Most herbal treatments for arthritis have "unconvincing" evidence in their favour, experts warn today.
Just three herbs may work without serious side-effects, according to the analysis.
And one herb widely used to treat the condition, devil’s claw, has gained approval for use in Britain in spite of having no clear evidence backing it.
The analysis is published today by the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin, studying the impact of herbs on osteo-arthritis, a condition caused by degeneration of the joints.
The bulletin says that Indian frankincense, rosehip and extracts of avocado or soybean oils may work.
But other popular herbs may have serious side-effects while doing little for the condition, it warns.
It says nettle and cat’s claw should not be taken in pregnancy and nettle can also interfere with diabetes drugs.
Willow bark – which is related to aspirin – should not be used by people with peptic ulcers, clotting disorders or asthma, it says.
It warns: "Herbal medicines can have significant pharmacological actions, and so can cause unwanted effects and have potentially dangerous interactions with other medicines – both herbal and conventional.
"Herbal medicines have traditionally been used for the relief of osteoarthritis symptoms. However, there is a lack of licensed herbal medicinal products on the market for such symptoms, and none specifically licensed for osteoarthritis.
"Also the efficacy and safety of such products is generally under researched and information on potentially significant herb-drug interactions is limited."
Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin January 12 2012
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