Arthritis according to Chinese Medicine
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.
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Arthritis 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 arthritis 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 arthritis is often associated with impotence, cold in the lower extremities and spermatorrhea in the pattern “Kidney Yang Deficiency”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of arthritis we’ve identified five herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat arthritis.
Kidney Yang Deficiency, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause arthritis
In Chinese Medicine arthritis is a symptom for the pattern "Kidney Yang Deficiency". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Pale
Tongue shape: Swollen
Kidney Yang Deficiency causes Internal Cold and weakness.
In addition to arthritis, other symptoms associated with Kidney Yang Deficiency include impotence, cold in the lower extremities and spermatorrhea.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Kidney Yang Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Late Menstruation, Menopausal Syndrome or Irregular Menstruation.
Kidney Yang Deficiency is often treated with Ba Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Ba Wei Di Huang Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that nourish yin and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies Yang".
Five herbal formulas that might help with arthritis
Ba Wei Di Huang Wan
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Yang. Warms the Kidneys and lower extremities.
Why might Ba Wei Di Huang Wan help with arthritis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which arthritis is a symptom.
You Gui Wan
Source date: 1624 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang. Replenishes the Essence. Tonifies the Blood.
Why might You Gui Wan help with arthritis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which arthritis is a symptom.
Er Xian Tang
Source date: 1950 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Yin and tonifies Yang of the Kidneys. Clears Empty Heat. Regulates the Directing and Penetrating Vessels.
Why might Er Xian Tang help with arthritis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which arthritis is a symptom.
Shen Qi Wan
Why might Shen Qi Wan help with arthritis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which arthritis is a symptom.
Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan
Source date: 1550 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Kidney Yang. Strengthens the Essence.
Why might Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan help with arthritis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which arthritis is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for arthritis
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat arthritis
Why might Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) help with arthritis?
Because it is a key herb in Ba Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' (a pattern with arthritis as a symptom)
Prepared Rehmannia is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys.
Why might Cornelian Cherry (Shan Zhu Yu) help with arthritis?
Because it is a key herb in Ba Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' (a pattern with arthritis as a symptom)
Cornelian Cherries is a Warm herb that tastes Sour. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Preserves and tonifies the Kidney, Liver and Essence. Stops sweating and benefits the Yang and Qi. Assists menstruation and stops bleeding.
Why might Yam (Shan Yao) help with arthritis?
Because it is a key herb in Ba Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' (a pattern with arthritis as a symptom)
Yam is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach. Tonifies the Lung Qi and nourishes the Lung Yin. Nourishes the Kidneys and consolidates Jing.
Why might Water Plantain (Ze Xie) help with arthritis?
Because it is a key herb in Ba Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' (a pattern with arthritis as a symptom)
Water Plantain is a Cold herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Bladder and the Kidney.
Its main actions are: Causes urination and removes Damp-Heat
Why might Mudan Peony Bark (Mu Dan Pi) help with arthritis?
Because it is a key herb in Ba Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' (a pattern with arthritis as a symptom)
Mudan Peony Bark is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Cools the Blood, activates Blood circulation and resolves Blood stasis.
Other symptoms often associated with arthritis
Impotence Cold in the lower extremities Spermatorrhea Frequent urination Prostatic hypertrophy Coughing Asthma Persistent diarrhea Dysuria Spasms of the lower abdomen