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Joint pain The term joint pain denotes any kind of muscle pain and joint pain of the arms (upper and lower arms, elbow and hands) and the legs (upper and lower thighs, knees and feet). Here, the pain in the limbs may have very different characteristics: the creeping and pulling pain may be barely noticeable, but the stabbing pain can be of high intensity. In addition, limb pain may only affect one or both extremities, may occur symmetrically or unilaterally and vary in their duration. Body ache is a common symptom. Almost everyone who has ever had a bad cold or flu knows it. The muscles or joints of the arms and legs hurt. This pain is also referred to as limb pain. Pain in both extremities often has its origin in an acute infection. Temporary joint pain occurring in the arms and legs usually has underlying causes such as a bad cold or flu, but also other infectious diseases such as measles and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) are often associated with limb pain. Furthermore, this pain in the extremities is an indication that the infection has affected the whole body and immune reactions occur. Limb pain can also occur without signs of infection such as fever. Especially in older people, aches are often caused by osteoarthritis (wear and tear of the joints), rheumatoid arthritis or gout. Long-lasting aches in the arms may occur as an accompanying symptom of nerve pain, inflammation of the brachial plexus or in compressed nerves (e.g. with the carpal tunnel syndrome). In addition, pain radiating from the spine or elbows may also be the causes of joint pain in the arms. Pain in the lower extremities - i.e. on the upper and lower legs, knees and feet – may arise from the illness of the sciatic nerve, the femoral nerve or the disturbance of the anterior lumbar plexus as described plexus from the spinal cord of the upper lumbar spine. Among the possible causes are long-lasting position changes, poor posture, poor sportsmanship and accidents. In addition, joint pains in the legs may also be caused by circulatory disturbances. According to TCM, pain is caused when the Qi is not flowing in the body. Therefore, in the case of joint pain there is usually diagnosed a Qi stagnation, a Qi deficiency or stagnant humidity within the body. Acupuncture together with herbal medicine is an effective treatment that relieves the pain. In the following, we will present you three medicinal plants used in TCM for the treatment of joint pain. Please take medicinal herbs only as directed by our doctors. Sweetgum fruit (Lulutong 路路通)  The Chinese name of the plant belonging to the family of Hamamelidaceae means "All roads are opened." Thus, the name of this herb describes in a very clear way its effect as it can free blocked roads, meaning the meridians. Not only the name but also the exterior of the fruit indicates its effect. The round, woody fruiting bodies and spines look like little hedgehogs. The fruiting body is hollow and you can see through the many holes from one side to the other side. These were probably the eponymous roads that are open in all directions.Within the TCM, the taste of Lulutong is classified as bitter and neutral. This herb has a main effect on the liver and kidney meridians and has a descending direction. But its effect not only extends to these two meridians - Zhao Xuemin already wrote in the Encyclopedia of Materia Medica, that it "powerfully makes all twelve meridians continuous." This is why joint pain, stiffness, lumbar or a stiff knee can be treated effectively. The Lulutong plant moreover regulates the Qi and moves it - so pressure feelings and pain in the abdomen, menstruation pain and stagnation in the meridians can be solved. The plant also derives the humidity from the wind and thereby regulates rheumatoid symptoms and menstrual disorders. It also diverts humid heat and can cure hemorrhoids, rheumatic symptoms and eczema. Its Xu moving effect leads to the relief of abdominal and menstruation pain and its diuretic effect is used for the treatment of painful bladder dysfunction. Myrrh or Commiphora myrrha (Moyao 没药)  The myrrh tree belongs to the family of Burseracae and originally grows in the Arab world, in dry areas along the Red Sea, the Horn of Africa as well as in Ethiopia and Somalia.
The only part of the plant that is used for medicinal purpose is the dried gum resin myrrh. Excretions of plant resins always possessed great popularity in many epochs. The resins of frankincense and myrrh used to be of grand cultural and historical importance. Centuries before our era, they were brought together with other treasures from their Arab homelands to Egypt, Palestine, Babylonia and the Mediterranean Sea to the West. In this way, the "Incense Road", the oldest commercial street in the world has had its origin.The ritual, sacred incense was the most important area of use of both resins. In ancient Egypt, myrrh was used for the embalming of the dead. The oil of myrrh has since become part of scented cosmetics. Because of its deodorizing and disinfecting effect, oriental women even rubbed their armpits with myrrh. The aspect of the cleaning was and is probably the most important aspect of using this plant, both in the effect of the smoke on the mind and soul as well as in medicinal applications. Spirit and tissues are stimulated equally to give preference to the purity and health. Thus Lonicerus (1528-1586) already recommended myrrh against diseases that come from “such evil, lazy humoribus conditions". In addition to the traditional indications which are mainly limited to external applications as well as to the treatment of infectious diarrhea, now the antifungal effects of myrrh has also been detected. According to the criteria of TCM, this dry and bitter but also disinfecting plant can be used in the treatment of damp-heat conditions such as diarrhea, colitis and mycosis. It causes a change in the environment and therefore an altered reaction in the layers of skin and mucous membranes. It hence eliminates dampness and unhealthy phlegm and stimulates the immune system. For people with phlegmatic constitution (indicated by a coated tongue), myrrh is ideal. Myrrh is also often used to heal body aches. Within TCM, the temperature of this medicinal plant is described neutral to warm. Frankincense (Ruxiang 乳香)  The in the pharmacies of the world commonly sold incense is called "olibanum" and it belongs to the family of Burseracae. Originally, this name referred to the milky white sap that emerges from the trees at harvest and later evolves into a gold-yellowish, fragrant resin of the shrubby frankincense tree.In earlier centuries, the Arabs had a monopoly on the frankincense trade so that the origin of the substance was long obscured. Today's commercial incense comes from Arabia, Somalia and India. The large branched tree of the Burseraceae family grows in dry mountain regions. The extraction of the incense takes place in the months from late October to late April by repeatedly cutting the trees. The yield amounts to 1 kg of resin per year per tree. The quality of the resin pieces is very heterogeneous: For medical use, only the first quality which is characterized by drop-or piston-like whitish-greenish resin tears of at least 3 cm in length, can be used. Inferior qualities show increasingly brown and dark portions. In his context, it is interesting that the domestic natural medicine attach great importance on the use of white resin beads for centuries. Within TCM, the temperature of this herb is described as warm, its effective direction as uplifting and its taste as bitter and sharp. Its functional cycle refers to the heart, liver, and spleen. The incense moves the Xue and thus relieves pain caused by Xue stagnation, pain after trauma, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, injuries and swelling. Furthermore, it moves the Qi and relaxes the muscles and tendons as well as stiffness of joints and muscles. It also dredges humid heat and hence heals ulcers, bad healing wounds, traumatic injuries, sores in mouth and throat. He also directs humidity from the wind and hence heals joint pain, body aches and cramps. If you have questions about these herbs and the treatment with herbal remedies in general, please feel free to contact us. We are very happy to assist! |
