3 Herbal Medicine Choices to Help Overcome Osteoporosis Symptoms

The main treatment for osteoporosis is prescription medication, such as bisphosphonates, and may also include physical therapy. But in addition, there are several herbal medicines that are believed to potentially help overcome the symptoms of osteoporosis and control the severity of the disease.

Herbal remedy for osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is bone loss that often attacks older people and women. When osteoporosis attacks the sign of decreased bone mineral density making it vulnerable to breaking and brittle. To help relieve bone loss or osteoporosis, the following are various herbal medicines that can be consumed:

1. Red clover

Reporting from a study published in Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, red clover extract is believed to be an herbal medicine for people with osteoporosis.

The results of the study found that consuming red clover extract for 12 weeks had a good effect on the bone health of menopausal women. From the results of the study found that this supplement helps protect the backbone from the effects of bone aging due to age and osteoporosis.

Other research also mentions the process of decreasing bone density occurs more slowly in women who regularly consume this herb. Why? Red clover is reported to contain isoflavones that are structurally similar to natural estrogens in the human body.

Estrogen itself is a hormone that helps protect bone density and strength. Decreasing levels of the hormone estrogen in the body is one of the main factors that increases the risk of osteoporosis.

2. Black cohosh

Black cohosh is a popular herbal used by the American Indian community to overcome women's health problems. Black cohosh is widely used to treat menopausal symptoms, PMS syndrome, menstrual pain, acne, and inducing labor. But besides that, this herbal medicine is also often used to treat osteoporosis.

Black cohosh contains phytoestrogens (estrogen-like substances) which are believed to help prevent bone loss. A study in the journal Bone found evidence that black cohosh supports bone formation in mice.

Even so, black cohosh cannot be used as a substitute for estrogen in any treatment including hormone therapy. In some parts of the body, black cohosh is found to increase the effects of estrogen. While in other parts of black cohosh it is observed to reduce the effects of estrogen which are detrimental to the body.

Further research is still needed to strengthen the evidence whether this herbal medicine is really effective for osteoporosis or not. Be sure to discuss with your doctor about the benefits and side effects of this herbal medicine before consumption.

3. Horsetail

Horsetail, including herbal medicines that are thought to be able to help overcome osteoporosis. Usually these herbs are consumed as supplements, teas, or herbal compresses.

The silicon content in horsetail is believed to help reduce bone loss. In addition, the plant with the Latin name Equisetum arvense is also thought to strongly stimulate bone regeneration.

Horsetail, including plants that contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory. This content has compounds that work like diuretic pills, or in other words make you urinate frequently. Therefore, you are usually advised to drink plenty of water so that the fluid that is lost and comes out can be replaced.

In addition to osteoporosis, this herbal remedy is also used to treat fluid buildup in the body such as edema. High cholesterol levels, heavy menstruation, and kidney stones can also be alleviated by these herbal remedies. However, further research is still needed to prove its effectiveness.

Herbal medicine is not the main treatment for osteoporosis

Even though it's natural, keep in mind that herbal medicine is not a substitute for primary treatment. There are no studies that guarantee 100 percent that herbal medicines can replace medical drugs for osteoporosis. Much research is still needed to strengthen the evidence of potential reports of herbal medicines for osteoporosis.

The purpose of herbal medicine itself is not to cure but to relieve symptoms and severity. Therefore, herbal medicines are usually only given as a complement to other doctors' medicine. You also need to consult with your doctor to decide which herbal medicines are safe and suitable for your condition. Because the active ingredients in it might interfere with the work of the main drug.

Herbal medicines that are consumed may react negatively to the medicines you consume. Instead of alleviating the condition, herbal remedies can actually worsen the health of bones and the body.

Therefore, always consult a doctor before taking herbal medicines either in the form of supplements or other extracts.

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