Rheumatoid Arthritis

Why it works: Core actives & immune pathways. The root contains flavones—baicalin, baicalein, and wogonin—that dampen inflammatory signalling relevant to RA (NF-κB, TLR2/4 → cytokines like TNF-α...

Instructions: There’s no universally accepted RA dosing for whole-herb skullcap. If you choose to use it, do so in addition to—not instead of—your prescribed DMARDs, and loop in your rheumatolog...

Warnings: Liver injury (rare but real). Skullcap has a LiverTox likelihood score “B” (very likely but rare cau...

Studies: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (n=351 an...

Why it works: Curcumin (the main active compound in turmeric) targets several inflammatory pathways that are overactive in RA:. • NF-κB, MAPK, JAK–STAT signaling: curcumin down-regulates these p...

Instructions: Forms & absorption. • Choose curcumin extracts (not kitchen turmeric powder) and preferably a bioavailability-enhanced formulation (e.g., with piperine/black pepper, phospholipid c...

Warnings: 1) Anticoagulants/antiplatelets & bleeding risk. • Curcumin may have antiplatelet effects and has ca...

Studies: Systematic reviews/meta-analyses specific to RA (2022–2023)...

Why it works: Anti-inflammatory lipid signaling. Orally ingested GLA is elongated to dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA), which competes with arachidonic acid for COX/LOX enzymes. DGLA yields series-...

Instructions: Forms & typical studied doses. • Borage seed oil (highest %GLA): Trials used 1.4–2.8 g/day of GLA (often ~2.8 g/day) for ≥6 months. This typically required high-strength borage oil...

Warnings: Not a substitute for RA drugs. Do not delay or replace DMARDs/biologics with GLA; discuss adjunct us...

Studies: Randomized controlled trials (examples)Borage (GLA 2.8 g/day...

Why it works: Reduces pain and improves function. Multiple systematic reviews and guidelines conclude that both aerobic and strengthening programs produce small–moderate improvements in pain, ph...

Instructions: Baseline principle: EULAR affirms that the WHO adult physical-activity targets are appropriate for RA—tailored to symptoms, flares, and joint status. That means aiming for 150–300...

Warnings: Most people with RA can exercise safely with individualized programming, but consider the following:...

Studies: EULAR recommendations (2018; update in progress): Establish...

Why it works: Anti-inflammatory fat profile. The MedDiet replaces saturated fats with extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO; rich in monounsaturated fats and polyphenols) and adds oily fish (EPA/DHA). Th...

Instructions: Think “plants + olive oil + seafood; less red/processed meat; minimal added sugars.”. Daily:. • Vegetables & fruit: Aim for multiple servings (e.g., 4+ veg, 2+ fruit). nutrition.va...

Warnings: Not a cure / not a monotherapy. Use as an adjunct to RA pharmacotherapy; do not delay or replace DMA...

Studies: Randomized controlled trials (symptoms/function):Sköldstam e...

Why it works: Immunomodulatory & anti-inflammatory actions. Key TwHF constituents (notably triptolide and celastrol) suppress NF-κB signaling and downstream pro-inflammatory cytokines, and modul...

Instructions: There is no globally approved, standardized TwHF medicine for RA. Trials used specific Chinese-manufactured standardized tablets; do not attempt to use raw plant parts or non-stand...

Warnings: Toxicity with non-standardized/raw plant products. Unprocessed bark/root is dangerously toxic; only...

Studies: TRIFRA RCT (24 weeks, n=207):Arms: MTX 12.5 mg weekly vs. Tw...

Why it works: Anti-inflammatory lipid mediators. EPA and DHA partly displace arachidonic acid in cell membranes, shifting eicosanoid production toward less inflammatory prostaglandins/leukotrien...

Instructions: Dose that’s been studied for symptom relief: About 2.7 g/day of combined EPA + DHA. Because standard 1,000-mg capsules often contain ~300 mg EPA+DHA, this can be 9–14 standard caps...

Warnings: Do not substitute fish liver oils (e.g., cod liver oil) at RA doses. These contain vitamin A, which...

Studies: 2024 meta-analysis of RCTs (18 trials; n=1,018). Omega-3 sup...

Why it works: Anti-inflammatory pathways: Boswellic acids—especially AKBA (3-O-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid)—inhibit 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), lowering leukotrienes that drive inflammation. AKB...

Instructions: Forms & standardization. • Look for extracts standardized to boswellic acids; some products emphasize %AKBA (e.g., 20–30%). (Brand-specific OA trials have used 50–125 mg twice dail...

Warnings: Not a DMARD substitute: Do not stop prescribed RA medications (e.g., methotrexate, biologics) in fav...

Studies: Cochrane & NIH summaries: Contemporary evidence synthese...