Osteoarthritis is a problem with the joints. The flexible tissue between joints begins to wear down. This causes pain and limits movement. Other symptoms are stiffness and creaking sounds. It is managed with healthy habits and medicine. Some people may need surgery. Natural therapies have been used to ease pain and improve movement. They should not be used in place of standard care.

Natural Therapies

Likely Effective

These herbs and supplements are likely to ease pain and improve mobility:

Therapies that are likely to help are:

May Be Effective

These herbs and supplements may ease pain and swelling:

  • Bitter melon is a tropical, fruit-like gourd. (Note: It should not be taken by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.) D35
  • Capsaicin is the active ingredient in peppers. It can be applied as a gel. D14
  • Cartilage is the connective tissue on the surface of joints. D16, D25
  • Comfrey (topical) is a plant that can be taken as a supplement or applied to the skin. (Note: It should not be taken by people who have liver problems.) D17
  • Corydalis is an herb that can be taken as a supplement or made into a tea. D10, D22
  • Lavender can be massaged as an oil. D26
  • Moxibustion burns an herb called moxa on or near a person’s skin. F1-F3
  • Skullcap is a plant that may ease symptoms when taken with Acacia catechu. (Note: It should not be taken by people who have anxiety or problems with blood clotting.) D7, D19
  • Traditional Chinese medicine is the use of acupuncture, cupping, massage, herbs, and other methods to bring balance to the body. D41
  • Turmeric is a plant in the ginger family (Note: It should not be taken by people who have bone problems.) D8, D15, D40
  • Vitamin E is found in nuts and olive oil. D28

Therapies that may ease pain and improve functions are:

May Not Be Effective

Not Enough Data to Assess

Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.

Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.

Herbs and Supplements to Be Used With Caution

Talk to your doctor about all herbs or pills you are taking. Some may get in the way of your treatment or make some health problems worse:

  • Bitter melon should not be taken by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • Chondroitin should not be taken by people who take blood thinners.
  • Comfrey should not be taken by people who have liver problems.
  • S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) should not be taken by people who have depression. It may interact with their medicines.
  • Skullcap should not be taken by people who have anxiety or blood clotting problems. It may interact with their medicines.
  • Turmeric should not be taken by people who have bone disorders. It may interact with their medicines.

References

Acupuncture

REFA1 Manheimer E, Cheng K, et al. Acupuncture for peripheral joint osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010 Jan 20;(1):CD001977.

REFA2 Corbett MS, Rice SJ, et al. Acupuncture and other physical treatments for the relief of pain due to osteoarthritis of the knee: network meta-analysis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2013 Sep;21(9):1290-1298.

REFA3 Manyanga T, Froese M, et al. Pain management with acupuncture in osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2014 Aug 23;14:312.

REFA4 Lin X, Huang K, et al. The Effects of Acupuncture on Chronic Knee Pain Due to Osteoarthritis: A Meta-Analysis. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2016 Sep 21;98(18):1578-1585.

REFA5 Chen N, Wang J, et al. Electro-Acupuncture is Beneficial for Knee Osteoarthritis: The Evidence from Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Am J Chin Med. 2017;45(5):965-985.

REFA6 Manheimer E, Cheng K, et al. Acupuncture for hip osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;5:CD013010.

REFA7 Li J, Li YX, et al. The effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis: An overview of systematic reviews. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(28):e16301.

REFB Ayurvedic Interventions

REFB1 Kessler CS, Pinders L, et al. Ayurvedic interventions for osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Rheumatol Int. 2015 Feb;35(2):211-232.

REFC Cupping Therapy

REFC1 Li JQ, Guo W, et al. Cupping therapy for treating knee osteoarthritis: The evidence from systematic review and meta-analysis. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2017 Aug;28:152-160.

REFD Herbs and Supplements

REFD1 Jonas WB, Rapoza CP, et al. The effect of niacinamide on osteoarthritis: a pilot study. Inflamm Res. 1996;45(7):330-334.

REFD2 Das A Jr, Hammad TA. Efficacy of a combination of FCHG49 glucosamine hydrochloride, TRH 122 low molecular weight sodium chondroitin sulfate and manganese ascorbate in the management of knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2000;8(5):343-350.

REFD3 Hesslink R Jr, Armstrong D 3rd, et al. Cetylated fatty acids improve knee function in patients with osteoarthritis. J Rheumatol. 2002;29(8):1708-1712.

REFD4 Towheed TE, Maxwell L, et al. Glucosamine therapy for treating osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005;(2):CD002946.

REFD5 Cisár P, Jány R, et al. Effect of pine bark extract (Pycnogenol) on symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. Phytother Res. 2008;22(8):1087-1092.

REFD6 Christensen R, Bartels EM, et al. Does the hip powder of Rosa canina (rosehip) reduce pain in osteoarthritis patients?—a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2008;16(9):965-972.

REFD7 Levy RM, Saikovsky R, et al. Flavocoxid is as effective as naproxen for managing the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee in humans: a short term randomized, double-blind pilot study. Nutr Res. 2009;29(5):298-304.

REFD8 Kaptniratsaikul V, Thanakhumpyorn S, et al. Efficacy and safety of Curcuma domestica extracts in patients with knee osteoarthritis. J Altern Complement Med. 2009;15(8):898-907.

REFD9 Rutjes AW, Nüesch E, et al. S-Adenosylmethionine for osteoarthritis of the knee or hip. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009;(4):CD007321.

REFD10 Zuo C, Chen YT, et al. [Clinical efficacy of Corydalis composite combined with methotrexate in treating rheumatoid arthritis]. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2009;29(11):1023-1025

REFD11 Cameron M, Gagnier JJ, et al. Evidence of effectiveness of herbal medicinal products in the treatment of arthritis. Part I: Osteoarthritis. Phytother Res. 2009;23(11):1497-1515.

REFD12 Lee YH, Woo JH, et al. Effect of glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate on the osteoarthritis progression: a meta-analysis. Rheumatol Int. 2010;30(3):357-363.

REFD13 Hochberg MC. Structure-modifying effects of chondroitin sulfate in knee osteoarthritis: an updated meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials of 2-year duration. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2010;1:28-31.

REFD14 Kosuwon W, Sirichitiwapee W, et al. Efficacy of symptomatic control of knee osteoarthritis with 0.0125% of capsaicin versus placebo. J Med Assoc Thai. 2010;93(10):1188-1195.

REFD15 Belcaro G, Cesarone MR, et al. Efficacy and safety of Meriva, a curcumin-phosphatidylcholine complex, during extended administration in osteoarthritis patients. Altern Med Rev. 2010;15(4):227-244.

REFD16 Schauss AG, Stenehjem J, et al. Effect of the novel low molecular weight hydrolyzed chicken sternal cartilage extract, BioCell Collagen, on improving osteoarthritis-related symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Agric Food Chem. 2012;60(16):4096-4101.

REFD17 Pabst H, Schaefer A, et al. Combination of comfrey root extract plus methyl nicotinate in patients with conditions of acute upper or low back pain: a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Phytother Red. 2013;27(6):811-817.

REFD18 Schumacher HR, Pullman-Mooar S, et al. Randomized double-blind crossover study of the efficacy of a tart cherry juice blend in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee). Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2013;21(8):1035-1041.

REFD19 Arjmandi BH, Ormsbee LT, et al. A combination of Scutellaria baicalensis and Acacia catechu extracts for short-term symptomatic relief of joint discomfort associated with osteoarthritis of the knee. J Med Food. 2014;17(6):707-713.

REFD20 Cameron M, Chrubasik S. Oral herbal therapies for treating osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;22(5):CD002947.

REFD21 Singh JA, Noorbaloochi S, et al. Chondroitin for osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;1:CD005614.

REFD22 Zuo C, Yin G, et al. [Controlled clinical study on compound Decumbent Corydalis Rhizome and diclofenac in treatment of knee osteoarthritis]. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2015;40(1):149-153.

REFD23 Bartels EM, Folmer VN, et al. Efficacy and safety of ginger in osteoarthritis patients: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2015;23(1):13-21.

REFD24 Zeng C, Wei J, et al. Effectiveness and safety of Glucosamine, chondroitin, the two in combination, or celecoxib in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. 2015;5:16827.

REFD25 Lugo JP, Saiyed ZM, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of an undenatured type II collagen supplement in modulating knee osteoarthritis symptoms: a multicenter randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Nutr J. 2016;15:14.

REFD26 Nasiri A, Mahmodi MA, et al. Effect of aromatherapy massage with lavender essential oil on pain in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2016;25:75-80.

REFD27 Harrison-Muñoz S, Rojas-Briones V, et al. Is glucosamine effective for osteoarthritis. Medwave. 2017;17(Suppl1):e6867.

REFD28 Tantavisut S, Tanavalee A, et al. Effect of vitamin E on oxidative stress level in blood, synovial fluid, and synovial tissue in severe knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2017;18(1):281.

REFD29 Karimifar M, Soltani R, et al. Evaluation of the effect of Elaeagnus angustifolia alone and combined with Boswellia thurifera compared with ibuprofen in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial. Clin Rheumatol. 2017;36(8):1849-1853.

REFD30 Gao XR, Chen YS, et al. The effect of vitamin D supplementation on knee osteoarthritis: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Int J Surg. 2017;46:14-20.

REFD31 Diao N, Yang B, et al. Effect of vitamin D supplementation on knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Clin Biochem. 2017;50(18):1312-1316.

REFD32 Liu X, Machado GC, et al. Dietary supplements for treating osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Br J Sports Med. 2018;52(3):167-175.

REFD33 Zhu X, Sang L, et al. Effectiveness and safety of glucosamine and chondroitin for the treatment of osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Orthop Surg Res. 2018;13(1):170.

REFD34 Simental-Mendía M, Sánchez-García A, et al. Effect of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. Rheumatol Int. 2018;38(8):1413-1428.

REFD35 Soo May L, Sanip Z, et al. The effects of Momordica charantia (bitter melon) supplementation in patients with primary knee osteoarthritis: A single-blind, randomized controlled trial. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2018;32:181-186.

REFD36 Ogata T, Ideno Y, et al. Effects of glucosamine in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Rheumatol. 2018;37(9):2479-2487.

REFD37 Bannuru RR, Osani MC, et al. Efficacy of curcumin and Boswellia for knee osteoarthritis: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2018;43(3):416-429.

REFD38 Diao N, Yang B, et al. Effect of vitamin D supplementation on knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Clin Biochem. 2017 Dec;50(18):1312-1316.

REFD39 Knapik JJ, Pope R, et al. Effects of Oral Chondroitin Sulfate on Osteoarthritis-Related Pain and Joint Structural Changes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Spec Oper Med. Spring 2019;19(1):113-124.

REFD40 Daily JW, Yang M, et al. Efficacy of Turmeric Extracts and Curcumin for Alleviating the Symptoms of Joint Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. J Med Food. 2016 Aug;19(8):717-729.

REFD41 Chen B, Zhan H, et al. Traditional Chinese Medications for Knee Osteoarthritis Pain: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Am J Chin Med. 2016;44(4):677-703.

REFE Massage

REFE1 Tosun B, Unal N, et al. Effects of Self-Knee Massage With Ginger Oil in Patients With Osteoarthritis: An Experimental Study. Res Theory Nurs Pract. 2017;31(4):379-392.

REFE2 Zwolińska J, Weres A, et al. One-Year Follow-Up of Spa Treatment in Older Patients with Osteoarthritis: A Prospective Single Group Study. Biomed Res Int. 2018;2.

REFE3 Efe Arslan D, Kututürkan S, et al. The Effect of Aromatherapy Massage on Knee Pain and Functions Status in Participants with Osteoarthritis. Pain Manag Nurs. 2019;20(1):62-69.

REFE4 Nelson NL, Churilla JR. Massage Therapy for Pain and Function in Patients With Arthritis: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2017 Sep;96(9):665-672.

REFF Moxibustion

REFG Tai Chi

REFG1 Hall A, Copsey B, et al. Effectiveness of Tai Chi for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Conditions: Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Phys Ther. 2017 Feb 1;97(2):227-238.

REFG2 Kong LJ, Lauche R, et al. Tai Chi for Chronic Pain Conditions: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Sci Rep. 2016 Apr 29;6:25325.

REFG3 Chen YW, Hunt MA, et al. The effect of Tai Chi on four chronic conditions-cancer, osteoarthritis, heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review and meta-analyses. Br J Sports Med. 2016 Apr;50(7):397-407.

REFG4 Lauche R, Langhorst J, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of Tai Chi for osteoarthritis of the knee. Complement Ther Med. 2013 Aug;21(4):396-406.

REFG5 Yan JH, Gu WJ, et al. Efficacy of Tai Chi on pain, stiffness and function in patients with osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2013 Apr 19;8(4):e61672.

REFH Traditional Chinese Exercise

REFH1 Zhang Y, Huang L, et al. The Effects of Traditional Chinese Exercise in Treating Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLoS One. 2017 Jan 25;12(1):e0170237.

REFI Yoga

REFI1 Cheung C, Wyman JF, et al. Managing knee osteoarthritis with yoga or aerobic/strengthening exercise programs in older adults: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Rheumatol Int. 2017;37(3):389-398.

REFI2 Park J, McCaffrey R, et al. A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effects of Chair Yoga on Pain and Physical Function Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults With Lower Extremity Osteoarthritis. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2017;65(3):592-597.

REFI3 Wang Y, Lu S, et al. Integrative effect of yoga practice in patients with knee arthritis: A PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2018 Aug;97(31):e11742.

REFI4 Ward L, Stebbings S, et al. Yoga for functional ability, pain and psychosocial outcomes in musculoskeletal conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Musculoskeletal Care. 2013 Dec;11(4):203-217.

Revision Information

  • Reviewer: EBSCO NAT Review Board Eric Hurwitz, DC
  • Review Date: 02/2020
  • Update Date: 05/10/2020