Objective To evaluate the effect of Wuteng Ercao Decoction （Decoction of five stems and two grasses） on rheumatoid arthritis （RA）. Methods Fifty-three RA patients were randomized into treatment group （27 cases） and control group （26 cases）. The control group was administered western medicines

i.e. methotrexate tablets 10mg

oral taking

once a week; salicylazosulfapyridine enteric-coated tablets 0.5g for the first week

0.75g for the second week

1.0g for the third week

nimesulide capsules 100mg. The treatment group was administered Wuteng Ercao Decoction additionally. The treatment for 3 months in succession was of one course. Morning stiffness

pain and swelling of joints

self-rating of pain （VAS）

erythrocyte sedimentation rate （ESR） and C-reaction protein （CRP） were observed

and ACR20

ACR50 and ACR 70 were used to evaluated the therapeutic effect. Results The effective rate of ACR20 of the treatment group was 59.26% and that of the control group was 30.77% （P<0.05）. The efficacy by ACR50

morning stiffness

number of tender joints

index of tender joints

index of swelling joints

VAS

ESR

CRP in the treatment group were all significantly improved （P<0.05）

showing a statistical difference in comparison with those of the control group. Conclusion Wuteng Ercao Decoction in combination with routine treatment of western medicine is significantly better in effect for RA

quickly improving the symptoms and signs and inflammatory indices of RA.