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Are there alternative remedies for arthritis?
My 75-year-old grandmother suffered a DVT (deep vein thrombosis) last April. She was prescribed warfarin but stops taking the tablets this week. Unfortunately, she also suffers with arthritis but was told to stop taking her arthrotec tablets when she was put on warfarin. She is in a great deal of pain but has been told she won't be able to re-start her arthrotec tablets. I have read a lot about the benefits of ginger and devil's claw but are they safe for her to take with aspirin and co-dydramol and, if so, in what quantities? She is also overweight and not very mobile due to a hip-replacement operation several years ago that went wrong. I would like to be able to help her.
I'm afraid that the interactions between drugs and herbs (which contain a whole package of chemical components) has been a relatively uncharted area for both doctors and herbalists and although information is beginning to come through, it's as well to err on the side of caution. Some pharmacies have a computer database which shows known interactions between prescribed medications and herbal preparations, so it's worth asking.
I'd be reluctant to advise anyone to take devil's claw with aspirin, as devil's claw can increase stomach acid production in the same way as aspirin, although not nearly to the same extent.
Ginger appears to be safe and as a 'warming' herb is even used to help improve circulation, lower cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular disease. To relieve arthritic aches and pains, medical herbalist Andrew Chevallier suggests diluting five drops of essential oil of ginger in 20 drops of a carrier oil such as wheatgerm or almond oil (available from health shops), and massaging into painful areas. Remember that essential oils should never be taken internally.
You might consider supplements of glucosamine sulphate. This is a glucose-based chemical produced naturally in healthy joints, where it is used to repair and maintain cartilage, and seems to be effective in reducing arthritic pain, at least in mild to moderate cases. So far, no adverse side effects have been reported, but it is the subject of major clinical trials in the US, so we should soon know a great deal more. Glucosamine sulphate is available from chemists and health shops, though it would be sensible to tell the pharmacist what prescribed medication your grandmother is taking. The current recommended dose is 750mgs twice daily. There is a lot of information about diet, complementary therapies and more on the website of arthritis research campaign
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