Toshali Sands

Amavata (Rheumatoid Arthritis): An Ayurvedic Approach

Rheumatoid arthritis is a joint disorder which affects multiple joints a various sites. It is a described as “Amavata” in Ayurveda. The word ‘Ama’ means to toixic our unwholsome product, which is produced in the boyd due to weakening of digestive fire. This ‘Ama’ is them carried by ‘Vayu’ and travels throughout the body and accumulate in the joints, which is the seat of ‘Kapha’ (one of the three bodily humors i.e. Vata, Pitta and Kapha0. As this process continuous, all the joints are gradually affected, which results in severe pain and swelling in the joints. When ‘Pitta’ also gets aggravated, it causes burning sensation around the joints.

General Clinical Features
* Morning stiffness of the joints
* Pain and swelling in the affected parts
* Shifting of pain in joints
* Constipation
* General weakness
* Distance in the mouth
* Indigestion
* Feeling of heaviness

Ayurvedic Management of Amavata

In Ayurveda, Amavata is controlled by the following measures.
a. Ahara or Diet: One should take old rice, butter milk, wet ginger, garlic, wheat, bitter gourd and horse gram in his diet. Avoid consumption of dairy products, sweets, oily foods, junk and fast foods, salty and sour foods, jaggery, black gram, fish, cold drinks and ice creams.

b. Vihara or Life Style One should avoid cold breeze and excess sive wind. Bathing with cold water should be strictly avoided. Warm water bath is recommended. It is also advis able to take a gentile walk after consumption of food. Also it is good to avoid water intake immediately after consuming food.

c. Aushadhi or Drugs Guggulu is the most effective drug in treating ‘Amavata’. Also herbal preparations of Ashwagandha, Haritaki, Rasna, Sunthi, Pippai and Trivrut are helpful in ‘Amavata’. Administration of caster oil is also very effective in this disease. The above mentioned drugs should be taken after consulting a qualified Ayurvedic Physican.

d. Panchakarma Therapy This is purification process. By taking this therapy the body toxins are eliminated from the body. For treating ‘Amavata’ the following processes are followed.

1. Snehana : Internal and external oleation to the body / affected parts is given as a preliminary process.
2. Swedana: This is done by application of steam on the affected parts. It helps in reducing inflammatory conditions in the body. Especially in ‘Amavata’ fomentation with sand bag is recommended. Sankara Sweda is also very helpful. In chronic cases Shali shasthika pinda sweda is recommended.
3. Virechana: It is a type of purgation which is induced by oral intake or herbal compound preparations. By the process of Virechana, the ‘Ama’ is eliminated from the body. Also the bowel is cleansed, which results in absorption and assimilation of the medicinal preparations properly.
4. Vishi This is done by administration of herbal enema. It is helpful in chronic cases.

Care of Joints in ‘Amavata’

1. Physical activities causing pain in the joints should be avoided.
2. Staying in one position for too long should be avoided.
3. Good posture should be maintained and joints should be kept aligned in their natural position
4. One should sleep on a firm mattress or bed.
5. Weight should be controlled as excess of weight adds stress to the joints.
6. Physiotherapy is very important to keep the joints in working condition.

Preventive aspects
It is always better to take preventive measures before a disease affects us. In order to prevent ‘Amavata’ care should be taken to avoid sedentary habits. Also one should perform daily exercises or yoga. One should also avoid heavy, viscous and incompatible foods. Instead one should take high-fibre and low fat diet. Care should also be taken to keep our digestive fire intact, as the case of all diseases is the weakening of digestive fire. The aim of our life is attainment of Dharma Artha, Kama and Moksha. But it is possible only if we stay healthy. So let us make a promise, to stay healthy by following a healthy diet and life style as described in ‘Ayurveda’ - the science of life.