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 in other organs in the body. Autoimmune diseases are illnesses that occur when the body’s tissues are mistakenly attacked by their own immune system.
Concept of Rheumatoid Arthritis according to Ayurveda
In Ayurveda Rheumatoid Arthritis is a vata (means air- which governs the all movements of body) and kapha (bodily humor that governs liquid and solid part of body) dominant disease affecting the multiple joints. Ayurveda refers this condition as ‘Amavata’. ‘Ama’ means toxic disease causing substances that are formed as a result of impaired digestion, which are not homogeneous for the body.
Causes Of Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Age- Rheumatoid Arthritis can affect at any age, but it’s most common between 40 and 60.
- Family history
- Environment- Toxic chemical or infection in the environment can trigger the factors responsible for Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Gender- RA is more common in women than men.
- Obesity
- Smoking
FAQ / article includes/ points covered
- Best Ayurvedic treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis in Kerala
- Can Ayurveda cure Rheumatoid Arthritis?
- What are the causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis?
- What are the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis?
- Rheumatoid Arthritis in Ayurveda
- What are the complications of Rheumatoid Arthritis?
- Why do I have joint pain and swelling?
- How can we prevent Rheumatoid Arthritis?
- What are the diet and life style adaptation in Rheumatoid Arthritis?
- Best herbal medicine for Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Best Ayurvedic natural home remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Is Yoga beneficial for Rheumatoid Arthritis?
- Best yoga postures for Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Vegetarian and non-vegetarian diet for Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Is Ayurveda good for Rheumatoid Arthritis?
- Ayurvedic diet for Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Food to avoid in Rheumatoid Arthritis
- How Ayurveda prevents Rheumatoid Arthritis?
- What is the best treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis?
- Herbal tea for Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Is panchakarma useful for Rheumatoid Arthritis?
- Effective herbs for Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Panchakarma in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Why I Have Joint Pain And Swellings?
Symptoms Of Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Swelling
- Indigestion
- Lethargy
- Pain and stiffness in the body
- Heaviness in the body
- Lack of appetite
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Increased thirst
- Morning stiffness which last more than one hour
Complication Of Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Bony erosion
- Cartilage loss
- Inflamed synovium
- Swollen capsule
- Ulnar deviation
- Muscular atrophy
- Swan neck deformity
- Rheumatoid nodule
- Rheumatoid rashes
Rheumatoid Arthritis In Ayurveda
In Ayurveda Rheumatoid Arthritis is a vata (means air- which governs the all movements of body) and kapha (bodily humor that governs liquid and solid part of body) dominant disease affecting the multiple joints. Ayurveda refers this condition as ‘Amavata’. ‘Ama’ means toxic, disease causing substances that are formed as a result of impaired digestion, which are not homogeneous for the body. The vitiated vata pushes the ama into the bony joints and tissues, which further aggravates kapha. Ama along with other tridoshas gets localized in the body tissues or joints and it causes pain, stiffness, swelling, tenderness, etc in the related joints.
How Ayurveda Prevents Rheumatoid Arthritis
Ayurveda suggests following a healthy regimen that does not lead to the aggravation of doshas (bio energies). To maintain this health- a good code of conduct and way of living like… Daily regimen, seasonal regimen, way of eating and diet plans should be practiced. Following good personal and social code of conduct helps to gain long, peaceful, happy and healthy life. Do regular exercise and yoga that helps in strengthening the musculoskeletal system. Intake warm and cooked food. Avoid unhealthy food habits. Also avoid excessive intake of food which are unctuous, sour, saline, and pungent and food that cause burning sensation. Eat three nourishing meals a day at around the same time each day. Avoid day sleep and night vigil. Stay away from the use of red meat, sea food, and alcohol. Increase the number of colours of fruits and vegetables which can helps in reducing joint inflammations. Avoid suppression of natural urges.
Ayurvedic Treatment For Rheumatoid Arthritis
Ayurvedic treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis aims at pacification of vata (means air- which governs the all movements of body) and kapha (bodily humor that governs liquid and solid part of body) and detoxification. Herbal decoctions are administered to improve the digestive fire and prevent the toxification of body. We follow treatment protocol with includes Langhanam (fasting), Shodhana chikitsa (purification of the body) and Shamana Chikitsa (treatment for subsiding symptoms).
Pancha Karma And Other Treatments For Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Langhana – fasting, improves the digestive system.
- Swedana – fomentation, sweating treatment
- Abhyanga – body massage
- Pinda Sweda – bolus fomentation specially Choorna Pinda Sweda (medicated powder bolus), Patra Pinda Sweda (leaf bolus), Valuka Sweda (sand bolus)
- Dhara – stream pouring of medicated liquids
- Upanaha – Poultice
- Virechana – medicated Purgation, helps in eliminating vitiated pitta, vata (bio enegeries)
- Basti – medicated enema, using herbal oils and decoctions helps in healing pain and inflammation by eliminating vitiated vata and nourishing the dhatus (tissues).
Medications
Internal medications like Amruthotharam kashayam, Rasnaerandadhi kashayam, Balaguduchyadi kashayam, Kaishooraguggulu, Yogarajaguggulu, Shaddharana choorna are useful
External applications like Nagaradi lepa, Kottam chukkadi lepa, Jadamyadi lepa, Dhanwantharam taila, Narayana taila, etc are beneficial. Usually usage of tailas are not preferred in ama condition and hence it has to be followed only with the advice of a physician.
Diet And Life Style Adaptation
Vegetarian Diet
- Increase the intake of barley flour, house gram, split green gram, celery seeds, dried ginger root powder, garlic, bitter gourd and castor oil.
- Green leafy vegetables
- Legumes like lentils, dal, mung beans, miso, and tofu
- Vegetables with a bitter taste like neem (Azadirachta indica), bottle gourd, bitter gourd, pointed gourd, brinjal, moringa (drum stick) are e recommended.
Non vegetarian Diet
- Broth such as chick bone broth. Bone broth protein help in providing strength, detoxifies the system and also reduces inflammation.
- Meat soup of mutton adding the powders of Piper longum, Himalayan salt and paste of garlic
- Fishes like herring, mackerel, trout, salmon and tuna.
Other diet:
- Spices like ginger, turmeric, garlic can be added in the diet
- Butter milk
- Water boiled with ginger root
- Drink always luke warm water
- Have cooked fruits and vegetables
Fruits like berries (strawberries, red raspberries), avocados, watermelon, apples, grapes, papaya, orange
Food To Avoid In Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Incompatible food
- Saline, sour and pungent food
- Frozen food and beverages
- Processed food, Saturated fat
- Fast food, fried food
- White bread, cookies, sugary drinks, snacks, chips.
- Caffeine and alcohol
- Curd
- Red meat
- Sea food
Lifestyle Adaptation In Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Maintain a healthy body weight.
- Drink more water
- Have good food (balanced diet)
- Maintain good posture
- Follow a routine exercise regimen
- Eat at regular time.
- Avoid exposure to cold breeze
- Good sleep( minimum 6 to 7 hours of sleep)
- Practice yoga and meditation
Natural Ayurvedic Home Remedies For Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Heat and cold pack application
- Two garlic cloves with buttermilk is an excellent daily drink.
- Mix a teaspoon of castor oil with one glass of milk before bed time. It acts a purgative and helps in balancing the vitiated dosha (bio energies). It has to be followed only after correcting your digestive system.
- Prepare packs by heating the sand, tie it in a cloth and warm the painful sites.
- Depending on strength go fasting once in a week or depend up on liquids or semi-solid diet for an entire day.
- Intake Moringa leave juice with honey helps in reducing inflammation.
- Cold infusion of coriander (seeds, leaves)
Effective Ayurvedic Herbs For Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Turmeric
- Licorice
- Black pepper
- Cinnamon
- Boswellia serrata (Indian oli-banum)
- Holy basil
- Asparagus racemosus
- Intake of powdered root of Withania somnifera along with milk before bed time.
- Indian Licorice root or Crab’s eye (Abrus precatorius) leaves or root paste application reduces inflammation.
- Application of Moringa stem or root barks paste.
- Water boiled Boerhavia diffusa and white turmeric acts as diuretic and reduces the inflammations in the joints.
- Intake of cooked leaves of Boerhavia diffusa is useful in reducing the swellings caused by Rheumatoid Arthritis.
- Intake of water boiled with Tribulus terrestris, acts as diuretic and reduces oedema.
Herbal Tea For Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Green Tea
- Tea prepared by adding cinnamon, black pepper, holy basil
- Tea prepared by adding garlic, ginger and turmeric
- Moringa leaf tea
Yoga Asanas For Rheumatoid Arthritis
Yoga asanas support the physical, psychological and emotional sufferings that a disease creates. It helps to tone the internal organ functions and improves the blood circulation. Practicing yoga asanas helps in calming the entire body and mind. Stimulates the muscles, increase blood supply, balance the glands and helps in internal purification process. Yoga is effective in lowering the stress level, strengthening immune functions and rejuvenate a person. Regular yoga practice helps in reducing joint pain, improve joint flexibility and function and lower stress and tension to promote better sleep. . It keeps your mind and body fresh. Some of the yogas best for Rheumatoid Arthritis are below:
- Tree Pose
- Bridge Pose
- Corpse Pose
- Sun Salutation
- Cat-Cow Pose
