Is soaking Hovenia dulcis in alcohol effective for rheumatoid arthritis?

Hovenia dulcis (also known as Goujiao) soaked in alcohol may serve as an auxiliary treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

Hovenia dulcis, scientifically named Hovenia acerba, has medicinal value in its fruit, seeds, and wood. It is believed to have functions of dispelling wind, eliminating dampness, promoting blood circulation, and unblocking meridians. Therefore, it is often used in making medicinal wine, aiming to alleviate joint pain and improve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Hovenia dulcis contains abundant calcium, which can regulate the central nervous system and help relieve symptoms such as hand and foot convulsions and spasms, thereby providing some relief from pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis. Moreover, Hovenia dulcis soaked in alcohol can promote blood circulation to remove blood stasis and unblock meridians, improving local blood supply around the joints and helping to alleviate symptoms such as swelling and pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis.

However, rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease primarily characterized by joint inflammation, pain, swelling, and functional impairment. Its treatment should follow the principles of standardization and individualization and generally includes pharmacological therapies such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids, antirheumatic drugs, and biologic agents, along with physical therapy, rehabilitation training, and lifestyle modifications.