The Herbal Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is widely acknowledged as the most common, devastating, and diverse ailment that wreaks havoc on people's lives across the world. In the elderly, it is estimated that 10% of males and 18% of women over the age of 60 are affected and its frequency and incidence are increasing in the present scenario. Herbal medicines appear to be safe and effective with antiosteoarthritic effects that help in increased alleviation of symptoms and/or impairment and consist of numerous phytochemicals that have been scientifically verified and confirmed with antiosteoarthritic activity. Currently, there is no definitive cure for osteoarthritis, and there are no effective therapies that can stop or halt the progression of the disease. However, there are a variety of therapies available, ranging from new to old. Intra-articular injections, topical treatments, and oral medicines are altogether FDA-approved replacements for surgery. These all modes of treatment may prove fatal sometimes and are not always successful. Herbal medicines have been utilized worldwide for the treatment of osteoarthritis. This review mainly focuses on the treatment approach of osteoarthritis with the herbal medicines available, because of the side effects and toxicities, and unwanted symptoms of the present treatments.