INGREDIENTS

Each pill contains the equiv. to dry:

 

Job’s Tears, seed 44.6mg

Cyathula, root 35.7mg

Black Atractylodes, rootq  35.7mg

Amur Cork Tree, bark 26.8mg

Weeping Golden Bells, fruit 35.7mg

Chinese Honeysuckle, stem 35.7mg

Stephania, root 35.7mg

Mulberry, twig 35.7mg

Evergreen Clematis, root 26.8mg

Large Leaf Gentian, root 26.8mg

Gardenia, flower, unopened 35.7mg

 

Store below 30°C

Contains 200 x 200mg pills.

AUSTL 11737

Made in Australia. (Logo)

 

Indications: Gout, all over body aches accompanied with fever, Ross River, Dengue, Bahma Forest disease, shingles.

Actions: relive fever, inflammation and aches associated with acute flare-ups.

Dosage: 12 - 15 pills 2 - 3 times per day, as symptoms return. Take near food.

Treat more, not less. Treat sooner, rather than later.

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Xuan Bi Tang – "Gout & Body Aches"

Relieving Wandering Pain, Inflammation and Acute Joint Aches

 

A traditional Chinese herbal formula used to reduce inflammatory joint pain, gout, post-viral body aches and wandering musculoskeletal pain by improving circulation, reducing inflammation and restoring healthy movement through the joints and muscles.

 

What is Xuan Bi Tang?

Some pain stays in one place.

Arthritis in the knee.

A sore shoulder.

A stiff lower back.

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But some pain seems to have a mind of its own.

Yesterday it was the ankle.

Today it's the wrist.

Tomorrow it's the shoulder.

​

Many people describe it as:

"It moves around my body."

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Others experience widespread aching after viral infections.

Their muscles hurt.

Their joints ache.

Their body feels bruised.

Even light movement becomes uncomfortable.

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Chinese medicine recognised this pattern centuries ago.

Rather than viewing these pains as unrelated conditions, it recognised that inflammation can move through muscles, tendons and joints, producing pain that changes location from day to day.

​

Xuan Bi Tang was developed to restore movement, reduce inflammation and relieve this type of pain.

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At Chiron Medical we call it "Gout & Body Aches", because these are two of the most recognisable situations where the formula is commonly considered.

 

A Formula for Inflammatory Pain

Unlike formulas designed for long-standing osteoarthritis, Xuan Bi Tang is intended for active inflammatory pain.

It is traditionally considered where pain is:

• hot

• swollen

• inflammatory

• migratory

• aggravated by movement

• associated with acute illness

It has become particularly valuable in modern practice for people recovering from inflammatory viral illnesses.

 

Why We Call It "Gout & Body Aches"

Gout is one of the most intensely painful inflammatory joint conditions.

 

The affected joint often becomes:

• red

• swollen

• hot

• exquisitely painful

 

But the formula is not limited to gout.

 

It is equally valuable when inflammation affects:

• muscles

• tendons

• ligaments

• multiple joints

 

particularly when the pain seems to wander from one area to another.

 

What Is It Traditionally Used For?

Traditionally, Xuan Bi Tang is prescribed for Wind-Damp-Heat Bi Syndrome.

In modern clinical practice it is commonly considered for supportive management of:

• gout

• inflammatory joint pain

• wandering arthritis

• post-viral arthralgia

• muscular body aches

• tendon inflammation

• reactive joint pain

 

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The Herbs That Make the Formula

Xuan Bi Tang combines eleven herbs that work together to reduce inflammation, improve joint mobility, relieve pain and help clear inflammatory fluid from the muscles and joints.

​

Unlike formulas designed primarily to nourish weakened joints, Xuan Bi Tang is intended for active inflammatory pain, particularly where swelling, heat and stiffness are prominent.

 

Yi Yi Ren (Coix Seed)

Traditional role

The principal herb.

Drains Dampness while relieving painful swollen joints and improving mobility.

Biomedical actions

Research demonstrates:

• anti-inflammatory activity

• antioxidant effects

• regulation of inflammatory cytokines

• reduction of tissue oedema

• immune modulation

Yi Yi Ren is widely researched for inflammatory joint disorders and chronic musculoskeletal inflammation.

 

Chuan Niu Xi (Cyathula Root)

Traditional role

Promotes healthy circulation while directing the actions of the formula towards the legs and lower limbs.

Biomedical actions

Research suggests:

• improved peripheral circulation

• anti-inflammatory activity

• support for connective tissue repair

• analgesic effects

 

Cang Zhu (Atractylodes Rhizome)

Traditional role

Dries Dampness while improving movement through muscles and joints.

Biomedical actions

Research demonstrates:

• anti-inflammatory activity

• antioxidant effects

• modulation of immune responses

• regulation of inflammatory mediators

 

Huang Bai (Phellodendron Bark)

Traditional role

One of Chinese medicine's premier herbs for clearing Damp-Heat from inflamed joints.

Biomedical actions

Research demonstrates:

• potent anti-inflammatory activity

• antimicrobial effects

• antioxidant activity

• regulation of inflammatory cytokines

Its major alkaloid, berberine, has become one of the most extensively researched natural anti-inflammatory compounds.

 

Lian Qiao (Forsythia Fruit)

Traditional role

Clears inflammatory Heat and helps resolve tissue inflammation.

Biomedical actions

Research suggests:

• antibacterial activity

• antiviral effects

• anti-inflammatory activity

• antioxidant properties

 

Ren Dong Teng (Honeysuckle Stem)

Traditional role

Relieves painful obstruction while reducing Heat and inflammation affecting muscles and joints.

Biomedical actions

Research demonstrates:

• anti-inflammatory activity

• antioxidant effects

• antimicrobial activity

• regulation of immune responses

 

Han Fang Ji (Stephania Root)

Traditional role

Relieves painful joints while reducing swelling and improving movement.

Biomedical actions

Research suggests:

• anti-inflammatory effects

• analgesic activity

• reduction of tissue oedema

• immune modulation

Han Fang Ji has traditionally been one of Chinese medicine's principal herbs for painful inflammatory arthritis.

 

Sang Zhi (Mulberry Twig)

Traditional role

Relaxes stiff joints while improving flexibility and movement.

Biomedical actions

Research demonstrates:

• anti-inflammatory activity

• antioxidant effects

• support for joint mobility

• analgesic activity

 

Chuan Mu Tong (Clematis Stem)

Traditional role

Promotes fluid movement while helping relieve painful obstruction.

Biomedical actions

Research suggests:

• anti-inflammatory activity

• support for lymphatic and fluid regulation

• antioxidant effects

 

Qin Jiao (Gentiana Root)

Traditional role

One of the classic herbs for wandering pain and inflammatory arthritis.

Biomedical actions

Research demonstrates:

• anti-inflammatory activity

• analgesic effects

• immune regulation

• antioxidant activity

Qin Jiao has traditionally been used whenever pain moves unpredictably from one joint or muscle to another.

 

Shan Zhi Zi (Gardenia Fruit)

Traditional role

Clears Heat while reducing inflammatory tissue injury.

Biomedical actions

Research suggests:

• anti-inflammatory activity

• antioxidant effects

• regulation of inflammatory signalling

• protection against oxidative tissue damage

 

Why This Formula Works So Well

Xuan Bi Tang approaches inflammatory pain from several different directions at the same time.

• Yi Yi Ren, Han Fang Ji and Qin Jiao reduce inflammation, swelling and wandering joint pain.

• Huang Bai, Lian Qiao and Shan Zhi Zi actively clear inflammatory Heat, making the formula particularly useful for hot, swollen joints such as gout.

• Ren Dong Teng and Sang Zhi restore comfortable movement through muscles, tendons and joints while relieving stiffness.

• Chuan Niu Xi improves circulation and directs the formula towards the lower limbs, where gout and inflammatory arthritis commonly occur.

• Cang Zhu and Chuan Mu Tong help regulate fluid movement, reducing swelling and improving joint mobility.

Together these herbs create a formula that is particularly well suited to acute inflammatory musculoskeletal disorders, whether caused by gout, inflammatory arthritis or the lingering immune activation that can follow viral infections such as Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus, chikungunya, dengue fever and shingles.

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How the Formula Works

Inflammatory joint pain differs from mechanical arthritis.

Rather than simple wear and tear, inflammation activates the immune system.

 

The result is:

• swelling

• heat

• pain

• stiffness

• reduced mobility

 

Research into the herbs traditionally used in Xuan Bi Tang suggests actions including:

• reduction of inflammatory cytokines

• antioxidant activity

• improved microcirculation

• regulation of immune responses

• analgesic effects

 

Rather than simply suppressing pain, the formula aims to reduce the inflammatory processes producing it.

 

Viral Body Aches – An Important Modern Use

One of the most valuable modern applications of Xuan Bi Tang is during recovery from inflammatory viral illnesses.

 

Many viral infections leave people with persistent:

• muscle aches

• joint pain

• fatigue

• stiffness

• wandering pain

 

This has become increasingly recognised following infections such as:

• Ross River virus

• Barmah Forest virus

• dengue fever

• chikungunya

• shingles (Herpes zoster)

 

Even after the infection itself has resolved, inflammation may continue affecting muscles, joints and surrounding connective tissues.

 

Xuan Bi Tang is traditionally used to help reduce this lingering inflammatory response while improving comfort and mobility during recovery.

 

Gout – More Than Uric Acid

Modern medicine explains gout as inflammation triggered by uric acid crystal deposition within joints.

Chinese medicine arrived at a similar clinical conclusion using different language.

It recognised:

• intense Heat

• swelling

• redness

• severe pain

• impaired movement

The treatment strategy became remarkably similar:

Reduce inflammation. Restore movement. Relieve pain.

 

Comparing the Chiron Medical Arthritis Formulas

Not all joint pain has the same cause.

Choosing the correct formula depends on understanding what is driving the pain.

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Xuan Bi Tang - Gout & Body Aches - Acute inflammatory joint pain, gout and wandering body aches - Reduces inflammatory pain and restores movement

Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang - Small Joint Arthritis - Arthritis affecting the hands, wrists, feet and fingers - Improves circulation through smaller joints and tendons

Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang - Large Joint Arthritis - Chronic arthritis affecting knees, hips and lower back - Reduces chronic pain while strengthening bones, joints and connective tissue

Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang - Spasms & Cramps - Muscle cramping and acute muscular pain - Relaxes smooth and skeletal muscle spasm

Huo Luo Xiao Ling Dan - Sharp Stabbing Pain - Fixed, severe pain due to Blood Stasis - Improves circulation and relieves deeply localised pain.

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Understanding the Progression

Pain often evolves over time.

Gout & Body Aches (Xuan Bi Tang)

Acute inflammation dominates.

The pain may move from joint to joint or involve widespread muscle aches.

↓

Small Joint Arthritis (Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang)

Inflammation becomes more persistent, affecting the hands, feet and smaller joints.

↓

Large Joint Arthritis (Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang)

Long-standing degeneration and chronic stiffness become the dominant features, particularly in weight-bearing joints.

 

This progression reflects one of the key principles of Chinese medicine: acute inflammatory pain and chronic degenerative arthritis require different treatment strategies.

 

Clinical Insights

Beyond Arthritis

Although Xuan Bi Tang is often associated with gout, experienced practitioners frequently use it much more broadly. One of the most interesting features of this formula is that it sits between infection and arthritis.

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Many patients recovering from mosquito-borne viruses or shingles no longer have an active infection, yet their immune system continues producing inflammation that causes widespread aching, stiffness and migrating joint pain.

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Rather than treating the virus itself, Xuan Bi Tang supports the body's recovery from the inflammatory aftermath. This makes it an excellent bridge between the infection formulas in the Chiron Medical range and the arthritis formulas, helping patients transition from acute inflammatory illness back to comfortable movement and normal daily activity.

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I actually think this positions Xuan Bi Tang very uniquely within your Formula Network. It's not simply a "gout formula"—it's your "post-inflammatory recovery" formula. That's a concept most people immediately understand, particularly in Australia where Ross River virus, Barmah Forest virus and post-shingles pain are familiar clinical problems. It gives the formula a much broader and more clinically relevant identity than gout alone.

 

Common clinical applications include:

Acute Gout

To help reduce inflammatory pain and improve joint mobility.

 

Post-Viral Arthralgia

Following illnesses such as:

• Ross River fever

• Barmah Forest virus

• chikungunya

• dengue

• shingles

where widespread joint and muscle pain may persist long after the acute infection has resolved.

 

Wandering Musculoskeletal Pain

Pain that changes location from day to day often responds differently to treatment than fixed mechanical pain.

Xuan Bi Tang is one of Chinese medicine's classic formulas for this presentation.

 

Transition to Chronic Arthritis

As inflammation settles, treatment may progress to:

• Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang (Small Joint Arthritis)

• Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang (Large Joint Arthritis)

depending on which joints become chronically affected.

 

For Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners

 

Classical Pattern

Wind-Damp-Heat Bi Syndrome

Typical presentation:

• wandering joint pain

• swollen joints

• redness

• Heat

• limited movement

• inflammatory pain

 

Formula Strategy

Xuan Bi Tang:

• Dispels Wind.

• Clears Damp-Heat.

• Opens the channels.

• Invigorates Blood.

• Relieves pain.

Frequently considered for acute inflammatory Bi syndromes and post-infectious arthralgia.

 

For Medical Doctors

 

Proposed Biomedical Actions

Research into the constituent herbs suggests effects including:

• modulation of inflammatory cytokines

• antioxidant activity

• improved endothelial function

• reduction of oxidative stress

• analgesic effects

• improved microvascular circulation

 

These mechanisms are consistent with the traditional use of the formula in inflammatory arthropathies, gout and post-viral musculoskeletal pain.

 

Potential Herb–Drug Considerations

Clinical monitoring is advisable in patients taking:

• NSAIDs

• colchicine

• corticosteroids

• anticoagulants

• urate-lowering medications

 

Acute hot swollen joints require medical assessment to exclude septic arthritis, crystal arthropathy or other serious inflammatory conditions before herbal treatment is commenced.

 

When Pain Refuses to Stay Still

Some pain is fixed.

Some pain moves.

Some pain lingers long after the original illness has disappeared.

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Xuan Bi Tang was developed for these difficult inflammatory patterns—helping restore movement, reduce inflammation and improve quality of life while the body recovers.

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That is why we call it "Gout & Body Aches."

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Because whether the pain comes from an inflamed joint, a mosquito-borne virus or the lingering effects of shingles, the goal remains the same:

Restore movement. Calm inflammation. Help people get their lives back.