Hello Johnny!
[ A note: This has been edited, since you indicated this morning that
you weren’t interested in prescription medications. The list is
considerably shorter without the prescription medications. ]
Medications and herbs used to reduce inflammation are called
“anti-inflammatories”. These medications and herbs are used in
varying doses to treat such conditions as arthritis, headaches, muscle
and back aches, and tendinitis. They are also used to treat minor
aches and pains, some symptoms of the common cold, and occasionally
fever.
There are two kinds of anti-inflammatory medications available –
steroidal and non-steroidal. Since you’re only interested in
non-prescription anti-inflammatories, I’ve weeded out all of the
steroidal and most of the non-steroidal varieties (this amounted to
most of the list!).
Let’s start with a list of “traditional” OTC (over the counter)
anti-inflammatories, as well as their dosing information,
contraindications, and interaction warnings:
Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)
http://www.medinfo.co.uk/drugs/aspirin.html
Brands:
BayerŽ
EcotrinŽ
AscriptinŽ
AnacinŽ
BufferinŽ
ExcedrinŽ
Ibuprofen
http://www.healthandage.com/html/res/com/ConsDrugs/Ibuprofencd.html
Found in:
AdvilŽ Migraine Liqui-Gels
AdvilŽ
Children's AdvilŽ Oral Suspension
Children's MotrinŽ Oral Suspension
GenprilŽ
HaltranŽ
Junior Strength MotrinŽ
MenadolŽ
MidolŽ
MotrinŽ IB
MotrinŽ Migraine Pain
NuprinŽ
Ketoprofen
http://www.healthandage.com/html/res/com/ConsDrugs/Ketoprofencd.html
Found in:
ActronŽ
OrudisŽ KT
Naproxen
http://www.healthandage.com/html/res/com/ConsDrugs/Naproxencd.html
Found in:
AleveŽ
Anti-inflammatories such as those listed above work by blocking the
body’s production of prostaglandins, which cause inflammation. (It
should be noted that inflammation is the body’s protective response
to injury and irritation.). They may also relieve pain not caused by
inflammation, such as from bruising or headaches.
Although there is no fundamental difference in the ability to treat
pain and inflammation between medications, some anti-inflammatories
may be safer or gentler on the stomach than others. If you plan to
use anti-inflammatories regularly (for anything but the occasional
headache or back pain, in other words), you should consult your
physician for dosing information and possible drug interactions.
Since no one anti-inflammatory is guaranteed to work for any given
person, your physician may have you try several, to determine which
one is right for you.
Daily usage of anti-inflammatories ranges from one to four doses a
day, depending on the drug, and the length of each dose’s
effectivness. Some OTC medications require 4 doses per day, while
their stronger, prescription counterparts may only require one dose
per day.
Consider the following chart:
Generic Name Hours Between Doses
aspirin (salicylate) 4
salicylate derivatives 8
diclofenac 8
etodolac 8
ibuprofen 4
indomethacin 8
ketoprofen 8
ketorolac tromethamine 6
nabumetone 24
naproxen 12
oxaprozin 24
piroxicam 24
Sulindac 12
Common side effects of these anti-inflammatories include: heartburn
or stomach ache, headache, nausea, dizziness, increased tendency
toward bleeding, and elevated blood pressure.. Additionally, 5% of
patients who regularly use anti-inflammatories develop stomach ulcers.
In rare instances, allergic reactions, liver problems or kidney
problems may occur. Anti-inflammatories should never be taken just
prior to surgery (due to blood thinning), nor should they be used by
anyone with liver or kidney disorders or anyone using blood thinning
medication.
A word of caution from the Cleveland Clinic:
“Never use an over-the-counter NSAID continuously for more than two
weeks without consulting your health care provider. Over-the-counter
NSAIDs are effective pain-relievers, but they are intended for
short-term use. When taking NSAIDs for long periods of time, you
should be carefully monitored by your health care provider so he or
she can detect harmful side effects and modify your treatment if
necessary.”
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Medications
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/arthritis/treat/facts/nsaids.htm
Additional Sources:
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY MEDICATIONS
http://www.thedacare.org/healthlib/bone3415.htm
Anti-inflammatory Medications Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs
(NSAIDs)
http://www.healthandage.com/html/res/com/ConsDepletions/AntiinflammatoryMedicationsNonsteroidalAntiinflammatoryDrugsNSAIDscl.html
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Medications
http://www.aspenors.com/nsaids.html
Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
http://www.medinfo.co.uk/drugs/nsaids.html
Snowbound Herbals recommends the following herbal alternatives to
NSAIDs:
Glucosamine sulfate. Initial dosing of 500mg four times a day for 8
to 10 weeks, then decreasing to three times a day for 8 weeks, then
decreasing again to twice a day. (I’ve used glucosamine for the past
year to treat my arthritis, and it has certainly alleviated the worst
of the symptoms. Not a complete cure, but a remarkable help.)
Grape Seed Extract – one or two tablets daily, used in conjunction
with glucosamine.
Bromelain- 500mg three times a day * on an empty stomach *.
Frankincense (boswellia) and Guggul – both available in capsule form.
Guggul is also available as a liquid. These are used in East Indian
Ayurvedic medicine.
Meadowsweet or willow bark extract – contains salicylin, which is
converted to acetylsalicylic acid *after* it is absorbed by the
stomach. Usage indicates 3 – 5 doses a day.
Turmeric – two capsules daily. Not recommended if you have
gallstones.
Sea cucumber – available in capsule form. Effective for reducing
inflammation caused by arthritis.
Snowbound Herbals - Alternatives to Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory
Medications (NSAIDS)
http://www.sbherbals.com/122001NSAIDS.html
Andie’s Café of the Absurd lists many herbs said to have
anti-inflammatory properties. Included are the common name and the
botanical name. Where available, I’ve also included pages describing
the herb’s properties (NOTE: Not all of these are suitable for
ingestion.):
COMFREY SYMPHYTUM OFFICINALE
http://www.herbalhut.com/comfrey.asp
COLTSFOOT TUSSILAGO FARFARA
BIRTHWORT ARISTOLCHIA CLEMATITIS
CHAMOMILE, GERMAN MATRICARIA CHAMOMILLA
http://www.herbalhut.com/chamomile.asp
ST JOHN'S WORT HYPERICUM PERFORATUM
SKULLCAP SCUTELLARIA LATERIFOLIA
FEVERFEW CHRYSANTHEMUM PARTHENIUM
http://www.herbalhut.com/feverfew.asp
WORMWOOD ARTEMISIA ABSINTHIUM
MARIGOLD CALENDULA OFFICINALIS
BORAGE BORAGO OFFICINALIS
http://www.herbalhut.com/borage.asp
LADY'S MANTLE ALCHEMILLA VULGARIS
SORREL, GARDEN RUMEX ACETOSA
MELILOT MELILOTUS OFFICINALIS
YARROW ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM
http://www.herbalhut.com/yarrow.asp
FENUGREEK TRIGONELLA FOENUM-GRAECUM
http://www.herbalhut.com/fenugreek.asp
RASPBERRY RUBUS IDAEUS
http://www.herbalhut.com/raspberry.asp
FLAX, LINSEED LINUM USITATISSIMUM
LIQUORICE GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA
http://www.herbalhut.com/licorice.asp
EYEBRIGHT EUPHRASIA OFFICINALIS
http://www.herbalhut.com/eyebright.asp
IVY, GROUND GLECHOMA HEDERACEA
MEADOWSWEET FILIPENDULA ULMARIA
BISTORT POLYGONUM BISTORTA
http://www.herbalhut.com/bistort.asp
SANICLE SANICULA EUROPAEA
Herbs By Action
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/5376/action.html
It’s important to note that there are no FDA approved studies
“proving” the efficacy of any of these herbs. This isn’t to say that
none are effective, just that they aren’t recognized by the FDA. Many
have been observed to offer anti-inflammatory benefits while in use
for folk and Chinese remedies. Not all herbs are effective for all
symptoms, and which ones might be effective for you will depend on a
number of factors. There are hundreds of medicinal herbs available,
said to help ease inflammation. Which is right for you depends
largely on your specific symptoms and needs.
Never undertake any herbal treatments without first consulting with
your personal physician *and* a reputable herbalist to determine
which, if any, herbal treatments are correct for you. As with any
drug, too much of a medicinal herb can have harmful side effects. If
you undertake any herbal therapies, be certain to follow the package
instructions exactly, and *never* exceed the doses recommended by your
physician and herbalist.
Additional Reading:
The Clinical Use Of Natural Anti-Inflammatory Herbs And Supplements
Written by Dr. James Meschino, D.C., M.S.,
http://www.spineguys.com/newsletter/03212002a.asp
Ask An Herbalist (Lifestyle analysis to find herbs that suit your
needs) http://www.backtohealth.net/nspcart/getdoc.cfm?theDoc=lifestyle.htm&FormatDoc=1&ID=2838415
How to Use Herbs for Health and Healing
http://www.drmyattswellnessclub.com/myattswellnessclub4.html
Natural Anti-Inflammatory Supplements: Research Status and Clinical
Applications
http://www.massagetoday.com/archives/2001/12/12.html
The Use of Herbs and Phytonutrients in Pain and Inflammation
http://www.positivehealth.com/permit/Articles/Regular/butlin60.htm
HISTORICALLY USED HERBS
http://www.herb-t.com/historic.htm
Inflammation Pain
http://www.bodyandfitness.com/Information/Health/inflammation.htm
I hope this helps! If you need further assistance or would like more
information on specific herbs or NSAIDs, please ask for clarification.
I’ll be happy to help!
--Missy
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