Rhodiola Rosea for Arthiritis Pain

Rhodiola rosea, or roseroot, is a plant native to parts of Europe and North America. The roots of the rhodiola rosea plant are frequently used in alternative medicine to treat a variety of conditions, including the pain caused by arthritis.

Function

• Rhodiola rosea contains chemical called adaptogens, which help the body respond to cellular damage, according to safealternativemedicine.co.uk.

Expert Insight

• A study conducted at the Defence Food Research Laboratory in Karnataka, India, showed that the adaptogens in rhodiola rosea reduce inflammation.

Effects

• Because the pain of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis is frequently caused by inflammation in the joints, rhodiola rosea has the potential to reduce symptoms caused by these arthritic conditions.

Risks

• The most common side effects of rhodiola rosea are dizziness and dry mouth. While rhodiola rosea is considered safe for short-term use of up to 10 weeks, its long-term effects and safety are not known, according to rxlist.com.

Considerations

• Because it is not known whether rhodiola rosea poses any risks to babies, avoid using the supplement for arthritic pain if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.