Rheumatoid 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.
rheumatic arthritis and rheumatism redirect here
Five herbal formulas that might help with rheumatoid arthritis
Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
Source date: 650 AD
Number of ingredients: 15 herbs
Key actions: Anti-rheumatic, clears Wind, Cold and Damp Stagnation. Strengthens the function of the Liver and Kidney. Tonifies Qi and Blood.
Why might Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang help with rheumatoid arthritis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency' of which rheumatoid arthritis is a symptom.
Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Diuretic, clears Excess fluid and removes edema. Tonifies the Spleen Qi. Calms External Wind.
Why might Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang help with rheumatoid arthritis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Wind-Damp' of which rheumatoid arthritis is a symptom.
Fu Zi Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Meridians. Assists the Yang. Dispels Cold. Transforms Dampness.
Why might Fu Zi Tang help with rheumatoid arthritis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp' of which rheumatoid arthritis is a symptom.
Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and inflammations. Unblocks the flow of Yang Qi and promotes movement (in areas with painful obstruction). Clears Wind and Damp. Relieves pain.
Why might Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang help with rheumatoid arthritis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp' of which rheumatoid arthritis is a symptom.
Da Fang Feng Tang
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 14 herbs
Key actions: Expel Wind Damp. Relieve pain. Tonify the Liver and the Kidneys. Tonify the Blood and Qi.
Why might Da Fang Feng Tang help with rheumatoid arthritis?
Da Fang Feng Tang has sometimes been used by TCM professionals to alleviate the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat rheumatoid arthritis
Why might Acanthopanax Rootbark (Wu Jia Pi) help with rheumatoid arthritis?
Because it is a herb specifically indicated to treat rheumatoid arthritis as can be seen on Acanthopanax Rootbark's page.
Acanthopanax Rootbarks is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Disperses Wind Dampness and strengthens bones and sinews. Tonifies the Liver and the Kidneys. Drains Dampness.
Why might Prepared Sichuan Aconite (Zhi Chuan Wu) help with rheumatoid arthritis?
Because it is a herb specifically indicated to treat rheumatoid arthritis as can be seen on Prepared Sichuan Aconite's page.
Prepared Sichuan Aconite is a Hot herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Spleen, the Heart, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Dispels Wind and Dampness. Warms the meridians and relieves pain caused by Cold
Why might Lemongrass (Xiang Mao) help with rheumatoid arthritis?
Because it is a herb specifically indicated to treat rheumatoid arthritis as can be seen on Lemongrass's page.
Lemongrass is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Gallbladder, the Stomach and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Expels wind and clear the meridians. Warms body core and stops pain.
Why might Mulberry Mistletoe (Sang Ji Sheng) help with rheumatoid arthritis?
Because it is a herb specifically indicated to treat rheumatoid arthritis as can be seen on Mulberry Mistletoe's page.
Mulberry Mistletoe is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Liver and the Kidneys. Strengthens the tendons and bones. Relieves rheumatic conditions. Lowers hypertension.
Why might Black-Tail Snake (Wu Shao She) help with rheumatoid arthritis?
Because it is a herb specifically indicated to treat rheumatoid arthritis as can be seen on Black-Tail Snake's page.
Black-Tail Snakes is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Liver.
Its main actions are: Expels Wind Dampness and disperses Cold. Removes obstruction of Channels and Meridians. Stops spasms and convulsions.
Other symptoms often associated with rheumatoid arthritis
Edema Joint pain Abdominal pain Eczema Common cold Rheumatic athralgia Arthralgia Knee pain Hypertension Amenorrhea