Could a Chinese Herb Replace Life-Threatening RA Drugs?

This abnormal immune response causes inflammation that can damage joints and organs, such as the heart. It’s chronic, extremely painful, and can be debilitating.

A high-profile study published in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases has shown that a natural herb can be more effective than FDA-approved drugs.

The Annals study tested whether thunder god vine (Tripterygium wilfordii, a perennial vine native to China, Japan, and Korea) was more effective in the treatment of RA than the most commonly prescribed disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug, methotrexate.

Of the 207 trial participants, 55% of those who took thunder god vine extract experienced at least a 50% improvement in the tender and swollen joints, pain and disability associated with RA. By comparison, just 46.5% of patients on methotrexate had the same reduction in symptoms.

A third group, who took a combination of thunder god vine and methotrexate, had the best results: 77% showed a reduction of symptoms. The downside of methotrexate, is an extremely dangerous drug to take.  Those severe  side effects are not seen with the thunder god vine herb.

This study has confirmed what Chinese herbalists have known for more than 400 years, that thunder god vine is useful in the treatment of inflammation and autoimmune diseases. The herb has even been shown to have anti-cancer properties.  In one 2012 study, the herb completely wiped out pancreatic tumors in mice in just forty days.

As Dr. Jonathan Wright notes, thunder god vine may produce mild side effects such as nausea, indigestion, or diarrhea. As always, and especially because it’s difficult to get high quality thunder god vine in the United States, talk to your doctor and pharmacist, prior to starting a new health regimen.

Thunder god vine could become a cost-effective alternative to RA drugs.

For More Information:

http://www.anh-usa.org/chinese-herb-ra-drugs/