Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. It can also cause inflammation of the tissue around the joints, as well as other organs in the body. Because it can affect multiple other organs of the body including heart and kidneys, rheumatoid arthritis is referred to as a systemic illness and is sometimes called rheumatoid disease.
Ayurvedic Understanding of Rheumatoid Arthritis
According to Ayurveda, Rheumatoid Arthritis is described as “Amavata”, ‘Ama’ implies the toxic material that is generated as a harmful product in the body that develops due to weakening of digestive fire. The toxic material is then carried by ‘Vayu’ throughout the body and gets accumulated in the joints by making it gradually affected. This as a consequence causes severe pain and swelling in the joints making you experience the problem of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Factors that cause AMA according to Ayurveda
As per Ayurveda, the main reasons for the formation of AMA in the body are – consumption of fast foods, junk foods, ingestion of spicy and incompatible foods, persevered foods, poor digestive fire, stress, sedentary and irregular lifestyles and imbalance in the doshas.
Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis according to Ayurveda
- Feverish sensation
- Bodypain & stiffness
- Indigestion
- Thirst
- Aversion to food
- Swelling of joints with throbbing pain and stiffness
- Difficulty in movement
- Loss of appetite
- Heaviness in the body
- Inflexibility
- Weakness
Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis through Ayurveda
The Ayurvedic approach to the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis comprises of diet modifications, lifestyle changes, stress management, herbal medication and Ayurvedic therapies, yoga asanas, pranayama and meditation, that help the body get back to state of balance and harmony.The treatment is based on the symptoms and the avastha of the disease.
Following are the stages of Ayurvedic treatment in Rheumatoid Arthritis –
- Langhanam (Fasting)
It is done in some acute conditions ,by the means of complete absence of food, or by giving special Ayurvedic form of diet which comprises of green gram, rice, barley soups etc.
- Sodhana chikitsa (Purification of the body)
It is practised through the most effective Ayurvedic set of treatments, known as the Panchakarma therapy. Therapies like Snehapanam, Vamanam, Manal kizhi, Virechanam, Podikizhi, Elakkizhi, Pizhichil, Vaitharana / Kshara basti, Navarakizhi etc. are done to get the maximum results.
- Shamana chikitsa (Treatment for subsiding the symptoms)
It is done by using very effective and time tested Ayurveda formulations like kashaya, asavarista. Choorna, vati, taila, Rasoushadi etc.
Apart from these, a strict Ayurvedic diet regimen and life style modifications are advocated.
Home Remedies to Manage Rheumatoid Arthritis according to Ayurveda
- Turmeric
Bring 1 quarter of water to boil. Add 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder and boil it for another 10 minutes. Allow it to cool and drink it once or twice daily.
- Garlic
Because of its strong anti-inflammatory properties, Eating 1 to 2 raw garlic cloves daily is recommended for Rheumatoid Arthritis.
- Ginger
Rub some ginger oil on the affected area. Then expose the area to sun for 5 to 10 minutes to generate warmth and heat. Do this on regular basis. You can also chew some fresh ginger slices daily for effective results.
- Neem Leaves
Take 10-15 fresh, new and soft leaves of Neem and have it daily in the morning. The miraculous herb is effective in any kind of arthritis.
- Fenugreek Seeds
Take 5 gram (One teaspoon) of fenugreek seeds and soak them into a glass of water at night. Next morning, stir it well and filter it. Drink this water chewing the seeds well. This is proven and effective remedy for arthritis.