Phytochemistry and medicobotany of some medicinal plants used in treatment of arthritis

Abstract

Every culture in history has depended on the healing power of herbs. Even modern mainstream medicine is intimately linked to herbal traditions. Like other forms of alternative therapy, herbal medicine attempts not to cure disease, but helps the body to return itself in the state of balance i.e. health. In general, herbal medicines work in much the same way as conventional pharmaceutical drugs. Herbs contain a large number of naturally occurring substances that work to alter the body's chemistry in order to return it to its natural state of health. In recent years, due to fast and busy life style, mental tension, low physical activity, many diseases and disorders are increasing. One of the most common musculoskeletal disease and disorder is arthritis. Herbs have been used for centuries in the treatment of many diseases and it has been demonstrated that some of them can have an incredible effect as an herbal treatment for arthritis. In modern allopathic system many medicines are also prescribed for this disorder, but they have many side effects. Therefore to avoid their side effects, now days, people are much inclined to use herbs based medicines rather than modern allopathic. Keeping this in view, present paper highlights the phytochemistry of some medicinal plants which are used traditionally for treatment of arthritis in India. These herbs have properties that can significantly reduce joint pain or swelling and have no side affects. Some herbs viz. Boswellia serrata (Salai Guggul), Curcuma longa (Haldi), Commiphora mukul (Guggul), Ricinis communis (Arandi), Vitex negundo (Nirgundi), Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), and Zingiber officinale (Adrakh) are enumerated in this paper with their botanical names, local names, family, biological descriptions, phytochemistry and medicinal uses.