Herbs For Arthritis:

[Guest guest]

 

 

Herbs for Arthritis

By Brian Benjamin Carter, MSci, LAc

What are the best herbs for arthritis?

 

 

Because most people assume we can just suggest a few single herbs, let

me first explain that…

 

Time-Tested Herbal Combinations are Best

 

Chinese herbal medicine is a sophisticated medical system at least 1800

years old. It uses formulas of herbs individually modified for each

person. It also can integrate modern pharmacologic knowledge of each

herb for specific diseases. There are thousands of single Chinese herbs,

though only about 400 are commonly used (and few of them are familiar to

westerners). Similarly, there are hundreds of formulas of herbs, but

about 100 are commonly used and modified.

 

Herbal Self-Prescription is Dangerous

It is the wisdom of Chinese herbal medicine, confirmed by popular

experience (witness the ephedra deaths), that single herbs

self-administered by the public are not safe. It is better to see a

trained and licensed herbalist. Classical formulas are safer than single

herbs and less likely to interact with drugs.

 

Different Kinds of Arthritis

 

With arthritis, we have to first differentiate between osteoarthritis

(OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA)- OA is a natural part of aging, and

RA is an autoimmune disease. In Chinese herbal medicine, we always

sub-diagnosis the person's particular imbalance, called a " pattern. " So,

there are easily 8 types of OA, and 5 types of RA. These have to be

diagnosed by a professional. That way, you get the best healing faster

and with much less likelihood of adverse effects.

 

Some Single Herbs for Arthritis

 

I know you're looking for 5 single herbs, so I will try to give you

that. I can also give you a profile of the most common herbal formulas

for OA and RA. These are meant to be educational only. I suggest you

hook up with a Chinese medicine herbalist for a one on one consult,

diagnosis, and prescription.

 

Osteoarthritis:

 

Upper limb pain: cinnamon twig

 

Lower limb pain: angelica pubescentis root

 

Lower back pain: eucommia cortex

Mild pain worse with cold: jujube dates, ginger root, cinnamon twig

 

Pain from blood and qi deficiency: dang gui, astragalus, poria,

rehmannia

With fatigue and diarrhea: cinaamon twig, astragalus, white peony root,

licorice root

One general herb formula for OA is called juan bi tang (Alleviate

Impediment Decoction)

 

The above herbs may help for mild and simple joint pains- but for

stronger cures, see a Chinese herbalist.

 

Rheumatoid Arthritis:

 

For autoimmune disease, proper diet is essential. Avoid the " nightshade "

vegetables (green peppers, etc.). Most RA patients have weak digestion,

so they should avoid too much sugar, raw foods and chilled drinks, and

instead eat soups, rice, and other easy to digest, nourishing foods.

 

Avoid astragalus, since it may boost an already overactive immune

system.

RA patients may be taking steroids (like prednisone) that have serious

long-term adverse effects, and short term cause symptoms like insomnia

and anxiety. This can be soothed with three herbs: Raw rehmannia, cooked

rehmannia, and licorice root. [There are other good examples of herbal

formulas soothing the side effects, or boosting the therapeutic effects

of pharmaceutical drugs. On the other hand, single herbs are more likely

to interact poorly with drugs.]

 

Many of the most effective Chinese herbs for RA are strong and could be

harmful if misused or applied to the wrong person. For this reason, the

best herbal RA treatment would come from a very advanced Chinese

herbalist, and I think it would be irresponsible to mention these herbs

in a general public article. (But, for example, some forms of aconite

are used, but aconite is rather toxic and quite strong - perhaps not

like the mild, natural, nice substances most westerners think herbs

are.)

 

One of my favorite examples of a bad acupuncture study was for RA. The

scientists used only one point (Liver 3) on everyone - not a point that

any competent acupuncturist would use. Of course, it didn't work, and

they wasted all that time and money trying to prove something no trained

acupuncturist would expect to work.

Hope this is helpful.

 

 

 

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