🌿 Folk Prescriptions

The term "rheumatism" first appeared in Zhang Zhongjing’s *Essential Prescriptions from the Golden Chamber* (Han Dynasty): “Patients with generalized body pain, worse in the late afternoon, are called rheumatism.” *Su Wen: Bi Lun* states: “Wind, cold, and dampness combine to form bi syndrome,” and further notes: “When wind predominates, it is called moving bi; when cold predominates, it is called painful bi; when dampness predominates, it is called fixed bi.” “Bi” refers to the condition arising from exposure to wind, cold, and dampness at specific times. These passages confirm that wind, cold, and dampness can all cause bi syndrome. *Su Wen: Ping Re Lun* points out: “Wind, cold, dampness, and heat cannot harm a person unless there is deficiency.” Thus, deficiency of vital energy is the internal cause of rheumatism—the root of disease. Invasion by external pathogenic factors such as wind, cold, dampness, and heat is the external cause—the manifestation. Only when internal deficiency and external invasion coincide does rheumatism occur. Therefore, rheumatism is essentially a condition caused by deficiency of vital energy, disruption of defensive and nutritive qi, and invasion by the six climatic evils, resulting in blockage of meridians, skin, blood vessels, tendons, bones, and even internal organs, leading to symptoms such as limb pain, numbness, swelling, deformity, and stiffness. Hence, rheumatism is also known as “Bi Syndrome,” corresponding closely to rheumatic diseases in Western medicine.
Western medicine originally defined rheumatism as rheumatic arthritis, also known as rheumatic fever, a type of allergic reaction triggered by streptococcal infection, primarily affecting joints and the heart. Later, the scope expanded to include rheumatoid arthritis. Modern usage, from a clinical perspective, includes any condition presenting with either sudden or gradual onset, joint pain, local swelling, numbness, restricted movement, and potential destruction of bone and joint structures, muscle atrophy, and impaired motor function—regardless of etiology. All such conditions are classified under the broad umbrella of rheumatism. This encompasses nearly all diseases affecting bones, joints, and their soft tissues, such as rheumatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, cervical spondylosis, ankylosing spondylitis, shoulder periarthritis, osteoporosis, gout, sciatica, etc. These diseases share common characteristics of rheumatism and are leading causes of disability, severely impacting human health. Therefore, early recognition and prompt treatment are crucial to maintaining health.
Rheumatism has a high prevalence in both northern and southern regions of China. If diagnosed early, most patients recover well with active comprehensive treatment. However, in advanced or chronic cases, untreated rheumatism may lead to joint ankylosis, deformity, muscle atrophy, loss of self-care ability, and ultimately permanent disability or death.
TCM views rheumatism primarily as a result of exposure to wind, cold, and dampness, leading to obstruction of meridians and impaired flow of qi and blood. Treatment should aim to expel wind, eliminate dampness, activate blood, and unblock collaterals. Main formulas include Rheumatism Decoction, combined with Xian Luo Tong (Anti-Neuralgia), Huo Luo Dan (Activating Meridians Pill), Pan Long Qi Pian (Panlong Seven Tablets), and Shiluo Te (Sirodol) for good therapeutic outcomes.