Health Alert 183
If you have chronic pain, you may know the prescription drugs Celebrex and Vioxx. Their use is very common. When Celebrex came out it was the #1-selling drug of all time…until Viagra hit the street. But Viagra isn’t what dropped the popularity of Celebrex. It was because patients started experiencing the reality… not the hype. When they first came out, most doctors repeated the reassurances from drug companies that these new drugs were much safer. It turns out they’re not that safe after all. Independent testing and patient experience shows the same kidney, stomach, and vascular problems – even serious bleeding into the intestines – as the old anti-inflammatory drugs.1,2
Today, I want to tell you about some naturally occurring pain relievers. We are learning that some work in the same way Celebrex and Vioxx do without the dangerous side effects. You may be pleasantly surprised to find them in your kitchen cupboard.
*Non-Drug Relief of Pain*
Celebrex and Vioxx both work by inactivating an inflammatory enzyme called Cox-2. Recent studies are showing that this is not an entirely new capability. Quite to the contrary, some of the oldest natural remedies on record work by inhibiting the same enzyme. Natural Cox-2 inhibitors have been shown to:
• Reduce joint pain
• Suppress inflammation
• Relieve muscle pains and spasms
• Relieve neck, back and hip pain
• Improve mobility and range of motion
I know of about a dozen natural Cox-2 inhibitors. You may find some no further than your spice rack…
Ginger: This Japanese remedy contains 12 different anti-inflammatory compounds. Some block Cox-2. Some lower pain receptor and nerve-ending sensitivity. In one trial, over 75% had relief from pain and swelling after taking ginger.3 Most pharmacies and health food stores sell ginger powder in pills or capsules. Look for an extract with 5% gingerols.
Turmeric: This Indian yellow spice reduces the pain and inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis.4 It even soothes swelling in the gastrointestinal tract.5 You can also find Turmeric’s active ingredient, curcumin, as a supplement. You can take two 250 mg capsules twice a day.
Red Grape Leaves and Skins: Whole red grapes, grape juice and red wine all relieve joint pain and swelling.6 If you’re not the grape-eating or red wine-drinking type, you can find supplements of the active ingredient, resveratrol, in 600 mcg capsules.
Rosemary: Herbalists have known about rosemary’s ability to relieve muscle pain and spasm for many years. This ancient remedy contains four anti-inflammatories. One works like steroids but without the side effects. Another relieves arthritis symptoms in clinical trials.7 You can use rosemary as a spice or steep it as a tea, using 1 tsp. of fresh dried leaves per cup of hot water. Let it steep for 15 minutes.
Oregano: Oregano contains more than 31 anti-inflammatory compounds.8 The effectiveness of this herb may make you go out for some Italian herb chicken. You can also use it to spice up your salad or fish.
If you suffer from severe chronic arthritis pain, you may still find you need the help of the prescription NSAID’s on the market such as Celebrex or Vioxx. But adding some or all of the natural remedies above may enable you to cut back on your dosesand lower your risk of harmful side effects.
Al Sears, M.D.
1. Singh G. Recent considerations in nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug gastropathy. Am J Med 1998; 105(1b):31S-8S.
2. Feldman M, McMahon AT. Do cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors provide benefits similar to those of traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, with less gastrointestinal toxicity? Ann Intern Med 2000; 132(2):134-43.
3. Srivastava KC, Mustafa T. Ginger (Zingiber offincinale) in rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders. Med Hypotheses 1992 Dec;39(4):342-8. Srivastava KC, Mustafa T. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and rheumatic disorders. Med Hypotheses 1989 May;29(1):25-8. Cyong JA. A pharmacological study of the antiinflammatory activity of Chinese herbs – A review. Int J Acupuncture Electro-Ther Res,1982;(7):173-202.
4. Deodhar SD, Sethi R, Srimal RC. Preliminary studies on antirheumatic activity of curcumin (diferuloyl methane). Ind J Med Res 1980;71:6324.
5. Zhang F, et al. Curcumin inhibits cyclooxygenase-2 transcription in bile acid-and phorbol ester-treated human gastrointestinal epithelial cells, Carcinogenesis 1990, 20(3):445-51.