NUTRITION Q+A: NSAID Alternatives

Question: I want to try an alternative to NSAIDs. Are there any herbs that help?

Bobbi Barbarich, MSc RD, answers:

For some, experimenting with more ‘natural’ anti-inflammatory sources is worth investigating. By natural, I’m referring to herbs and plants not synthesized in a clinical laboratory. Rarely fast-acting, herbal remedies for pain relief usually focus on longer-term maintenance of joints and tissues, as well as balancing overall hormone production to reduce inflammation initiation.

The argument against herbs is the industry’s lack of regulation and poorly controlled scientific trials. Yet if you’re willing to look beyond conventional Western medicine and you have some extra cash to try them out, you may find a herbal pain reliever not endorsed by a pharmaceutical company that actually does work for you. Here are some common herbs to try:

Arnica, or Arnica montana, is widely used in salves for bruises, sprains, stiffness, muscle soreness and acute injuries. It’s unknown how the plant works, but it is thought to have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. A clinical trial has never proven these claims, yet thousands of practitioners continue to recommend it.

Boswellia is also purported to have anti-inflammatory action without the stomach irritation of an NSAID. It may work by blocking the first enzyme, 5-LOX, in the synthesis of leukotrienes – inflammatory substances involved in a myriad of disease processes leading to arthritis, cancer and asthma.

Cayenne pepper, or capsaicin, may deplete nerves of the neurotransmitter substance P. When capsaicin pulls substance P to flood out of cells, you feel a warm flush. Once substance P is gone, no more pain signals are transmitted and chronic inflammation lessens. Topical cayenne lotions may work for arthritis, bursitis and even psoriasis. It is less effective in acute inflammations.

Devil’s claw contains iridoid glycosides, believed to have strong anti-inflammatory effects. The iridoid harpagoside is very concentrated in devil’s claw root and has been shown in controlled studies to help reduce pain and inflammation in osteoarthritis. Also called grapple plant or wood spider.

Tumeric, the yellow spice in curry, is a highly regarded healing herb. The active ingredient, curcumin, is a powerful antioxidant to help prevent cellular damage. It also reduces inflammation by lowering levels of two pro-inflammatory enzymes COX-2 and LOX.

White willow bark is also commonly used to ease pain and reduce inflammation – and there is even some evidence to support it. Salicin, a chemical similar to aspirin, is found in white willow bark and is thought to be responsible for white willow bark’s easing effects.