Bone Health: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Bone health refers to the strength and density of bones, maintaining their structure and function, allowing for proper movement and weight-bearing activities.

Osteoporosis and fractures are common causes of bone health issues, often resulting from inadequate calcium and vitamin D intake, hormonal imbalances, and sedentary lifestyles. Poor bone health can lead to chronic pain, disability, and increased risk of falls and injuries. To alleviate bone health concerns, herbal remedies such as ginseng, turmeric, and ashwagandha can be used in medicinal preparations like teas, tinctures, and capsules.

However, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional before using herbal remedies, as they may interact with medications or exacerbate underlying conditions.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of bone health, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of bone health?

The main causes of bone health are multifactorial, involving a combination of genetic, hormonal, and lifestyle factors.

Genetics play a significant role, with certain genetic variants affecting bone density and susceptibility to osteoporosis (Khosla et al., 2008). Hormonal factors, particularly estrogen levels in women and testosterone levels in men, also significantly impact bone health, with decreased levels contributing to bone loss (Khosla et al., 2008). Lifestyle factors such as physical activity, nutrition, and smoking status are also crucial, with regular weight-bearing exercise and sufficient intake of calcium and vitamin D promoting bone health ( Weaver et al., 2016).

Furthermore, factors such as age, body mass index, and certain medical conditions, such as hyperthyroidism and Cushing's syndrome, can also impact bone health (Khosla et al., 2008).

• Vitamin D Deficiency: Vitamin D deficiency is the most common cause of bone health issues due to its essential role in maintaining calcium levels and bone mineralization.
• Calcium Deficiency: Calcium deficiency is the second most common cause of bone health issues as it is a critical component of bone structure and density, and its deficiency can lead to osteoporosis and bone fractures.
• Hormonal Imbalance: Hormonal imbalance, particularly a decrease in estrogen levels in postmenopausal women and an increase in parathyroid hormone, can contribute to bone health issues by disrupting bone formation and resorption.
• Physical Inactivity: Physical inactivity is a common cause of bone health issues due to its role in reducing bone density and increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
• Obesity: Obesity is a common cause of bone health issues due to its association with low-grade inflammation, which can disrupt bone formation and increase the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
• Smoking: Smoking is a common cause of bone health issues due to its role in reducing bone density, disrupting bone metabolism, and increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
• Genetic Predisposition: Genetic predisposition is a common cause of bone health issues due to its role in determining an individual's bone density and fracture risk.
• Aging: Aging is a common cause of bone health issues due to its association with declining bone density, reduced bone formation, and increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
• Medication Side Effects: Medication side effects, particularly those related to corticosteroids and aromatase inhibitors, can contribute to bone health issues by disrupting bone formation and increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
• Nutritional Deficiencies: Nutritional deficiencies, particularly those related to vitamin K, magnesium, and potassium, can contribute to bone health issues by disrupting bone mineralization and increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for bone health?

The main medicinal herbs used for bone health are Astragalus membranaceus, Equisetum arvense, Ginkgo biloba, Zingiber officinale, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Curcuma longa, Vitis vinifera, Panax ginseng, Urtica dioica, Angelica sinensis.

Astragalus membranaceus contains saponins that stimulate osteoblasts to increase bone formation and reduce osteoclast activity. Equisetum arvense's silicon content enhances bone density and strength, while Ginkgo biloba's flavonoids promote bone health by inhibiting osteoclast activity and stimulating osteoblasts. Zingiber officinale's gingerols reduce inflammation that can lead to bone loss, while Glycyrrhiza glabra's glycyrrhizin increases osteocalcin production and Curcuma longa's curcumin reduces oxidative stress.

Vitis vinifera's resveratrol, Panax ginseng's ginsenosides, Urtica dioica's stinging nettle's lectins, and Angelica sinensis's ferulic acid all contribute to bone health by promoting osteoblast activity, reducing inflammation, and enhancing bone density.

• Astragalus membranaceus: Astragalus membranaceus helps with bone health by stimulating the production of osteoblasts, which are bone-forming cells, and inhibiting the activity of osteoclasts, which are bone-resorbing cells.
• Equisetum arvense: Equisetum arvense contains flavonoids that have been shown to inhibit the activity of osteoclasts and stimulate the production of osteoprotegerin, a protein that protects bone from resorption.
• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba has been found to have antioxidant properties that help to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, which can contribute to bone loss and osteoporosis.
• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale contains gingerols and shogaols that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which may help to reduce the risk of osteoporosis by inhibiting the activity of osteoclasts and stimulating the production of osteoblasts.
• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra has been found to have anti-inflammatory properties that may help to reduce the risk of osteoporosis by inhibiting the activity of osteoclasts and stimulating the production of osteoblasts.
• Curcuma longa: Curcuma longa contains curcumin, which has been shown to inhibit the activity of osteoclasts, reduce inflammation, and stimulate the production of osteoblasts, all of which can contribute to bone health.
• Vitis vinifera: Vitis vinifera contains resveratrol, which has been found to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may help to reduce the risk of osteoporosis by inhibiting the activity of osteoclasts and stimulating the production of osteoblasts.
• Panax ginseng: Panax ginseng has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may help to reduce the risk of osteoporosis by inhibiting the activity of osteoclasts and stimulating the production of osteoblasts.
• Urtica dioica: Urtica dioica has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may help to reduce the risk of osteoporosis by inhibiting the activity of osteoclasts and stimulating the production of osteoblasts.
• Angelica sinensis: Angelica sinensis contains ferulic acid, which has been found to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may help to reduce the risk of osteoporosis by inhibiting the activity of osteoclasts and stimulating the production of osteoblasts.

What are the main herbal preparations used for bone health?

The main herbal preparations used for bone health are Decoction, Tincture, Capsule, Cream, Gel, Suppository, Softgel, Salve, Ointment, Powder.

Decoction is a liquid extract of boneset herbs like Eupatorium perfoliatum, used to reduce fever and pain in bone fractures. Tincture of saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is used to support bone health by inhibiting 5-alpha-reductase, an enzyme involved in bone resorption. Capsules of calcium and vitamin D-rich herbs like Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) and Ginger (Zingiber officinale) are used to promote bone mineralization and density.

Creams and gels containing topical forms of herbs like Boswellia (Boswellia serrata) and Turmeric (Curcuma longa) are applied topically to reduce inflammation and pain in joints and bones.

• Decoction: A decoction of the roots of Astragalus membranaceus can help with bone health by stimulating the production of osteoblasts, which are cells responsible for bone formation and growth.
• Tincture: A tincture of the leaves of Ginkgo biloba can help with bone health by improving blood flow to the bones, which can enhance the delivery of nutrients and minerals necessary for bone health.
• Capsule: A capsule containing a standardized extract of the roots of Echinacea purpurea can help with bone health by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, which can contribute to bone loss and osteoporosis.
• Cream: A topical cream containing a high concentration of the oil of Calendula officinalis can help with bone health by promoting wound healing and reducing inflammation in the bones and surrounding tissues.
• Gel: A gelatinous substance derived from the cartilage of Bovine or Porcine origin, such as Gelatin, can help with bone health by providing a source of collagen, which is essential for bone growth and repair.
• Suppository: A suppository of the root of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) can help with bone health by reducing stress and anxiety, which can contribute to bone loss and osteoporosis.
• Softgel: A softgel capsule containing a standardized extract of the oil of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) can help with bone health by improving bone density and reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
• Salve: A topical salve containing a high concentration of the oil of Arnica montana can help with bone health by reducing inflammation and pain in the bones and surrounding tissues.
• Ointment: A topical ointment containing a high concentration of the oil of St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) can help with bone health by promoting wound healing and reducing inflammation in the bones and surrounding tissues.
• Powder: A powder of the leaves of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) can help with bone health by providing a source of calcium, vitamin K, and other nutrients essential for bone growth and repair.