Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F is a bit of a mouthful. It is an extract from roots used in traditional chinese medicine, with over 300 ingredients. It was tested against methotrexate, the most widely used treatment for Rheumatoid in the West in the TRIFRA trial (Ann Rheum Dis 2014). The authors faced significant criticism for using an open-label and not a blinded trial - i.e. the patients knew which group they were in. Some also criticised the study for not using enough patients, and others questioned the safety of the medication. I think it is too early to go out and try this one at home.
