Some plants provide real relief for painful joints and inflammation, or may even delay the progression of the disease.

Aging, shocks, repeated movements, stress, fatigue, sedentary lifestyle and also junk food put our joints to the test. Rheumatism – in the form of inflammation or cartilage wear and tear – affects more than one in three French people with a procession of pain that can be very disabling. Back, neck, shoulders, spine, knees, hips, feet, hands etc. all joints can be affected and pain sometimes requires long-term anti-inflammatory and analgesic treatments. The latter provide relief, but cause side effects such as gastritis, ulcers and even digestive bleeding. Before using it, several recognized plants can accompany you, relieve pain or even delay the progression of rheumatism. Of course, consult your doctor, because any pain that lasts may also reveal another non-rheumatic condition.

Devil’s claw or harpagophyton (Harpagophytum procumbens)

This great natural anti-inflammatory is to date the plant that has shown the most efficacy in the treatment of pain related to osteoarthritis. Dr Claudine Luu, author of the book Arthritis, Osteoarthritis and Joint Pain (Dangles ed.), explains that South African Bantu people use it to treat rheumatism, arthritis and also digestive disorders. Discovered quite recently in Europe, it is now frequently used in rheumatic diseases as well as in cases of inflammation, muscle pain, gout and back pain, for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. It can be found as a mother tincture in pharmacies and also as a herbal tea (although its taste is not very pleasant). It has few side effects, but is not recommended for stomach or duodenal ulcers. Caution should also be exercised in the event of cardiovascular disorders and in the event of pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum)

The traditional use of blackcurrant leaves against joint pain has been validated by a few studies that have shown its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, but also diuretic (promotes the elimination of water by the kidneys) action. Even more than in leaves, it is in blackcurrant buds that the highest concentrations of anti-inflammatory active ingredients are found. To enjoy the benefits of blackcurrant, you can therefore use a glycerine macerate of fresh buds (in pharmacies) or also take leaf teas at a rate of 2 to 4 teaspoons per cup and 3 to 4 cups per day.

Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)

This famous plant at the origin of aspirin is a well-known anti-inflammatory and analgesic that relieves the pain of rheumatism and acute arthritis. Unlike aspirin, it does not cause stomach ulcer risk and regulates acidic flows in the body suspected of playing a role in inflammatory problems. Fresh meadowsweet can be eaten in a salad or in many culinary preparations and also as a herbal tea, provided it is not boiled (it then loses its properties). People allergic to aspirin should avoid it and those on anticoagulants, as meadowsweet may potentiate the effects.

The white willow (Salix alba)

This small shrub with silvery leaves is considered one of the oldest medicinal plants, since Hippocrates and Galen already praised its virtues. Like meadowsweet, willow bark contains salicylic acid derivatives, anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents. It was by studying the properties of the willow (and later the meadowsweet) that aspirin was discovered. The Park Hospital recognizes the virtues of shrubs as “clinically established” to relieve “lumbar pain” and as “traditional” against “minor joint pain, cold fever and headaches”. A maximum treatment of four weeks is recommended, if symptoms persist afterwards, consult a orthopedic doctor. Willow bark is generally taken 4 or 5 times a day at a rate of 2 or 3 grams per cup, boiling for 5 minutes. The contraindications are the same as those for aspirin or meadowsweet (ulcers, allergies to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anticoagulants…). Willow bark is also not recommended for pregnant women, children, asthma, gout or kidney disease.

Turmeric (Turmeric longa)

This old spice is the main ingredient of curry and its medicinal properties have been known in Asia and India for centuries. Traditionally, the rhizome (underground stem) of turmeric is used in case of skin problems or for the entire intestinal sphere (heartburn, bloating…), but the various studies it has undergone in recent years also highlight promising anti-inflammatory effects. In particular, it would reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis as well as arthritic or rheumatic pain in general. The easiest way to consume it is to integrate it regularly into the kitchen in fresh form (sliced or grated rhizomes) or in powder form, or even as a herbal tea. It is contraindicated in case of gallstones. Other plants are also known to relieve rheumatic pain and osteoarthritis. For example, incense (olibanum), a resin from an Indian shrub, has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine to relieve joint pain and a clinical study has highlighted its effectiveness in knee osteoarthritis. Birch leaves are also recognized as an adjunct treatment for rheumatism by the European Commission. Finally, nettle, bamboo or field horsetail are also often mentioned, among other things for their remineralizing properties.