Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis, is the most common type of arthritis among middle-aged and elderly people. Western medical treatment for osteoarthritis commonly includes painkillers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, cortisone injections, and joint replacement as a last resort. Eastern medicine focuses on a holistic approach to treating osteoarthritis that includes herbal formulations and acupuncture. Now, a study by Korean researchers has confirmed what Eastern medicine has long known: that Chinese quince can effectively treat osteoarthritis.
A research group led by Yeo Chang Hwan, of Seoul’s Jaseng Spine and Joint Research Institute, confirmed in February that quince, a traditional Korean medicine, protects chondrocytes by inhibiting the breakdown of collective tissues in human cartilage….