Arthritis

Why it works: Glycine shows plausible anti-inflammatory, collagen-supporting, antioxidant and immune-modulating actions that could help arthritis symptoms.. Anti-inflammatory signaling. Glycine...

Instructions: Important: there is no universally accepted clinical protocol for glycine to treat arthritis. The following are dosing approaches used in research or common supplement practice (no...

Warnings: General safety: oral glycine is generally well tolerated in healthy adults at typical supplemental d...

Studies: Direct, high-quality randomized controlled trials of glycine...

Why it works: Anti-inflammatory signaling: Cell studies show MSM can inhibit NF-κB activation and reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α, IL-6) in macrophages, which is a plausible pathw...

Instructions: Dose used in trials:. • 3 g twice daily (total 6 g/day) for 12 weeks (Kim 2006 pilot RCT). oarsijournal.com. • 1.125 g three times daily (total 3.375 g/day) for 12 weeks (Debbi 201...

Warnings: Common side effects: GI upset (nausea, diarrhea, bloating), headache, fatigue, insomnia, skin rashes...

Studies: Kim et al., 2006 (Osteoarthritis & Cartilage) – Pilot RC...

Why it works: Dandelion contains multiple bioactive compounds (polysaccharides, phenolic acids, flavonoids and the triterpene taraxasterol) that show anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomod...

Instructions: Forms used: dried root (decoction/tea), roasted root (“dandelion coffee”), tinctures (alcohol extract), standardized liquid or capsule extracts and whole-plant extracts. The root i...

Warnings: Bleeding risk / interactions with anticoagulants/antiplatelets: Dandelion may have mild effects on p...

Studies: Important distinction: most evidence for anti-arthritic effe...

Why it works: Anti-inflammatory actions: Curcumin reduces signaling through major inflammation pathways (NF-κB), lowers levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6) and reduces activ...

Instructions: Forms that matter. • Use curcumin-enriched extracts or formulations with proven improved absorption (examples: curcumin+piperine, phytosome/phosphatidylcholine complexes like Meriv...

Warnings: Main safety points. • Generally safe at culinary levels. At supplement doses used in trials (hundred...

Studies: Systematic reviews / meta-analyses2022 systematic review &am...

Why it works: Glucosamine is an amino-sugar that is a natural building block for glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans — the molecules cartilage needs to maintain structure and resiliency. The ra...

Instructions: Common clinical dosing: Most clinical trials and systematic reviews use glucosamine sulfate 1,500 mg per day (often given as 500 mg × 3 daily or a single 1,500 mg dose), which is t...

Warnings: Warfarin / coumarin anticoagulants: there are multiple case reports and pharmacovigilance signals th...

Studies: GAIT (Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial),...

Why it works: Ginger contains active compounds (mainly gingerols, shogaols, and related phenolics) that reduce inflammation and oxidative stress by blocking inflammatory pathways (COX, LOX), low...

Instructions: Forms used in trials. • Oral capsules/tablets of ginger extract or powder (most common in RCTs). oarsijournal.com. • Standardized extracts (various commercial preparations) or mixt...

Warnings: Bleeding risk / interactions with anticoagulants (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel):. • Ginger can hav...

Studies: Evidence is mixed but suggests a modest benefit for some pat...

Why it works: There is some evidence that dietary boron (and boron-containing supplements such as calcium-fructoborate) can reduce joint pain and inflammatory markers in people with osteoarthrit...

Instructions: Forms used in clinical research. • Elemental boron supplements / simple boron salts (many over-the-counter boron supplements contain 1–3 mg boron per capsule). Medical News Today....

Warnings: General safety and toxicology. • Toxicity at very high doses. Large acute exposures to boron compoun...

Studies: Human clinical trials (selected)Travers RL, Rennie GC, Newnh...

Why it works: Thunder god vine (the plant Tripterygium wilfordii, often used as Tripterygium or “TwHF” and supplied as Tripterygium glycoside tablets / extracts) has real anti-inflammatory and i...

Instructions: Formulations used in clinical studies. • Most clinical evidence comes from standardized Tripterygium glycoside (TGT / TwHF) tablets / extracts — not raw herbal tea. Trials use phar...

Warnings: Major safety issues (documented in trials and systematic safety reviews):. • Hepatotoxicity (liver i...

Studies: Randomized controlled trial — Tripterygium vs Methotrexate (...

Why it works: Cissus quadrangularis contains bioactive molecules (notably plant sterols commonly called ketosterones) that show anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-catabolic (cartilage-protecti...

Instructions: Important: there is no universal, regulatory-approved dosing for arthritis. Below are doses used in human studies (useful as starting reference points used in trials):. • 3200 mg/d...

Warnings: General safety: Cissus is generally well tolerated in the clinical trials and case reports, but adve...

Studies: Human clinical trials (selected)Bloomer et al., 2013 — Pilot...

Why it works: The active molecules in Boswellia (boswellic acids — especially 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid, AKA AKBA) inhibit 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), an enzyme that makes leukotrienes — p...

Instructions: Typical study dosages: Many randomized trials use ~300–500 mg taken two or three times daily of a standardized Boswellia extract (i.e. ~300 mg TID or similar). Some specific extrac...

Warnings: Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Avoid Boswellia during pregnancy and breastfeeding — there is insufficien...

Studies: Meta-analysis / systematic review (2020) — Effectiveness of...

Why it works: Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity. Devil’s claw contains iridoid glycosides (especially harpagoside) and other constituents that reduce inflammatory mediators and pain signa...

Instructions: Common forms: oral capsules/tablets (standardized extracts or powdered root), liquid extracts/tinctures, and teas. Topical devil’s claw products exist but clinical evidence mostly...

Warnings: Major cautions:. • Pregnancy & breastfeeding: avoid — safety not established. Drugs.com. • Gallstone...

Studies: Systematic / review level:ESCOP/EMA assessments and several...

Why it works: Active chemistry — beta-caryophyllene (BCP) is a major constituent.. Copaiba oleoresin/essential oil commonly contains the sesquiterpene beta-caryophyllene (BCP), which is a CB2 (c...

Instructions: Important: recommendations below summarize what clinical trials, aromatherapy protocols, and reputable product guidance commonly report — they are not a substitute for medical advi...

Warnings: Gastrointestinal and systemic adverse events reported with medicinal use.. • RxList documents report...

Studies: Randomized/controlled trial (massage + copaiba for hand arth...

Why it works: TRPV1 activation followed by desensitization. Capsaicin activates the TRPV1 receptor on sensory (nociceptor) nerve endings. That causes an initial excitation (burning/stinging) but...

Instructions: Common topical preparations & concentrations: Over-the-counter and prescription topical capsaicin creams/gels typically contain 0.025% or 0.075% capsaicin. The lower (0.025%) is co...

Warnings: Local burning, stinging, erythema, and transient pain: The most common adverse effects are local ski...

Studies: Topical capsaicin (creams/gels) — randomized trials & me...

Why it works: Proteolytic anti-inflammatory action. Bromelain is a complex of proteolytic (protein-digesting) enzymes from pineapple. It appears to reduce inflammation by cleaving inflammatory m...

Instructions: Important: There is no single universal “approved” bromelain regimen for arthritis. Different preparations and doses have been trialed. Below are commonly reported regimens from cl...

Warnings: Bleeding risk / interaction with anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs. Bromelain can affect platele...

Studies: Randomized controlled trial — knee osteoarthritis (800 mg/da...

Why it works: Cat’s claw (mainly Uncaria tomentosa and U. guianensis) can help some people with arthritis because it contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds (notably pentacyclic oxi...

Instructions: From clinical trials and clinical reference sources:. • Osteoarthritis (knee) — small RCT: a freeze-dried Uncaria guianensis extract at 100 mg once daily for 4 weeks improved activ...

Warnings: Pregnancy / breastfeeding: Avoid. Animal and limited human-tissue data raise concerns; no reliable s...

Studies: Mur et al., Journal of Rheumatology (2002) — Randomized, dou...

Why it works: CBD (cannabidiol) shows biological plausibility for treating arthritis (anti-inflammatory + analgesic actions) and some supportive preclinical and small human studies, but high-qua...

Instructions: Forms used and when to choose them. • Topical CBD creams/gels/patches: often used for localized osteoarthritis (knee, hand). Topical trials exist and are attractive because systemi...

Warnings: Liver enzyme elevation & liver safety. • Recent randomized trial (JAMA Internal Medicine) and FDA su...

Studies: Arthritis Foundation — CBD for Arthritis Pain (patient guida...