Arthritis

In Chinese Medicine, Arthritis is categorized as follows:

Cold arthritis: characterized by sharp, stabbing pain in a fixed location and cold sensation in joints. Relieved by heat. Recommended foods: garlic scallions, black beans, sesame seeds, chicken, lamb, mustard greens, ginger, small amount of rice wine if blood pressure not an issue.  10-20 min sunshine fresh air daily, warm liniments on area, cinnamon/ginger tea and avoid cold raw foods and cold weather.

Heat arthritis:  red swollen joints, painful and hot, usually sudden onset, Recommended foods- fresh fruits, veges, cabbage, mung beans, soybean sprouts. Avoid-spicy foods, alcohol, smoking, green onions.

Damp arthritis: heavy feeling in extremities, stiffness, swelling, dull aching pain that lingers and sluggishness.  Recommended foods: barley, mung beans, mustard greens, red beans, millet, sweet rice wine with meals, cornsilk tea- natural diuretic   Cook barley, mung beans and red beans together.

Kidney deficient arthritis: coldness, low energy, low back pain, knee pain, weakness, poor hearing, urine retention problems.  Recommended foods: warming foods- chicken, lamb, scallions, sesame seeds, fish, baked tofu, soybeans, walnuts, lentils, black beans, a little wine, ginger, cinnamon. Avoid: caold raw foods and fruits.

Kidney deficiency arthritis with heat: irritability, insomnia, nite sweats, damp palms, dry mouth, low back pain, blurry vision. Recommended foods: cooling foods, apples, peaches, pears, fresh veges, beans, tofu, chrysanthemum tea.  Avoid-spicy foods, smoking, alcohol and stress.