Arthritis and Joint Disease

Picture 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:
  • 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.

See also the following herb groups:
D. Clear Wind and Damp
3M. Arthritics

Specific Medicines:
For all Joint Pains, Honey Water was regarded as the best drink
Bezoardic Powder of Viper
Honey Water (Hydromel)
Wine for Arthritis
Elixir Salutis, Elixir of Health
Compound Guaiacum Confection (Chelsea Pensioner)
Pills for Joint Disease
Pills of Colchicum (Mesue) (Habb E Suranjun)
Pills of Colchicum Greater (Habb E Suranjun Kalan)
Electuary for Arthritis
Electuary for the Joints (Unani)

Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
Pills of Castor and Bdellium (Vatari Guggulu) (Ayurveda)
Pomegranate All Inclusive Pill (Se ‘bru kun ‘dus) (Tibetan)
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.
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)

Barley Water
Decoction of Woods
Decoction for Arthritis (Mynsichts)
Powder of 3 Sandalwoods (Diatrisantalum) (Mesue)
Electuary of Juice of Rose (Mesue)
Pills of Rhubarb
Pills of Fumitory
Pil. Assajereth
Diaturbith with Rhubarb
Pills for Arthritis (Wirtzung)
Pills for Joint Disease
Oil of Earthworm

Garuda of Camphor (Spos khyung bco lnga) (Tibetan)
Nimbadi Chruna (Neem Powder) (Ayurveda)
Pomegranate All Inclusive Pill (Se ‘bru kun ‘dus)


Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang
Dang Gui Long Hui Wan
Er Miao San
Shang Zhong Xia Tong Yong Tong Feng Wan

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.

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



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

Conserve of Rose Hip
Bezoardic Powder of Viper
Electuary for Arthritis
Electuary for the Joints (Unani)
Electuary of Clove and Costus (Caryocostinum)
Antidote for Wind and Cold (Nicholas)
Oil of Earthworm


Oil of Foxes

Aloeswood 31 (Tibetan Medicine)
Celery Seed Powder (Ajmodadi Chruna)
Frankincense 10 (Spos dkar 10) (Tibetan Medicine)
Joyful 16 Pill (Dg’a ba bchu drug) (Tibetan)
Kaisor Guggulu
Punarnavadi Guggulu (Boerhaavia and Bdellium Pills)
Yogaraja Guggulu


Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
Feng Shi Ma Qian Pian
Da Qing Long Tang
Fu Zi Tang
Xiao Huo Luo Wan


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.

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
Decoction of Guaiacum and Sarsaparilla
Bezoardic Powder of Viper
Vinegar of Squill
Oxymel of Squill
Compound Syrup of Vinegar
Elixir Salutis, Elixir of Health
Electuary of Centaury (Zenon)
Electuary for Arthritis
Electuary for the Joints (Unani)
Troch. Alhandal
Foetid Pills (Mesue)
Pills for Arthritis (Nicholas)
Pills for Joint Disease
Pills of Colchicum (Mesue) (Habb E Suranjun)
Pills of Colchicum Greater (Habb E Suranjun Kalan)
Caragana 6 Decoction (Mdzo mo drug thang)
Punarnavadi Guggulu (Boerhaavia and Bdellium Pills)

Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang
Feng Shi Ma Qian Pian
Gan Cao Gan Jiang Fu Ling Bai Zhu Tang
Xiao Huo Luo Wan
Fu Zi Tang
Zhen Wu Tang
Pills of Three Tastes (Mongolian Medicine)
Juan Bi Tang

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.

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)

Troches of Myrrh (Rhasis)
Powder of Gum Lacca Lesser (Dialacca Minor) (Mesue)
Powder of Gum Lacca Greater (Dialacca Major) (Mesue)
Pills for Arthritis (Wirtzung)
Electuary of Frankincense (Wirtzung)
Sa ra’i Garuda

Feng Shi Ma Qian Pian
Huo Luo Xiao Ling Dan
Jiu Fen San
Shang Zhong Xia Tong Yong Tong Feng Wan
Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang
Xiao Huo Lou Dan

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.

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

Bezoardic Powder of Viper
Decoction of Comfrey and Soloman’s Seal
Decoction of Guaiacum Compound
Elixir Salutis, Elixir of Health
Powder of Nutmeg Compound
Powder of Cinnamon Compound (Mesue)
Electuary which is Remarkably Effective
Electuary for Paralysis (Wirtzung)
Electuary of Calamus (Diacorum) (Mesue)
Antidote for Cold Lumbar, Venery & Defect of Semen
Antidote for Cold Kidneys and to Excite Libido
Sa ra’i Garuda

Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang (TCM)
Dang Gui Si Ni Tang
Shen Qi Wan
You Gui Yin



Useful Medicines

Medicines that Open the Capillaries
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
Frankincense
Centaury

Bdellium
Turmeric
Gentiana Qin Jiao
Frankincense Ru Xiang
Spatholobus Ji Xue Teng
Strengthen the Sinews and Bones
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
Bdellium
Asarum
Madder

Frankincense
Saffron
Rhubarb
Achyranthes Niu Xi
Myrrh (Mo Yao)
Asarum Xi Xin
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.
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)

Western Tradition

Simples
Ground Pine
Centaury
Sarsaparilla
Madder
Turmeric
Agaric
Colocynth
Opopanax
Colchicum

Germander
Celery seed
Guaiacum
Rhubarb
Frankincense
Turbith
Birthwort
Sarcocolla
Euphorbium

Podagrae conferunt
Benefit in Arthritis; Joint Pain in General

Honey Water (Hydromel)
Bezoardic Powder of Viper
Barley Water
Decoction for Arthritis
Decoction for Arthritis (Mynsichts)
Decoction of Guaiacum and Sarsaparilla
Decoction of Guaiacum Compound
Conserve of Rose Hip
Wine for Arthritis
Rosemary Wine
Elixir Salutis, Elixir of Health
Powder Against Joint Pain
Electuary of Centaury
Compound Guaiacum Confection (Chelsea Pensioner)
Hiera Hermetis
‘Pills without which I would not be’ (Nicholas)
Greater Polycrest Pills
Pills for Joint Disease
Pills for Arthritis (Nicholas)
Pills for Arthritis (Wirtzung)
Pills of Colchicum (Mesue) (Habb E Suranjun)
Pills of Colchicum Greater (Habb E Suranjun Kalan)
Pil. Aggregative Greater (Mesue)
Stomach Pills (Mesue)
Foetid Pills (Mesue)

Pills of Opopanax
Pills of Sgapen

Antidote of Seven Things (Paulus Aegineta)
Antimoron (Nicholas)
Electuary of Clove and Costus (Caryocostinum)
Electuary for Arthritis
Electuary for the Joints (Unani)
Antidote Experienced Against Cold Gout & All Feet Pain
Benedicta Nicolai
Mithridate
Plaster of Mustard

Oil of St. Johns Wort
Oil of Mastic

Oil of Earthworm

Oil of Foxes



Joint pain from Wind-Heat-Damp
Decoction of Woods
Elixir Salutis, Elixir of Health
Powder of 3 Sandalwoods (Diatrisantalum) (Mesue)
Electuary of Juice of Rose (Mesue)
Benedicta Simplex
Ointment of Aragon
Oil of Violet
Oil of Frogs
Oil of Earthworms
Oil of the Philosophers
Cerate of Sandalwood

Garuda of Camphor (Spos khyung bco lnga) (Tibetan)


Joint Pain from Wind-Cold-Damp
Bezoardic Powder of Viper
Decoction of Guaiacum and Sarsaparilla
Vinegar of Squill
Oxymel of Squill
Compound Syrup of Vinegar
Hiera Picra
Hiera Hermetis
Benedicta simplex
Pills of Agaric (Avicenna)
Pills for Joint Disease
Pills of Colchicum (Mesue) (Habb E Suranjun)
Pills of Colchicum Greater (Habb E Suranjun Kalan)
Pills for Arthritis (Nicholas)
Pills of Opopanax
Foetid Pills (Mesue)
Antimoron (Nicholas)
Electuary of Clove and Costus (Caryocostinum)
Electuary of Centaury (Zenon)
Electuary for Crass and Viscid Humors (Azaricon)
Electuary for Arthritis
Electuary for the Joints (Unani)
Bishops Electuary (Electuarium Elescop) (Mesue)
Indian Electuary
Antidote Experienced Against Cold Gout & All Feet Pain
Oil of Mastic
Oil of Storax
Oil of Pepper
Oil of Euphorbium
Oil of Hazelnuts
Oil of the Philosophers
Ointment of Aragon
Ointment Martiatum
Plaster of Mustard

Pluchea and Bdellium Pills (Rasna Guggulu)
Pills of Three Tastes (Mongolian Medicine)
Caragana 6 Decoction (Mdzo mo drug thang)
Tinospora 5 Decoction (Sle tres lnga thang) (Tibetan)
Nux Vomica 13 (Ko byi bcu gsum) (Tibetan Medicine)
Catechu 25 (Seng ldeng 25) (Tibetan Medicine)
Wish-fulfilling Jewel (Bsam phel nor bu) (Tibetan)
 

Chronic Joint Disease
Bezoardic Powder of Viper
Elixir Salutis, Elixir of Health
Electuary for Arthritis
Electuary for the Joints (Unani)
Oil of Cherry kernel
Cerate Alexandrini
Sa ra’i Garuda


Hardness of the Joints
Linseed oil (topically)


Cervical Spondylosis
Wearing or degeneration of the cervical vertebra.
Bdellium
Olibanum
Shilajit

Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
Electuary of Nux Vomica (Majun Azaraqi)
Zheng Tian Wan
Garuda 5
Garuda 8
Pill of Three Tastes

The combination of Electuary of Nux Vomica (Majun Azaraqi) with Wet Cupping on the supraclavicular fossa was found to be very effective.


Ankylosing Spondylitis
Inflammation of the joints and ligaments of the spine
Bezoardic Powder of Viper
Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
Fu Zi Tang
Punarnavadi Guggulu


Rheumatoid Arthritis
Honey Water (Hydromel)
Bezoardic Powder of Viper
Infusion for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Wine for Arthritis
Elixir Salutis, Elixir of Health
Antidote Experienced Against Cold Gout & All Feet Pain
Electuary for Arthritis
Electuary for the Joints (Unani)


Lumbago, Back Pain
Pills of Colchicum (Mesue) (Habb E Suranjun)
Pills of Colchicum Greater (Habb E Suranjun Kalan)
Antidote for Hip Pain and Arthritis (Nicholas)
Troches for Back and Sacral Pain (Nicholas)
Bishops Electuary (Electuarium Elescop) (Mesue)

Wish-fulfilling Jewel (Bsam phel nor bu) (Tibetan)


Pain and Swelling of the Knees
Pills of Colchicum (Mesue) (Habb E Suranjun)
Pills of Colchicum Greater (Habb E Suranjun Kalan)
Pil. Aggregative Major (Mesue)
Pills of Opopanax
Plaster of Andromachus


Sciatica
1. Purge (if needed), then Bleed the vein near the malleolus, then lay linen cloth dipped in Aqua Vitae along the Sciatic nerve. (Secrets of Alexis)
2. Tormentil taken with IvyWater in Winter and Conserve of Rose in Summer.
3.  Betony
    Centaury                     2 parts ea.
    Dittany
    Rue                               1 part ea.
Powder and take 1 dram with white wine before bed.
4. Calamus
    Yellow Gladwin (Iris foetidissima)
Powder equal parts, and to 1 pound of herbs add 3 pounds clarified Honey, heat them together, and add Cinnamon 1 ounce. Give 4 spoonfuls before bed at night. This was said to have proven itself effective many times. (
The Secrets of Alexis, 1595)
5. An Enema: Sea Water (2 parts), White Wine (1 part), Powder of Pomegranate rind (1 dram). Prepare an Enema. (The Secrets of Alexis, 1595)

Bezoardic Powder of Viper
Pills of Colchicum (Mesue) (Habb E Suranjun)
Pills of Colchicum Greater (Habb E Suranjun Kalan)
Troches for Back and Sacral Pain (Nicholas)
Pil. Aggregative Majores (Mesue)
Pills of Sagapen
Pills for Arthritis (Wirtzung)
Antidote for Hip Pain and Arthritis (Nicholas)
Antidote Proven for Hip Pain (Nicholas)
Bishops Electuary (Electuarium Elescop) (Mesue)
Elixir Salutis, Elixir of Health

Caragana 6 Decoction (Mdzo mo drug thang)
Pill of Three Tastes (Mongolian Medicine)
Madder Pill (Tibetan Medicine)
Wish-fulfilling Jewel (Bsam phel nor bu) (Tibetan)
Garuda of Camphor (Spos khyung bco lnga) (Tibetan)


To Purge in Joint Disease
Bishops Electuary (Electuarium Elescop) (Mesue)
Triphera Persica (Mesue)
Lesser Pills of Cochia (Galen)
Pills of Agaric (Avicenna)
Pills for Joint Disease
Pills of Colchicum (Mesue) (Habb E Suranjun)


To Strengthen after
Bezoardic Powder of Viper
Theriac of Andromachus (Venice Theriac)
Mithridate


See Also
Back Pain, Lumbago

TCM Classification

Simples
Eucommia Du Zhong
Drynaria Gu Sui Bu
Angelica Du Huo
Achyranthes Niu Xi
Mistletoe (Sang Ji Sheng)
Aconitum Fu Zi
Saposhnikovia Fang Feng

Wind-Damp-Cold
stiff & painful joints, pain exacerbated by pressure, stiffness, dislikes cold, swelling of the joints, heavy limbs.
Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
Fu Zi Tang
Zhen Wu Tang
Dang Gui Si Ni Tang
Gan Cao Fu Zi Tang
Gan Cao Gan Jiang Fu Ling Bai Zhu Tang
Gui Zhi Jia Fu Zi Tang
Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang
Ma Huang Fu Zi Xi Xin Tang
Xiao Huo Luo Dan
Feng Shi Ma Qian Pian
Juan Bi Tang

Pills of Three Tastes (Mongolian)
Tinospora 5 Decoction (Sle tres lnga thang) (Tibetan)
Nux Vomica 13 (Ko byi bcu gsum) (Tibetan)
Catechu 25 (Seng ldeng 25) (Tibetan)


Damp Heat
red, swollen & painful joints, worse with movement, lack of strength in the legs, swollen ankles, scanty and yellow urine, boils or sores on the lower body
Er Miao San
Dang Gui Long Hui Wan
Shang Zhong Xia Tong Yong Tong Feng Wan


Blood Stasis
sharp piercing lower back pain, the pain is fixed in location, painful to move, aggravated by cold, feels better with warmth
Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang
Huo Luo Xiao Ling Dan
Jiu Fen San

Shang Zhong Xia Tong Yong Tong Feng Wan


Arthritis of the Upper Body
Juan Bi Tang
Nux Vomica 13 (Ko byi bcu gsum) (Tibetan)


Arthritis of the Lower Body
Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang (TCM)
Gan Cao Gan Jiang Fu Ling Bai Zhu Tang


Chronic Joint Disease
Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang (TCM)
Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang
Xiao Huo Luo Wan


Rheumatoid Arthritis
Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
Fu Zi Tang
Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang
Xiao Huo Luo Wan
Zhen Wu Tang


Gout
Er Miao San
Gui Zhi Shao Yao Zhi Mu Tang


Severe Joint Pain
Feng Shi Ma Qian Pian


Special Formula:

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 all 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.


SPECIAL FOR SCIATICA:
    Pills Aloesphangine
    Pills of Colchicum Greater
    Pills of Colchicum Lesser.  1 scruple ea.
    Rock Salt                               3 grains
Dissolve them in Rose jucie and make 5 Pills.
When the pain is acute and extreme, take 5 pills every 4 days first thing in the morning. When the pain eases, take them every 5 days, then every 6th, then every 7th until it is cured. Avoid wine, salted foods, all beans and pulses, onions and garlic while taking. These pills were said to have a “Marvellous Operation” against Sciatica. (The Secrets of Alexis, 1595)


A PURGE FOR HOT ARTHRITIC CONDITIONS
    Emblic Myrobalan
    Chebulic Myrobalan
    Black Myrobalan                2 drams ea.
    Rhubarb                               half dram
    Aloe, washed                      1 dram
    Rose
    Mastic                                   2 scruples ea.
Powder and make pills with Rose juice. It can be made stronger with half dram of Scammony added.
   

A PURGE FOR COLD ARTHRITIC DISORDERS
    Gum Ammoniac
    Bdellium
    Sagapen
    Aloe
    Opopanax
    Castoreum
    Rue seed                             4 drams ea.
    Euphorbium                        3 drams
    Colocynth pulp                    7 drams
Form pills with Cabbage juice.
  Used for Gout and Sciatica.
   
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)

OINTMENT FOR HARDNESS AND STIFFNESS OF THE JOINTS
    Orris Oil
    Linseed oil
    Fenugreek mucilage
    Duck fat
    Calf marrow
    Wild Cucumber root
    Hen Fat
    Gum Ammoniac
Dissolve the gum in Oil and Wax, add the rest and form an Ointment.

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)

AYURVEDA:
    Ginger
    Tinospora
    Emblic Myrobalan
    Boswellia
This has been studied and found effective for Ostearthritis of the Knee. (See here and here)

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.

Special Formulas:

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 equal parts with Sugar to form a confection. (Wizrtung)
DECOCTION FOR SCOLIOSIS
    Asarum Xi Xin                         0.3 gram
    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