C) Abhyanga

Abhyanga (oil massage) is a form of Ayurvedic therapy that involves massage of the entire body from the head to the toe with Dosha -specific warm herb-infused oil. It is an effective treatment for Gout. It gives relief to the areas of discomfort and reduces swelling. Not only Ayurveda also recommends a combination of Ahar (healthy diet) and Vihar (lifestyle changes) to manage Gout effectively. These include:

Ahar (Diet Recommendations)

• Consume healthy foods like nuts, dairy, etc in the diet.
• Try to reduce weight through diet, because reducing the weight helps in reducing the burden on joints.
• Avoid carbonated drinks, packaged foods, and junk food.

Vihar (Lifestyle Changes)

• Try to follow Dinacharya, i.e. a systematic daily way of life should be followed.
• Activities that cause both mental and physical stress should be avoided.
• Avoid excessive exercise and physical activities.
• Never suppress your urges (Vegavidharan) to urinate, defecate, etc.

For managing gout, the main Ayurvedic treatment is Shodhana Therapy. Shodhana therapy consists of a three-stage purification process like Purva Karma Pradhan Karma and Paschats Karma. Lepana and Abhyanga are also helpful for the management of Gout. Ayurveda also recommends a combination of Ahar and Vihar to manage the Gout effectively.