Phyto-anti-inflammatories. A systematic review of randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials.

Herbal treatments are often used to treat rheumatic symptoms. This systematic review is aimed at determining the clinical efficacy of this approach. Computer literature searches are carried out to locate all placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trials in this area. Nineteen studies meet the inclusion criteria. They are heterogeneous in terms of remedies tested, patients treated, and trial methodology applied. Most of the studies suggest that herbal remedies can have symptomatic effects beyond placebo. It is concluded that phyto-anti-inflammatories have considerable, albeit under-researched, potential in the symptomatic treatment of rheumatic disorders.