A 2026 systematic review by German rheumatology experts found that 13 popular herbal remedies—including turmeric, ginger, arnica, and devil’s claw—show anti-inflammatory effects in lab tests but lack solid evidence of actually helping people with inflammatory joint diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. According to Gram Research analysis, none of these herbs can be recommended as treatments for inflammatory arthritis, though some may be safe to use alongside regular medical care for wear-and-tear joint damage.
German rheumatology experts reviewed scientific evidence on 13 popular herbal supplements used by people with joint diseases, including turmeric, ginger, arnica, and devil’s claw. According to Gram Research analysis, while these plants show anti-inflammatory effects in lab tests and animal studies, there’s very limited proof they actually help people with inflammatory joint diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. The experts found that some herbs may be safe to use alongside proper medical treatment for wear-and-tear joint damage, and eating ginger, garlic, and turmeric as foods is fine as part of a healthy diet.
Key Statistics
A 2026 systematic review by the German Society for Rheumatology evaluated 13 herbal remedies used by rheumatology patients and found that while all showed anti-inflammatory effects in laboratory and animal studies, the evidence for clinical benefit in humans was very limited.
According to the 2026 German rheumatology review, none of the 13 investigated herbal preparations—including turmeric, ginger, arnica, comfrey, devil’s claw, and frankincense—can be recommended for treating inflammatory joint diseases.
The 2026 German rheumatology committee found that ginger, garlic, and turmeric in their natural food form can be recommended as part of a health-conscious diet, though evidence for their effectiveness as supplements for joint disease remains weak.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether 13 popular herbal remedies and plant-based supplements actually work for treating different types of joint and rheumatic diseases
- Who participated: This wasn’t a study with patients. Instead, German rheumatology experts reviewed all the published scientific research on these 13 herbs to see what evidence exists
- Key finding: All 13 herbs showed some anti-inflammatory effects in lab tests and animal studies, but there’s almost no solid evidence that they actually help people with inflammatory joint diseases
- What it means for you: If you have wear-and-tear joint damage and want to try herbs like turmeric or ginger alongside your regular medical care, doctors say it’s probably okay. But these shouldn’t replace proven treatments for inflammatory arthritis, and eating these herbs as foods is better than taking supplements
The Research Details
German rheumatology experts created a committee to review all published scientific studies about 13 popular herbal remedies used by people with joint diseases. They searched medical databases for research on each herb, then organized their findings using a standard checklist to make sure they evaluated each one fairly. The committee met online to discuss their findings, agreed on conclusions together, and then got final approval from the German Society for Rheumatology.
The 13 herbs they studied were: comfrey, arnica, turmeric, ginger, cat’s claw, garlic, cabbage leaves, milk thistle, Pycnogenol (pine bark extract), horsetail, devil’s claw, frankincense, and Wilford’s tripter fruit. These are herbs that many people with joint problems use on their own, often without telling their doctors.
This type of review is called a systematic review. Instead of testing the herbs themselves, the experts looked at what other scientists had already discovered and decided whether the evidence was strong enough to recommend these treatments.
Many people with joint diseases want to try natural remedies because they’re frustrated with side effects from medications or want to add extra help to their treatment. This review matters because it gives doctors and patients clear information about which herbs have real evidence behind them and which ones don’t. By reviewing all the research together, the experts can spot patterns and give honest advice instead of relying on single studies or personal stories.
This review is strong because it was done by official experts from Germany’s main rheumatology organization, they used a standard method to evaluate each herb fairly, and they required agreement among committee members before making recommendations. However, the review depends on the quality of research that already exists—if there aren’t many good studies on a particular herb, the review can’t find strong evidence. The experts were honest about this limitation, noting that evidence for most of these herbs is ‘very limited’ or almost non-existent.
What the Results Show
The biggest finding is that while all 13 herbs showed some anti-inflammatory effects in laboratory tests and animal studies, there’s almost no solid evidence that they actually help people with inflammatory joint diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. This is an important difference: just because something reduces inflammation in a test tube doesn’t mean it will work in a human body.
For inflammatory joint diseases, the experts could not recommend any of the 13 herbs as treatments. This is the strongest conclusion they made. If you have rheumatoid arthritis or another inflammatory joint disease, these herbs shouldn’t replace your regular medical care.
For wear-and-tear joint damage (called osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease), the situation is different. If patients want to try arnica, comfrey, turmeric, ginger, garlic, cabbage leaves, Pycnogenol, devil’s claw, or frankincense on their own, doctors don’t need to tell them to stop—as long as they’re also following a proper medical treatment plan. This doesn’t mean the herbs definitely work; it means there’s not enough evidence to say they’re harmful when used alongside regular care.
The experts made a special recommendation about three herbs: ginger, garlic, and turmeric. When eaten as regular foods (not as supplements or concentrated extracts), these can be recommended as part of a healthy diet. This is different from taking them as pills or powders. Eating these foods is safe and might have some health benefits, even if the evidence for treating joint disease specifically is weak.
The review also found that the overall value of herbal medicine for rheumatology is limited. This means that while some herbs are safe to use, they shouldn’t be the main focus of treatment for serious joint diseases. The experts emphasized that doctors need to think carefully about each herb individually rather than recommending all herbal treatments equally.
This is actually the second round of reviews by this German committee. They published initial findings in 2025 about some herbal remedies, and this 2026 review expanded to include 13 additional herbs. The pattern is consistent: herbs show promise in early lab studies but don’t have strong evidence of helping real patients. This matches what other medical organizations have found—herbal remedies are popular with patients, but the scientific proof of their effectiveness is usually weak.
The biggest limitation is that this review depends on what research already exists. For some herbs, there might be very few human studies, which makes it impossible to know if they work in real people. The review also doesn’t include unpublished studies or research from other countries that might not be in major medical databases. Additionally, even when studies exist, they might be small, poorly designed, or funded by companies selling the herbs, which can bias the results. The experts were honest about these limitations and didn’t try to claim stronger evidence than what actually exists.
The Bottom Line
For inflammatory joint diseases (like rheumatoid arthritis): Don’t use these herbs as a replacement for proven medical treatments. The evidence doesn’t support them for this purpose. (Confidence: High)
For wear-and-tear joint damage: If you want to try arnica, comfrey, turmeric, ginger, garlic, cabbage leaves, Pycnogenol, devil’s claw, or frankincense alongside your regular medical care, it’s probably safe to do so. Just tell your doctor what you’re taking. (Confidence: Moderate)
For eating ginger, garlic, and turmeric as foods: This is safe and recommended as part of a healthy diet. You don’t need to take them as supplements. (Confidence: High)
People with inflammatory joint diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriatic arthritis) should care about this research because it shows these herbs shouldn’t replace their regular medications. People with osteoarthritis or wear-and-tear joint damage might find this helpful if they’re considering trying herbal remedies. Anyone taking herbal supplements should discuss them with their rheumatologist to make sure they don’t interfere with other treatments. People interested in nutrition and natural health will appreciate the honest assessment that eating these herbs as foods is fine, but supplements aren’t proven to work.
If you try any of these herbs for joint pain, you shouldn’t expect quick results. Most studies that found any benefit took weeks or months to show effects. However, since the evidence is weak, you might not see any benefit at all. If you’re going to try an herb, give it at least 4-8 weeks while continuing your regular medical treatment, and tell your doctor what you’re doing. If you don’t notice improvement after that time, it’s probably not working for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can turmeric or ginger supplements help with arthritis pain?
A 2026 German rheumatology review found that while turmeric and ginger show anti-inflammatory effects in lab tests, there’s very limited evidence they actually help people with inflammatory arthritis. Eating these as foods is fine, but supplements aren’t proven effective for joint disease.
Is it safe to take herbal remedies if I have rheumatoid arthritis?
The 2026 German rheumatology experts say herbal remedies shouldn’t replace proven arthritis medications. If you want to try herbs like arnica or devil’s claw for wear-and-tear joint damage alongside regular treatment, tell your doctor first. Never stop prescribed medications to use herbs instead.
What do doctors say about using natural remedies for joint pain?
According to a 2026 systematic review by German rheumatology experts, doctors don’t recommend herbal supplements as primary treatments for inflammatory joint diseases because evidence is lacking. For wear-and-tear arthritis, some herbs may be safe to use with regular medical care, provided you inform your doctor.
Are there any herbal supplements proven to work for arthritis?
A 2026 review of 13 popular herbal remedies found none had strong evidence of effectiveness for inflammatory arthritis. While some herbs showed promise in animal studies, human evidence is very limited. Proven treatments remain medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes.
Should I take supplements or eat ginger and garlic as food?
The 2026 German rheumatology review recommends eating ginger, garlic, and turmeric as regular foods within a healthy diet rather than taking supplements. Food forms are safer, cheaper, and better supported by evidence than concentrated supplement extracts.
Want to Apply This Research?
- If using herbal remedies, track your joint pain level (0-10 scale) and function (how easily you can do daily activities) weekly. Note which herbs you’re taking, the dose, and when you take them. Compare your scores month-to-month to see if there’s any real improvement.
- Instead of buying expensive herbal supplements, start by adding ginger, garlic, and turmeric to your regular meals. Use the app to log when you eat these foods and track any changes in how you feel. This is safer, cheaper, and better supported by evidence than taking supplements.
- Create a monthly check-in reminder to review your joint pain and function scores. If you’re not seeing improvement after 2-3 months of using herbs, consider stopping them and focusing on proven treatments like exercise, weight management, and prescribed medications. Keep your rheumatologist updated on what you’re trying.
This article summarizes a 2026 systematic review by German rheumatology experts on herbal remedies for joint diseases. It is not medical advice. If you have inflammatory arthritis or any joint disease, consult your rheumatologist before starting herbal supplements, as they may interact with medications or delay necessary treatment. Never replace prescribed medications with herbal remedies without medical supervision. The evidence for most herbal treatments in rheumatology is limited, and this review does not recommend any herbs as primary treatments for inflammatory joint diseases.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.