Rheumatoid Arthritisaccording to TCM
Symptom family: Rheumatic and Arthritic Disorders
Parent symptom: Arthritis
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune condition characterized by inflammation of the joints, leading to pain, swelling, stiffness, and, over time, potential loss of mobility. Unlike osteoarthritis, which results from wear and tear, RA involves the body's immune system mistakenly attacking its own tissues, specifically the synovium, the lining of the joints. This can lead to joint damage and deformities. The disease can vary in severity and may also affect other parts of the body, including the skin, eyes, lungs, and blood vessels.
How does TCM view Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views Rheumatoid Arthritis as a disorder arising from the obstruction of Qi and Blood flow within the meridians, often due to the invasion of pathogenic factors such as Wind, Cold, Dampness, and Heat.
TCM emphasizes the importance of diagnosing the underlying pattern of disharmony causing these symptoms. This holistic approach seeks to identify and treat the root cause of the condition, rather than just alleviating the symptoms, aiming to restore balance and harmony within the body's energy system.
Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis According to TCM
The most common patterns involve the invasion of Wind, Cold, Dampness, and Heat, either individually or in combination, causing what is known as Painful Obstruction Syndrome. Wind is particularly significant because it tends to combine with other pathogens, exacerbating joint pain and mobility issues.
The presence of Dampness, for instance, can lead to swelling and a sensation of heaviness, while Cold causes sharp pain and restricts movement. TCM treatments aim to expel these pathogens, improve Qi and Blood circulation, and strengthen the body's Defensive Qi to prevent further invasions.
TCM Herbal Formulas for Rheumatoid Arthritis
TCM employs a variety of formulas to address the complex patterns associated with rheumatoid arthritis. For conditions marked by Wind-Damp invasion leading to joint pain, Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang, which includes Pubescent Angelica Roots, is commonly prescribed to dispel the pathogenic factors and nourish the Liver and Kidney, which are vital for joint health.
In cases where Cold invades the joints causing severe pain and stiffness, formulas like Wu Tou Tang with Prepared Sichuan aconite work to warm the meridians and disperse Cold.
Additionally, Dang Gui Shao Yao San can be used to nourish the Blood and harmonize the Liver, addressing underlying Blood Deficiency that may contribute to the condition. These formulas are part of a broader strategy that includes dietary advice, acupuncture, and lifestyle modifications, tailored to the individual's specific TCM diagnosis.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address rheumatoid arthritis, organized by formula type.
- By Formula Type
- Formulas that dispel wind-Damp
- Formulas that warm and transform water and dampness
- Formulas that clear wind-Cold
- Formulas that warm the meridians and disperse cold
- Formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation
- Formulas that promote urination and leach out dampness
- Formulas that regulate blood
- Formulas that dredge and disperse external wind
Formulas that dispel Wind-Damp
Rheumatoid arthritis can be treated by these formulas when it arises from a pathogenic influence of wind combined with dampness, which often obstructs the flow of Qi and Blood.
One such formula is Da Fang Feng Tang, with saposhnikovia root as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that dispel wind-Damp" recommended for rheumatoid arthritis
Formulas that warm and transform water and Dampness
Rheumatoid arthritis can be treated by these formulas if it is due to cold-dampness obstructing the body's functions, requiring warming and damp-transforming actions.
One such formula is Fu Zi Tang, with prepared aconite as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that warm and transform water and dampness" recommended for rheumatoid arthritis
| Formula | Key herbs |
|---|---|
| Fu Zi Tang | Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) |
| Zhen Wu Tang | Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) |
Formulas that clear Wind-Cold
Rheumatoid arthritis can be treated by these formulas when it stems from external pathogenic influences characterized by cold and wind symptoms.
One such formula is Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang, with notopterygium root as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that clear wind-Cold" recommended for rheumatoid arthritis
| Formula | Key herbs |
|---|---|
| Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang | Notopterygium Roots (Qiang Huo) |
| Ma Huang Tang | Ephedra (Ma Huang) |
Formulas that warm the Meridians and disperse Cold
Rheumatoid arthritis can be treated by these formulas if it results from cold obstructing the meridians, leading to pain or stiffness, requiring warming and dispersing actions.
One such formula is Wu Tou Tang, with prepared sichuan aconite as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that warm the meridians and disperse cold" recommended for rheumatoid arthritis
| Formula | Key herbs |
|---|---|
| Wu Tou Tang | Prepared Sichuan Aconite (Zhi Chuan Wu), Ephedra (Ma Huang) |
| Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang | Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi), Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) |
Formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation
Rheumatoid arthritis can be treated by these formulas if it arises from poor blood circulation or stagnation of blood, which often manifests in pain or swelling.
One such formula is Dang Gui Shao Yao San, with white peony root as a key herb.
Formulas that promote urination and leach out Dampness
Rheumatoid arthritis can be treated by these formulas when it is caused by an accumulation of dampness in the body, requiring diuretic actions to promote fluid balance.
One such formula is Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang, with stephania root as a key herb.
Formulas that regulate Blood
Rheumatoid arthritis can be treated by these formulas when it stems from irregularities or imbalances in the blood, which may affect circulation or cause other blood-related issues.
One such formula is Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang, with peach kernel as a key herb.
Formulas that dredge and disperse External Wind
Rheumatoid arthritis can be treated by these formulas when it results from external wind invasion disrupting the body's surface and normal function, requiring wind-dispersing actions.
One such formula is Xiao Huo Luo Dan, with prepared kusnezoffii aconite as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address rheumatoid arthritis, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Herbs that dispel wind and dampness
- Herbs that invigorate the blood
- Warm/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Herbs that clear heat and dry dampness
- Herbs that drain dampness
- Herbs that warm the interior and/or expel cold
- Tonic herbs for yang deficiency
- Herbs that stabilize and bind
- Herbs that clear heat and relieve toxicity
- Tonic herbs for blood deficiency
- Tonic herbs for qi deficiency
Herbs that dispel Wind and Dampness
Rheumatoid arthritis can be treated by these herbs when it is due to the invasion or accumulation of wind and dampness, which often affects the muscles and joints.
One such herb is Prepared Sichuan Aconite (Zhi Chuan Wu), a key herb in some formulas recommended for rheumatoid arthritis, like Wu Tou Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that dispel Wind and Dampness" recommended for rheumatoid arthritis
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Prepared Sichuan Aconite (Zhi Chuan Wu) | Wu Tou Tang | Xiao Huo Luo Dan |
| Pubescent Angelica Roots (Du Huo) | Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang |
| Clematis Roots (Wei Ling Xian) | Not applicable |
| Flowering Quince (Mu Gua) | Not applicable |
| Gentian Roots (Qin Jiao) | Not applicable |
| Mistletoe (Hu Ji Sheng) | Not applicable |
| Silkworm Feces (Can Sha) | Not applicable |
| Star Jasmine Stems (Luo Shi Teng) | Not applicable |
| Viper Snakes (Fu she) | Not applicable |
| Tamarisk Twigs And Leaves (Cheng Liu) | Not applicable |
Herbs that invigorate the Blood
Rheumatoid arthritis can be treated by these herbs when it stems from stagnation or poor circulation of blood, helping to improve blood flow and alleviate related discomfort.
One such herb is Peach Kernels (Tao Ren), a key herb in some formulas recommended for rheumatoid arthritis, like Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that invigorate the Blood" recommended for rheumatoid arthritis
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Peach Kernels (Tao Ren) | Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang |
| Safflowers (Hong Hua) | Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang |
| Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong) | Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang |
| Red Sage Roots (Dan Shen) | Not applicable |
| Snow Lotus (Xue Lian) | Not applicable |
| Turmeric (Jiang Huang) | Not applicable |
Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Rheumatoid arthritis can be treated by these herbs when there is a need to dispel external cold and warm the body, especially in cases where there is insufficient Yang energy internally.
One such herb is Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for rheumatoid arthritis, like Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior" recommended for rheumatoid arthritis
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) | Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang | Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang |
| Notopterygium Roots (Qiang Huo) | Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang | Juan Bi Tang |
| Saposhnikovia Roots (Fang Feng) | Da Fang Feng Tang | Juan Bi Tang |
| Ephedra (Ma Huang) | Ma Huang Tang | Wu Tou Tang |
| Chinese Lovage Roots (Gao Ben) | Not applicable |
Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
Rheumatoid arthritis can be treated by these herbs when caused by excessive dampness and heat within the body, aiming to restore balance by drying dampness and clearing heat.
One such herb is Stephania Roots (Fang Ji), a key herb in some formulas recommended for rheumatoid arthritis, like Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness" recommended for rheumatoid arthritis
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Stephania Roots (Fang Ji) | Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang | Xuan Bi Tang |
| Dittany Root Bark (Bai Xian Pi) | Not applicable |
Herbs that drain Dampness
Rheumatoid arthritis can be treated by these herbs when caused by excessive dampness in the body, aiding in eliminating damp through diuretic action.
One such herb is Fish-Poison Yam (Bi Xie), which is directly recommended for rheumatoid arthritis.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that drain Dampness" recommended for rheumatoid arthritis
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Fish-Poison Yam (Bi Xie) | Not applicable |
| Job's Tears (Yi Yi Ren) | Not applicable |
Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold
Rheumatoid arthritis can be treated by these herbs if it is due to internal coldness or deficient Yang energy, working to warm the body and dispel cold.
One such herb is Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for rheumatoid arthritis, like Fu Zi Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold" recommended for rheumatoid arthritis
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) | Fu Zi Tang | Zhen Wu Tang |
| Prepared Kusnezoffii Aconite (Zhi Cao Wu) | Xiao Huo Luo Dan |
Tonic herbs for Yang Deficiency
Rheumatoid arthritis can be treated by these herbs in situations of diminished Yang energy, aiming to warm and activate the body's functions.
One such herb is Deer Bones (Lu Gu), which is directly recommended for rheumatoid arthritis.
Herbs that stabilize and bind
Rheumatoid arthritis can be treated by these herbs if it is caused by a leakage of bodily fluids or energies, helping to consolidate and preserve the body's essential substances.
One such herb is Sponge Gourds (Si Gua Luo), which is directly recommended for rheumatoid arthritis.
Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity
Rheumatoid arthritis can be treated by these herbs if it arises from internal heat and toxic accumulations, aiding in detoxification and cooling the body.
One such herb is Thunder God Vines (Lei Gong Teng), which is directly recommended for rheumatoid arthritis.
Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
Rheumatoid arthritis can be treated by these herbs in cases of blood deficiency, working to nourish and replenish the body's blood supply.
One such herb is White Peony Roots (Bai Shao), a key herb in some formulas recommended for rheumatoid arthritis, like Dang Gui Shao Yao San.
Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Rheumatoid arthritis can be treated by these herbs when stemming from a lack of vital energy or Qi, helping to boost energy and overall vitality.
One such herb is Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for rheumatoid arthritis, like Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang.