What are some good herbal medications that help treat arthritis?

Herbal medications that help treat rheumatoid arthritis include turmeric, ginger, green tea extract and quercetin, as reported by WebMD. These herbs, as well as white willow bark, cat's claw and boswellia, have potential anti-inflammatory properties and act similarly to ibuprofen, though they are not as potent.

Borage oil reduces swelling and tenderness in joints and may enable patients to reduce their doses of the steroid prednisone, states WebMD. Each of these herbs has side effects, and several are potentially dangerous for patients with certain medical conditions or when combined with certain drugs. Patients should consult a doctor prior to taking any of these supplements.