Amavata (Rheumatoid Arthritis) in Ayurveda

The Ayurvedic term for rheumatoid arthritis is Amavata. Ayurveda says the reason for this disease is formation of Ama (toxins) in the body due to poor digestion, followed by vitiation of all Dosha i.e. Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

Ama is formed in the body due to incomplete digestion of foods. It is cold, slimy and heavy. This toxic-poisonous waste produced by digestive weakness is said to clog the channels in the body (the shrotas), giving rise to disease. Ama is first localized to Kapha regions (chest, stomach, joint) and then vitiated by Vata, Pitta, and Kapha and circulates in the whole body causing joint problems, stiffness, lethargy, dullness, lack of mind clarity, confusion, and heaviness.

In Ayurveda, it is believed Amavata develops due to intake of incompatible foods, chronic indigestion, intake of rough, cold, dry, unclean, and difficult to digest foods, faulty habits of living, lack of exercise and doing exercise after taking heavy meal.

Amavata is a chronic disease that leads to inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. It can also affect other organs.

Symptoms of Amavata

The main symptom of Amavata is pain in joints and deformity of joints. Other important symptoms include:

1. General debility
2. Severe pain in joints in morning
3. Shifting pain
4. Stiffness of joints
5. Chest heaviness, pain in sacrum
6. Increased body temperature
7. Difficulty in the body movements
8. Deformation of joint
9. Weak digestion
10. Loss of appetite
11. Bad taste in the mouth
12. Thirst, lethargy, swelling
13. Constipation
14. Bloating, gas, pain, contractions

In case, there is dominance of Vata Dosha, person feels pain in the body, gas, bloating, giddiness and stiffness of joints. The pain in joints is severe.

In Kapha dominance, there are heaviness in the body, digestive symptoms like vomiting, indigestion, low appetite, etc. and itching and loss of movement.

When there is dominance of Pitta Dosha, person may have fever, digestive symptoms, giddiness, confusion, burning sensation and redness of the affected joints.

Ayurvedic Medicines used in the treatment of Amavata

There are many medicinal herbs which are used in the treatment of Amavata. The most important herbs include Guggul, Giloy, Eranda / Castor, Nirgundi (Vitex negundo), Prasarini, Rasna (Pluchea lanceolata), Rasona / Garlic (Allium sativum), Shallaki (Boswellia serrata), and Shunthi. The decoction prepared from these herbs in various combination shows a beneficial effect in disease. The decoction of Dashmula helps to reduce swelling. Decoction of Rasna, Giloy, Eranda and ginger gives relief in Amavata.

Below is given name of some classical Ayurvedic herbal medicines which are indicated in this condition.

Kwath / Decoction / Kadha

1. Rasnasaptak kwath
2. Dashmula Kwath with eranda taila.
3. Rasnadi Kashayam

Churna / Powder

1. Ajmodadi Churna
2. Panchkol Churna
3. Shunthi Churna
4. Vaishvanara churna
5. Nimbadi Churna

Guggulu

1. Simhanad guggulu / Singhnad Guggulu
2. Yogaraj guggulu
3. Amritadi Guggulu
4. Rasnadi Guggulu

Ras Aushadhi

1. Amavatari rasa
2. Rasraj Ras

Ghrita

1. Amrita Ghrita

What to eat

1. In Amavata, eat easy to digest foods, bitter vegetables (Karela, Parval), digestive stimulants, pungent and appetizing foods.
2. Yava (barley), kulattha (horse gram), Raktashali (rice), Shigru (drum sticks), Punarnava, Ardrak, Sonth (ginger), Garlic, all are Pathya.
3. Drink hot water.
4. Panchkola Churna taken with hot water is beneficial.
5. Giloy, Ginger medicated Ghee is useful.
6. Pranayama, yoga, meditation helps in this condition.

What not to eat

1. Do not eat curd, fish, jaggery, milk, flesh of aquatic animals, heavy food, lour of mash (black gram), ice creams sweets, junk food, uncooked food, salty, spicy, oily food.
2. Do not drink cold water and cold beverages.
3. Daytime sleeping, suppression of natural urges, exposure to cold, wind, use of Air Conditioners A.C. should be avoided.