The Best Chinese Herbs for Arthritis

Play YouTube Video

You probably know that arthritis is extremely common (especially if you’re struggling with joint pain yourself). But did you know that arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States?

With so many people struggling with pain and immobility, there’s a significant need for natural ways to heal this condition. Thankfully, Chinese herbs for arthritis are quickly becoming a go-to way to stop arthritis pain.

Chinese herbs for arthritis help relieve the pain and aches that arthritis causes and prevent further damage to your joints. With consistent use, many people are able to reduce or stop their pain medication and enjoy better joint mobility and stability with Chinese herbs for arthritis.

In fact, research shows that between 7.7% to 27.3% of arthritis patients use TCM as part of their pain management plan – a sign that more and more people are looking for complementary and natural approaches to healing their arthritis.

Curious how you can get arthritis relief too? Read on to learn more about how Chinese herbal medicine can make living with arthritis more comfortable.

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is an inflammatory condition that causes pain and swelling in the joints. And contrary to popular belief, arthritis is not just one disease, but a blanket term that refers to over 100 types of arthritis and related conditions.

Arthritis can happen to anyone, no matter their age, gender, or ethnicity. But, it does tend to be more common as we get older.

Symptoms of Arthritis

• Joint pain
• Swollen joints
• Stiffness
• Reduced range of motion
• Knobby joints
• Difficulty performing daily activities (like opening a jar)
• Pain while walking, lifting, or general activity

What Causes Arthritis?

Arthritis occurs when inflammation affects the joints. Inflammation can arise after long-term infections, injuries that fail to heal fully, poor diet, stress, smoking, obesity, and other factors. There can also be a genetic predisposition to arthritis.

In the short term, inflammation simply causes stiffness or reduced mobility. With long-term inflammation, however, the joints deteriorate or become knobby.

There are other root causes of arthritis depending on the type. Osteoarthritis, for instance, occurs with wear-and-tear damage to the joint’s cartilage. This typically happens over many years and is more common in older people. But, it can also happen after a joint injury or illness.

Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is an autoimmune condition. It occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the lining of the joint “capsule” and the synovial membrane – a membrane that encapsulates the various parts of the joint. This membrane then becomes swollen and inflamed, causing further damage to the membrane and surrounding joint tissues.

Exploring the Different Types of Arthritis

While many people simply say they struggle with “arthritis,” there are actually several distinct types of this joint condition. Each type does have a few things in common – like joint inflammation, pain, and stiffness. But beyond those symptoms, these various types of arthritis can differ widely. From wear-and-tear osteoarthritis to autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, the differences often lie in their underlying causes and the specific joints they impact.

Each type of arthritis requires a different tailored approach (and specific herbal formulas) to fix the root cause and restore balance. Let’s take a look at the most common types of arthritis:

Osteoarthritis (OA)

OA is the most common form of arthritis. It is often called “degenerative joint disease” or “wear and tear” arthritis. It occurs when the cartilage in the joint gradually erodes, leading to bone-on-bone friction, pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. OA most frequently affects the hands, hips, and knees. 

While conventional treatments for osteoarthritis focus on managing symptoms with painkillers, injections, and even surgery, TCM offers a less invasive approach. Chinese herbal medicine, in particular, works to manage pain, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue repair.

Learn more about Chinese herbs for osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

RA is an autoimmune and highly inflammatory form of arthritis. In this condition, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells, which causes painful swelling and tissue damage.

RA usually attacks many joints at once, usually the hands, wrists, and knees. In some cases, RA also attacks other tissues in the lungs, heart, and eyes. While RA has been infamously hard to treat, recent studies show that the Chinese medicinal herb, Tripterygium wilfordii (or wilfordii hook) is a powerful natural remedy for RA.

Learn more about Chinese herbs for rheumatoid arthritis.

Childhood Arthritis, (Juvenile Arthritis)

Childhood, or juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, occurs when inflammation attacks a child’s joints, leading to permanent damage. While the exact causes of juvenile arthritis are still unclear, we do know a few factors that can trigger it: inflammation, immune system imbalances, and genetics can all play a part.

While no parent wants to see their child in pain, the good news is that Chinese herbs offer a holistic approach to managing juvenile arthritis symptoms and helping your child live a pain-free life. Chinese herbs can help alleviate symptoms as well as address the root imbalances contributing to the condition, from a TCM point of view.

Learn more about Chinese herbs for childhood arthritis.

Gout

Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that causes severe pain in one joint at a time – usually the big toe. Gout tends to come and go, or “flare up.” Flares are often related to increases in stress or poor diet choices. Left unmanaged, gout can develop into gouty arthritis.

Gout stems from the accumulation of uric acid in the body, which causes sharp crystals to form in joints. While conventional treatments focus on symptom relief and lowering uric acid levels, they often fall short in preventing recurring episodes. TCM treatments aim to clear the underlying causes of this build up (typically dampness and heat), reduce inflammation, and balance the body so gout episodes naturally stop.

Learn more about Chinese herbs for gout.

Sciatica

Sciatica is a specific type of back and leg pain often caused by arthritis in the spine or hip and inflammation of the sciatic nerve. This painful and often restricting condition can be caused by a range of underlying issues such as injury, arthritis, or general overuse.

TCM recognizes sciatica not as a disease, but a symptom of stagnation of qi and blood in the body’s energy pathways. This stagnation may arise from factors like the environment, a physical injury, stress, or lifestyle. Chinese herbs can help alleviate sciatica and arthritis symptoms due to their analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. By addressing both symptoms and root causes of sciatica and arthritis of the hip or lower limb, Chinese herbs for sciatica offer a holistic approach to alleviating pain and promoting recovery.

Learn more about Chinese herbs for sciatica.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a complex musculoskeletal condition that causes pain throughout the body. It mainly causes muscle pain, but in some cases, it can lead to joint pain and damage like arthritis. Other health issues (like insomnia, fatigue, and depression) are also common in those with fibromyalgia.

What causes this frustrating condition? Researchers believe those with fibromyalgia have abnormal pain perception processing which causes them to be more sensitive to pain. From a TCM point of view, however, fibromyalgia’s root cause can vary person to person, which is why an individualistic treatment plan is the most effective route.

While research on Chinese herbs for fibromyalgia is growing, promising results show that these remedies could offer an effective natural way to reduce pain, improve sleep quality, and balance mood.

Learn more about Chinese herbs for fibromyalgia.

Arthritis Treatment: The Western Medicine Approach

Western medicine typically treats arthritis with anti-inflammatory and pain-killing medications such as NSAIDs and corticosteroids. Other temporary treatments include sprints or braces that protect the joint from pain during movement and rest. This usually provides short-term pain relief but doesn’t address the root cause of the problem. With these treatments, the pain will return, and arthritis can worsen over time.

For those with rheumatoid arthritis, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are often prescribed. Rather than simply masking the pain, these drugs address the immune imbalances and attempt to slow down the progression of autoimmune disease.

For severe arthritis, arthroscopic surgery, fusions, or joint replacements may be recommended. Unfortunately, these have a long recovery time and still don’t address the underlying causes of system inflammation or poor immune function.

Thankfully, there are other options. Massage and acupuncture are both effective natural therapies for arthritic pain without the side effects of pharmaceuticals and surgery. They help improve circulation through the joints, reduce inflammation, and alleviate pain and stress. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and herbal formulas offer another option for getting to the root of joint pain and inflammation from within.

Holistic Arthritis Treatment: Chinese Medicine for Arthritis

Traditional Chinese medicine offers a different way to cure arthritis naturally. Unlike conventional Western medicine, Chinese medicine addresses arthritis by focusing on restoring balance through holistic therapies like acupuncture and herbal formulas.

Within TCM, any form of pain (including arthritis) is viewed as a manifestation of stagnation and imbalance. The key to stopping that pain is understanding what that exact imbalance is.

Bi Syndrome: Breaking Down Arthritis in Chinese Medicine

Bi syndrome is a term used in TCM that closely fits the Western diagnosis of arthritis. But even within Bi syndrome, there are various patterns of imbalance. By understanding the different types, we can better choose an herbal formula to fix the imbalance and relieve pain. Here are the key patterns of Bi syndrome that you could be experiencing:

• Wind Bi
  With wind bi-type arthritis, the joint pain moves around and can affect different joints throughout the day. Why wind? In TCM, wind is seen as a troublesome force that can disrupt the flow of Qi and Blood, leading to erratic symptom patterns. Wind bi can be caused by environmental wind, or “wind” that stirs in the body due to other underlying issues with deficiency or excess.
  
• Cold Bi
  Does your joint pain get worse in winter, or in cold climates? You could have cold bi-type arthritis. Cold constricts the blood vessels and impairs circulation which leads to fixed, sometimes severe pain. To treat cold bi, we use warming herbs to promote circulation and soothe joint pain.
  
• Damp Bi
  Damp bi is characterized by swollen, heavy, numb limbs and joints. Just as it sounds, damp bi is caused by “dampness” in the body. In TCM, dampness is a pathological factor that impedes the smooth flow of energy and blood through the body – kind of like a boggy marsh. This leads to stagnation, swelling, and inflammation.
  
• Heat Bi
  Heat bi-type arthritis typically causes severe pain with red, hot, swollen joints. Humans are warm creatures, but when heat builds up too much, it can cause inflammation and pain. In TCM, this heat is considered an excess of Yang energy, and we need to clear the heat to allow the joints to heal properly.

How to Choose Chinese Herbs to Treat Arthritis (Bi Syndrome)

There isn’t one single herbal formula for arthritis. As we saw above, there are different types of arthritis, and getting to the root means using a formula that balances your unique type.

For example, if you have cold bi-type arthritis, you will need warming herbs to increase circulation and relieve pain. However, if you have the heat bi-type of arthritis, warming herbs will only make your pain worse. Instead, you will benefit from a formula with cold and inflammation-fighting herbal ingredients. Likewise, damp bi needs diuretic herbs and wind bi requires stabilizing herbs to restore balance.

Beyond Bi: Other Arthritis Treatment Considerations with TCM and Chinese Herbs

Along with the patterns of bi syndrome, there are other ways to consider your specific arthritis symptoms within the practice of TCM. Here are a few question your TCM practitioner may consider to diagnose your arthritis or plan your personalized treatment:

• Where is the pain?
  If the pain is concentrated in a specific joint, practitioners focus on the surrounding channels and collaterals related to that joint. Acupuncture, herbal patches, or topical treatments might be applied directly to the affected area.
  
• Local or systemic?
  When arthritis affects several joints, it’s seen as a more systemic issue. TCM practitioners may work on balancing overall energy and addressing imbalances in organ-related channels. Herbal remedies, acupuncture, and dietary adjustments are commonly used.
  
• What channels are involved?
  Pain in the upper body may involve channels related to the Lungs and Heart, whereas arthritis in the lower body often involves channels related to the Kidneys and Liver. TCM focuses on clearing or nourishing the organs involved to best support joint health.
  
• What can other symptoms tell us?
  When we are out of balance, we rarely have just one symptom or issue. While arthritis pain may be your main complaint, there are likely other symptoms going on within your body that indicate the core underlying cause. For instance, feeling weak, cold, and having trouble with hearing or incontinence may not seem related to arthritis, but together they all point to Kidney deficiency. This may help pinpoint the type of arthritis you are dealing with and inform your decision of which Chinese herbs are best for you.
  
• Is there dampness or swelling?
  If arthritis presents with symptoms like swelling or a feeling of heaviness, it’s often attributed to dampness. Before we can supplement the joints, any dampness needs to be removed. It’s like cleaning your sink – you want to unclog your drain and wash away any debris before you buff and shine. To help, TCM treatments will need to start with herbs that have drying properties to dispel dampness so your joints can properly heal.
  
• How intense is the inflammation?
  Arthritis is by nature an inflammatory condition. However, the intensity of this inflammation will help us decide if you need extra help clearing heat, or if you need to warm cold joints. In cases where there’s heat or inflammation in the joints, Chinese herbs can cool and soothe. If there is little heat, anti-inflammatory herbs with warming properties may be a better choice.

The Science Behind Chinese Herbs for Arthritis

Chinese herbs have been used to combat pain issues like arthritis for thousands of years – long before arthritis was a recognized condition as it is today. How these herbs work to reduce pain and heal arthritis is explained by TCM theory, but what about from a modern, Westernized viewpoint?

While research into Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and herbology lags behind other medical treatments like pharmaceuticals, interest is growing. From the studies that have been done on Chinese herbs, here’s what we’ve learned:

• Chinese herbs have pain-relieving effects.
  Many Chinese herbs serve as natural analgesics, providing relief from the pain and stiffness associated with arthritis in general.
  
• Chinese herbs improve joint function and mobility.
  Beyond symptom management, Chinese herbal remedies aim to boost joint function and mobility. For instance, herbs like Eucommia bark are thought to fortify bones and tendons, while ginger promotes circulation and reduces stiffness, ultimately enhancing the ability to move comfortably for individuals with arthritis.
  
• Chinese herbs fight inflammation.
  Herbs such as turmeric and Boswellia contain compounds known for their potent anti-inflammatory effects. Given that inflammation is often a contributing factor in arthritis, incorporating these natural herbal remedies may help alleviate pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints.
  
• Chinese herbs may prevent further tissue damage.
  A notable strength of Chinese herbal medicine for arthritis lies in its emphasis on tissue repair and overall joint health. By addressing the underlying causes of arthritis and promoting the body’s natural healing processes, Chinese herbs have the potential to help prevent additional tissue damage in individuals with arthritis.

Research Spotlight: TCM & Chinese Herbs for Osteoarthritis

While there are limited clinical trials in the world of Chinese medicine, some researchers are dedicated to finding out how it works so more people can get relief. Let’s take a closer look at one particular peer-reviewed study from the PLOS ONE journal: Traditional Chinese medicine for knee osteoarthritis: An overview of systematic review.

In this study, researchers wanted to assess the role of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a complementary therapy for knee osteoarthritis – one of the most common and debilitating forms of arthritis. They measured the efficacy and safety of TCM, as well as the overall quality of research results that are currently available.

To do so, the researchers conducted a thorough search of electronic databases up to April 2016, identifying ten systematic reviews (SRs) to include in their analysis. The findings from these SRs had a positive result: they suggested that TCM has significant potential benefits for those with knee osteoarthritis. The most common benefits people experienced were pain relief, improved functionality and mobility, and minimal side effects or issues with treatment.

While the pool of research available is still low, studies and reviews like this help share the potential of holistic methods like TCM and Chinese herbs for alleviating arthritis pain.

The Best Chinese Herbs for Arthritis

Chinese herbs for arthritis come in many different forms. Many work to reduce inflammation, support joint health, and restore the body’s natural balance. The right one for you will depend on your unique symptoms and constitution.

Best Herbs for Osteoarthritis

Learn more about the best Chinese herbs for osteoarthritis.

Best Herbs for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Learn more about the best Chinese herbs for rheumatoid arthritis.

Best Herbs for Gout

Si Miao Wan also addresses other issues that might accompany gout, like lower back pain, numbness, joint swelling, or muscle weakness or tension. From a Western medicine point of view, Si Miao Wan helps alleviate gout by moderating the cytokines that cause inflammation.

Learn more about the best Chinese herbs for gout.

Best Herbs for Childhood Arthritis

Learn more about the best Chinese herbs for juvenile arthritis.

Best Herbs for Sciatica

Learn more about the best Chinese herbs for sciatica.

Best Herbs for Fibromyalgia

Learn more about the best Chinese herbs for fibromyalgia.

Best Herbal Teas for Arthritis

Best Topical Herbs for Arthritis Pain Relief

Are Chinese Herbs Safe for Arthritis?

Chinese herbs have been used safely for thousands of years to address a wide range of health conditions – from headaches to infectious disease and of course, arthritis!

When Chinese herbs are used properly within the framework of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), they have the power to significantly improve your symptoms and even prevent disease in the future. But, that means choosing the right formula for your unique condition, and the right dosage. 

If you are taking Chinese herbs for arthritis and your symptoms don’t improve within a few weeks, you may need extra support to figure out which formula or strategy is right for your body. We recommend working with a qualified TCM practitioner who can help you determine your diagnosis and choose your best Chinese medicine.

Stop Pain at the Source with Chinese Herbs for Arthritis

Many people think that living with arthritis pain is just a part of life. But that’s simply not the case. With the help of Chinese herbs for arthritis and other therapies, you can get natural relief from arthritis pain and stop the condition from progressing.

Ready to find your herbal joint pain solution? Shop now for these and other Chinese herbal medicines for joint health and support! Struggling with a different pain condition? Check out our Chinese herbs for pain relief.