Rheumatoid Arthritis

Vitae Elixxir [1, 3, 4]

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It is proposed only as a weak supportive symptomatic support, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present. Warning: Possible side effects of Vitae Elixxir include diarrhoea, pain, and a general worsening of existing symptoms.

Recommendation: No recommendation (Available evidence does not support claims that Vitae Elixxir helps to treat arthritis.)

Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence.

Venus Flytrap Extract (Carnivora, Dionaea muscipula) [1, 71, 72, 73]

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It is proposed only as a weak supportive symptomatic support, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: No recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that Venus flytrap extracts can help in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. More research is needed.)

Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence.

Turmeric [1, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70]

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It is proposed only as a weak supportive symptomatic support, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: Weakly in favor (Early laboratory studies show that turmeric may be of benefit in the treatment of arthritis. Further studies are needed.)

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence.

Thuja (Eastern White Cedar, Thuja occidentalis) [1, 62, 63, 64]

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present. Little is known about the full effects of Thuja, so it is not recommended for medicinal use. Thuja can be poisonous if ingested in large amounts.

Recommendation: No recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that Thuja helps to treat rheumatism.)

Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence.

Pokeweed Antiviral Protein (PAP) [1, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61]

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present. Warning: all parts of the plant Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) are poisonous and should not be ingested. Effects of improperly prepared plant material can include vomiting, diarrhoea, cramps, headache, confusion, convulsions, low blood pressure, heart block, and death. Only plant extracts or thoroughly prepared plants should be ingested, and even then only under professional medical guidance.

Recommendation: No recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that PAP helps to treat arthritis.)

Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence.

Pine Bark Extract [1, 54, 55, 56]

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: No recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that pine bark extract helps to treat arthritis.)

Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence.

Peppermint Oil [1, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53]

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: No recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that peppermint helps to treat arthritis.)

Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence.

Pau D'Arco (Lapachol, Tabebuia impetiginosa, Tabebuia heptaphylla) [1, 47]

Please note, this treatment has potentially serious side effects. Some chemicals in the plant are known to be toxic. High doses are known to cause liver and kidney problems. Even at low doses, chemicals in the plant may interfere with blood clotting, causing excess bleeding and anaemia. Pau D'Arco should be avoided, especially by pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Recommendation: Strongly against (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that Pau D'Arco helps to treat arthritis. Its potentially harmful side effects if taken without supervision from a doctor or pharmacist give enough reason to avoid this treatment.)

Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence.

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) [1, 44, 45, 46]

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It has been proposed only as a weak supportive symptomatic support, and even then has been discounted due to potentially life-threatening side effects.

Recommendation: No recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that Mugwort helps to treat symptoms of rheumatism. More research is needed.)

Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence.

Mistletoe (Iscador, Viscum album) [1, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43]

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present. Warning: the mistletoe plant should not be eaten because it is poisonous. It may cause seizures, coma, and death. It should only be taken as a purified mistletoe extract, and only in recommended doses.

Recommendation: No recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that mistletoe has any effect on the treatment of arthritis.)

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence.

Kava (Piper methysticum) [1, 35, 36, 37, 38]

Warning: in rare cases, kava may lead to liver failure and other life-threatening problems. The FDA warns that people who have had liver problems, or who are taking medications that may affect the liver, should check with their doctors before taking kava. Other side effects include headache, upset stomach, drowsiness, weight loss, bloody urine, and muscle weakness.

Recommendation: Weakly in favor (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that kava helps to treat rheumatism. More research is needed.)

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence.

Kampo [1, 33, 34]

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: No recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that Kampo helps in the treatment of arthritis.)

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence.

Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica, Hydrocotyle asiatica) [1, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32]

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: No recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that Gotu Kola helps in the treatment of rheumatism in any way. More research is needed.)

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence.

Glyconutrients [1, 25, 26]

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: No recommendation (Available evidence does not support claims that glyconutrients help to treat arthritis. More studies are needed.)

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence.

Flaxseed Oil [1, 22, 23, 24]

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: No recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that flaxseed oil helps to treat arthritis.)

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence.

Evening Primrose Oil [1, 19, 20, 21]

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: Weakly in favor (Early research shows that evening primrose oil may help reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, but more studies are needed.)

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence.

Copper [1, 17, 18]

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: No recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that copper bracelets or supplements help to treat rheumatoid arthritis in any way.)

Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence.

Comfrey (Blackwort, Symphytum officinale) [1, 14, 15, 16]

Please note, this herb is toxic if taken orally or if applied to an open wound. It can cause severe liver or kidney damage and lead to death. It may only be used as a cream over intact skin and does not treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: Weakly in favor (Only to be used as a cream over healthy skin. Studies have shown that, if applied over intact skin, creams with comfrey extracts can help treat arthritis symptoms.)

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence.

Cloves (Caryophyllum aromaticum, Eugenia caryophyllata) [10, 11, 12, 13]

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: No recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that cloves help to treat arthritis in any way.)

Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence.

Chlorella (Green Algae, Chlorella pyrenoidosa) [7, 8, 9]

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: No recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that Chlorella helps to treat rheumatoid arthritis in any way.)

Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence.

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) [5, 6]

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It is proposed only as a weak supportive symptomatic support, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: Weakly against (Available evidence does not support claims that chamomile helps treat rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, allergic reactions and side effects such as cramps, itching, rashes, and difficulty breathing can be relatively common.)

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence.

Celandine (Ukrain, Chelidonium majus)

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It is proposed only as a weak supportive symptomatic support, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: Weakly against (There is insufficient evidence that celandine helps to cure or treat arthritis. In addition, the plant is mildly poisonous to humans. It may cause hepatitis as well as symptoms of pain, nausea, thirst, and fever.)

Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence.

Cat's Claw (Uncaria tomentosa) [1, 2]

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It is proposed only as a weak supportive symptomatic support, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: No recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that Cat's Claw can help to treat rheumatoid arthritis.)

Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence.

Bromelain (Sulphydryl Proteolytic Enzyme, Ananas comosus)

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It is proposed only as a weak supportive symptomatic support, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: Weakly in favor (Available evidence shows mixed results for claims that bromelain helps to treat rheumatoid arthritis.)

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence.

Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It is proposed only as a weak supportive symptomatic support, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: Weakly against (Available evidence does not support claims that Black Cohosh helps to treat symptoms of arthritis in any way. Studies have yielded mixed results.)

Grade of Evidence: Moderate quality of evidence.

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It is proposed only as a weak supportive symptomatic support, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: No recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to support claims that Astragalus helps to treat rheumatoid arthritis.)

Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence.

Arnica Root (Arnica montana)

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: No recommendation (Available evidence shows that Arnica is not helpful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.)

Grade of Evidence: Moderate quality of evidence.

Aconite (Aconitum napellus, Monkshood, Fu-Tzu)

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself, and it is not recommended for use because it is extremely toxic and can cause irregular heartbeat, heart failure, and death, even when used only on the skin.

Recommendation: Strongly against (Due to the lack of therapeutic effect on rheumatoid arthritis and due to its harmful effects, Aconite is not recommended.)

Grade of Evidence: High quality of evidence.

Transcutaneous Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It may mildly help with some symptoms, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: No recommendation (There is not enough evidence supporting the role of TENS in rheumatoid arthritis.)

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence.

Neural Therapy

Please note, this management does not treat the condition itself. It is proposed only as supportive symptomatic support, and even then has insufficient evidence to back up this claim at present.

Recommendation: No recommendation (No reliable clinical studies have been done to support the role of Neural Therapy in treating rheumatoid arthritis.)

Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence.

Moxibustion

Recommendation: No recommendation (There is insufficient evidence to show that moxibustion has any effect on rheumatoid arthritis.)

Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence.

Magnetic Therapy

Recommendation: Weakly in favor (Clinical trials regarding Magnetic Therapy for rheumatoid arthritis have yielded mixed results.)

Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

Not recommended.

Recommendation: Strongly against (Available scientific evidence shows that HBOT does not help with treating rheumatoid arthritis.)

Grade of Evidence: Moderate quality of evidence.

Heat Therapy

Recommendation: Strongly in favor (Clinical studies have shown that heat therapy can help relieve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.)

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence.

Low-Level Laser Therapy

Recommendation: No recommendation (There have been ambiguous results from the few studies investigating the effect of laser therapy on rheumatoid arthritis.)

Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence.

Acupuncture

Recommendation: Weakly in favor (There is some evidence suggesting that acupuncture may decrease the need for pain medication in rheumatoid arthritis.)

Grade of Evidence: Very low quality of evidence.

Hydrotherapy

Recommendation: Weakly in favor (It has often been reported that hydrotherapy can help promote a reduction in rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.)

Grade of Evidence: Low quality of evidence.

Ultraviolet Blood Irradiation

Recommendation: Strongly in favor (Clinical trials have shown that ultraviolet blood irradiation helps to treat rheumatoid arthritis.)

Grade of Evidence: Moderate quality of evidence.