Could a Chinese Herbal Remedy Help Relieve Joint Pain?

A recent study shows that herbal remedies may be more helpful at treating rheumatoid arthritis than common drugs used to treat inflammation associated with the health issue.

Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, also known as the "Thunder God Vine," has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine for joint pain and inflammation. However, there is no U.S. manufacturer that currently sells the root extract.

"It actually does show a clinical benefit," said Dr. Eric Matteson, rheumatology chair at Mayo Clinic, who was not involved with the study, via CNN. "I think it is something that deserves further evaluation, without a doubt."

For the study, researchers examined 207 patients with active rheumatoid arthritis who were randomly assigned to one of three groups: methotrexate 12.5 mg once per week, TwHF 20 mg three times a day or a combination of the two over a period of 24 weeks.

Findings revealed that 46.5 percent of patients treated with methotrexate alone also achieved ACR 50, otherwise known as a 50 percent improvement in the number of tender or swollen joints and other criteria including disability, pain and the doctors overall assessment of the disease. However, findings also showed that 55 percent of those treated with Triptergium wilfordii alone and 77 percent of those treated with botch achieved an ACR of 50.

As previous studies have shown that this extract carries potential to help treat certain autoimmune disorders and even some cancers, researchers hope to further study the herb's possibilities.

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.