The human skeleton is an impressive feat of engineering. It gives the body structure and stability, thanks to the rigidity of bones, yet it is still able to bend and twist in ways that make complex movements possible.

Muscles, ligaments, and tendons provide the power behind movement, but joints – the places where two bones come together – are the true heroes. When joints become stiff, swollen, and painful, every aspect of daily life is affected. 

Understanding The Symptoms Of Arthritis

Joint pain is typically classified under the heading of arthritis, and it can affect people of all ages. However, it becomes more common – and more severe – as you grow older.

Arthritis is a degenerative condition, which means it might start off with mild symptoms, but it is likely to worsen over time.

While there are more than 200 diseases that fall under the heading of arthritis, two types of arthritis make up the lion’s share of cases: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. 

Osteoarthritis tends to be the type of arthritis that first comes to mind when the topic is mentioned. It is essentially caused by wear-and-tear on the body, which becomes more pronounced over time.

Joints become painful, because the cartilage that prevents friction between the ends of the bones starts to break down. Eventually, the bones rub together without any cushion or lubrication, which causes debilitating pain.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an altogether different sort of disease – an autoimmune disorder, in fact.

It causes inflammation as the body’s immune system goes after the lining of joints, which in turn prevents the joints from functioning properly. Unfortunately, rheumatoid arthritis attacks more than just the joints. Some patients experience damage from inflammation in their eyes, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and skin. 

No matter what the underlying cause is, the impact of arthritis is life changing. When it is in the hands, patients can lose their fine motor skills, and when it is in the knees, walking becomes unbearably painful.

Arthritis can attack the hips or the spine, reducing range of motion. That leads to an assortment of difficulties with basic activities necessary for functioning in everyday life. 

Choosing Homeopathic Treatment For Arthritis

Pharmaceutical companies have developed a variety of therapies intended to reduce or eliminate the symptoms of arthritis. Unfortunately, certain cases are more difficult to treat, or they simply don’t respond to available drugs at all.

The good news is that complementary and alternative therapies have been proven effective in relieving the stiffness and pain associated with various forms of arthritis. 

Often, patients turn to Traditional Chinese Medicine for support through the difficulties of arthritis, because it has been practiced for thousands of years.

That history has created a reliable tradition of highly-effective therapies that rely on diet, movement, non-traditional procedures, and herbal remedies.

Today, some of the best Chinese herbs for arthritis are recommended by western doctors who have otherwise exhausted the options for drug-based symptom relief. 

What Are The Best Chinese Herbs For Arthritis?

Qi forms the foundation of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is the life force or vital energy that flows through and connects all things.

Within the human body, Qi moves through pathways called meridians, ensuring that every tissue, organ, and system is infused with a vibrant life force that leads to optimal health and wellness.

When Qi is deficient, stagnant, or blocked, patients fall victim to illness. 

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, arthritis is caused by blockages in the meridians. The blockages prevent QI from flowing freely to the impacted joint, which leads to stiffness, swelling, inflammation, and pain.

Often, the treatment plan for arthritis involves more than a supplement. Practitioners recommend acupressure or acupuncture which serve to unblock the meridians directly.

Gentle movement such as Tai Chi and Qigong are included in comprehensive plans to keep the joints functioning and the body moving. 

In general, herbal remedies play an important role in Traditional Chinese Medicine, but they are particularly critical in the treatment of arthritis.

Some of the best Chinese herbs for arthritis – the ones recommended most frequently – are combined in specific proportions to produce a remedy known as SiMiaoFang (SMF).

The four herbs in SiMiaoFang include the following: 

•     Huang Bai (Phellodendron Bark)
•     Yi Yi Ren (Job’s Tears)
•     Cang Zhu (Atractylodis Rhizoma)
•     Niu Xi (Twotoothed Achyranthes Root)

SiMiaoFang is primarily used in the treatment of osteoarthritis, and it has been carefully studied through peer-reviewed research.

The results indicate that the anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties of SiMiaoFang appear to offer some protection for cartilage affected by osteoarthritis. 

Chinese Herbal Formula For Rheumatoid Arthritis

Traditional Chinese Medicine is recognized by the Chinese Food and Drug Administration, which means studies have been completed on the effectiveness of approved herbal formulas.

One such formula, Bi-Qi, has achieved approval from the Chinese Food and Drug Administration for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The capsules contain a combination of the following herbs: 

•     Dan Shen (Red sage)
•     Ma Qian Zi (Nux-Vomica Seeds)
•     Gan Cao (Licorice Root)
•     Dang Shen (Codonopsis Root)
•     Fisch (Red Feathers)
•     Huang Qi (Astragalus)
•     San Qi (Chinese ginseng)
•     Chuan Xiong (Szechuan lovage)
•     Huai Niu Xi (Achyranthes Root)
•     Bai Zhu (White Atractylodis)

Though no one has quite figured out how Bi-Qi works, the key point is that it does work.

It’s effectiveness as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory supplement has been proven through peer-reviewed trials, and Bi-Qi performed admirably against Methotrexate, a serious chemotherapy and immunosuppressive drug that can cause severe, even life-threatening, side effects. 

Natural Supplements for Arthritis

Aside from the remedies recommended by practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine, arthritis patients swear by other natural supplements. Examples include the following: 

Aloe Vera

This succulent is already known for its external applications, and many people grow aloe vera in their homes to treat minor scrapes and burns.

However, what most don’t realize is that aloe vera is edible, and its anti-inflammatory properties can reduce inflammation and pain associated with arthritis. 

Frankincense

Incense shops sell a lot of frankincense sticks, but frankincense offers far more than a pleasant fragrance.

Capsules of frankincense resin extract reduce inflammation, providing relief from the stiffness, pain, and restriction of movement caused by osteoarthritis. 

Cat’s Claw

Cat’s Claw comes from a plant found in Central and South America, and it is frequently used for boosting the immune system.

However, its anti-inflammatory properties can reduce joint swelling, which is crucial for relieving the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. 

Glucosamine 

One of the best known natural supplements for arthritis is glucosamine, which is thought to protect cartilage from the degeneration associated with arthritis. That, in turns, keeps joints cushioned, which prevents inflammation, swelling, and pain. 

Homeopathic Medicine for Arthritis 

Arthritis is shockingly prevalent. In the United States alone, 54 million people have some form of the disease.

Of that number, a full 24 million have to restrict their activities based on arthritis pain, and more than 13 million have severe pain every single day.

Pharmaceutical drugs are the first line of defense in western medicine, followed by invasive procedures that may or may not be effective. That leaves a large portion of arthritis patients unable to find relief from the condition. 

Alternative and complementary treatment methods can have a transformative effect on quality of life for arthritis patients. Traditional Chinese Medicine, in particular, has a long history of offering safe, effective therapies for arthritis.