Essential oils can be an effective way to reduce pain from Arthritis and there is one oil that has been studied for its effectiveness.
Some studies have been conducted on the use of certain varieties of Boswellia, also known as frankincense, in treating Rheumatoid Arthritis and osteoarthritis symptoms.
This oil which actually comes from a resin is a natural anti-inflammatory which can help arthritis sufferers reduce pain, inflammation and stiffness. Frankincense has also shown positive immune system effects in laboratory settings.
According to the 2014 Cochrane Summary into herbal treatments ; Frankincense and myrrh suppress inflammation via regulation of the metabolic profiling and the MAPK signaling pathway. Sci. Rep. 5, 13668; doi: 10.1038/srep13668 (2015).
Frankincense is often applied as an essential oil topically or it can also be chewed or mixed into water to drink. Potential side effects include some skin irritation. Safety of use during pregnancy and lactation are unknown at this time.
Cochrane researchers reviewed results from 49 studies into 33 different types of herbal medicines for osteoarthritis. For many of the herbs, only one study was present. The reviewers restricted their report to two plants that were used in several studies: frankincense and avocado-soyabean unsaponifiables (a natural vegetable extract to manage osteoarthritis).
While the results were lackluster for the avocado vegetable extract, frankincense yielded better results. After 90 days of use, participants experienced an average 17% improvement in pain scores. The average pain rating for participants that used the herb was 23 on a 100-point scale, compared to 40 for participants who used placebo. The evidence in favor of frankincense for osteoarthritis was considered to be of high quality. Reviewers noted that they expect further research to replicate these results.
Find the review at http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD002947/oral-herbal-therapies-for-treating-osteoarthritis.
Frankincense has long been hailed for its anti-inflammatory properties, making it a traditional medicine in the treatment of a variety of conditions, including arthritis, tendinitis, sore throat and painful menstruation. Using 100mg could help alleviate pain associated with osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is the “wear and tear” type of arthritis characterized by the breakdown of cartilage from age, overuse, injury, etc. It can cause pain, stiffness and limited range of motion. Managing pain is an important part of osteoarthritis treatment, both for patient quality of life and for physical well-being.
With less pain, patients are able to be more physically active, and exercise is crucial for overall health in general and for osteoarthritis management in particular. Natural, safe methods of pain management such as frankincense can help patients achieve relief without taking on the risks associated with prescription pain medications.
When considering the use of herbal medicines, do your research; just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s safe. Be aware of any potential side effects or contraindications associated with herbs, and look for high-quality research into their use for particular conditions.
