T-Z
THUNDER GOD VINE
Tripterygium wilfordii
 
Where It Comes From: Leaf and root of a vine-like plant from Asia.
Forms and Dosage: Extract; 30 mg of thunder god vine extract daily used in studies. No standardized safe doses have been established.
What It's Supposed to Do: Reduce pain and inflammation and treat symptoms of RA, lupus and other autoimmune diseases.
What We Know: Used in Chinese medicine for years, thunder god vine shows evidence of suppressing the immune system.
Studies: Most of the research related to RA was done on laboratory rodents. However, one study on people with RA done in China found thunder god vine to relieve symptoms in people taking NSAIDs. Another Chinese study showed thunder god vine to significantly improve symptoms of people with systemic lupus, leading to a reduction in conventional medicine.
What to Watch For: Stomach upset, skin reactions, temporary infertility in men and amenorrhea (lack of menstruation) in women. Should not be used by people taking immunosuppressive drugs, like prednisone. The leaves and flowers of this plant are highly toxic and can cause death, so preparation should only be made from the root.
TURMERIC
Curcuma longa, Curcuma domestica
Where It Comes From: A yellow-colored powder ground from the roots of the lily-like turmeric plant. It is a common ingredient in curry powder. The turmeric plant grows in India and Indonesia and is related to the ginger family.
Forms and Dosage: Capsules or spice; capsule, typically 400 mg to 1,000 mg three times per day; or .5 gram to 1 gram of powdered root up to 3 grams per day.
What It's Supposed to Do: Reduce pain, inflammation and stiffness related to RA and OA; treat bursitis.
What We Know: Traditionally used in Chinese and Indian Ayurvedic medicine to treat arthritis; the active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin.
Studies: One small human study that used a combination supplement of turmeric, boswellia and zinc found a decrease in pain associated with OA. Two other studies using a combination of turmeric, boswellia, ginger and aswangandha relieved pain and inflammation in RA. Effectiveness alone is unknown.
What to Watch For: High doses can act as a blood thinner and cause stomach upset. Do not take if you have gallstones.
Extras: Known as a cleansing agent, turmeric is often used as a digestive aid in India.
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Make sure you have an accurate diagnosis before trying any supplements. |
TYPE II CHICKEN COLLAGEN,
CHICKEN COLLAGEN,
CHICKEN TYPE II COLLAGEN, TYPE II COLLAGEN
Where It Comes From: A protein derived from chicken sternum cartilage.
Forms and Dosage: Type II chicken collagen is undenatured (in its natural state), as opposed to denatured or hydrolyzed collagen (see collagen hydrolysate). To date, only one manufacturer produces undenatured Type II chicken collagen. Recommended dosage is 10 mg daily, which is typically sold as a 200-mg capsule.
What It's Supposed to Do: Relieve pain, inflammation, swelling and stiffness of RA, OA, JRA and gout.
What We Know: Small amounts of collagen, taken by mouth, appear to reduce RA symptoms by suppressing the autoimmune response. Research has shown results are very dose sensitive.
Studies: Several studies from Harvard University and Germany have shown positive effects on the symptoms of RA. One of the largest studies involving a multi-centered, double-blind, placebo controlled group of 274 people with RA tested four dosages: 20 mcg, 100 mcg, 500 mcg or 2,500 mcg (2.5 mg). Only the lowest dose demonstrated significant improvement, which included a reduction in inflammation and joint pain. High doses had no effect.
Undenatured Type II collagen also appeared to reduce swollen and tender joints in JRA subjects in a three-month study from Harvard. Here, patients were given 100 mcg daily the first month, followed by 500 mcg for the next two. Several German studies on RA and undenatured Type II collagen have also found a positive outcome.
To date, there are no clinical studies on OA and undenatured Type II collagen, however, there is some speculation that it would be beneficial.
What to Watch For: No known drug interactions or side effects in small doses; large doses can cause nausea. Do not take if allergic to chicken or eggs.
Extras: Only undenatured Type II chicken collagen has been shown to be safe and effective in clinical trials. Denatured or collagen hydrolysate has not.
If you are unsure of the type of collagen, look at dosages. Generally, undenatured collagen is only required in small amounts, for example, one 200-mg capsule daily; denatured collagen products can recommend up to 2 grams or more, which can sometimes mean four tablets a day.
VALERIAN
Valeriana officianalis
Where It Comes From: The dried root of the perennial herb valerian.
Forms and Dosage: Capsules, tablets, extracts or tea; 300 mg to 500 mg of valerian extract daily (maximum dose is 15 grams of root per day); one cup of tea taken several times a day. Tea is made by steeping 2 grams to 3 grams of dried root in boiling water for five to 10 minutes.
What It's Supposed to Do: Treat insomnia and ease muscle and joint pain.
What We Know: Valerian works as a mild sedative and sleep agent. No known effects on muscle or joint pain and arthritis. Active ingredients in valerian are unknown.
Studies: Clinical studies have shown valerian to alleviate insomnia.
What to Watch For: Headache, excitability, uneasiness and insomnia. Do not drive or operate machinery while taking valerian. Do not take with alcohol, barbiturates, tranquilizers or other sedative-type drugs/herbs. Do not use longer than one month.
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keep a list of everything you are taking: supplements, vitamins and medications. |
WHITE WILLOW, WILLOW BARK, WHITE WILLOW BARK
Salix Alba
Where It Comes From: Bark of the white willow tree.
Forms and Dosage: Tea, liquid extract or tincture. Dosage varies.
What It's Supposed to Do: Reduce pain and inflammation, ease muscle and joint aches related to gout, ankylosing spondylitis, OA and RA.
What We Know: Active ingredient in willow bark is salicin, which is chemically similar to salicylates, the main active ingredient in aspirin and other NSAIDs. Thus, willow bark has the same potential benefits and adverse reactions as aspirin and NSAIDs. Used appropriately, it is considered safe and possibly effective.
However, due to other compounds in willow bark, it takes much longer to act than salicylates. Variations in salicin levels among the 300 willow species means no one knows how much salicin is in willow bark.
In general, even high-quality willow bark contains only small amounts of salicin. According to one researcher, it would take about 1.5 gallons of willow bark tea per day to obtain the same amount of pain relief of 4.5 grams of aspirin, the average daily dose used to treat arthritis and related conditions.
Studies: One clinical study showed moderate doses of chemically standardized willow bark extract to have an analgesic effect on people with OA. A few studies have also found 120 mg to 240 mg of willow bark to be safe and effective for relieving lower back pain.
What to Watch For: Do not take if you have aspirin allergies. Do not give to children under 18 years of age who could develop Reye's syndrome, a fatal illness that strikes children. May increase the effects of blood-thinning drugs or supplements.
WILD YAM
Discorea villosa
Where It Comes From: The root and bulb of the herbaceous vine of a plant that grows wild in much of the United States.
Forms and Dosage: Tablet or cream; no typical dosage.
What It's Supposed to Do: Promoted as the "natural" source of DHEA and used for RA, lupus and a host of other illnesses.
See DHEA.
What We Know: Although wild yam contains steroids, they are not in a form your body can use. These raw ingredients must be converted in a laboratory for your body to access them. Possibly safe, but ineffective. There is no evidence that wild yam helps arthritis-related symptoms.
Studies: No well-controlled studies on animals or humans.
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