The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Arthritic symptoms can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like arthritic symptoms here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here arthritic symptoms is often associated with irritability, fever and flushed face in the pattern “Excess-Heat”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of arthritic symptoms we’ve identified that a herbal formula called Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang can help treat the patterns behind the symptom.
Excess-Heat, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause arthritic symptoms
In Chinese Medicine arthritic symptoms is a symptom for the pattern "Excess-Heat". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao) is the king ingredient for Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a formula used for Excess-Heat
Excess-Heat
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Tight (Jin), Full (Shi)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Tongue color: Reddish-Purple
In addition to arthritic symptoms, other symptoms associated with Excess-Heat include irritability, fever and flushed face.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Excess-Heat is associated with health issues such as Lupus.
Excess-Heat is often treated with Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Water Buffalo Horns - Shui Niu Jiao - as a key herb). Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear nutritive-level heat", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Treats severe fevers and Heat in the Blood system".
A herbal formula that might help with arthritic symptoms
Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang
Source date: 650 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Treats severe fevers and Heat in the Blood system. Removes Blood Stagnation.
Why might Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang help with arthritic symptoms?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Excess-Heat' of which arthritic symptoms is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Excess-Heat can contribute to many health issues, including Lupus.
Water buffalo horn might help with arthritic symptoms
Why might Water Buffalo Horn (Shui Niu Jiao) help with arthritic symptoms?
Because it is a key herb in Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with arthritic symptoms as a symptom)
Water Buffalo Horns is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter and Salty. It targets the Stomach, the Heart and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Cools the Blood, drains Fire and stops reckless movement of Blood. Clears Heat and Fire and stops tremors and convulsions. Cools Fire and expels toxins.
Conditions associated with arthritic symptoms
Other symptoms often associated with arthritic symptoms
Irritability Fever Flushed face Red skin rashes Blotches dotted over the skin Constipation Scanty and dark urine Tidal fever Hot palms and soles Red skin eruptions