The invention discloses a compound traditional Chinese medicine for treating acute-phase rheumatoid arthritis. The compound traditional Chinese medicine comprises raw materials of milkvetch root, roasted thinleaf milkwort root-bark, stem of noble dendrobium, achyranthes root, Japanese honeysuckle stem, Szechuan lovage rhizome, processed common monkshood root, Chinese waxgourd peel, glabrous greenbrier rhizome, and rhizoma corydalis; the milkvetch root in the formula is used as a sovereign drug, which is an effective medicine for invigorating qi, and is used for maintaining vital qi to lead other medicines to illness stations, thereby removing obstruction and stagnation and driving away pathological factors. The achyranthes root is capable of nourishing Yin and strengthening Yang, strengthening tendons and bones, and removing blood stasis to stop blood stasis, and is good at treating inhibited bending and stretching of joints; the stem of noble dendrobium is capable of nourishing Yin to produce body fluid; the thinleaf milkwort root-bark is capable of invigorating heart and kidney; the medicines are used as ministerial drugs which can eliminate an inward spreading path of pathogenic factors, and strengthen unaffected parts, and can remove phlegm and eliminate pains and swelling. The processed common monkshood root is capable of dispersing cold and relieving pain; the Szechuan lovage rhizome and the rhizoma corydalis are capable of promoting blood and Qi circulation to relieve pains to achieve an effect of removing stasis and pains automatically by promoting blood and Qi circulation; the Chinese waxgourd peel and the glabrous greenbrier rhizome are capable of eliminating dampness to relieve pains, easing joint movement and eliminating swelling; the Japanese honeysuckle stem is capable of clearing away heat and toxic materials, can eliminate painful swelling of joints caused by heat generated by stases, and can restrict the warm nature of the milkvetch root, and these medicines are used as adjuvant drugs. All the raw medicinal materials work together to achieve the effects of promoting circulation of blood to remove arthralgia, relieving swelling and pains while taking care of the stomach. All kinds of medicines are combined to achieve the functions of strengthening healthy energy to eliminate swelling, and dispelling cold and relieving pains.