Does Someone Know?

Julian, WV

I know there are herbs for lots of things and have studied some of them but still have so much to learn.
My doctor says that I have degenerating knees with a touch of arthritis. I was taking Glucosamine but seems like all it did was keep my stomach upset.
What I would like to know is if there are any herbs that could be taken for this? If there is weather it is to be took orally or just as a rub would love to know.

Thanks
Gayl

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Julian, WV

Hi Patty,
I also hope that my post opens up more discussion on herbal remedies. I have read alot about the use of herbs but it isnt the same as talking to someone that has actually tried them or know the use of them.

Louisville, IL(Zone 6a)

This may seem like some strange questions but- What type of Glucosamine Chondroitin were you taking (what brand?). Did you change your diet any?
Were you taking anything else with it? i.e. vitamins, other supplements...
Also some herbal companies offer capsaicin salve and yew salve which is supposed to help with the pain. Maybe we will get lucky and Brook will see this thread.
I think it would be wonderful to have a herbal medicine thread!

Tilton, NH(Zone 4a)

I wonder if arnica would help with the pain?

Julian, WV

Zabrina--In answer to your questions I would order Glucosamine from Twinlabs since I pretty well knew it was a good company. As far as taking vitamins --I have taken them all my life. Do you think that they might have in some way affected the Glucosamine? I know when I take my synthroid I have to wait at least two hours before taking the vitamins because the calcium weakens the affects of the synthroid.
Now as far as changing my diet I havent really did that. I always try to eat healthy even though I have my weak times and splurge on junk food.(not to often tho :-) ) I have found out that there are some foods that will affect arthritis but didnt eat them to begin with.LOL There might be something that I eat now that could have some affects but havent found out what all the ones are or if there are more. Also I didn't think your question were strange :-)

Cedar -- I dont know if amic would help or not. To be honest with you I dont know what it is but will give me something to check into.

Virginia Beach, VA

Gayl, to answer your question about the use of herbs and arthritis, a herbalist would need to know whether you had osteoarthritis (OA) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA). I suspect with the degenerating knee thing that you have OA. For that, treatment would include several herbs with varying actions: anti-inflammatories (meadowsweet or willow bark); alteratives (bogbean, devil's claw, nettles, or sarsparilla); antispasmodics (balck cohosh or cramp bark); circulatory stimulants (prickly ash); rubefacients (that's where the cayenne comes in!); analgesics (valerian); and nervines (black cohosh, valerian, celery seed or skullcap). In addition, diet must be considered; things to exclude include: coffee; red meat; vinegar or anything vinegar cured; acidic vegetables (tomatoes); acidic berries (currants); refined white sugar and refined white flour and their products; red wine, port, or sherry; carbonated drinks; and shellfish. Arnica is good for bruises, but probably will not help OA. If you have a sulfa allergy, this could be the problem with the glucosamine, no matter who makes it! As you might guess, I am VERY interested in medicinal herbalism!

This message was edited Saturday, May 5th 9:10 PM

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