Malabar nut, a plant widely used in Ayurvedic medicine, effectively reduces inflammation in patients with arthritis

A study in the Journal of Nutrition & Intermediary Metabolism has found that Malabar nut (Adhatoda vasica) can potentially improve cases of rheumatoid arthritis. In the study, a team from the University of Calcutta suggests that the leaves of the plant, which is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine, can not only reduce inflammation but also improve bone damage, based on animal studies.

“The present study has demonstrated that the administration of [the] methanolic extract of A. vasica leaf improves against chronic inflammation,” the researchers wrote in their report. “[In addition, the] administration [of] AVE in rheumatoid arthritis also showed improvement of bone damage.”

For the study, the team looked at whether the plant could reduce symptoms following rheumatoid arthritis — a chronic disease that affects over 1.3 million Americans. In particular, the team treated mice with collagen before the experiment to mimic the effects of arthritis. The mice were then given an oral solution of the methanolic extract from the Malabar nut, after which they were observed further for any changes. The results indicated that mice treated with the leaf extract had significantly lower inflammation biomarkers, indicating its ability to regulate inflammation in the joints. It also exhibited potent antioxidant properties, based on tissue samples on the liver, spleen, and synovial tissues. According to the researchers, the antioxidant effect of Malabar nuts meant that these can protect the body against the effects of oxidative stress, which is prevalent in cases of rheumatoid arthritis. The tissue samples also showed that treating joints with the methanolic extract improved bone damage, especially those caused by the disease.

Based on these results, the team concluded that Malabar nut has the potential to be used in alternative medicine for improving symptoms for rheumatoid arthritis. This biological activity, they added, is the result of the ability of the extract to regulate oxidative stress and inhibit the release of pro-inflammatory proteins in the joints. (Related: Study: Curcumin found effective at alleviating symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.)

Find relief from rheumatoid arthritis with these herbs

In finding effective treatments against rheumatoid arthritis, an important thing to understand is that it’s an inflammatory disease. Fortunately, many herbs and spices have anti-inflammatory properties, which make them welcome additions to any person’s diet.

• Ginger — Gingerol, the active compound in ginger, is what gives ginger its distinct flavor, as well as its anti-inflammatory properties. In a 2015 study in Phytotherapy Research, researchers found that the bioactive components in ginger reduced the activity of pro-inflammatory T cells, which can contribute to systemic inflammation.
• Turmeric — Turmeric is revered in Ayurvedic medicine for its many health benefits, including its ability to reduce inflammation. Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, is responsible for not only its anti-inflammatory properties but also its antibacterial and anti-cancer abilities.
• Green tea — The polyphenols present in green tea can help reduce inflammation, according to a study published in Arthritis Research & Therapy. This greatly benefits those with rheumatoid arthritis, since inflammation is one of its primary symptoms.
• Cinnamon — Long before it was used in coffee, cinnamon bark is famous as for its medicinal properties. In particular, the right amount of cinnamon can go a long way in reducing the effects of inflammation. However, pregnant women should seek the advice of a health professional before using cinnamon.

Learn more about natural ways to treat rheumatoid arthritis at NaturalCures.news.

Sources include:

Health.news

Rheumatology.org

ScienceDirect.com

EverydayHealth.com