Herbs to Treat Arthritis

WARM / COOL – for cold people/conditions, use warm herbs (circulatory stimulants) 
                          for hot people/conditions, use cool herbs (antiinflammatories)

DRY / DAMP –  for dry people/conditions, use moistening herbs (yin tonics)
                        for damp people/conditions, use dry herbs (bitters, aromatics)

EXCESS / DEFICIENT – for excess, use cleansing herbs (diuretics, diaphoretics, laxatives)
                                    for deficient people/conditions, use nourishing herbs (sweet tonics)

WIND – for conditions of wind, use cholagogues and antispasmodics

Aloe   Aloe vera cold, bitter, purgative, cholagogue, anti-inflammatory, alterative

Birch   Betula lenta aromatic, warm, antirheumatic, stimulant, astringent, diuretic

Bittersweet   Solanum dulcamara bitter, sweet, cold, narcotic, alterative, antispasmodic

Black Cohosh   Actaea racemosa sweet, pungent, cool, antispasmodic, emmenagogue

Cinnamon   Cinnamomum cassia spicy, sweet, hot, stimulant, analgesic, carminative

Devil’s Claw   Harapagophytum procumbens bitter, cool, anti-inflammatory

Devil’s Club   Oplopanax horridus acrid, bitter, cool, tonic, adaptogen, antiarthritic

Horsetail   Equisetum arvense sweet, bitter, cool, diuretic, antiinflammatory

Kava Kava   Piper methysticum pungent, bitter, warm, analgesic, antispasmodic, sedative

Meadowsweet   Filipendula ulmaria bitter, cool, astringent, analgesic, antiinflammatory

Pine   Pinus spp. aromatic, warm, analgesic, antispasmodic, stimulant, expectorant

Poplar   Populus spp. bitter, cold, alterative, anti-inflammatory, diuretic

Prickly Ash   Zanthoxylum americanum spicy, warm, stimulant, analgesic, alterative

Reishi   Ganoderma lucidum and spp. sweet, warm, tonic, amphoteric, alterative

Sarsaparilla   Smilax spp. sweet, spicy, alterative, tonic, diuretic, diaphoretic

Sassafras   Sassafras spp. spicy, warm, diaphoretic, diuretic, alterative

Solomon’s Seal   Polygonatum biflorum sweet, cool, yin tonic, antiinflammatory

Teasel   Dipsacus spp. bitter, warm, tonic, diuretic, antiarthritic, antirheumatic

Turmeric   Curcuma longa spicy, bitter, warm, anti-inflammatory, cholagogue

Willow   Salix alba and spp. bitter, cold, alterative, anodyne, antiinflammatory

Wintergreen   Galutheria procumbens aromatic, warm, antirheumatic, anodyne

Yucca   Yucca spp. sweet, cool, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, alterative, laxative



General diet for ARTHRITIS: Whole foods- whole grains and vegetables with beans, sea vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, wild fish and game. Avoid refined foods, domestic meats, and nightshades.

Diet for WIND: Bitter, Sour; Barley, Oats, Raw; depends on Heat/Cold/Damp/Dry

Diet for DAMPNESS: Bitter, Spicy; Millet, Rye, Corn, Adzuki, Pumpkin, Allium; W/C

Diet for DRYNESS: Barley, Rice, Black Beans, Lima Beans, Mung, Soy, Seaweeds, Fruits

Diet for COLD: Sweet, Pungent, Aromatic; Oats, Quinoa, Game; Cooked Foods with Warming spices

Diet for HEAT: Bitter; Mung Beans, Soy, Seaweed, Vegetables, Fruits, Raw

Diet for EXCESS: Bitter; Fasting; Vegetables, Fruits, Sprouts

Diet for DEFICIENCY: Whole Foods; Mineral Rich Vegetables, Seaweeds, Spirulina