-IBIS-1.5.0-
tx
immune system
rheumatoid arthritis
botanicals

primary herbs

Apium graveolens: with mental depression (British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, p. 29)
Arctium lappa
Bryonia alba (toxic): acute, muscular pain (with Cimicifuga racemosa), worse with movement, joints of fingers and hands (Ellingwood, p. 91)
Capsicum frutescens
Caulophyllum thalictroides (toxic): rheumatoid pain (Felter, p. 282)
Cimicifuga racemosa: rheumatoid pain, with Menyanthes trifoliata (Felter, p. 466, British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, p. 66)
Curcumin: has potent antiinflammatory effects especially for acute inflammation. It has been found to be equal or even more potent than cortisone and phenylbutazone in acute inflammation. It has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine both locally and internally to treat inflammation as well as in Chinese medicine in the treatment of shoulder inflammation. (Srimal R, Dhawan B. J Pharm Pharmacol 25, 447-52, 1973.)
Equisetum arvense: diuretic, antidyscratic, antihumoral (Weiss, pp. 238-239)
Glycyrrhiza glabra: anti-inflammatory
Guaiacum officinale: anti-inflammatory; combine with Zingiber officinale, Menyanthes trifoliata, Apium graveolens according to indications (British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, p. 108)
Harpagophytum procumbens: pain, decreased mobility (Weiss, p. 265)
Iris versicolor (toxic): chronic rheumatic conditions (Priest and Priest, p. 75)
Menyanthes trifoliata: with Apium graveolens or Cimicifuga racemosa (British Herbal Pharmacopoeia p. 144)
Phytolacca decandra (toxic): chronic rheumatic conditions (Priest and Priest, p. 75)
Salix spp.: externally: pain, inflammation (NCNM Botanicals)
Sea Cucumber: 500 mg four times per day
Solanum dulcamara (toxic): antidyscratic (Weiss, p. 264)
Taraxacum officinale: chronic rheumatic conditions (Weiss, p. 260)
Urtica spp. (Weiss, p. 261)
Xanthoxylum americanum (bark): peripheral circulatory insufficiency (British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, p. 237)
Zingiber: inhibits prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis as well as acting as an antioxidant. It also inhibits platelet aggregation and may thus enhance circulation. It contains proteases similar to bromelain which have antiinflammatory effects. (1 oz fresh ginger) (Srivastava KC and Mustafa T. Med Hypothesis 39:342-348)


complementary herbs

• use an antidyscratic + laxative + carminative (Weiss, p. 258)
• for bone pain add: Phytolacca decandra (toxic) or Zingiber officinale or Echinacea spp. (Sherman)
Populus trichocarpa + Salix spp. + Arctium lappa or Chimaphila umbellata; equal parts of each (NCNM Botanicals)
• other formulas and external applications, see Weiss, pp. 257-270

formula: rheumatism:
Caulophyllum thalictroides (toxic), 1 tbsp.
Xanthoxylum americanum, 1 tbsp.
Achillea millefolium, 1 tbsp.
Sassafras officinale, 1 tbsp.
Viburnum opulus, 1 tbsp.
To use powder: boil designated amounts in 1 quart water for 30 minutes. Strain.
instructions: powder concoction: 2 tbsp. a.c.; tincture: 10 minims four times per day (Sherman 1979)


footnotes

Hazelton RA.(senior lecturer in Medicine, Rheumatology, U of Queensland, Australia.. C-cure in RA: A six month placebo controlled trial, Unpublished manuscript, 1988. Abstract: 34 pts with RA received either C-Cure (Pacif. Pharm., LTd, Australia).1 capsule 2x per day or placebo. No difference was seen in grip strength between the 2 groups. After 18-24 weeks, the articular index was significantly lower and the grip strength significantly higher in the experimental group.

Srimal R & Dhawan B. Pharmacology of diferuloyl methane (curcumin), an NSAID agent. J Pharm Pharmacol 25, 447-52, 1973.

Srivastava KC and Mustafa T. Ginger in rheumatism and musculoskeletal disorders. Med Hypothesis 39:342-348, 1992.
Abstract: 28 patients with RA and 18 with OA and 10 with muscular discomfort were treated with 1-4gms of powdered ginger for periods of 3months to 21/2 years. There was significant improvement in many of the patients, but especially in the patients that just had muscular pain.