The weather is getting warmer but your grandma's knees are still cold? Make her this recipe: Alleviate Rheumatoid Arthritis

Most people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis are older, battling physical weakness and insufficient energy daily, making it easy for wind, cold and dampness to invade. Many people in their 20s are affected as well, deteriorating further as they age.

For the base of this recipe, we can refer to Shubi Decoction舒痹汤 to dispel wind, cold, and dampness, which will ultimately have a conditioning and improving effect to the body. 

Shubi Decoction 舒痹汤 Recipe*

Efficacy: Replenishes qi and activates blood circulation, dispels wind and dampness.

Indications: Rheumatic arthralgia, body aches, stiffness in the neck and back, heaviness in the waist and legs, pain in the hands and feet, difficulty in movement, numbness of the skin, and weakness of tendons and veins.

Ingredients: (Always refer to a personal practitioner as each person's needs are different. Adjust other ingredients accordingly.)

Possible additions:

Pain in the lower limbs or waist and legs: add Du Zhong, Niu Xi, Xu Duan.
If you have excessive dampness: add Cang Zhu, Yi Mi/Coix seed.
If cold is more severe: add Fu Zi.

Preparation: Soak all the herbs in warm water for 30 minutes, then boil them with high heat, then simmer for 30 minutes with low heat, take out the medicine liquid; add water and repeat previous steps 2 more times (cooking 3 times in total). Mix the three medicine liquids evenly, about 400ml, take twice a day, 100ml each time, with warm water.

In this formula, QiangHuo and FangFeng can dispel wind and dampness; DangGui and ChiShao can invigorate blood circulation and nourish blood, which also implies that treating wind must start with treating the blood; JiangHuang is specifically used in the arms to regulate qi stagnation in the blood, and dispel wind, cold and dampness in the limbs; Bei Qi can invigorate qi, strengthen the body and strengthen the defense; GanCao/Licorice can harmonize the middle and coordinate the various medicines, and combined with BaiShao can relieve pain; Ginger can dispel wind and cold, warm the stomach and harmonize the middle.

This medicinal recipe is suitable for patients with wind-cold-dampness arthritis, especially the elderly. But it is not suitable for patients with heat syndrome. If you have a tendency of dryness and bleeding, you should proceed with caution. People with rheumatoid arthritis should generally eat a lighter diet and avoid foods that may easily trigger immune responses.

*Note: Always consult with your practitioner first before taking herbal formulas.

Happy Cooking!