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Arthritis and Joint Disease
Neue Artznei und Practicierbuchlin, Bock, 1551
Chronic Arthritic and Joint diseases are some of the most troublesome diseases to treat. For this reason, in all systems, some of the strongest medicines of the Materia Medica have been employed in the treatment of Joint disease. And the same can be seen in modern medicine.
Major types of Joint Disease:
Joint disease is generally caused by Wind and Damp. Damp is associated with improper digestion, and this is seen by the Ayurvedic name for Rheumatism, 'Ama-Vata' ('Ama' meaning the toxic residue of undigested food–Damp; and Vata meaning 'Wind') which is basically the same as the Chinese Feng-Shi (Wind-Damp). Therefore, digestion must be regulated, Damp foods avoided, and a light, warming, easy-to-digest diet should be employed.
Some cases of Joint diseases are associated with Heat. In acute cases and in those with Heat constitutions this may be simple Heat (Inflammation) or Heat and Toxin (in which case the Sarsaparilla and Guaiacum formulas can be used). In chronic cases with Heat, it is generally considered to be a Wind-Damp-Heat condition.
In chronic cases with deficiency and in the elderly, deficiency is generally seen. In such cases, medicine which strengthen the Kidney, Liver, Bones, Joints and Sinews are employed in conjunction with arthritic medicines.
In the treatment of Arthritic disease, Honey Water (Hydromel), Barley Water and Rosemary Wine are all very useful and may be used daily for months along with other treatment.
Medicines which are practical for modern use include Compound Guaiacum Confection (Chelsea Pensioner).
In TCM, Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang is a commonly used formula for chronic joint disease. It strengthens the bones and joints, nourishes the Liver and Kidneys while clearing Wind and Damp. It is suitable for long-term use.
Some of the strongest medicines used in the west contain Colchicum of which there are a number of formulas written by Mesue and Nicholas in particular. In the Eastern systems, Aconite and Nux Vomica are used in some of the stronger formulas, some of which are commonly used as patent medicines for Rheumatism in China.
Major types of Joint Disease:
- Arthritis–joint inflammation
- Osteoarthritis–degeneration of cartilage and bone
- Rheumatoid Arthritis–inflammatory joint disease of the extremities resulting in deformation
- Spondylitis–inflammation of the joints of the spine
- Gout–inflammatory arthritis caused by high uric acid, primarily affecting small bones of the feet
Joint disease is generally caused by Wind and Damp. Damp is associated with improper digestion, and this is seen by the Ayurvedic name for Rheumatism, 'Ama-Vata' ('Ama' meaning the toxic residue of undigested food–Damp; and Vata meaning 'Wind') which is basically the same as the Chinese Feng-Shi (Wind-Damp). Therefore, digestion must be regulated, Damp foods avoided, and a light, warming, easy-to-digest diet should be employed.
Some cases of Joint diseases are associated with Heat. In acute cases and in those with Heat constitutions this may be simple Heat (Inflammation) or Heat and Toxin (in which case the Sarsaparilla and Guaiacum formulas can be used). In chronic cases with Heat, it is generally considered to be a Wind-Damp-Heat condition.
In chronic cases with deficiency and in the elderly, deficiency is generally seen. In such cases, medicine which strengthen the Kidney, Liver, Bones, Joints and Sinews are employed in conjunction with arthritic medicines.
In the treatment of Arthritic disease, Honey Water (Hydromel), Barley Water and Rosemary Wine are all very useful and may be used daily for months along with other treatment.
Medicines which are practical for modern use include Compound Guaiacum Confection (Chelsea Pensioner).
In TCM, Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang is a commonly used formula for chronic joint disease. It strengthens the bones and joints, nourishes the Liver and Kidneys while clearing Wind and Damp. It is suitable for long-term use.
Some of the strongest medicines used in the west contain Colchicum of which there are a number of formulas written by Mesue and Nicholas in particular. In the Eastern systems, Aconite and Nux Vomica are used in some of the stronger formulas, some of which are commonly used as patent medicines for Rheumatism in China.
Specific Medicines:
For all Joint Pains, Honey Water was regarded as the best drink
Honey Water (Hydromel)
Wine for Arthritis
Compound Guaiacum Confection (Chelsea Pensioner)
Pills for Joint Disease
Pills of Colchicum (Mesue) (Habb E Suranjun)
Pills of Colchicum Greater (Habb E Suranjun Kalan)
Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
Pills of Castor and Bdellium (Vatari Guggulu) (Ayurveda)
Nimbadi Chruna (Neem Powder) (Ayurveda)
Punarnavadi Guggulu (Boerhaavia and Bdellium Pills)
Yogaraja Guggulu
Safflower Garuda (Gur khyung phyag rdor)
For all Joint Pains, Honey Water was regarded as the best drink
Honey Water (Hydromel)
Wine for Arthritis
Compound Guaiacum Confection (Chelsea Pensioner)
Pills for Joint Disease
Pills of Colchicum (Mesue) (Habb E Suranjun)
Pills of Colchicum Greater (Habb E Suranjun Kalan)
Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
Pills of Castor and Bdellium (Vatari Guggulu) (Ayurveda)
Nimbadi Chruna (Neem Powder) (Ayurveda)
Punarnavadi Guggulu (Boerhaavia and Bdellium Pills)
Yogaraja Guggulu
Safflower Garuda (Gur khyung phyag rdor)
Differential Diagnosis
1. Heat / Bile / Wind-Heat-Damp / Inflammatory
Red, swollen joints, painful when moved, high colored urine with a big pulse. Pain is burning, worse when moving.
Red, swollen joints, painful when moved, high colored urine with a big pulse. Pain is burning, worse when moving.
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Rhubarb
Centaury Barley |
Aloes
Fumitory Red Earth |
Coptis Huang Lian
Rhubarb (Da Huang) |
Phellodendron Huang Bai
Gentiana Qin Jiao |
1. Celery and Barley Soup
2. Gentian, Centuary, St. Johns wort
3. Germander, Ground Pine, Gentian, Rue
4. Gentian, Ground Pine, Germander, Lesser Centaury (equal parts)
2. Gentian, Centuary, St. Johns wort
3. Germander, Ground Pine, Gentian, Rue
4. Gentian, Ground Pine, Germander, Lesser Centaury (equal parts)
2. Wind / Wind-Damp / Moving
Dry skin and joints; joints crack and feel cold; pain is moving or fluctuates, is tearing.
Wind is more moving in nature, Damp is Stagnant and Yin deficiency is more associated with degeneration of the Joints.
Dry skin and joints; joints crack and feel cold; pain is moving or fluctuates, is tearing.
Wind is more moving in nature, Damp is Stagnant and Yin deficiency is more associated with degeneration of the Joints.
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Chebulic Myrobalan
Clove Garlic Celery seed Rose hip |
Mistletoe
Frankincene Bdellium (Guggulu) Colchicum |
Saposhnikovia Fang Feng
Viscum Sang Ji Sheng Aconitum Fu Zi Nux Vomica Ma Qian Zi |
Earthworm
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1. Dwarf Elder, Ground Pine, Cinnamon, decocted in wine
2. Dwarf Elder, Ground Pine, Celery seed, Rhubarb
3. Chebula, Frankincense, Clove, Celery seed
4. Gentian with St Johns wort, Centaury, Ground Pine, Agaric, Germander
5. Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Eucommia Du Zhong, Dipsacus Xu Duan
2. Dwarf Elder, Ground Pine, Celery seed, Rhubarb
3. Chebula, Frankincense, Clove, Celery seed
4. Gentian with St Johns wort, Centaury, Ground Pine, Agaric, Germander
5. Saposhnikovia Fang Feng with Eucommia Du Zhong, Dipsacus Xu Duan
3. Phlegm / Damp / Damp-Wind / Stagnation
Joints are puffy and swollen; stiff and sore when still but better after moving; pain is dull and heavy. Typical in Arthritis in the obese or those with fluid retention.
Joints are puffy and swollen; stiff and sore when still but better after moving; pain is dull and heavy. Typical in Arthritis in the obese or those with fluid retention.
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Cinnamon
Clove Ginger Cyperus rotundus Celery seed |
Squill
Colchicum Turbith Esula Agaric |
Cinnamon twig Gui Zhi
Atractylodes Bai Zhu Poria Fu Ling Aconitum Fu Zi |
4. Blood Stasis
Chronic Joint pain, sometimes just one joint which can be traced back to a previous trauma. Fixed pain, dull or dark colored joints, or dry, dusky skin over the joint. Tongue and nail beds may be purplish, pulse is choppy. Complexion is usually dull.
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Frankincense
Myrrh Lacca Bdellium Madder |
Turmeric
Cyperus rotundus Asarum Safflower Rhubarb |
Drynaria Gu Sui Bu
Paeonia Mu Dan Pi Myrrh (Mo Yao) Asaram Xi Xin |
Dipsacus Xu Duan
Paeonia Chi Shao Yao Frankincense (Ru Xiang) Safflower (Hong Hua) |
1. Frankincense with Bdellium, Myrrh, Tumeric
2. Bdellium (Guggulu) with Frankincense, Withania, Turmeric (Ayurveda)
3. Frankincense with Triphala, Tinospora, Costus, Shilajit
4. Cinnamon twig Gui Zhi with Myrrh (Mo Yao), Frankincense (Ru Xiang), Achyranthes Niu Xi, Eucommia Du Zhong, Saposhnikovia Fang Feng, Licorice
5. Drynaria Gu Sui Bu with Cibotium Gou Ji, Dipsacus Xu Duan, Costus (Mu Xiang), Olibanum (Ru Xiang), Myrrh (Mo Yao)
6. Dang Gui, Notoginseng San Qi, Achyranthes Niu Xi, Eucommia Du Zhong, Safflower (Hong Hua)
2. Bdellium (Guggulu) with Frankincense, Withania, Turmeric (Ayurveda)
3. Frankincense with Triphala, Tinospora, Costus, Shilajit
4. Cinnamon twig Gui Zhi with Myrrh (Mo Yao), Frankincense (Ru Xiang), Achyranthes Niu Xi, Eucommia Du Zhong, Saposhnikovia Fang Feng, Licorice
5. Drynaria Gu Sui Bu with Cibotium Gou Ji, Dipsacus Xu Duan, Costus (Mu Xiang), Olibanum (Ru Xiang), Myrrh (Mo Yao)
6. Dang Gui, Notoginseng San Qi, Achyranthes Niu Xi, Eucommia Du Zhong, Safflower (Hong Hua)
5. Deficiency
Chronic Arthritic diseases, especially in the aged, are invariably related to deficiency. There will be weakness and aching of the lower back and knees, lethargy with low pulse. This may be associated with degenerative arthritis, Arthritis with marked weakness or numbness.
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Comfrey
Soloman's Seal Elecampane Mastic |
Mistletoe
Asparagus root Date Licorice |
Achyranthes Niu Xi
Drynaria Gu Sui Bu Mistletoe (Sang Ji Sheng) Deer Horn (Lu Rong) |
Eucommia Du Zhong
Dipsacus Xu Duan Morinda Ba Ji Tian |
1. Elecampane, Date, Guaiacum
2. Frankincense with Triphala, Tinospora, Costus, Shilajit
3. Drynaria Gu Sui Bu with Rehmannia Shu Di Huang, Cistanches Rou Cong Rong, Achyranthes Niu Xi, Epimedium Yin Yang Huo
2. Frankincense with Triphala, Tinospora, Costus, Shilajit
3. Drynaria Gu Sui Bu with Rehmannia Shu Di Huang, Cistanches Rou Cong Rong, Achyranthes Niu Xi, Epimedium Yin Yang Huo
Useful Medicines
Medicines that Open the Capillaries
Medicines that Open the Capillaries
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Asarum
Viper |
Saffron / Safflower
Earthworm |
Chaenomeles Mu Gua
Pit Viper (Bai Hua She) |
Ephedra Ma Huang
Nux Vomica (Ma Qian Zi) |
For Tightness of the Sinews
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Frankincense
Centaury |
Bdellium
Turmeric |
Gentiana Qin Jiao
Frankincense Ru Xiang |
Spatholobus Ji Xue Teng
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Strengthen the Sinews and Bones
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Comfrey
Centaury Withania |
Soloman's Seal
Shilajit |
Morinda Ba Ji Tian
Cibotium Gou Ji Achyranthes Niu Xi Mistletoe (Sang Ji Sheng) |
Eucommia Du Zhong
Drynaria Gu Sui Bu Polygonatum Yu Zhu Velvet Deer Horn Lu Rong |
Move the Blood
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Bdellium
Asarum Madder |
Frankincense
Saffron Rhubarb |
Achyranthes Niu Xi
Myrrh (Mo Yao) |
Asarum Xi Xin
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Clear Uric Acid
Hot and inflammatory types of Arthritis, especially Gout affecting the joints of the feet, are typically associated with high uric acid levels which can be confirmed with urine tests. These herbs lower Uric acid.
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Barberry
Barley Burdock root |
Bdellium (Guggul)
Chicory Marys' Thistle (Silybum) |
Chrysanthemum Ju Hua
Cremastra Phellodendron Huang Bai |
Smliax Tu Fu Ling
Atractylodes Bia Zhu Tinospora |
1. Barberry (2 parts), Yarrow, Mint, Balm, Agrimony, Nettle (1 part each)
Special Formula:
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HYDROMEL
Honey 1 lb. River Water 5 lbs. Decoct down until one-third is consumed, removing the scum as it rises. Efficacious and specific for cold diseases, Joint diseases, Paralysis etc. Advocated by many physicians over the past 2000 years for arthritic complaints. ARTHRITIS AND ALL DAMP DISEASES Sarsaparilla Sassafras Licorice 2 oz. China root 1 oz. Boil in water gently from 6 quarts to 4 quarts, adding in the last half hour Cinnamon (1 oz.), Senna (6 drams). Continue drinking for 3 weeks. (Hartman, 1682) A PURGE FOR HOT ARTHRITIC DISORDERS Emblic Myrobalan Chebulic Myrobalan Black Myrobalan. 2 drams ea. Rhubarb Scammony. ½ dram ea. Washed Aloes. 1 dram Rose Mastic. 2 scruples ea. Powder and form a pill mass with Rose juice. Take 3 pills each morning. (The Secrets of Alexis, 1615) KARAPXA DECOCTION (Uighur Medicine) Celery seed 30 grams Celery root 30 grams Fennel root 30 grams Dodder seed 20 grams Chicory seed 15 grams Chicory root 15 grams Prepare a standard decoction. Used for heat-type Arthritis and Gout. It is proven to reduce urice acid levels. |
CATAPLASM FOR ACCUMULATION OF SYNOVIAL FLUID IN A JOINT
Wormwood Camomile Henbane Meliot Elder flower 1 handful Dill seed Caraway seed Juniper berry Bay berry 6 drams ea. Earthworm washed 1 oz., Camphor 1 dram Saffron 2 scruples Form a Cataplasm. (Gazophylacium Medico-Physicum, Woyts 1746) A BATH FOR SCIATICA: Camomile Meliot Dill Linseed 2 handfuls ea. Wormwood Mint Pennyroyal Sothernwood Betony Stoechas Marjoram Sage Rosemary 1 ½ handfuls ea. Boil in 50 liters of water until one-third has wasted. Strain, add half pound of Sulphur, 4 oz. of Saltpeter, 3 oz. of Rock Salt. Use this as a bath every morning for 8 days. (The Secrets of Alexis, 1615) |
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine.
Kyphosis is excessive outward curvature of the Spine, causing hunching.
Lordosis is excessive inward curvature of the Spine.
These are all types of 'Wind' or Qi stagnation diseases, Wind or Qi stagnation causes spasms and tension of the muscles, tendons and ligaments. This allows collection of Damp which solidifies the Qi stagnation.. In their chronic form it also involves Blood stagnation. Sometimes it begins as a result of imbalanced usage of the body, for example always carrying a bag over the right shoulder. Sometimes it is congenital.
Kyphosis is excessive outward curvature of the Spine, causing hunching.
Lordosis is excessive inward curvature of the Spine.
These are all types of 'Wind' or Qi stagnation diseases, Wind or Qi stagnation causes spasms and tension of the muscles, tendons and ligaments. This allows collection of Damp which solidifies the Qi stagnation.. In their chronic form it also involves Blood stagnation. Sometimes it begins as a result of imbalanced usage of the body, for example always carrying a bag over the right shoulder. Sometimes it is congenital.
Special Formulas:
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PILLS FOR SCOLIOSIS
Aloe 1 ½ drams Bdellium ½ dram Celery seed ½ scruples Make 7 pills from 1 dram. Used specifically for Scoliosis. SPECIAL CONFECTION FOR SCOLIOSIS, Confected Ginger Calamus Betony Bdellium Marjoram Stoechas Rue Artichoke root Mastic Saffron Licorice Beat with Sugar to form a confection. (Wizrtung) |
DECOCTION FOR SCOLIOSIS
Asarum Xi Xin 0.3 grams Dang Gui 6 grams Notoginseng San Qi 3 grams Dipsacus Xu Duan 12 grams Peach kernel (Tao Ren). 6 grams Notopterygium Qiang Huo 6 grams Mistletoe (Sang Ji Sheng) 12 grams Chaenomelas Mu Gua. 9 grams Salvia Dan Shen 6 grams Prepared as a decoction. (The Formulas of Dr. John H.F. Shen) |
Research:
1. GENERAL / REVIEW:
–Phytomedicine in Joint Disorders
–Herbal therapy for treating rheumatoid arthritis.
–Herbal therapy for treating osteoarthritis.
–Chinese herbal prescriptions for osteoarthritis in Taiwan: analysis of national health insurance dataset
–Evidence of effectiveness of herbal medicinal products in the treatment of arthritis. Part I: Osteoarthritis.
–Evidence of effectiveness of herbal medicinal products in the treatment of arthritis. Part 2: Rheumatoid arthritis.
–Complementary medicine in rheumatoid arthritis
–Clinical efficacy of certain Unani herbs in knee osteoarthritis: A pretest and post-test evaluation study
2. BOSWELLIA:
–Boswellic acids in chronic inflammatory diseases.
3. TURMERIC / CURCUMIN
–Curcumin and autoimmune disease.
–Therapeutic Potential and Recent Advances of Curcumin in the Treatment of Aging-Associated Diseases.
4. CANNABIS:
–Efficacy, Tolerability, and Safety of Cannabinoid Treatments in the Rheumatic Diseases: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.
–Efficacy, tolerability and safety of cannabinoids in chronic pain associated with rheumatic diseases (fibromyalgia syndrome, back pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis): A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
5. TRIPTERYGIUM WILFORDII
–Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F versus conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs as monotherapy for rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.
–Extracts of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials.
6. OTHER HERBS:
–Pharmacological and clinical effectiveness of a fixed phytogenic combination trembling poplar (Populus tremula), true goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior) in mild to moderate rheumatic complaints].
–[Research progress on Drynaria fortunei naringin on inflammation and bone activity].
–Therapeutic application of anti-arthritis, pain-releasing, and anti-cancer effects of bee venom and its constituent compounds.
–[Research progress on pharmacological action and clinical application of Stephania Tetrandrae Radix].
7. CHINESE FORMULAS:
–Evidence of Chinese herbal medicine Duhuo Jisheng decoction for knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review of randomised clinical trials.
–Efficacy and Safety of GuiZhi-ShaoYao-ZhiMu Decoction for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.
8. OTHER THERAPIES:
–Clinical Efficacy of Acupuncture on Rheumatoid Arthritis and Associated Mechanisms: A Systemic Review.
–Tai chi for treating rheumatoid arthritis.
–Management of knee osteoarthritis with cupping therapy
–Phytomedicine in Joint Disorders
–Herbal therapy for treating rheumatoid arthritis.
–Herbal therapy for treating osteoarthritis.
–Chinese herbal prescriptions for osteoarthritis in Taiwan: analysis of national health insurance dataset
–Evidence of effectiveness of herbal medicinal products in the treatment of arthritis. Part I: Osteoarthritis.
–Evidence of effectiveness of herbal medicinal products in the treatment of arthritis. Part 2: Rheumatoid arthritis.
–Complementary medicine in rheumatoid arthritis
–Clinical efficacy of certain Unani herbs in knee osteoarthritis: A pretest and post-test evaluation study
2. BOSWELLIA:
–Boswellic acids in chronic inflammatory diseases.
3. TURMERIC / CURCUMIN
–Curcumin and autoimmune disease.
–Therapeutic Potential and Recent Advances of Curcumin in the Treatment of Aging-Associated Diseases.
4. CANNABIS:
–Efficacy, Tolerability, and Safety of Cannabinoid Treatments in the Rheumatic Diseases: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.
–Efficacy, tolerability and safety of cannabinoids in chronic pain associated with rheumatic diseases (fibromyalgia syndrome, back pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis): A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
5. TRIPTERYGIUM WILFORDII
–Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F versus conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs as monotherapy for rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.
–Extracts of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials.
6. OTHER HERBS:
–Pharmacological and clinical effectiveness of a fixed phytogenic combination trembling poplar (Populus tremula), true goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior) in mild to moderate rheumatic complaints].
–[Research progress on Drynaria fortunei naringin on inflammation and bone activity].
–Therapeutic application of anti-arthritis, pain-releasing, and anti-cancer effects of bee venom and its constituent compounds.
–[Research progress on pharmacological action and clinical application of Stephania Tetrandrae Radix].
7. CHINESE FORMULAS:
–Evidence of Chinese herbal medicine Duhuo Jisheng decoction for knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review of randomised clinical trials.
–Efficacy and Safety of GuiZhi-ShaoYao-ZhiMu Decoction for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.
8. OTHER THERAPIES:
–Clinical Efficacy of Acupuncture on Rheumatoid Arthritis and Associated Mechanisms: A Systemic Review.
–Tai chi for treating rheumatoid arthritis.
–Management of knee osteoarthritis with cupping therapy