Chinese herbal remedy can effectively treat arthritis

A new study has revealed that a traditional Chinese herbal remedy can be as effective as methotrexate for treating rheumatoid arthritis.

Scientists have revealed that if the herbal medicine, which is used to relieve joint pain and inflammation, is combined with methotrexate then the treatment can be all the more effective.

The researchers wanted to find out which of these approaches would sufficiently alleviate symptoms to reach an ACR 50 response, which indicates a 50 percent improvement in the number of tender or swollen joints and other criteria including pain, disability, and the doctor's assessment of disease severity.

The scientists found that the proportion of patients achieving ACR 50 was almost 46.5 percent in those treated with methotrexate alone, while 55 sucess in those treated with TwHF alone and just under 77 percent in those treated with both.

The study was published online in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.