There are a range of remedies appropriate for musculo/skeletal problems in Elders, each having its distinct area of application. Please review these remedies and ensure their various actions are familiar to you :

Apium graveolens (Celery Seed)
Angelica archangelica (Angelica)
Betula spp. (Birch)
Cimicifuga racemosa (Black Cohosh)
Dioscorea villosa (Wild Yam)
Filipendula ulmaria (Meadowsweet)
Menyanthes trifoliata (Bogbean)
Salix spp. (Willow Bark)
Urtica dioica (Nettles)
Tussilago farfara (Coltsfoot)

A number of stronger effectors may be found useful in more intransigent conditions, but these should be reserved for the cases where the gentler herbs have not produced the results desired. Thus:

Guaiacum officinale (Guaiacum)
Zanthoxylum americanum (Prickly Ash)
Harpagophytum procumbens (Devil's Claw)

Treatments outlined in the chapter on musculo/skeletal system are relevant here. Please refer to the following sections :

• Rheumatism
• Osteo-Arthritis
• Rheumatoid-Arthritis

The phytotherapist has, yet again, the gift of toning herbs for use in these problems. The emphasis on toning throughout the course bears fruit with the muscle and joint problems. There is usually no need to resort to intense treatments as the milder `anti-rheumatics' are often effective, given time. This is not to claim that such treatments will completely remove osteo-arthritis and its damage in someone who has had it for years. However they will feel better and move to the best place they can be taking into account any structural damage that has occurred over the years. It is always important to address, as a priority, any digestive symptoms that may be present with older patients with rheumatic conditions.