Rheumatismaccording to TCM
Symptom family: Rheumatic and Arthritic Disorders
Sub-symptom(s): Rheumatic Pain Rheumatic Fever Leg Pain Due To Rheumatism Rheumatic Waist Pain Rheumatic Heart Disease
What is Rheumatism?
Rheumatism is a term that encompasses a spectrum of conditions characterized by chronic, often intermittent pain affecting the joints or connective tissues. A non-specific term, rheumatism spans various disorders, typically involving inflammation, stiffness, and discomfort in the musculoskeletal system. Sub-symptoms can range from localized joint and waist pain to systemic conditions like rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. The term is less used in contemporary medical practice but is historically linked to what are now differentiated as specific rheumatic diseases.
How does TCM view Rheumatism?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) conceptualizes rheumatism not as a single disease, but as a cluster of symptoms resulting from the imbalance of Qi and Blood, influenced by pathogenic factors such as Wind, Damp, Cold, and Heat.
In TCM, the symptoms of rheumatism are external manifestations of an internal disharmony. Treatment is holistic, focusing on identifying and correcting the specific pattern of disharmony within the patient's body to alleviate symptoms and restore balance.
Causes of Rheumatism According to TCM
Within TCM, rheumatism is believed to be primarily caused by the invasion of Wind, which is considered the leading pathogenic factor due to its propensity to move quickly and invade the body, carrying with it Cold, Damp, or Heat. Wind-Damp is particularly implicated in chronic rheumatism, where it obstructs the flow of Qi and Blood in the meridians, leading to pain, stiffness, and swollen joints. These pathogenic influences are considered to disrupt the balance of Yin and Yang in the body, leading to the characteristic symptoms of rheumatism.
TCM Herbal Formulas for Rheumatism
TCM employs a range of herbs to treat rheumatism, with selections tailored to counter the specific pathogenic factors involved. Herbs like Acanthopanax Rootbarks are used to expel Wind-Damp and strengthen the sinews and bones, while Notopterygium Roots target Wind-Cold patterns.
For cases involving Blood Stagnation, which can contribute to painful swelling, herbs like Turmeric are prescribed. Treatment may also include herbs like Fish-poison yam to drain Dampness and address the root cause of symptoms. These herbs are part of a broader strategy to harmonize the body's energies, addressing the Wind dominance in rheumatism and restoring health and mobility.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address rheumatism, organized by formula type.
- By Formula Type
- Formulas that clear wind-Cold
- Formulas that dispel wind-Damp
- Formulas that dispel summer-Heat and clear heat
- Formulas that clear exterior disorders with interior deficiency
- Formulas that nourish the heart and calm the mind
- Formulas that promote urination and leach out dampness
- Formulas that tonify qi and blood
- Formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation
Formulas that clear Wind-Cold
Rheumatism can be treated by these formulas when it stems from external pathogenic influences characterized by cold and wind symptoms.
One such formula is Ma Huang Tang, with ephedra as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that clear wind-Cold" recommended for rheumatism
| Formula | Key herbs |
|---|---|
| Ma Huang Tang | Ephedra (Ma Huang) |
| Xiao Qing Long Tang | Ephedra (Ma Huang), Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) |
Formulas that dispel Wind-Damp
Rheumatism 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 Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang, with notopterygium root as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that dispel wind-Damp" recommended for rheumatism
| Formula | Key herbs |
|---|---|
| Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang | Notopterygium Roots (Qiang Huo), Pubescent Angelica Roots (Du Huo) |
| Xuan Bi Tang | Stephania Roots (Fang Ji) |
Formulas that dispel Summer-Heat and clear Heat
Rheumatism can be treated by these formulas in situations where the body is affected by both the oppressive summer heat and an internal heat excess, needing cooling and heat-clearing actions.
One such formula is Qing Luo Yin, with honeysuckle flowers as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Exterior disorders with Interior deficiency
Rheumatism can be treated by formulas that clear Exterior disorders with Interior deficiency if it arises from an external pathogen attacking a body with underlying weakness.
One such formula is Zai Zao San, with milkvetch root as a key herb.
Formulas that nourish the Heart and calm the Mind
Rheumatism can be treated by these formulas when it stems from a disharmony between the heart and the mind, often manifesting as emotional disturbances or sleep issues.
One such formula is Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan, with biota seeds as a key herb.
Formulas that promote urination and leach out Dampness
Rheumatism 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 tonify Qi and Blood
Rheumatism can be treated by these formulas when there is a combined deficiency of both Qi and Blood, requiring comprehensive tonification.
One such formula is Zhi Gan Cao Tang, with liquorice as a key herb.
Formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation
Rheumatism 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 Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, with peach kernel as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Rheumatism
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address rheumatism, 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
- Tonic herbs for qi deficiency
- Herbs that pacify internal liver wind and stop tremors
- Tonic herbs for yin deficiency
- Herbs that drain dampness
- Herbs that warm the interior and/or expel cold
- Herbs that clear heat and relieve toxicity
- Herbs that clear heat and purge fire and/or clear summer heat
- Herbs that clear heat and dry dampness
- Herbs that nourish the heart and calm the spirit
Herbs that dispel Wind and Dampness
Rheumatism 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 Pubescent Angelica Roots (Du Huo), a key herb in some formulas recommended for rheumatism, like Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that dispel Wind and Dampness" recommended for rheumatism
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Pubescent Angelica Roots (Du Huo) | Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang |
| Acanthopanax Rootbarks (Wu Jia Pi) | Not applicable |
| Black-Tail Snakes (Wu shao she) | Not applicable |
| Clematis Roots (Wei Ling Xian) | Not applicable |
| Mistletoe (Hu Ji Sheng) | Not applicable |
| Mulberry Mistletoe (Sang Ji Sheng) | Not applicable |
| Prepared Sichuan Aconite (Zhi Chuan Wu) | Not applicable |
| Silkworm Feces (Can Sha) | Not applicable |
| Stinging Nettle Leaves (Xun Ma) | Not applicable |
| Viper Snakes (Fu she) | Not applicable |
| Paniculate Swallowwort Roots (Xu chang Qing) | Not applicable |
Herbs that invigorate the Blood
Rheumatism 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 rheumatism, like Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that invigorate the Blood" recommended for rheumatism
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Peach Kernels (Tao Ren) | Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang |
| Safflowers (Hong Hua) | Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang |
| Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong) | Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang |
| Shiny-Leaf Prickly-Ash (Liang Mian Zhen) | Not applicable |
| Turmeric (Jiang Huang) | Not applicable |
Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Rheumatism 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 Ephedra (Ma Huang), a key herb in some formulas recommended for rheumatism, like Ma Huang Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior" recommended for rheumatism
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Ephedra (Ma Huang) | Ma Huang Tang | Xiao Qing Long Tang |
| Notopterygium Roots (Qiang Huo) | Qiang Huo Sheng Shi Tang |
| Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) | Xiao Qing Long Tang |
| Chinese Lovage Roots (Gao Ben) | Not applicable |
Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Rheumatism 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 rheumatism, like Zai Zao San.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency" recommended for rheumatism
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) | Zai Zao San | Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan | Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang |
| Ginseng (Ren Shen) | Zai Zao San |
| Liquorice (Gan Cao) | Zhi Gan Cao Tang |
Herbs that pacify Internal Liver Wind and stop Tremors
Rheumatism can be treated by these herbs when caused by internal wind from Liver disharmony, often manifesting in symptoms like spasms or tremors.
One such herb is Silkworms (Jiang Can), which is directly recommended for rheumatism.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that pacify Internal Liver Wind and stop Tremors" recommended for rheumatism
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Silkworms (Jiang Can) | Not applicable |
| Centipedes (Wu Gong) | Not applicable |
Tonic herbs for Yin Deficiency
Rheumatism can be treated by these herbs when caused by a lack of Yin, which is essential for cooling and moistening the body, thereby restoring balance.
One such herb is Angular Solomon's Seal Roots (Yu Zhu), which is directly recommended for rheumatism.
Herbs that drain Dampness
Rheumatism 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 rheumatism.
Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold
Rheumatism 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 Lemongrass (Xiang Mao), which is directly recommended for rheumatism.
Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity
Rheumatism 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 Honeysuckle Flowers (Jin Yin Hua), a key herb in some formulas recommended for rheumatism, like Qing Luo Yin.
Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
Rheumatism can be treated by these herbs when it arises from excessive internal heat or fire, aiding in cooling the body and balancing internal temperature.
One such herb is Lotus Leaves (He Ye), a key herb in some formulas recommended for rheumatism, like Qing Luo Yin.
Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
Rheumatism 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 rheumatism, like Xuan Bi Tang.
Herbs that nourish the Heart and calm the Spirit
Rheumatism can be treated by these herbs when it is linked to deficiencies in heart nourishment, addressing both physical and emotional imbalances.
One such herb is Biota Seeds (Bai Zi Ren), a key herb in some formulas recommended for rheumatism, like Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan.