What are the herbal medicines for treating rheumatoid arthritis?

Nov 10, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Yang Tiesheng

Introduction

Commonly used Chinese herbal medicines for treating rheumatoid arthritis include Tripterygium wilfordii (Leigongteng), Angelica pubescens (Duhuo), Clematis chinensis (Weilingxian), Gentiana macrophylla (Qinjiao), and Cinnamomum cassia (Guizhi), which should be prescribed according to pattern differentiation. Tripterygium wilfordii: Possesses the effects of dispelling wind and dampness, promoting blood circulation to unblock meridians, reducing swelling, and relieving pain. It is commonly used for rheumatoid arthritis due to obstruction by wind-dampness or stagnation of blood stasis, effectively alleviating symptoms such as joint swelling, pain, and stiffness. However, dosage must be strictly controlled.

1. Tripterygium wilfordii (Leigongteng): Known for its effects of dispelling wind and dampness, promoting blood circulation, unblocking meridians, reducing swelling, and relieving pain. It is commonly used for rheumatoid arthritis due to obstruction by wind-dampness or blood stasis, effectively alleviating symptoms such as joint swelling, pain, and stiffness. However, dosage must be strictly controlled to avoid adverse reactions.

2. Angelica pubescens (Duhuo): Effective in eliminating wind-dampness, relieving bi syndrome pain, and resolving exterior patterns. Particularly suitable for rheumatoid arthritis caused by wind-cold-dampness invading the lower body. It helps remove cold-damp pathogens, unblocks meridians in the lower limbs, and reduces joint pain and limited mobility. It is often combined with other herbs that dispel wind-dampness.

3. Clematis chinensis (Weilingxian): Possesses properties of dispelling wind-dampness, unblocking meridians, relieving pain, and removing bone splinters. It improves symptoms such as joint pain, restricted movement, and limb numbness caused by rheumatoid arthritis by clearing blocked meridians and reducing the invasion of wind-dampness into joints. It is suitable for various types of bi syndromes involving wind-dampness.

4. Gentiana macrophylla (Qinjiao): Capable of dispelling wind-dampness, unblocking collaterals to relieve pain, reducing deficiency heat, and clearing damp-heat. It can be used not only for wind-cold-dampness type bi syndrome in rheumatoid arthritis to alleviate cold-type joint pain and stiffness but also for heat-type bi syndrome characterized by red, swollen, hot, and painful joints. As a versatile herb effective for both cold and heat patterns of bi syndrome, it also helps regulate overall bodily functions.

5. Cinnamomi Ramulus (Guizhi): Functions to induce sweating, relax the muscles, warm and unblock meridians, and assist yang in transforming fluids. In treating rheumatoid arthritis, it is primarily used for wind-cold-dampness type bi syndrome. It warms the meridians, expels cold pathogens, and relieves cold-related joint pain that worsens in cold conditions. Additionally, it enhances the pain-relieving and meridian-unblocking effects of other wind-dampness-dispelling herbs.

The use of Chinese herbal medicine for rheumatoid arthritis must be guided by a qualified Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner based on proper pattern diagnosis. Self-collection, formulation, or consumption of herbs is strongly discouraged. Dosage and treatment duration must strictly follow medical advice to prevent long-term or excessive use and potential side effects.

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Does taking Chinese herbal medicine affect having children?

If the Chinese herbal medicine being taken is a mild, regulating formula—such as those that strengthen the spleen and nourish the stomach, or nourish yin and enrich blood—and is used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner to address issues like qi and blood deficiency or physical weakness that may affect fertility, it typically does not have significant adverse effects on conception. On the contrary, by improving overall constitution, such treatment may create favorable conditions for pregnancy.