Medically reviewed by University of Illinois
Written by Debra Stang
Updated on July 8, 2017

This remedy has mostly been studied for its effectiveness as a treatment for arthritis pain. But research shows its effectiveness is still unclear.

What is homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a philosophy developed over 200 years ago in Germany. It features two key beliefs:

like cures like: Homeopathy suggests that you can cure someone by giving them a substance that reproduces the symptoms they have.
law of minimum dose: The substance given should be diluted as much as possible.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)Trusted Source, the use of homeopathic remedies is increasing in the United States. Five million adults and 1 million children were using them in 2013.

What does Rhus toxicodendron treat?

R. toxicodendron is most commonly used to relieve arthritis symptoms. And it can be given to people of any age. Proponents say that it’s most effective when used during an arthritis flare-up that doesn’t respond well to applying cold packs.

How is Rhus toxicodendron administered?

R. toxicodendron doesn’t require a prescription. It’s available over-the-counter in pill, capsule, liquid, ointment, and gel forms.

Consult your doctor and homeopath before trying this treatment. Your doctor can tell you if there are any reasons why you shouldn’t take it. Your homeopath can help you find the best way to use it and the right amount to use.

What are the risks of Rhus toxicodendron?

The U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t evaluate over-the-counter homeopathic medications for safety. So they don’t offer an official list of side effects.

There’s anecdotal evidence that people who are highly sensitive to R. toxicodendron could develop a rash and swelling in the lower extremities. However, this has not been confirmed or supported by the FDA.

Is there evidence that Rhus toxicodendron is effective?

The evidence is mixed regarding the effectiveness of R. toxicodendron as a treatment for arthritis. One study assessed a group of rats with arthritis who were given several dilutions of it.

The researchers found that R. toxicodendron protected rats from inflammatory lesions, weight changes, and joint changes due to arthritis and pain.

R. toxicodendron has not proven as useful in trials on humans. The NYU Langone Medical Center conducted two studies on humans.

The first study compared R. toxicodendron against the anti-inflammatory drug fenoprofen, which is known as an effective arthritis treatment. Fenoprofen proved more effective at relieving arthritis pain. R. toxicodendron did no better than a placebo.

The second study compared a homeopathic gel containing R. toxicodendron to a gel made from another anti-inflammatory drug called piroxicam.

The research showed the two treatments were equally effective. But it should be noted that piroxicam in gel form had never been studied as a treatment for arthritis pain. So it’s possible that piroxicam gel and R. toxicodendron are equally ineffective.