Homeopathic Remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Arnica: Chronic arthritis with a feeling of bruising and soreness may be helped by
this remedy. The painful parts feel worse from being moved or touched. (Herbal Arnica
gels and ointments may also help to soothe arthritic pain when applied externally to areas of
inflammation and soreness.)
Aurum metallicum: Wandering pains in the muscles and joints that are better from
motion and warmth, and worse at night, suggest a need for this remedy. Deep pain may be felt
in the limbs when the person tries to sleep, or discomfort may wake the person up. People who
need this remedy are often serious and focused on work or career, with a tendency to feel
depressed.
Bryonia: This remedy can be helpful for stiffness and inflammation with tearing or
throbbing pain, made worse by even the smallest motion. The condition may have developed
gradually, and is worse in cold dry weather. Discomfort is aggravated by being touched or
bumped, or from any movement. Pressure brings relief (if it stabilizes the area) and
improvement also comes from rest. The person may want to stay completely still and not be
interfered with.
Calcarea carbonica: This remedy may be useful for deeply aching arthritis involving
node formation around the joints. Inflammation and soreness are worse from cold and dampness,
and problems may be focused on the knees and hands. Weakness in the muscles, easy fatigue from
exertion, and a feeling of chilliness or sluggishness are common. A person who needs
Calcarea is often solid and responsible, but tends to become extremely anxious and
overwhelmed when ill or overworked.
Causticum: This remedy may be indicated when deformities develop in the joints, in a
person with a tendency toward tendon problems, muscle weakness, and contractures. The hands
and fingers may be most affected, although other joints can also be involved. Stiffness and
pain are worse from being cold, and relief may come with warmth. A person who needs this
remedy often feels best in rainy weather and worse when the days are clear and dry.
Calcarea fluorica: This remedy is often indicated when arthritic pains improve with
heat and motion. Joints become enlarged and hard, and nodes or deformities develop. Arthritis
after chronic injury to joints also responds to Calcarea fluorica.
Dulcamara: If arthritis flares up during cold damp weather, or after the person gets
chilled and wet, this remedy may be indicated. People needing Dulcamara are often
stout, with a tendency toward back pain, chronic stiffness in the muscles, and allergies.
Kali bichromicum: When this remedy is indicated, arthritic pains may alternate with
asthma or stomach symptoms. Pains may suddenly come and go, or shift around. Discomfort and
inflammation are aggravated by heat, and worse when the weather is warm.
Kali carbonicum: Arthritis with great stiffness and stitching pains, worse in the
early morning hours and worse from cold and dampness, may respond to this
remedy—especially if joints are becoming thickened or deformed. People who need this
remedy often have a rigid moral code, and tend to feel anxiety in the stomach.
Kalmia latiflora: Intense arthritic pain that flares up suddenly may responds to
this remedy—especially when problems start in higher joints and extend to lower ones.
Pain and inflammation may begin in the elbows, spreading downward to the wrists and hands.
Discomfort is worse from motion and often worse at night.
Ledum palustre: Arthritis that starts in lower joints and extends to higher ones may
respond to this remedy. Pain and inflammation often begin in the toes and spread upward to the
ankles and knees. The joints may also make cracking sounds. Ledum is strongly
indicated when swelling is significant and relieved by cold applications.
Pulsatilla: If rheumatoid arthritis pain is changeable in quality, or the flare-ups
move from place to place, this remedy may be useful. The symptoms (and the person) feel worse
from warmth, and better from fresh air and cold applications. People who need this remedy
usually are emotional and affectionate, sometimes having teary moods.
Rhododendron: This remedy is strongly indicated if swelling and soreness flare up
before a storm, continuing until the weather clears. Cold and dampness aggravate the symptoms.
Discomfort is often worse toward early morning, or after staying still too long. The person
feels better from warmth and gentle motion, and also after eating.
Rhus toxicodendron: Rheumatoid arthritis, with pain and stiffness that is worse in
the morning and worse on first motion, but better from continued movement, may be helped with
this remedy. Hot baths or showers, and warm applications improve the stiffness and relieve the
pain. The condition is worse in cold, wet weather. The person may feel extremely restless,
unable to find a comfortable position, and need to keep moving constantly. Continued motion
also helps to relieve anxiety.
Ruta graveolens: Arthritis with a feeling of great stiffness and lameness, worse
from cold and damp and worse from exertion, may be helped with this remedy. Tendons and
capsules of the joints can be deeply affected or damaged. The arthritis may have developed
after overuse, from repeated wear and tear.
Homeopathy Dosage Directions
Select the remedy that most closely matches the symptoms. In conditions where
self-treatment is appropriate, unless otherwise directed by a physician, a lower potency (6X,
6C, 12X, 12C, 30X, or 30C) should be used. In addition, instructions for use are usually
printed on the label.
Many homeopathic physicians suggest that remedies be used as follows: Take one dose and
wait for a response. If improvement is seen, continue to wait and let the remedy work. If
improvement lags significantly or has clearly stopped, another dose may be taken. The
frequency of dosage varies with the condition and the individual. Sometimes a dose may be
required several times an hour; other times a dose may be indicated several times a day; and
in some situations, one dose per day (or less) can be sufficient.
If no response is seen within a reasonable amount of time, select a different remedy.
For more information, including references, see What is Homeopathy? and Understanding Homeopathic Potencies.