Tag: treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis through Ayurveda

ABSTRACT

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that is progressive in nature and causes complaints like swollen, red, painful, and warm joints. Even permanent joint deformity and destruction can occur if the condition becomes chronic and is not treated well. Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by periods of flare-up and remission. In this disease, a person’s own immune system starts to work abnormally against certain tissues of the body and destroy them. This leads to synovium inflammation (Synovium is the lining of the joints).

Hence causing inflammation in the joints. Both sides of the body joints are affected in Rheumatoid arthritis like both the knees, hands, or wrists. This symmetry of affected joints differentiates the RA from other kinds of arthritis. Other than joints RA also affects other parts of the body when it progresses over time like skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels. In this write up we will be discussing the RA, its causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and herbal treatment by herbal medicines provided by Planet Ayurveda.

Rheumatoid arthritis

INTRODUCTION

Rheumatoid arthritis is primarily a joint disease, autoimmune in nature which eventually leads to the destruction of the joints leading to deformity of the affected part. RA affects multiple joints and usually in a symmetrical pattern. One of the bad factors about this disease is that joints can be damaged to great extent without any correlation with the severity of the disease which means even if the RA is not so severe considerable destruction of joints can be there.

RA antibody is detected in the blood of most of the patients affected by Rheumatoid arthritis. This makes the diagnosis of the disease easy as no extensive tests are required. As per the modern medicine, RA cannot be cured but with the help of Ayurveda, you can manage and eradicate this ailment naturally.

CAUSES

The exact cause behind RA is not known yet, however, there are certain factors which are found to be associated with it usually like:

  • A viral or bacterial infection
  • Genetic predisposition
  • Amoing
  • Inhalation of silica
  • Periodontal disease
  • Microbes or bacteria of the bowels

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

There are certain signs and symptoms of RA which warns the patient, noticing them and timely action can save the damage. Some of them are:

  • Pain in joints like hands, wrists, knees, and feet
  • Swelling on the joints
  • Fever
  • Morning stiffness or stiffness in the joints after long rest
  • Fatigue
  • Difficulty in walking
  • Range of motion is reduced
  • Tenderness of the joints
  • Rheumatoid nodules
  • Warm joints
  • Anemia
  • Deformity of the joint
  • The symmetry of the affected joints

DIAGNOSIS

The main diagnostic feature of RA is the clinical presentation of the patient. No single test can be used to diagnose this ailment. Diagnosis can be made depending upon the joints involved, presence of morning stiffness and swelling of joints, RA factor in the blood test, and X-ray indicating the presence of nodule (RA nodules).

TREATMENT OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

The main aim of the Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment is to relieve the swelling and pain of the joints. Medicines are given to slow down the progression of the disease and hence preventing damage and deformity of the joints to a certain extent. Usually, the medications used are anti-inflammatory, pain relievers, and corticosteroids. Along with these medications, certain exercises and rest are recommended to the patient. Exercises are done to ease the stiffness and strengthen the muscles and increase the flexibility of the joints.

Ayurveda can help you treat and manage RA naturally. Ayurveda is the science of life which considers the vitiation of any dosha, i.e. Vata, Pitta, and Kapha the cause of different diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis is called Amavata in the Ayurvedic terms and caused due to the imbalance of Vata dosha and balancing it is the main aim of the treatment so the disease can be eradicated from the root cause. Along with vitiation of the Vata dosha, there occurs the impairment of the digestive fire that results in the formation of the endotoxin (Ama) in the body. This ama deposits in the joints causing swelling and inflammation.

HERBAL REMEDIES FOR RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS BY PLANET AYURVEDA

Planet Ayurveda is a renowned herbal pharmaceutical brand that involves in the production of herbal medicines. These medicines are purely natural, herbal, and vegetarian. No chemicals, dye, fillers, yeast, additive, or preservatives are added to these medicines which make them safer to take and enhances the efficiency of the supplements as well. All the herbal products are prepared under the strict supervision of the MD Ayurveda doctors as per the guidelines given in ancient Ayurvedic texts and further are prescribed to patients as per the ailments they are suffering from. For Rheumatoid Arthritis also Planet Ayurveda offers an RA Care Pack that helps in the natural management of the disease.

Treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis

Product list – RA Care Pack

  1. Boswellia Curcumin
  2. Aamvatantak churna
  3. Ashwagandha capsule
  4. Joint Aid Plus
  5. Rumogin 5 Capsule

Product Description

1. Boswellia curcumin

Shallkai (Boswellia serrata) and active compound of curcumin (Curcuma longa) are used in the standardized form to prepare Boswellia curcumin capsules that act as a promising pain reliever and treats inflammation and damage of the affected joints in RA.

Dosage- Take 2 capsules twice daily after meals with plain water

2. Aamvatantak churna

This herbal churna effectively treats conditions involving joints and muscle damage. Aamvatantak churna is a combination of various herbs like Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Sonth (Zingiber officinale), etc. This therapeutic churna helps in relieving pain and swelling of muscles and joints by treating the inflammation.

 Dosage- Take 1 teaspoonful twice daily after meals with plain

3. Ashwagandha capsule

Ashwagandha capsules are the single herb capsules prepared from the standardized extract of Withania somnifera. These capsules are full of amazing therapeutic properties that make them a choice of medicine in treating RA. It helps in strengthening muscles and joints and prevents damage to them.

Dosage– Take 2 capsules twice daily after meals with plain water

4. Joint aid plus

Joint aid plus from Planet Ayurveda is a pure herbal formulation prepared using an effective mixture of potent herbs for treating various joint disorders including RA. The ingredients used are Shallaki (Boswellia serrata), Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Guggul (Commiphora mukul), Nirgundi (Vitex negundo), and Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). All these herbs work synergistically to maintain healthy joints and prevent any damage or deformity of them; also it helps in increasing the range of motion.

Dosage– Take 2 capsules twice daily after meals with plain water

5. Rumogin 5 capsule

Rumogin 5 capsules are an effective combination of Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Shallaki (Boswellia serrata), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Pippali (Piper longum), and Maricha (Piper nirgum) herbs that possess anti-inflammatory effects and treat inflammation and prevent damage to the joints.

Dosage– Take 1 capsule twice daily after meals with plain water

CONCLUSION

Rheumatoid arthritis is a much common disease and affects millions of people worldwide. Its herbal management can help the suffering people to get rid of the agonizing complaints and eliminate the root cause. As these medicines are purely natural, they can be taken for a longer time also and do not poses any risk to other body parts, unlike modern medicine.

Ayurveda can help these affected people who are daily suffering to pull day in and out in this immense pain!

How Ayurveda Deals With Rheumatoid Arthritis (Ra)

Arthritis is a very common disease that has affected millions of people throughout the globe either in the form of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that primarily affects small joints of hands and feet, further it involves the bigger joints. It is a progressive disease that  disturbs the normal chores of individuals and usually it affects females than males. Those who are affected by rheumatism presents with stiff and inflamed joints along with pain. Initially, it affects joints further it can affect the other organs also.

According to Ayurveda

According to Ayurveda rheumatoid arthritis is called as Aamavata. Here, in this condition, the main involved entities are – Agni, Vata and Ama.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS?

  • Weak immune system
  • Improper diet and lifestyle
  • Genetic factor
    Risk factors-
  • Obesity
  • Age above 50 are more prone to rheumatoid arthritis.
  •  Smoking and alcohol

FAST FACTS ON RA

  • Swelling and pain increases during the rainy season and cold weather.
  • RA initially affects small joints, with time it affects large joints too.
  • Usually, stiffness occurs in the early morning and as the day passes, person feels better.
  • Stiffness often relieves with mild physical activities.
  • Sometimes symptoms tend to disappear but relapse after a short period of time.
  • It also affects other systems of the body.
  • Initially, RA affects interphalangeal joints, further it can affect bigger joints.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

SYMPTOMS

Rheumatoid Arthritis

(Reference – Bhavaprakasha / Madhyam khanda / Chikitsa sthana / Chapter no. 26 / Shloka no.7)

  • In this shloka symptoms of Amavata (Rheumatoid arthritis) are explained, they are

Angamarda (Body pains)

  • Vrishchak damsha vat vedanam” means the  character of pain is same as of scorpion bite.

This is the cardinal sign of rheumatoid arthritis.

  • Aruchi (Loss of appetite due to mandagni)
  • Trishna (Increased thirst)
  • Goravam (Heaviness all over the body)
  • Jwara (Low-grade fever)
  • Apaka (Indigestion)
  • Inflammation – Usually swelling is present in all affected joints, especially more at knees.
  • Tenderness
  • Itching – Mostly itching is present along with swelling. Itching occurs due to kapha.
  • Stiffness – Early morning stiffness is also a cardinal sign of amavata. Gentle physical activities relieve stiffness
  • Warm – On touch, the inflamed area is hot /warm.
  • Weakness
  •  Decreased sleep
  • Reduced mobility or functional deformity of affected joints
  • In severe cases, joint deformity (swan neck deformity), arthritis mutilans and nodules can occur.

CATEGORIES

We can categorize amavata on the basis of dosha involvement

  • Vata pradhan amavata – Pain is the prominent feature of vata pradhan amavata.
  • Pitta pradhan amavata – Burning sensation along with redness on the affected joints is the typical sign of pitta pradhan amavata
  • Kapha pradhan amavata – Itching and stiffness on the afflicted joints  are the main features of kaphajanya amavata.

DIAGNOSIS

  • Alone on a clinical basis, we can’t confirm the diagnosis, we need to take the help of some other diagnostic tools to confirm rheumatoid arthritis.

These diagnostic tools are:

  • Rheumatoid factor
  • ESR (Erythrocyte sedimentation rate)
  • C-reactive (CRP)
  • X–ray
  • MRI

MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

  • The main cause of amavata is Mandagni so, the management starts with Agni

Management Strategy includes:

  • Increasing digestive fire
  • Detoxifying the body
  • Symptomatic management
  • Restoring functional deformity.
  • Boosting Immunity

Ayurvedic Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

TREATMENT ACCORDING TO AYURVEDA

  • Treatment includes palliative care as well as detoxifying procedures, they are

Panchakarma

  • Among purification procedures Patra pinda swedana or Valluka Sweda, Upanaha sweda, Virechana, Vaitarna basti or Kshaar basti are helpful. They help to remove toxins and restore the functional deformities.

PALLIATIVE CARE

  • Internal medicines are required to remove toxins,  manage the symptoms and eradicate the cause of rheumatoid arthritis. Thus, Planet Ayurveda offers herbal supplements to manage rheumatoid arthritis by the name of ‘RA CARE PACK’, that includes – Boswellia curcumin, Aamavatantak churna, Joint aid plus, Ashwagandha and Rumogin 5 capsules.

RA CARE PACK

Let us go through their action

BOSWELLIA CURCUMIN

  • These capsules contain Shallaki (Boswellia serrata) and Haridra (Curcuma longa). Shallaki is a well-known herb for its action on joints. It has anti-arthritic and anti–inflammatory properties that help to relieve inflammation, restores the function of affected joints, and reduces the level of cartilage degrading enzyme.
  • Haridra has anti- inflammatory and anti- histamine properties thus relieves inflammation and infections.

Dosage: 2 capsules twice daily with plain water, after meals.

AAMVATANTAK CHURNA

  • The constituents of this formulation are – Ashwagandha, haridra, methi, gorakhmundi, surnanjan, shunthi. These herbs help to eliminate toxins, cleanse the channels of body, relieves stiffness and also these herbs act on digestive fire thus work as an appetizer and reduces the production of Aama.

Dosage: ½ to 1 teaspoon twice daily with plain water, after meals.

ASHWAGANDHA CAPSULES

  • Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)   is a health tonic that helps to rejuvenate the body, boosts up immunity and also helps to maintain body strength and vigor. In amavata, ashwagandha alters the surroundings of joints so that the toxins will not gather over them.

Dosage: 2 capsules twice a day with plain water, after meals.

JOINT AID PLUS

  • These capsules composed of nirgundi, shallaki, ashwagandha, sounth, guggulu and giloy. It is considered as one of the best herbal supplements for rheumatoid arthritis because the herbs possess anti- inflammatory and analgesic properties. Thus, it reduces inflammation of swollen joints and pains by removing aama from the affected joints.

Dosage: 2 capsules twice daily with plain water, after meals.

RUMOGIN 5 CAPSULES

  • This herbal formulation contains, haldi, shallaki, and trikatu (saunth, maricha, and pippali). Basically, helps to strengthen joints detoxify body

Dosage: 1 capsule twice daily with plain water, after meals.

EXTERNAL APPLICATION

  • a) Lepa application of medicated paste over affected joints is beneficial. For this, you can prefer – vaishnavar churna, panchakola churna, etc.
  • b) Abhyanga – Oil massage is helpful you can use vishagarbha taila, dashmula taila, prasarnyadi taila, brihat saindhava taila, etc.

GUIDELINES

  • YOGA AND PHYSICAL EXERCISES are helpful in this condition to relieve stiffness.

HOME REMEDIES

  • You can add shunthi (dry ginger) powder in your diet, daily consumption of 1 gm of shunthi with lukewarm water on an empty stomach is proven beneficial in this condition.
  • Gomutra – Cow urine is helpful in treating rheumatoid arthritis, you can consume 5 ml of cow urine daily.
  • You can use hot and cold pack compressions alternately.
  • Castor oil is also helpful.

Diet in Rheumatoid arthritis

Avoid

  • Curd, milk, black gram, oily foods, all sea foods, citrus fruits, potatoes, brinjal, red meat, fast food, etc.

In Take

  • Prefer – Shunthi, shigru, rasona, hot water, black pepper, haldi, amla ajwain, hinga, jeeraka, karela, neem, apple, pumpkin, pointed gourd, lentils, etc.