10/30/2018 / By Michelle Simmons
People experiencing knee joint pain and discomfort, particularly those with knee osteoarthritis, may find relief in an Ayurvedic medicine called ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). A study published in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine found that the root and leaf extracts of ashwagandha relieve knee pain and discomfort caused by osteoarthritis.
Many patients with osteoarthritis use drug medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids and non-opioid analgesics, and intra-articular steroids, for their condition. However, these drugs are ineffective and even cause severe side effects.
In the search for safe and effective natural pain relief treatments, researchers from Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) in Hyderabad, India evaluated the efficacy and safety of the root and leaf extracts of ashwagandha in patients with knee joint pain and discomfort. Ashwagandha is known to contain analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and chondroprotective properties.
In the study, the researchers recruited 60 patients with knee joint pain and discomfort. These participants received placebo capsules, 125 milligrams (mg) of ashwagandha extract, or 250 mg of ashwagandha extract twice a day for 12 weeks.
The results revealed that participants who received doses of ashwagandha extracts experienced great reductions in pain, stiffness, and disability. Those who received the higher dose of ashwagandha, which was 250 mg, experienced even greater and faster effects than those who received the 125 mg dose. In addition, the ashwagandha treatment did not cause any side effect. Overall, both doses of ashwagandha extract caused significant reductions in pain, stiffness, and disability of patients in a dose-dependent manner without causing any side effect.
The findings of the study suggest that ashwagandha is a safe and effective treatment for knee joint pain, stiffness, and discomfort. (Related: Ashwagandha, or Indian ginseng, found to manage and prevent arthritis of the knee.)
Ashwagandha has been used for thousands of years as an alternative medicine based on Indian principles of natural healing. In Sanskrit, ashwagandha means “smell of the horse,” which refers to its distinct smell and ability to increase strength. Here are some of the medicinal uses of ashwagandha:
Another good thing about ashwagandha is that it is considered safe for most people at a dosage of 450 to 500 mg once or twice each day.
Read more news stories and studies on safe and effective natural pain relief medicines by going to AlternativeMedicine.news.
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Tagged Under: alternative medicine, ashwagandha, herbal medicine, Herbs, natural cures, natural healing, natural medicine, natural medicines, natural remedies, pain, pain relief, pain reliever, Withania somnifera