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-WDDTY - Vol: 12 Issue: 8 Rheumatoid arthritis

>>" Homeopathy Four years ago (WDDTY, vol 8, no 6) when I first wrote about rheumatoid arthritis (RA), I reported that wearing copper bracelets, correcting low gastric acid, identifying environmental and food allergies, and eating at least one avocado pear a day had proven benefits.

Since then, much more evidence has come to light of alternative remedies Homeopathy that may be highly beneficial to sufferers of this condition.
Homeopathy
Homoeopathy

Paloondo, a plant found in Mexico and Southern California, was used by the Aztecs for inflammatory rheumatoid-arthritic conditions and has been found to be useful for RA in homoeopathic potencies. Euretin and Paloon-don-Dragées, two patented medicines made in Austria and licensed in the European Union, have shown evidence of success.

Paloondon-Dragées has undergone a placebo-controlled Hahnemannian proving - the basic homoeopathic experiment in which a remedy is tested to determine whether it can produce the symptoms it is meant to cure - and was indeed found to produce arthromuscular rheumatism (Homoeother
rheumatisch Leiden Paloondo, 1970, 6: 241-5.)

Nutritional therapy

Bromelain, an enzyme obtained from the pineapple plant (Ananas comosus), can be effective in reducing the amount of inflammation associated with RA and the dose of steroids needed to manage it.

Twenty-five patients with stage II or III RA were able to taper their steroid dosages down to small maintenance doses of enteric-coated bromelain. Joint swelling was also substantially reduced in most patients (Penn Med J, 1964, 67: 27-30).

Ayurvedic Medicine

This Indian system of medicine has long used the yellow pigment - called curcumin - derived from the turmeric plant (Curcuma longa) to treat joint inflammation.

In one double-blind study, RA patients were given either curcumin or phenylbutazone, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Those taking the turmeric showed similar improvements in duration of morning stiffness, walking and joint swelling compared with those taking the
NSAID, but without the substantial side-effects usually seen with the drug (Ind J Med Res, 1980; 71: 632-4).

Chinese medicine

Two experimental studies have shown that the root of the Chinese medicinal herb Lei gong teng (Tripterygium wilfordii) is usually effective to some degree for both RA and ankylosing spondylitis (J Trad Chin Med, 1983, 3: 125-9; Chin Med J, 1989, 102: 327-32).

Herbal medicine

A herbal remedy made from the Yucca plant has also been shown to be
helpful in easing the symptoms of RA.

In an American study involving Desert Pride Herbal Food Tablets (containing Yucca plant saponin extract), 149 RA patients were given either the Yucca saponin extract or placebo for one week to 15 months. At the end of the trial, 61 per cent had less pain, swelling and stiffness compared with 22 per cent of those taking the placebo. Some improved within days or weeks whereas some took several months or more (J Appl Nutr, 1975; 27: 45-50).

Osteopathy

Good osteopathic care can modify the course of RA and even bring about a remission. Once the acute inflammation has subsided, this should include heat, friction, hot wetpacks, stretching, exercise, support and careful Dietary Therapy passive articulation of the affected joints (Br J Gen Pract, 1993: 15-8).

Dietary Therapy

A Norwegian study showed that a change to a vegetarian diet normalised dietary fatty acids and reduced the inflammation seen in RA.

The patients were allowed to consume only vegetable soups, vegetable juices, garlic and herbal teas for the first 10 days. Thereafter, the diet was gluten-free, and meat was allowed only sparingly on every second day. For the first three months, citrus, salt, refined sugar, tea, coffee, cocoa, cola, strong spices, alcohol, milk and milk products
were strictly forbidden (Bartram T, Bartram’s Encyclopaedia of Herbal Medicine, London: Robinson Publishing, 1998: 372).

Harald Gaier - Harald Gaier is a registered homoeopath, naturopath and osteopath " <<
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Thought that Forum members might be interested in this input a friend has just posted to me. Martin, any thoughts, points? Discussion anyone?

Molly
Keeping on Keeping on (checking alternatives)

Each to their own in terms of treatment. Whatever works for YOU.. !!

I do not berate the possible benefits of alternative remedies of course.

My keynote statement would be to ensure the products you are taking are provided by a reputable manufacturer and processed in accordance with Good Agricultural Collection Practices (GACP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and their Quality and Safety assured by adequate procedural controls. I therefore recommend sticking to those products manufactured by established (registered) companies under the legislative requirements in your country of residence. If that is the EU, then Herbal/Homoeopathic manufacturers must be registered under the National Rules schemes and their facilities/procedures must meet EU Regulations applying GACP/GMP.

Natural source materials (e.g. plant, mineral, animal origin) are prone to contamination from the environment they exist within. GMPs assure the Quality, Safety and Efficacy of such materials to safeguard the consumer. Don't take the risk if you don't know the source of materials or how they have been processed.

your post is very interesting. I'm looking to the reference you mention and can't find it : Good osteopathic care can modify the course of RA and even bring about a remission. Once the acute inflammation has subsided, this should include heat, friction, hot wetpacks, stretching, exercise, support and careful Dietary Therapy passive articulation of the affected joints (Br J Gen Pract, 1993: 15-8).
Could you provide me with an effective link ?
Thank you

WDDTY - What Doctors Don't Tell You:
http://www.wddty.co.uk/cms/content.asp?pageid=home

My chum sent me the information but don't know which section it all came from. Will try to find out for you. The site is vast - a maze of subject matter.)

Molly
Keeping on Keepin on (digging and delving)