Arthritis and Joint Disease

Neue Artznei und Practicierbuchlin, Bock, 1551

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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.

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

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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)

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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.

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. 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.

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

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.

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.

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)

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.

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

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Useful Medicines
Medicines that Open the Capillaries

For Tightness of the Sinews

Strengthen the Sinews and Bones

Move the Blood

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.

1. Barberry (2 parts), Yarrow, Mint, Balm, Agrimony, Nettle (1 part each)

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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

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

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Special Formula:

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AYURVEDA:

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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:

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