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.
Rheumatoid arthritis factsheet
Possible causes and remedies:
Symptoms: Edema Sweating Urinary difficulty and one other symptom
Recommended formula: Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang
Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp
Symptoms: Nausea Headaches Dizziness and five other symptoms
Recommended formula: Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang
In Chinese Medicine, rheumatoid arthritis can be associated with nine so-called "patterns of disharmony". Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted. It is not equivalent to the Western concept of "disease", as a matter of fact here rheumatoid arthritis can be caused by nine different patterns.
To understand whether someone's rheumatoid arthritis might be caused by a given pattern, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from rheumatoid arthritis alone. For instance when rheumatoid arthritis is caused by the pattern Wind-Damp, patients also experience symptoms such as sweating, general sensation of heaviness, edema and urinary difficulty. Similarly, patients with Wind-Damp typically exhibit floating (Fu) pulses as well as a pale tongue with thick white coating.
We've listed below a description of the nine patterns associated with rheumatoid arthritis so that you can start to get an understanding of the various possibilities according to Chinese Medicine.
Once identified, patterns are often treated using herbal formulas. Drinking herbal infusions is the most common remedy in Chinese Medicine, together with acupuncture. Here we detail below fourteen formulas that can help treat the various patterns associated with rheumatoid arthritis, depending on which pattern fits your profile.
The nine "patterns of disharmony" associated with rheumatoid arthritis
Stephania Roots (Fang Ji) is the key herb for Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang, a formula used for Wind-Damp
Wind-Damp
Pulse type(s): Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Tongue color: Pale
Recommended herbal formula: Fang Ji Huang Qi Tang
Symptoms: Edema Sweating Urinary difficulty General sensation of heaviness
Rheumatoid arthritis might be due to Wind-Damp if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as sweating, general sensation of heaviness, edema and urinary difficulty. Similarly, patients with Wind-Damp typically exhibit floating (Fu) pulses as well as a pale tongue with thick white coating.
Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) is the key herb for Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang, a formula used for Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp
Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Recommended herbal formula: Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang
Symptoms: Nausea Headaches Dizziness Weight loss Shortness of breath Chills without sweating Reduced range of motion in the affected joints Swollen and painful joints that are warm to the touch and worsen at night
Rheumatoid arthritis might be due to Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as swollen and painful joints that are warm to the touch and worsen at night, reduced range of motion in the affected joints, chills without sweating and weight loss. Similarly, patients with Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp typically exhibit slippery (Hua) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a tongue with thick white coating.
Read more about Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp here
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen or Kidney Yang Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Fine (Xi)
Tongue color: Pale
Tongue shape: Swollen, Tooth-marked
Recommended herbal formula: Zhen Wu Tang
Symptoms: Edema Coughing Vomiting Dizziness Loose stools Palpitations Urinary difficulty Heavy sensation in the head Abdominal pain that worsens with cold Deep aching and heaviness in the extremities
Rheumatoid arthritis might be due to Spleen or Kidney Yang Deficiency if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as abdominal pain that worsens with cold, urinary difficulty, deep aching and heaviness in the extremities and dizziness. Similarly, patients with Spleen or Kidney Yang Deficiency typically exhibit deep (Chen) or fine (Xi) pulses as well as a pale tongue.
Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) is the key herb for Zhen Wu Tang, a formula used for Exterior Cold invading the Interior
Exterior Cold invading the Interior
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Fine (Xi)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Recommended herbal formula: Zhen Wu Tang
Symptoms: Dizziness Unsteadiness Generalized twitching Palpitations in the epigastrium Sweating that doesn't reduce fever
Rheumatoid arthritis might be due to Exterior Cold invading the Interior if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as sweating that doesn't reduce fever, palpitations in the epigastrium, dizziness and generalized twitching. Similarly, patients with Exterior Cold invading the Interior typically exhibit deep (Chen) or fine (Xi) pulses as well as a tongue with thin white coating.
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen Yang Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
Recommended herbal formulas: Zhen Wu Tang Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, Yi Huang Tang, Huang Tu Tang, Wen Pi Tang, Zhen Wu Tang
Symptoms: Gas Edema Chills Fatigue Bloating Lassitude Cold limbs Weak Limbs Loose stools Poor appetite Pale complexion Feeling of cold Vagina discharge Sallow complexion Desire to lie down curled up Undigested food in the stools Slight abdominal distension after eating Abdominal pain and distension relieved by pressure and warmth
Generally speaking, Spleen Yang Deficiency often develops from Spleen Qi Deficiency, but it is more extensive and severe. The common manifestations are these related to digestive functions such as loose stools, poor appetite, slight abdominal distension and pain after eating, gas and bloating. Since the Spleen fails to transport the Food Qi to the body, patients also suffer from general fatigue, lassitude, weak limbs, pale tongue and face. Patients prefers to lie down.
On top of above, the Yang Deficiency also brings in additional Cold symptoms, such as a cold feeling and cold limbs. It is because Spleen Yang fails to warm the body and Organs. Therefore, the body metabolism get slower and some food are not digested properly and passes directly into the stools.
Since the Spleen fails to perform the function of transforming and transporting fluids, the circulation of Body Fluids is disturbed, causing symptoms such as Oedema, vaginal discharge and Lung mucus. The Yang Deficiency pattern is even more likely to form Dampness and Phlegm.
Prepared Aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) is the key herb for Fu Zi Tang, a formula used for Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp
Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Deep (Chen), Minute (Wei), Slow (Chi)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Recommended herbal formula: Fu Zi Tang
Symptoms: No thirst Cold extremities Generalized body pain Aching bones and joints Aversion to cold - especially at the back
Rheumatoid arthritis might be due to Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as generalized body pain, aching bones and joints, cold extremities and no thirst. Similarly, patients with Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp typically exhibit choppy (Se), deep (Chen), minute (Wei) or slow (Chi) pulses as well as a tongue with thin white coating.
Notopterygium Roots (Qiang Huo) is the key herb for Juan Bi Tang, a formula used for Painful Obstruction with Qi and Blood Deficiency
Painful Obstruction with Qi and Blood Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Slowed-down (Huan)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Recommended herbal formula: Juan Bi Tang
Symptoms: Difficulty in moving Numbness in the extremities General sensation of heaviness Stiffness in the neck shoulder and upper back
Rheumatoid arthritis might be due to Painful Obstruction with Qi and Blood Deficiency if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as general sensation of heaviness, numbness in the extremities, difficulty in moving and stiffness in the neck shoulder and upper back. Similarly, patients with Painful Obstruction with Qi and Blood Deficiency typically exhibit slowed-down (Huan) pulses as well as a tongue with thin white coating.
Read more about Painful Obstruction with Qi and Blood Deficiency here
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Fine (Xi), Slow (Chi), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Pale
Recommended herbal formula: Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
Symptoms: Palpitations Aversion to cold Shortness of breath Attraction to warmth Weakness and stiffness Heavy and painful sensations in the lower back and lower extremities
Rheumatoid arthritis might be due to Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as heavy and painful sensations in the lower back and lower extremities, weakness and stiffness, aversion to cold and attraction to warmth. Similarly, patients with Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency typically exhibit fine (Xi), slow (Chi) or weak (Ruo) pulses as well as a pale tongue with thin white coating.
Read more about Painful Obstruction with Liver and Kidney Deficiency here
Stephania Roots (Fang Ji) is the key herb for Xuan Bi Tang, a formula used for Painful Obstruction due to Damp Heat in Channels
Painful Obstruction due to Damp Heat in Channels
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Recommended herbal formula: Xuan Bi Tang
Symptoms: Fever Shaking chills Reduced mobility Scanty and dark urine Heat and pain in the joints Lusterless and yellow complexion
Rheumatoid arthritis might be due to Painful Obstruction due to Damp Heat in Channels if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as heat and pain in the joints, reduced mobility, fever and shaking chills.
Read more about Painful Obstruction due to Damp Heat in Channels here
The fourteen herbal formulas that might help with rheumatoid arthritis
Zhen Wu Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies the Yang and Qi of the Spleen and Kidneys. Eliminates Dampness.
Why might Zhen Wu Tang help with rheumatoid arthritis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help with the patterns Spleen or Kidney Yang Deficiency, Exterior Cold invading the Interior and Spleen Yang Deficiency which are sometimes associated with rheumatoid arthritis. If any of these patterns look like something you might suffer from, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
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 help treat Wind-Damp, a pattern sometimes associated with rheumatoid arthritis. If it looks like you might suffer from Wind-Damp, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
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 help treat Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp, a pattern sometimes associated with rheumatoid arthritis. If it looks like you might suffer from Painful Obstruction with Wind-Cold-Damp, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
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 help treat Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp, a pattern sometimes associated with rheumatoid arthritis. If it looks like you might suffer from Yang Deficiency with Cold-Damp, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Juan Bi Tang
Source date: 1178 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies and harmonizes the Protective and Nutritive Qi. Dispels Wind. Eliminates Dampness.
Why might Juan Bi Tang help with rheumatoid arthritis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Painful Obstruction with Qi and Blood Deficiency, a pattern sometimes associated with rheumatoid arthritis. If it looks like you might suffer from Painful Obstruction with Qi and Blood Deficiency, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
