An Ayurvedic herbal complex found to be effective in managing osteoarthritis symptoms

Getting older shouldn’t stop people from doing what they love to do. However, older people also have a higher risk for diseases like osteoarthritis that could be disabling. Osteoarthritis should be properly treated to allow the affected individual to go back to doing normal activities. A study, which was published in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, looked at the potential of an Ayurvedic herbal complex in treating osteoarthritis.

Over 30 million Americans have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis. This condition is caused by worn down cartilage, joint lining, ligaments, and bones found in the joints. Although the “wear and tear” of these components naturally occurs over time, which is why it’s more common in older people, there are also instances where younger people develop it due to excessive mechanical or biochemical stress in the joints.

Common treatments for osteoarthritis include pain relievers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Unfortunately, these types of drugs have been associated with many adverse side effects, including gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney failure, and stroke. Aside from this, severe osteoarthritis can also be treated with surgery, which is also risky and quite expensive. Since conventional treatments for osteoarthritis are not very safe, complementary and alternative medicine approach is now being utilized by more people. A possible treatment for osteoarthritis is the Ayurvedic herbal complex composed of Vatari guggulu, Maharasnadi kwatha, and Narayan taila.

In this study, the efficacy and safety of the Ayurvedic herbal complex were determined through clinical studies of patients with osteoarthritis. The patients were given the herbal complex along with a 15-minute gentle massage daily for a period of 12 weeks. Efficacy was evaluated based on pain, stiffness, and physical functioning of the knee joints. Meanwhile, safety was determined by hematological and biochemical parameters.

Results of the study show that the herbal complex was safe for use since it did not affect the different hematological and biochemical parameters upon administration. It was also observed that treatment with the Ayurvedic complex led to significant improvements in pain, stiffness, and physical functioning. The patients’ conditions continuously improved as the study progressed.

Based on the results of the study it can be determined that the Ayurvedic herbal complex containing Vatari guggulu, Maharasnadi kwatha, and Narayan taila is a safe and effective treatment for osteoarthritis. Because of the rising availability of complementary and alternative treatments, osteoarthritis patients don’t have to depend on harmful NSAIDs and pain relievers anymore. (Related: Intestinal bleeding caused by pain medication is killing thousands of Americans.)

Natural remedies for osteoarthritis

Aside from the Ayurvedic herbal complex discussed above, there are many other natural treatments for osteoarthritis that are safe and effective. These include the following:

• Exercise – Moderate physical activity can help improve osteoarthritis. However, people have to make sure that they’re not overworking the body since this could bring about excessive mechanical stress that could aggravate osteoarthritis. It is recommended to do 30 minutes of exercise per day for five days to experience improvements.
• Weight loss – Obesity can exert extra pressure on the joints, especially the hips and knees which bear the majority of a person’s weight. Losing weight can help relieve pain and improve joint function. Aside from these, weight loss can also inhibit osteoarthritis progression since it reduces fats that can induce inflammation in the joints.
• Thermotherapy – Putting an ice or heat pack over the affected joints can effectively reduce pain. Ice packs are recommended for heat pains while heat packs are suggested for chronic pain.
• Massage – Getting a massage can help reduce pain and stiffness experienced by patients with osteoarthritis. Aside from these, massages also increase mobility by stimulating blood flow to muscles around the joints.

Learn more about how this Ayurvedic herbal complex relieved osteoarthritis by visiting Herbs.news today.

Sources include:

NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov

CDC.gov

Rheumatology.org

MayoClinic.org

EverydayHealth.com 1

EverydayHealth.com 2