Doctors at New Taipei City Hospital in New Taipei City, Taiwan suggest that supplementation with an indigenous herb in Taiwan may be effective at treating arthritis.   Vitis thunbergii Sieb. et Zucc. var. taiwaniana Lu has been used to promote joint health.  The study shows that the herbal supplement high in flavones and phenols effectively scavenged free radicals without apparent toxicity.  In rabbits, the supplement helped drug-induced inflammatory arthritis as the herb improved some biomarkers.  The study concludes that the herb may be used as a dietary supplement to prevent joint deterioration and inhibit inflammation.  (David Liu PHD) Tsai CF, Wang KT, Chen LG, Lee CJ, Tseng SH, Wang CC.  Anti-inflammatory effects of Vitis thunbergii var. taiwaniana on knee damage associated with arthritis.  J Med Food. 2014 Apr;17(4):479-86.