Ayurvedic Management Of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic progressive disease-causing inflammation in the joints and resulting in painful abnormality and immobility. It usually affects the fingers, wrists, feet, and ankles. It occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues.
In Ayurveda, it is known as Amavata, in which the vitiated Vata and Ama troubles the lining of the joints, causing Shula (pain) and Shotha(swelling). Ama means toxins, and Vata means joint pain. It primarily affects the joints that cause warm, swollen, and painful joints. This condition affects the other parts of the body, including skin, eyes, lungs, heart, nerves, and blood. So the treatment aims to reduce pain, decrease inflammation, and improve a person's overall functioning.
Ayurveda emphasizes following an Ayurvedic diet, lifestyle practices, and practicing yoga, for people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Through these Ayurvedic treatments, we could get relief from painful inflammation, stop RA symptoms, and restrict flare-ups.

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Symptoms Of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Common Signs and symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis are the following:

• Tender, warm, swollen joints.
• Joint stiffness is usually worse in the mornings and after inactivity.
• Fatigue, fever, and loss of appetite.

Causes Of Rheumatoid Arthritis

It is impossible to find out the exact causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Anyway, some of the common factors that lead to Rheumatoid Arthritis are:

• Age.
• Family History.
• Gender.
• Obesity.
• Environment.
• Smoking.

Ayurvedic Treatment For Rheumatoid Arthritis

Depending upon the stages and doshas, some of the Ayurvedic Treatment of Amavata is the following:

• Shamana Chikitsa

  Shaman chikitsa plays a key role in the treatment of arthritis. It is done by using very effective Ayurveda formulations like kashaya, Asavarista. Choorna, Vati, taila, Rasoushadi, etc. .

• Shodhana Chikitsa

  It is another Ayurvedic treatment to reduce the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis. It involves the biological purification of the body via Panchakarma therapy. .

• Langhana

  Langhana is a method of depletion of body tissues. It is a line of treatment by fasting or giving light food like green gram soup or gruel. It helps in regenerating Jataragni or digestive fire to a normal state.

• Medications

  Ajmodadi churna, Vaiswanara choornam, Chitrakadi Vati, Panchkol churna, and Trikatu churna used for Rheumatoid Arthritis treatment. These drugs are pungent, bitter, and are carminative.

• Deepana

  Deepana is the process that strives to administer foods that can produce Agni or digestive fire to increase appetite.

• Pachana

  It is the process of digestion of foods. The process involves a combination of herbs and Ayurvedic medicines to help the body release undigested toxins. It is very effective in treating Rheumatoid Arthritis.

• Snehapana (Oleation)

  One of the primary treatments for vitiated Vata is Snehapana. Snehapana includes the administration of medicated fats or the massage of oil over the skin for a specific period. Snehapana brings about kosha Shuddhi, and it pacifies Vata.

• Swedana

  It is a process of inducing sweat with the help of steam which can be generated from medicated herbal decoction. This Ayurveda therapy helps to get relief from painful inflammation caused by Rheumatoid Arthritis.

• Virechana

  Virechana is one of the five sacred therapies of the Panchakarma, which can heal and purify the mind and the body. It refers to purging or any substance that might induce purgation in the body.

• Basti

  Basti is the different types of enemas. These enemas are performed using Kashayam, oil, ghee, or milk. Vasti is the ideal Shodhana procedure for the elimination of Vata. Two types of Vasti are in Ayurveda to treat Amavata.

• Niruha Vasti

  Here administration of enema with decoctions which has Vatahara property and also with drugs which have Deepana in nature. Kshara vasti, Swalpa prasarini tailyadi anuvasana vasti, etc. are the vasti yogas mentioned in amavata.

• Anuvasana Vasti

  It is the administration of an enema with medicated oils which also has Vatahara properties. Saindhavadi taila is used in amavata. .

A combination of both these enemas is used alternatively to eliminate the vitiated Vata dosha.
Along with these Ayurvedic Treatments, other therapies like Vamanam, Manal Kizhi, Podikizhi, Elakizhi, Pizhichil, Vitharana, or Kshara Basti, Navarakizhi, etc are done to get the maximum results.

Depending upon the stages and doshas of the patient, the Ayurvedic treatments to cure the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis are Shamana Chikitsa, Shodhana Chikitsa, Langhana, Medications, Deepana, Panchana, Snehapana,swedana, and Basti. Therapies like Vamanam, Manal Kizhi, Podikizhi, Elakizhi, Pizhichil, Vaitarana or Kshara Basti, Navarakizhi, etc are the best treatments to get relief from Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Dos And Don’ts (Pathya And Apathya) In Ayurveda To Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis

A well-planned diet will help us overcome the painful condition caused by the disease. It also supports the optimal functioning of the immune system and nourishes the affected joints. The Dos recommended by Ayurveda are:

• To follow a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables. Drumsticks, bitter gourd, carrot, papaya, green leafy vegetables, cabbage, etc., are useful in reducing inflammation and hyperactivity of the immune system.
• Sprinkle pepper powder over cooling food items like cucumber and radish.
• Include garlic in the diet because it is an excellent remedy for RA. For better results, it can mix with buttermilk.
• Whole grains such as wheat, brown rice, millet, barley are beneficial for RA because their high fiber content helps with digestion and promotes regular bowel movements.
• Honey mixed with water.
• Milk mixed with turmeric powder is also helpful in controlling inflammation.
• Work at reducing weight.

Apathya

To reduce the symptoms of RA, follow these Don’ts:

• Avoid overall unhealthy and irregular diet habits which affect the immune system and increase symptoms.
• Avoid daytime sleep and staying awake at night.
• Avoid deep-fried foods and fermented food items.
• Avoid regular allergy-inducing foods like dairy products, soy, peanuts, processed foods, artificial additives, etc. .
• Avoid alcohol, tobacco.
• Avoid tea and coffee and other caffeinated drinks.

Thus, with these simple daily food habits and lifestyle changes, we can manage the symptoms of RA effectively.

Yoga Asanas For Amavata

Some of the Yoga Asanas recommended in Amavata are:

• Veerabhadrasana or Warrior pose.
• Vrikshasana or Tree pose.
• Marjariasana or Cat stretch.
• Setubandhasana or Bridge pose.
• Trikonasana or Triangle pose.
• Savasana or Corpse pose.
• Surya Namaskara or Sun salutation.
• Pranayama.

Herbal Remedies For Rheumatoid Arthritis

Ayurveda prescribes the following herbal remedies to get relief from RA.

• Ginger

  Ginger can help to relieve joint pain from rheumatoid arthritis. It is an Ayurvedic herbal remedy to reduce inflammation when taken in high doses for four weeks.

• Turmeric

  Turmeric contains a chemical called curcumin which has beneficial properties for rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Curcumin is anti-inflammatory. So we could get good relief from painful inflammation.

• Garlic

  Garlic is an effective remedy for people experiencing pain in their joints. The anti-inflammatory properties of garlic help to fight inflammation and also help to prevent cartilage damage from arthritis.

• Black Pepper

  The presence of anti-inflammatory properties found in black pepper, act effectively for rheumatoid arthritis.

• Cinnamon

  lt is famous for its medicinal powers and has properties that fight inflammation. It also treats aches, pains, etc. So it is considered an effective herb for rheumatoid arthritis.

• Willow Bark

  Willow bark is an ideal herb to reduce inflammatory markers. The presence of Salicin in willow bark reduces the production of pain-inducing chemicals in nerves. .

• Chamomile

  Chamomile tea has anti-inflammatory properties and sedative effects. It is the herbs and spices for rheumatoid arthritis; Chamomile is also effective in healing sores or irritated skin. Its anti-inflammatory properties fight the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, reduce rheumatic pain and inflammation.

• Green Tea Extract

  Green tea is an herbal remedy rich in antioxidants. It is used traditionally for improving heart health and enhancing digestion. It is rich in catechins, which is a compound with anti-rheumatic activity. The polyphenols and antioxidants in green tea have been beneficial for joint pain in some patients. Thus, green tea is one of the effective herbs and spices for rheumatoid arthritis. .

• Giloy

  Giloy has anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties that can help to treat symptoms of arthritis. Giloy suppresses arthritic inflammation by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (molecules that promote inflammation). To treat arthritis, consume Giloy powder boiled in milk.

Some of the Ayurvedic Herbs that are effective for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis are ginger, turmeric, garlic, black pepper, cinnamon, Willow Bark, Giloy, and Green Tea extract.

Conclusion

All the information related to rheumatoid arthritis is based on various Ayurvedic resources. Always prefer the advice of an Ayurvedic doctor before self-medication.

References

• Charaka Samhita.