Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

Why it works: It targets the leukotriene pathway (5-LOX). The most active boswellic acid (AKBA) directly inhibits 5-lipoxygenase, lowering leukotrienes that drive inflammatory and neuropathic pa...

Instructions: 1) Choose a standardized extract. • Look for Boswellia serrata extract standardized to ≥30–65% boswellic acids, or an AKBA-enriched extract (e.g., 5-Loxin®, Aflapin®) or a phytosom...

Warnings: General safety profile: Most trials report good tolerability up to ~1,000 mg/day for ≤6 months (some...

Studies: TMD-specific (human):Randomized clinical trial (2024): Nutra...

Why it works: Reduces central sensitisation / pain signalling. Magnesium blocks NMDA receptors, which are key in pain amplification. Multiple reviews in anaesthesia and pain medicine describe Mg...

Instructions: 1) Clinician-delivered injections for myofascial TMD. • What it is: Injection of magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄) directly into masseter muscle trigger points.. • Evidence-based protocol...

Warnings: Kidney disease (any degree of renal impairment): Higher risk of hypermagnesaemia (dangerously high m...

Studies: Randomised clinical trial—masseter trigger points (myofascia...

Why it works: There’s no high-quality clinical evidence that EPO treats TMJ pain, and it does not appear in major TMJ treatment guidelines.. Biologic plausibility (but not TMJ-specific proof): E...

Instructions: There is no TMJ-specific dosing backed by trials. The following reflects general EPO supplement use in adults; discuss with your clinician first.. • Form & dose: Most studies of EP...

Warnings: Bleeding risk: EPO can increase bleeding. Avoid if you have a bleeding disorder, are on anticoagulan...

Studies: Indirect evidence (other conditions): These do not prove TMJ...

Why it works: Anti-inflammatory + antioxidant actions in TMJ cartilage (preclinical): In TMJ chondrocytes, curcumin suppresses inflammatory mediators (IL-6, COX-2, iNOS), matrix-degrading enzyme...

Instructions: Form & dose commonly used in joint pain trials. • Curcumin extract (standardized): Many OA trials used ~500–1000 mg/day (sometimes divided) of curcumin (not raw turmeric powder) fo...

Warnings: Liver injury (rare but real): Cases of drug-induced liver injury linked to turmeric/curcumin—especia...

Studies: TMJ/TMD-focusedMechanistic/in vivo (TMJ OA): Curcumin protec...

Why it works: Ginger’s key compounds (6-gingerol, 6-shogaol, zingerone) dampen inflammatory pathways by inhibiting cyclo-oxygenase (COX-1/2) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), which lowers prostaglandi...

Instructions: 1) Oral standardized extract (most studied form in joint pain). • Typical trial dosing ranges from 170 mg to 1,000 mg, taken 3–4×/day (standardized extract). For arthritis specific...

Warnings: Bleeding risk & surgery: Ginger can inhibit thromboxane and interact with anticoagulants/antiplatele...

Studies: Direct TMJ/TMD trials of ginger are not available in high-qu...

Why it works: Chamomile can be a reasonable adjunct—mainly for anxiety-related jaw clenching, sleep, and local oral discomfort—but high-quality trials specifically for TMD are lacking.. Anti-inf...

Instructions: These are common, evidence-informed ways people integrate chamomile alongside core TMD care (jaw exercises, splints, PT, stress reduction). Use products labeled German chamomile /...

Warnings: Allergy (Asteraceae family): Avoid if allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, daisies, marigold, etc. A...

Studies: Direct TMD trials:I couldn’t find randomized trials specific...

Why it works: Direct trial evidence in TMJ: A randomized, controlled clinical trial in patients with myogenous TMD (n=91) found that aromatherapy massage with lavender oil significantly reduced...

Instructions: A. Topical massage (most relevant to the trial). • Dilute properly: Mix 1–2% lavender essential oil in a carrier oil (e.g., sweet almond, fractionated coconut, jojoba). Example: 10...

Warnings: Skin reactions: Can cause irritation or allergic contact dermatitis; always patch test (1% dilution...

Studies: TMJ-specific randomized controlled trial:Benli M, Olson J, H...

Why it works: Analgesic alkaloids (esp. l-tetrahydropalmatine, “l-THP”): Corydalis contains >80 isoquinoline alkaloids; reviews and pharmacology studies show antinociceptive actions via dopamine...

Instructions: Single-herb decoction (traditional): 3–10 g dried rhizome per day, simmered and divided. Vinegar-processed Yan Hu Suo is often chosen to enhance analgesia. tcmwindow.com. • Granule...

Warnings: Drowsiness/CNS effects: Corydalis (l-THP) can cause sedation and dizziness. Avoid driving or operati...

Studies: What we have (indirect evidence for TMD):Mechanistic & p...

Why it works: Licorice contains bioactive compounds (notably glycyrrhizin and 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid, plus flavonoids like liquiritigenin/isoliquiritigenin) with well-described anti-inflammator...

Instructions: There are no human dosing guidelines for TMJ specifically. If you choose to trial licorice as an adjunct (not a replacement) to clinician-recommended TMJ care:. • Prefer DGL (degly...

Warnings: Licorice can be unsafe—especially products with glycyrrhizin.. Hypertension, hypokalemia, fluid rete...

Studies: TMJ-specific human trials: none found. No randomized clinica...

Why it works: ?Angelica root” usually refers to either Angelica archangelica (European/garden angelica) or Angelica sinensis (“dong quai”). Both contain coumarins/furanocoumarins and essential-o...

Instructions: There’s no evidence-based TMJ dosing or regimen. If someone still chooses to try Angelica adjunctively, stick to conservative, monograph-supported oral preparations for A. archange...

Warnings: Phototoxicity (sun sensitivity): Angelica (especially A. archangelica root/essential oil) contains f...

Studies: Direct evidence: None found for A. archangelica or A. sinens...