To author: regarding your statement:
Now in clinical reality, this formula is very likely not appropriate for many patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.
Please elaborate on reasons why this formula may not be appropriate for many patients?
Comment by Chad J. Dupuis, L.Ac.
The answer to that question is found within “treating the cause vs. the symptoms” and “how to choose a formula”. Basically you essentially never choose a formula based on a western diagnosis.
What Xian Fang Huo Ming Yin Wan is for, in Chinese Medicine terms, is to “clear heat and remove toxicity”. A caution with a formula like this is to avoid it or use it sparingly (or adjusted) in patients with kidney yin deficiency, for example. Using a formula such as this incorrectly on a person who is yin deficient would be likely to make the underlying causal factors worsen. As always, and as pointed out clearly in the article right after the part you quoted, you tailor everything to the individual and avoid linear decision models (i.e. this condition, do this) as is more often the case in western medicine.
Now what makes these studies of value is to use modern research to possible bend the “rules” or re-evaluate the treatment process in certain patients. They are not, however, looking for a one size fits all formula, even if that’s how studies have to present things due to their methodology.