Skip to content
Rooted

Musculoskeletal

Osteoarthritis (general)

4 plants

Ask Assistant about this

Curcumin, boswellia, devil’s claw, topical capsaicin. Hand OA likes topicals. Hip OA still needs the limp/fracture screen.

Primary plants

  1. Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
    1
    TurmericHuman data

    Curcuma longa

    Curcuminoid extracts, OA pain scales.

    Typical. 500–2000 mg curcuminoids/day.

    Safety. DILI, bleeding, piperine.

  2. Indian frankincense (Boswellia serrata)
    2
    Indian frankincenseHuman data

    Boswellia serrata

    Boswellia OA trials.

    Typical. AKBA-standardized extract as labeled.

    Safety. GI upset.

  3. Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens)
    3
    Devil's clawHuman data

    Harpagophytum procumbens

    OA pain adjunct.

    Typical. Harpagoside extract 600–1200 mg/day.

    Safety. Ulcer, gallstones.

Supportive plants1
  • Cayenne (Capsicum annuum)
    CayenneHuman data
    Capsicum annuum

    Topical capsaicin, especially hands.

    Typical. 0.025–0.075% cream.

    Safety. Burns, eyes.

When this is not enough

  • Inflammatory polyarthritis, septic joint, fracture

Rooted is a private clinical reference for licensed practitioners. It is educational, not a treatment protocol, and not a substitute for the chart, the exam, or pharmacy review. Plant medicines interact with drugs and can harm liver, kidney, heart, pregnancy, and children.

All musculoskeletal diagnoses