[Pharmacological and clinical effectiveness of a fixed phytogenic combination trembling poplar (Populus tremula), true goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior) in mild to moderate rheumatic complaints].

Besides the well-known nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) for the treatment of rheumatic pain herbal medicine can also be applied successfully. Plants with antirheumatic efficacy include Fraxini cortex, Populi cortex/folia and Solidaginis herba. This review focuses on pharmacological and clinical efficacy of a combination of Fraxinus cortex, Populus cortex/folia and Solidago herba. Antiinflammatory and analgetic properties were shown in pharmacological tests. Clinical studies conducted in the indications of the different subtypes of rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis pointed out a similar efficacy compared to NSAID applied in average dosages. Even the rate of adverse effects of the herbal combination was half of that registered in NSAID treated patients within the clinical studies.