Osteoarthritis of the knee and alternative medicines: how effective are they?
In addition to these measures, alternative medicine can also bring benefits and has many followers. However, scientific proof of their action is not established and their safety is not always guaranteed. Caution and advice from a healthcare professional remain essential.
Grandma's Remedies for Osteoarthritis of the Knee
"Alternative" or "complementary" medicines, also known as "alternative" or "natural" medicines, are becoming increasingly popular. They are sometimes used by people with osteoarthritis of the knee who want to enhance the effects of their treatment or reduce the dose of painkillers.
According to the health authorities, they cannot replace conventional treatment and there is a lack of evidence of their therapeutic action. Despite the lack of solid evidence of their effectiveness, some alternative medicines can be used in addition to conventional treatment, including/or even for their placebo effect. Some of the most popular include:
Herbal Medicine 2,3
This is based on the use of medicinal plants in oral form (infusions, dilute ampoules, plant powders or extracts in capsules, etc.) or topical form (ointments). Various plants have shown moderate effects on pain or stiffness in osteoarthritis of the limbs, including the knee, such as harpagophytum (devil's claw), arnica, horsetail, turmeric or white willow. Be careful, plants can interfere with other treatments and be subject to precautions for use: read the leaflet carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Acupuncture 4
A method inherited from Chinese medicine, it is based on the stimulation of specific "energetic" points in the body, by the insertion of fine needles. Benefits on arthritis pain have been observed in various studies. However, these did not obtain significant clinical results for real "proof" of its effectiveness. International rheumatology experts therefore remain cautious in their recommendations.
Homeopathy 5
This therapy is based on the concept of "similarity" developed by Samuel Hahnemann in the eighteenth century: small doses of a substance (mineral, animal or plant) are supposed to fight a symptom caused by the same substance in high doses. This treatment can be prescribed by a homeopathic doctor or obtained in a pharmacy without a prescription. Causticum, Bryonia Alba, Rhus Toxicodendron and Thuja are offered in particular in case of osteoarthritis. These famous little granules have their specialist practitioners and many followers, but their therapeutic action has not been proven.
Cannabidiol (CBD)
The use of cannabidiol (CBD) has grown significantly in recent years, especially after its legalization in some countries and recent marketing campaigns 6. Among patients with osteoarthritis of the knee or hip, 24% report using CBD6. This compound is believed to offer anti-inflammatory benefits without the psychoactive effects commonly associated with cannabis 7.
Because of these properties, CBD is seen by many as a potential treatment for pain and inflammation in conditions such as osteoarthritis 7. Recent scientific studies on CBD have yielded mixed results.
Some research suggests that CBD may help relieve pain, improve physical function, boost sleep quality and reduce medication use7.
However, other studies have not seen significant benefits 8,9, with some even reporting adverse effects9. Given these conflicting results, more research is needed to determine whether CBD is a truly effective treatment for chronic musculoskeletal diseases like osteoarthritis.
Many other methods fall under the umbrella of "soft or alternative therapies": nearly 400 have been identified in total! None of them has been scientifically proven to be effective in osteoarthritis and their practices are, for the most part, not even regulated. If you have any questions, ask your doctor for advice.
Which essential oils for osteoarthritis of the knee?
The essential oils that may be indicated in the treatment of osteoarthritis are lemon eucalyptus, true lavender, rosemary, but also ginger essential oil or wintergreen essential oil. (10,11)
It is recommended to use essential oils diluted in vegetable oil because they are in their pure state and are very concentrated.12 They should therefore not be applied directly to the skin without having diluted them.12 Thus, to practice an aromatherapy massage, it is advisable to use a carrier oil: non-volatile vegetable oil.12
Massage with essential oils can reduce pain, stiffness and improve physical function in the short and medium term in patients with knee osteoarthritis.12 However, the figures show that the effect of essential oils is weak or moderate depending on the scale used.12
1 Bannuru, R., Osani, M., Vaysbrot, E., Arden, N., Bennell, K., Bierma-Zeinstra, S., Kraus, V., Lohmander, L., Abbott, J., Bhandari, M., Blanco, F., Espinosa, R., Haugen, I., Lin, J., Mandl, L., Moilanen, E., Nakamura, N., Snyder-Mackler, L., Trojian, T.,. . . McAlindon, T. (2019b). OARSI guidelines for the non-surgical management of knee, hip, and polyarticular osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis And Cartilage, 27(11), 1578-1589. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joca.2019.06.011
2 Hughes, E. J. (2016). Nutritional Protocol for Osteoarthrosis (Degenerative Joint Disease). Journal Of Clinical Nutrition & Dietetics, 02(04). https://doi.org/10.4172/2472-1921.100032
3 Lindler, B. N., Long, K. E., Taylor, N. A., & Lei, W. (2020). Use of Herbal Medications for Treatment of Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Medicines, 7(11), 67. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines7110067
4 Manyanga, T., Froese, M., Zarychanski, R., Abou-Setta, A., Friesen, C., Tennenhouse, M., & Shay, B. L. (2014). Pain management with acupuncture in osteoarthritis : a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complementary And Alternative Medicine, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-14-312
6 Deckey, D. G., Lara, N. J., Gulbrandsen, M. T., Hassebrock, J. D., Spangehl, M. J., & Bingham, J. S. (2021). Prevalence of Cannabinoid Use in Patients With Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis. JAAOS Global Research And Reviews, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.5435/jaaosglobal-d-20-00172
7 Frane, N., Stapleton, E., Iturriaga, C., Ganz, M., Rasquinha, V., & Duarte, R. (2022). Cannabidiol as a treatment for arthritis and joint pain : an exploratory cross-sectional study. Journal Of Cannabis Research, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-022-00154-9
8 Petersen, K. K., Rice, A. S., & Arendt-Nielsen, L. (2023). The use of cannabidiol (CBD) as an analgesic component. The Lancet Regional Health - Europe, 35, 100791. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2023.100791
9 Pramhas, S., Thalhammer, T., Terner, S., Pickelsberger, D., Gleiss, A., Sator, S., & Kress, H. G. (2023). Oral cannabidiol (CBD) as add-on to paracetamol for painful chronic osteoarthritis of the knee : a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The Lancet Regional Health - Europe, 35, 100777. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2023.100777
10 Goëb, P, Pesoni, D. Essential oils: user guide: 170 practical tips, 50 essential oils, 10 vegetable oils. Ravinstara. 2010.
11 Festy D. My bible of essential oils. Leduc.s. 2014
12 Cappe, A., 2020. Efficacy of massage with essential oils in the treatment of patients with knee osteoarthritis, DUMAS - University Thesis Repository After Defense. France. Retrieved from https://coilink.org/20.500.12592/djja55h on 03 Mar 2025. COI: 20.500.12592/djja55h.
Our knees play an essential role when it comes to supporting our bodies and keeping us mobile. These joints support our weight and movements in all our routine activities. Hence a degenerative cartilage disease like osteoarthritis of the knee (also known as OA or gonarthrosis) can quickly become incapacitating in our everyday lives.
Managing daily life with osteoarthritis of the knee
It can be difficult to live with osteoarthritis of the knee - also known as gonarthrosis - but it is possible to preserve your quality of life by making a few everyday adjustments. Below is some practical advice to help you carry out routine tasks, such as housework, cooking, DIY or gardening.
The effective treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee (or gonarthrosis) requires multidisciplinary management. Among the various healthcare professionals involved, the physiotherapist may play a particularly important role. But when is their input required? And what is there exact role?
