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From the《金匮要略》, we are introduced to what can be presently classified under arthritis. It’s called 历节 in the book and let’s read on for more.

Take 1:

“病历节，不可屈伸，疼痛，乌头汤主之。”

We are introduced to the idea of 历节, two things: inability to bend and stretch AND pain. We can infer that the problem is with the joints. 乌头汤’s star-herb is 乌头, which is poisonous, but and the concept of using poison to treat poison (and hence take away pain) is present here.

More important though are a single herb and an herb pair

• 麻黄：is like throwing bombs in your body to blast the pain out
• 芍药甘草汤：in effect white peony and licorice - traditionally seen as a pain-relieving combi

And not to forget 黄芪, whose function I believe is to work on the immune system.

Take 2:

“诸肢节疼痛，身体魁羸，脚肿如脱，头眩短气，温温欲吐，桂枝芍药知母汤主之。 ”

A string of drugs, again with the three important 历节 herbs:

• 麻黄：is like throwing bombs in your body to blast the pain out
• 芍药甘草汤：in effect white peony and licorice - traditionally seen as a pain-relieving combi

As well as 桂枝、芍药、知母 and 附子、防风、生姜、白术

My method for remembering is this:

1. 附、桂：for pain in the swollen joints (“身体魁羸”)
2. 知母：for the swollen-ness (“脚肿”)
3. 芍药、甘草：for pain that causes swelling (“如脱”)
4. 白术：for the dizziness (“头眩”)
5. 麻、防：for the shortness of breath (“短气”)
6. 生姜：for the desire to vomit (“温温欲吐”)