Rheumatoid Osteoarthritis

Why it works: Leukotriene pathway inhibition (5-LOX): AKBA (3-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid), a key boswellic acid, directly inhibits 5-lipoxygenase, lowering pro-inflammatory leukotrienes tha...

Instructions: There’s no single “official” dose, but clinical trials and reviews give useful guardrails:. • Extract & standardization: Look for standardized B. serrata extract listing boswellic...

Warnings: Do not replace RA care: RA requires early DMARDs to prevent irreversible damage; supplements should...

Studies: Osteoarthritis (OA) — more and better dataSystematic review...

Why it works: They dial down inflammation signaling. EPA and DHA shift eicosanoid production away from pro-inflammatory mediators and give rise to specialized pro-resolving mediators (e.g., reso...

Instructions: For Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). • Form: Fish-oil–derived EPA + DHA (not just plant ALA).. • Dose used in RA trials: commonly ~2.7–5.5 g/day of EPA+DHA (often split twice daily with...

Warnings: Anticoagulants/antiplatelets & surgery: Omega-3s have antiplatelet effects. Large randomized data ar...

Studies: Rheumatoid arthritisCochrane Review (2019): Marine oil (fish...

Why it works: Turns down inflammatory signaling: Curcumin inhibits NF-κB and downstream cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1) and COX-2/iNOS—pathways active in both RA and OA. BioMed Central. • Immunomo...

Instructions: Form & dose used in studies. • Trials in arthritis typically used standardized curcuminoid extracts (not kitchen turmeric) in the range of ~500–1,500 mg curcuminoids per day, often...

Warnings: Liver injury (rare but real—especially with “enhanced-absorption” products). • Australia’s TGA safet...

Studies: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)Systematic review & meta-analys...

Why it works: Anti-inflammatory & analgesic actions. Gingerols and shogaols can down-regulate NF-κB–driven cytokines (e.g., TNF-α, IL-1β), and inhibit COX-2/5-LOX pathways implicated in joint pa...

Instructions: For Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). • Oral powdered ginger: 1.5 g/day (capsules), split doses, for 12 weeks. This is the regimen used in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled R...

Warnings: Blood thinners / bleeding risk: Ginger can potentiate bleeding. Avoid or use only under medical supe...

Studies: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)Randomized, double-blind, placebo-c...

Why it works: Immunosuppressive & anti-inflammatory constituents. TwHF contains triptolide and celastrol, which inhibit pro-inflammatory signaling (e.g., NF-κB), reduce cytokines, and modulate i...

Instructions: Oral standardized extracts (various “Tripterygium glycosides”/polyglycoside tablets used in China). Clinical trials commonly used doses roughly 60–180 mg/day of extract, sometimes...

Warnings: TwHF can be dangerous without careful medical oversight.. • Reproductive toxicity: Documented antife...

Studies: Randomized controlled trial (open-label): Tripterygium wilfo...

Why it works: Multi-target anti-inflammatory effects (preclinical): In a standard RA animal model (collagen-induced arthritis in rats), Bi-Qi reduced joint swelling, inflammatory cytokines (e.g....

Instructions: Formulation & composition (what’s in it): Capsules containing a blend of herbs including Codonopsis, Poria, Atractylodes, Chuanxiong, Salvia (Danshen), Notoginseng, Achyranthes, Li...

Warnings: Because Bi-Qi contains processed Strychnos nux-vomica (source of strychnine/brucine), safety needs c...

Studies: Randomized controlled trial (humans): Zhang et al., 2020—Biq...

Why it works: TCM pattern & actions. JBT is classically used for wind-cold-damp “Bi” pain with joint stiffness and heaviness; it “dispels wind-damp, warms the channels, moves qi & blood, and rel...

Instructions: 1) Make sure the pattern fits (key TCM step). JBT is for cold-damp Bi with stiffness that improves with warmth/movement; it’s contraindicated in damp-heat presentations (hot, red,...

Warnings: Because JBT is a multi-herb formula, screen for interactions from individual ingredients—especially...

Studies: Rheumatoid arthritis (human data)48-week multicentre RCT (do...

Why it works: TCM pattern fit: DHJST “dispels wind-damp, warms and unblocks channels, and tonifies Liver–Kidney, Qi & Blood,” a match for chronic, cold-aggravated joint pain with stiffness/weakn...

Instructions: 1) Who is a good candidate (pattern clues). • Chronic, cold-worse joint pain and stiffness; heaviness; limited ROM; low back/knee weakness; pale tongue with white coat; thin/weak p...

Warnings: Aristolochic acid (AA) risk (critical quality point). • Historic recalls have occurred for contamina...

Studies: Osteoarthritis (especially knee OA)Systematic review (BMJ Op...