Are there herbs for osteoporosis?
Herbs for Osteoporosis. Let’s explore several herbs that can be used to prevent and treat osteoporosis. Both dandelion greens and dandelion roots offer benefits for your bones. Some health experts believe that one of the causes of osteoporosis is a slight acid/alkaline imbalance of the body.
Are there any natural treatments for osteopenia?
Natural Treatments for Osteopenia. Your doctor may recommend medications if you’ve already broken a bone. But many people try a number of nutritional supplements and herbs before they have a fracture to build stronger bones. The main ones are calcium and vitamin D supplements.
Can herbs help prevent post-menopausal bone loss?
Herbs classified as phytoestrogens, including kudzu, red clover, black cohosh, and soy, may be used to prevent post-menopausal bone loss. Phytoestrogens offer many health benefits for your entire body. In the human body, estrogen works in conjunction with the hormone progesterone.
How does green tea help with osteopenia?
Consumption of green tea might improve bone mineral density by stimulating activity in bone-forming cells and inhibiting activity in bone-weakening cells, according to a report published in 2009. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency is common among patients with osteopenia (as well as osteoporosis), suggests a 2006 study of 448 individuals.
What is the best medicine for osteopenia?
Medications that can treat osteopenia or prevent osteoporosis include: Bisphosphonates.
What supplements can help with osteopenia?
But many people try a number of nutritional supplements and herbs before they have a fracture to build stronger bones. The main ones are calcium and vitamin D supplements.
What is the best treatment for osteoporosis?
Bisphosphonates. These meds slow your body’s natural process for breaking down bone. You may keep the level of bone you have or even get a small boost of bone density. Bisphosphonates are the main drugs doctors use to prevent and treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
What are the best exercises to strengthen bones?
The best moves for bones are weight -bearing exercises that force your body to work against gravity. That includes walking, stair climbing, dancing, and lifting weights. Diet. For strong bones, you need a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D. High- calcium foods include:
How to reduce osteopenia?
Cut back on salt and caffeine. Both may make your body lose more calcium and bone. Caffeinated coffee and sodas have been linked to osteopenia, so try to cut back or switch to the decaf kinds. Check labels of packaged foods to see how much salt (or sodium) is in a serving.
How to keep your bones strong?
If you have strong bones, a healthy lifestyle can help keep them that way. If you already have osteopenia, those same lifestyle choices can lower the chances you’ll get osteoporosis. Make these practices part of your routine: Exercise. Like muscle, bone gets stronger when you use it.
What foods can cause bone loss?
Beef liver. Cheese. Egg yolks. Fortified breakfast cereals, juices, milk products, yogurt, and margarine. Don’t smoke, and drink less. If you smoke, try to quit. Studies have shown a strong link between cigarette smoking and lower bone density. If you drink alcohol, do it in moderation.
What are the risks of osteopenia?
Other factors that may raise your risk for osteopenia include: 1 eating disorders or other issues that prevent the body from absorbing a sufficient amount of minerals and vitamins 2 exposure to radiation therapy or chemotherapy 3 a family history of osteoporosis 4 excessive consumption of alcohol 5 use of certain medications, such as steroids
Is it too soon to prescribe alternative medicine for osteopenia?
Due to the limited research, it's too soon to recommend alternative medicine for osteopenia. It's also important to note that self-treating a condition and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious consequences.
Does green tea help bone density?
Green Tea. Consumption of green tea might improve bone mineral density by stimulating activity in bone-forming cells and inhibiting activity in bone-weakening cells, according to a report published in 2009.
Is osteopenia a bone condition?
Osteopenia is a condition marked by low bone mass. Although people with osteopenia have less dense bones than normal, the condition is not as severe as osteoporosis. However, people with osteopenia are at an increased risk of developing osteoporosis if their condition is left untreated.
What is the best treatment for osteoporosis?
Herbs for Osteoporosis: Herbs for Bone Health. Many conventional, lifestyle and herbal remedies are available to help prevent and treat osteoporosis, and each method has its own pros and cons. Generally speaking, herbal remedies for osteoporosis work more slowly than pharmaceuticals. They may be used as the main form of supplementation ...
Why do dandelion greens help with osteoporosis?
Some health experts believe that one of the causes of osteoporosis is a slight acid/alkaline imbalance of the body. Stress, illness, inactivity, and a poor diet may increase acidy of your body’s tissues, while calcium and other minerals needed for strong bones leach out in acidic environments.
Why do we need herbs?
Nutrient-dense herbs help your entire body to function optimally , giving your body the energy needed to grow and repair connective tissues. Antioxidant-rich herbs prevent aging, which contributes to the breakdown of bones and their supporting structures.
Can herbs help with osteoporosis?
They may be used as the main form of supplementation to prevent osteoporosis and treat mild cases. Severe cases of osteoporosis may require pharmaceuticals but herbs may still be beneficial as they provide a wide array of nutrients and actions that enhance bone strength.
Is Vitex good for osteoporosis?
Vitex is sometimes used in herbal formulas designed to prevent and treat osteoporosis. Multiple scientific studies worldwide have demonstrated that women who come from cultures that consume diets high in phytoestrogens experience less post-menopausal bone loss than their counterparts in other cultures.
Does licorice root help with adrenal glands?
Adrenal exhaustion may interfere with the production of healthy bone cell s. One of the most effective herbs used to nourish the adrenal glands is sweet, tasty licorice root, which reduces inflammation.
Does oat straw help with bone health?
Oat straw improves your body’s absorption of calcium and other nutrients needed for healthy bones. It is a terrific herb to use in combination with other nutrient-rich herbs, such as nettles. Milky oat straw contains a very high concentration of magnesium, which is needed for bone health and general wellness.
The Medicinal Herbs With the Best Benefits for Treating Osteoporosis
Jeanette is a second career Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with a passion for researching and writing. She has been creating health and wellness content since 2015.
Natural Herbs for Osteoporosis Treatment
There are many natural herbs recommended for osteoporosis. They may be used in cooking or are taken as a supplement in the form of a pill, powder, or tea. Here is a list of herbs that may improve bone health and work as an alternative treatment for osteoporosis:
Red Sage
Red sage ( Salvia miltiorrhiza) is a plant used in Chinese herbal medicine (where it is known as danshen) that has been associated with improvements in osteoporosis. A review of 36 clinical trials found red sage treated and improved more than 80% of osteoporosis cases. However, most research consisted of only small-sized, short-term studies. 3
Red Clover
Red clover ( Trifolium pratense) is a perennial herb belonging to the legume family. Historically, it has been used as a complementary treatment for menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, as well as a variety of illnesses, including cancer, respiratory problems, and skin conditions. 8
Horsetail
Horsetail ( Equisetum arvense) is a huge, tree-like perennial plant found throughout parts of Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America. It is a medicinal herb that dates back to ancient Rome and Greece. Horsetail has been used to treat wounds, tuberculosis, and kidney issues. 11
Thyme
Thyme ( Thymus vulgaris) is an herb in the mint (Lamiaceae) family native to the Mediterranean. This small, low-growing shrub is a popular spice to use in cooking. It also is a medicinal plant that dates back to ancient times. Thyme has been used to enhance immune function and treat respiratory, nerve, and heart conditions. 16 17
Turmeric
Turmeric ( Curcuma longa) is a yellow perennial root belonging to the ginger family (Zingiberaceae) and native to South Asia. Its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties have made it important to herbal medicine for the past 4,000 years. Turmeric has been used to treat menstrual symptoms, arthritis, and digestive issues. 23
Risk Factors
Lifestyle Strategies For Bone Health
- These strategies can also help preserve bone health:2 1. Getting enough calcium (between 1,000 to 1,300 mg per day)11 2. Getting adequate vitamin D (600 IU)11 3. Getting regular exercise, including weight-bearing exercise 4. Limiting caffeine and alcohol 5. Avoiding smoking It's also essential to talk to a healthcare provider about your bone health. They may recommend addition…
Summary
- Osteopenia is low bone mass. It is less severe than osteoporosis, but you are more likely to develop osteoporosis if you have osteopenia. Older people, especially those who have gone through menopause, are at the most significant risk of developing osteopenia. Limited research suggests that alternative therapies, like tai chi, green tea, and vitami...
A Word from Verywell
- Due to the limited research, it's too soon to recommend alternative medicine for osteopenia. It's also important to note that self-treating a condition and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious consequences. If you're considering using alternative medicine for osteopenia (or any other disorder), consult a healthcare provider first.