Efficacy of a Combined Rosemary and Lavender Topical Ointment in the Treatment of Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Background: One of the preservative treatments of knee osteoarthritis is the use of topical
medications. This study is aimed to clinically evaluate the effect of topical products
containing essential oils of rosemary and lavender herbs on the treatment of patients with
osteoarthritis of the knee.
Materials and Methods: Rosemary and lavender essential oils were prepared by steam
distillation method and inserted into the ointment with the hydrophilic base. In this study,
15 patients with knee osteoarthritis were treated with this ointment for three months. The
results were assessed using WOMAC and Lequesne indices and were evaluated by the
Wilcoxon statistical test.
Results: At the week of admission to the hospital, mean WOMAC index was equal to
71.4, mean Lequesne index was equal to 18 and the average time of passing through the
distance of fifty feet by patients was equal to 19.4. After 4, 8 and 12 weeks, all these
indices significantly decreased (p≤ 0.05). The WOMAC questionnaire denotative survey
also showed that the pain and physical function at the 4th, 8th and 12th weeks were
significantly less than the first week of admission (p≤ 0.05), but there was no significant
difference as far as joint stiffness is concerned.
Conclusion: Topical application of essential oils of rosemary and lavender herbs in a
hydrophilic ointment base can be useful as a preservative treatment for the patients with
knee osteoarthritis.