain / therapy*
  • Complementary Therapies / methods
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Fibromyalgia / therapy*
  • Herbal Medicine / methods*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Osteoarthritis / metabolism
  • Osteoarthritis / therapy*
  • Plants, Medicinal / adverse effects*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Inflammation Mediators