Arthritis, known as Sandhigata Vata or Amavata in Ayurveda, refers to joint disorders caused by the imbalance of Vata dosha and the accumulation of toxins (Ama) in the joints. Ayurveda offers a holistic approach to managing arthritis by addressing the root causes, restoring dosha balance, and improving overall joint health.
Ayurvedic Perspective on Arthritis
• Causes: Poor digestion (Mandagni), improper diet, sedentary lifestyle, and dosha imbalance.
• Pathogenesis: Accumulation of Ama (toxins) in the joints obstructs Vata flow, causing pain, stiffness, swelling, and immobility.
Ayurvedic Treatment Principles:
1. Detoxification: Elimination of toxins through Panchakarma therapies.
2. Balancing Doshas: Pacifying Vata dosha with herbal and dietary measures.
3. Rejuvenation: Strengthening joints and nourishing tissues (Dhatus).
Common Therapies:
1. Panchakarma:
• Virechana (purgation): Removes Pitta and Ama.
• Basti (medicated enema): Specifically effective for Vata disorders.
• Abhyanga (oil massage) and Swedana (steam therapy): Relieve stiffness and improve circulation.
2. Herbal Medicines:
• Ashwagandha: Reduces inflammation and strengthens tissues.
• Rasna: Alleviates joint pain.
• Guggulu (e.g., Yograj Guggulu): Detoxifies and reduces swelling.
• Nirgundi: Anti-inflammatory and analgesic.
3. Dietary Advice:
• Avoid heavy, oily, and processed foods that increase Ama.
• Include warm, easily digestible meals, spices like ginger and turmeric, and Vata-pacifying foods.
Types of Arthritis in Modern Science
1. Osteoarthritis (OA):
• Degeneration of cartilage leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced joint mobility.
3. Gout:
• Caused by uric acid crystal deposits in joints, leading to severe pain and redness.
4. Psoriatic Arthritis:
• Associated with psoriasis, leading to joint pain and skin lesions.
Difference Between Ayurvedic and Modern Treatment
Aspect Ayurvedic Treatment Modern Treatment
Approach Focuses on root cause, detoxification, and balance. Symptom management and pain relief.
Medications Herbal remedies with minimal side effects. NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and biologics.
Lifestyle Integration Emphasizes diet, yoga, and daily routines. Minimal emphasis on holistic lifestyle changes.
Long-term Relief Addresses chronic causes for sustainable recovery. Relies on ongoing medication for symptom control.
Side Effects Rare and mild. Common, including gastrointestinal and liver issues.
Sustainability Preventive and curative. Primarily focuses on managing symptoms.
Why Ayurveda is Effective in Arthritis
1. Addresses the root cause, not just symptoms.
2. Holistic approach with lifestyle, diet, and natural remedies.
3. Safe for long-term use without harmful side effects.
4. Improves overall health and prevents recurrence.
By integrating Ayurveda’s timeless wisdom, arthritis can be managed naturally, restoring balance and improving joint health effectively.
Rheumatoid Arthritis termed as Amavata in Ayurveda is known as an autoimmune disease that leads to chronic inflammation and causes severe pain in the small and large joints.
It is also responsible for inflammation of the tissue surrounding the joints, as well as in other organs in the body such as kidneys, eyes, heart, and lungs.
Autoimmune diseases are diseases that occur when own body’s tissues are attacked by their immune system.
Patients with autoimmune diseases such as Rheumatoid arthritis or Amavata consist of antibodies in their blood that attacks their body tissues, where they lead to inflammatory conditions.
Because it can affect multiple organs of the body, Rheumatoid Arthritis or Amavata is referred to as a systemic illness and also known as rheumatoid disease.
It was noticed that about 75% of RA patients are women. About, 1 – 4% of women may get rheumatoid arthritis in their lifetime.
The disease most often begins between the ages of 30-50. Rheumatoid Arthritis is defined as a chronic disease that causes joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and decreased movement of the joints.
Small joints in the feet and hands are most commonly affected. The stiffness of joints in active RA is often the worst in the morning that commonly lasts for one to two hours (or even the whole day).
It generally improves with the movement of the joints. If the person having stiffness for a long time in the morning it is indicated that you may have RA, as this is not common in other conditions.
Generally, there are 100 different types of arthritis but most common is osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.
Symptoms:
Pain in joints
Inflammation in joints
Stiffness, swelling, redness, and warmth
Tenderness in inflamed joints
Fever
Weight loss
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Dry eyes and mouth from a related health problem
Morning stiffness for 30 minutes or longer
The same joints on both sides of the body are affected.
Causes:
The specific causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis have yet to be identified. Thus it is an autoimmune disease but several conditions that cause rheumatoid arthritis are given below –
Family history
Environmental exposures
Obesity
Smoking
Hormonal imbalance
Weak immune system.
Age
Injury
Genetic defect
Gradual deterioration of cartilage
Diagnosis:
Physical examination- check swelling, redness, and tenderness
Imaging examination- X-ray, MRI
Joint fluid analysis- fluid is withdrawn with a needle from the affected joint and with this one can check inflammation or any infection that causes pain.
Ayurveda view:
In Ayurveda, Rheumatoid Arthritis is termed as ‘’Amavata’’. Amavata is a disease in which vitiation of Vata Dosha and accumulation of Ama take place in joint(s), and it simulates rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in modern parlance.
Ama is an undigested product, which is not homogeneous for the body. Whenever that Ama gets localized in the body tissue or joints, it can lead to the production of pain, stiffness, swelling, tenderness, etc in the related joints.
Common signs and Symptoms are Jwara (pyrexia), Alasya (lethargy), Apaka (indigestion), Aruchi (anorexia), Gaurava (heaviness in the body), Asyavairasya (altered taste perception), Daurbalya (weakness), Akarmanyata (inability to do work), Utsahahani (laziness), Angamarda (body ache), Daha (burning sensation), Trishna (increased thirst), etc.
Tips:
A Vata-type arthritis diet is used to increase Vata doshas – so indigestible food, easily digestible, cold drinks and cold foods, like salads & smoothies, should be avoided. Legumes, barley, dried grains of corn and, tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants have to be avoided.
Normally, resin and extract of the Guggulu plant are used as medicine for treatment.
Guggulu has a multipurpose effect – it acts as an anti-inflammatory, expels gases and also acts as a laxative and detoxifying agent, and many more.
Besides, it helps in lubrication and rejuvenation of the joints, helps in the movement of joints. There are different types of guggul, for balancing Vata doshas e.g.: Yograj guggul. Haritaki is also useful in this. Useful in osteochondrosis, gout, etc.
It helps to restore the mobility of joints and keeps them fit.
Pitta Arthritis is a diet that increases Pitta doshas. Hot and spicy foods, spinach, yogurt tomatoes, etc. are to avoid. Amalaki is very useful
Apply Cold coconut or castor oil on affected joints is very beneficial. A paste made with sandalwood water and dust, which is rubbed in affected areas provides a soothing effect.
In the case of tenderness and inflamed joints, cold compresses heal inflammation and pain in joints.
Kapha Arthritis uses a diet to balance Kapha doshas – avoid cold drinks and dairy products. Punarnava Guggal, Bibhitaki, etc. are recommended for this type of arthritis.
It is advisable to take a spoonful of Triphala churan with half to one glass of lukewarm water at night time.
Triphala is an effective treatment in all types of arthritis. In rheumatoid arthritis, the chavanprash consists of 50 herbs and minerals, has a very good healing effect.
Food to be taken:
Grains which are easy to digest like cooked rice, oats, and cream of wheat
Legumes like lentils, dal, moong beans, tofu, and miso
Consume only lukewarm or water boiled with ginger root, which eases digestion and helps to remove toxins from the body
Take more and more green and leafy vegetables
Buttermilk
Berries
Take spices like garlic, ginger, and turmeric as they have anti-inflammatory properties and aid with digestion
Sweet potatoes
Cooked or soaked raisins
Cooked apples
Squash
Exercise:
Exercise like yoga, swimming, tai chi, and walking are recommended. Deep breathing like anulom viyom and daily meditation is also recommended.
Yoga may be especially beneficial for RA. Helps to relieve pain, provide energy and maintain overall physical and mental health,
going to bed early and rising early is best in arthritis
avoiding naps during the day if not needed much
take a light dinner two to three hours before bed, and then go with light walking
do massage of the soles of the feet with warm sesame oil a or putting on socks before getting into bed
Detox premium powder is a composition of herbal ingredients that detox your body by removing the toxins naturally. It contains ingredients like jahar mohra, akik pishti, gandhak rasayan, shankh bhasma, moti pishti, kamdudha ras, etc. It is the best medicine in reducing the redness, tenderness, stiffness, swelling in the case of rheumatoid arthritis.
Recommended Dosage – Take 1 sachet twice daily with normal water.
2. Trikatu Syrup:
Trikatu combines the goodness of Black pepper, Ginger and, Long pepper to create an herbal remedy for digestive ailments, sluggish metabolism, obesity, and high cholesterol. This syrup has best results in anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and expectorant. It also help to tackle the weight problems or obesity. It can modulate your body’s immune response while cutting the characteristic inflammation associated with the rheumatoid arthritis.
Recommended Dosage –Take 2 teaspoonful twice a day before meal with normal water.
3. Panchasakar Churna
As its name describes the churna has made up of a total of 5 natural ingredients – Swarna patri (Cassia angustifolia), Shunthi (Zingiber officinale), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Shatapushpa (Foeniculum vulgare), and Saindhava lavana (Rock salt). This churna is very beneficial to decrease the effect of aggravated Vata dosha thus relieves the excessive pain, discomfort, tenderness, etc. This wonderful remedy also corrects the digestive problems and other associated symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Recommended Dosage – Take 1 tablespoon with lukewarm water at bedtime.
4. Rasayan vati
Rasayan vati is herbo-mineral ayurvedic formulation, which is 100% natural. Rasayan vati contains various herbs such as Aswagandha, Shilajeet, Amla, Kesar, Musali, Shatavar, Brahmi Abhrak Bhasam, Swarn Makshik Bhasam, Yashad Bhasam, Mukta pisti, Praval pisti, Jaiphal, Vang Bhasam, Dalchini, Javitri, Gokhru, Kaunch Beej, Saunth, Mirch, Pipli, Amla, Kesar, Manjith, Anant Mool, Brahmi, Musali, Swarn Vang, etc. These ingredients show antioxidant, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, immuno-modulator properties.
Recommended Dosage – Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water.
5. Nerve up tablets:
Nerve up tablets help in balancing the vata doshas and kapha dosha, and acts as nervine stimulant. It shows effective results in improving the central nervous system. It contains natural ingredients like shudha kuchla, shudha shilajeet, abhrak bhasma, praval pishti, shankh bhasma etc. These contains natural vatahar properties and helps in curing vata disorders, speed up physical and mental processes. It act as Respiratory stimulant, helps in Joint pain, Inflammation, Stiffness, Gout, Arthritis, Bodyache, Erectile dysfunction, and Body weakness.
Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily.
6. Sheet dhara syrup:
It works on all the three doshas of body but mainly act on pitta dosha. It contains Ajwain, Kapur (camphor) and Mint leaves that help reduce Acidityand burning sensation in chest region with its cooling effects. It relaxes your mind also maintains Bloodpressure. CAC Sheet dhara help in controlling mood swings by which many women are affected nowadays. It also controls burping ,nausea and bloating. Acid Reflux, Burning sensation in chest region, Bloating, Nausea, Burping, Hiccups, Maintain blood pressure, Control mood swings, Stomach ulcers, Improves Appetite.
Recommended Dosage: Take 1/2 or 1 teaspoon of sheet dhara twice daily empty stomach.
7. Pain-O-kill Tablets
As the name suggests these tablets will kill the pain naturally. The herbs present in the formation of these tablets are Ashwagandha, Hadjod, Punarnava, Nirgundi, Methi, Garlic, etc. These herbs in combination show antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulator properties. The regular use of these tablets reduce body pain and acts on its root cause.
Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water.
USES OF SHEET DHARA:
Acid Reflux
Burning sensation in the chest region
Bloating
Nausea
Burping
Hiccups
Maintain blood pressure
Control mood swings
Stomach ulcers
Improves Appetite
Panchkarma
Medications can reduce inflammation in joints to relieve pain and prevent or slow joint damage. Occupational and physical therapy can help in protecting joints.
If joints are severely damaged by arthritis Panchakarma plays the best role in preventing the damage and allow the patient to work free from any kind of stiffness, discomfort, pain, etc.
Chandigarh Ayurved Centre provides the best Panchakarma therapies to manage the symptoms of arthritis in any stage. The procedures are done by experienced therapists under the guidance of expert Doctors. The therapies are given below –
Anuvasana Vasti – Anuvasana means to stay. They neither aggravate the doshas nor cause any complication. Saindhvadi oil is effective oil for anuvasana Vasti in amavata. Vasti is considered as the most useful therapeutic procedures in which medicated oils, decoctions, decoctions with milk, are introduced into the large intestines through the rectum with the help of basti yantra. Vasti is the best treatment for vata dosha, so also for pitta, kapha, rakta in sansarga & sannipata doshas. Vasti can eradicate most of the diseases occurring in Sakha, kostha & marma sthana.
Kshara Vasti – Kshara Vasti is considered as a Shodhana Chikitsa in the case of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Patients who have symptoms like Aruchi, Jwara, Shula, Shoth, are mainly recommended for this procedure. The therapy is very beneficial in removing the toxins and maintains the normal functioning of the digestive system.
Baluka Sweda – Swedan is a specialized treatment in Ayurveda which helps in providing unparalleled relief in pain, redness, swelling, stiffness, etc. In Baluka sweda we use heated sand tied in a bolus to provide heat to the pain-affected joints or body parts.
Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is a chronic, progressive autoimmune disease which means that the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake and causes inflammation (painful swelling) in the affected parts of the body.
This RA disease mainly attacks the big joints, mainly affects joints in the hands, wrists, and knees.
The joints that are affected with rheumatoid arthritis cause there is a lining of the joint which becomes inflamed and damages to the joint tissue.
Hence, it can cause chronic pain in joints, unsteadiness (lack of balance), and deformity.
It can also affect other tissues throughout the body and affects various organs such as the lungs, heart, and eyes.
Prevalence
This disease varies from 0.5% to 1.5% of the total population.
It mainly affects more women than men
The onset of the disease occurs between the age group of 30 to 55
It also shortens life expectancy by several years in both men as well as women.
Ayurvedic view of Rheumatoid Arthritis
In Ayurveda, Rheumatoid Arthritis is considered as ‘’Amavata’’. In this disease, there is a vitiation of Vata Dosha and accumulation of Ama in joints which can lead to the production of pain, swelling in joints, stiffness, tenderness, etc in the related joints.
Common Symptoms for arthristis include Jwara (pyrexia), Aruchi (anorexia), Akarmanyata (inability to do work), Angamarda (body ache), Alasya (lethargy), Apaka (indigestion), Asyavairasya (altered taste perception), Daurbalya (weakness), Gaurava (heaviness in the body), Trishna (increased thirst), Utsahahani (laziness), Daha (burning sensation), etc.
What are the causes of rheumatoid arthritis?
Nobody knows what is the main cause of the immune system to malfunction. But it involves multiple factors, including both genetic and environmental influences.
Immune cells play a crucial role in the pathogenesis, although the relative contribution of individual components remains uncertain. It occurs when an immune system mistakes the body’s healthy tissues for foreign invaders.
There is a proliferation of cells in the synovial layer of the joints which destroys cartilage, bone, and surrounding soft tissues.
In Rheumatoid Arthritis, the symptoms usually affect the same joints on both sides of the body.
Symptoms usually tend to come and go. During a remission, they can be mild. However, but during a flare, they can become severe.
Affected joints become swollen, inflamed, painful, and stiff. Synovial fluid may accumulate which causes an effusion.
Joint pain is usually more prominent and more which mainly occurs during rest or at night, and on activity.
Prolonged early morning stiffness is also a main diagnostic feature suggestive of inflammatory disease in joints.
There is a general feeling of being unwell or fever
Loss of function and mobility
Weight loss and weakness may be the symptom
What are the risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis?
People who are at a higher risk of developing Rheumatoid Arthritis illness may include:
People who are above or 60 years of age
Females are more prone to this disease
Obesity is also the main risk factor. Some researchers have stated that the more overweight a person was, the higher his or her risk of developing this condition.
Smoking or tobacco consumption or whose parents smoked when they were in their childhood.
What is the Ayurvedic treatment for rheumatoid arthritis?
Panchakarma therapies
Chandigarh Ayurved Centre provides the best panchakarma therapies that have been used in Ayurveda for many ages such as anuvasana vasti, kshara vasti and blluka vasti.
These procedures in combination with Ayurvedic formulations are the best way to cure arthritis.
Ayurvedic Formulations
Chandigarh Ayurved Centre provides a wonderful kit for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis which is known as Arthritis go kit.
This kit includes- Detox premium powder, Kaunchbeej capsule, Panchasakar churna, and Swarna Guggulu.
These also provide strength to the joints and reduces the morning stiffness by pacifying the vata dosha in the body.
1. Detox Premium Powder
Detox premium powder is a composition of herbal ingredients that detox your body by removing the toxins naturally. It contains ingredients like jahar mohra, akik pishti, gandhak rasayan, shankh bhasma, moti pishti, kamdudha ras, etc. It is the best medicine in reducing the redness, tenderness, stiffness, swelling in the case of rheumatoid arthritis.
Recommended Dosage – Take 1 sachet twice daily with normal water.
2. Trikatu Syrup:
Trikatu combines the goodness of Black pepper, Ginger and, Long pepper to create an herbal remedy for digestive ailments, sluggish metabolism, obesity, and high cholesterol. This syrup has best results in anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and expectorant. It also help to tackle the weight problems or obesity. It can modulate your body’s immune response while cutting the characteristic inflammation associated with the rheumatoid arthritis.
Recommended Dosage –Take 2 teaspoonful twice a day before meal with normal water.
3. Panchasakar Churna
As its name describes the churna has made up of a total of 5 natural ingredients – Swarna patri (Cassia angustifolia), Shunthi (Zingiber officinale), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Shatapushpa (Foeniculum vulgare), and Saindhava lavana (Rock salt). This churna is very beneficial to decrease the effect of aggravated Vata dosha thus relieves the excessive pain, discomfort, tenderness, etc. This wonderful remedy also corrects the digestive problems and other associated symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Recommended Dosage – Take 1 tablespoon with lukewarm water at bedtime.
4. Rasayan vati
Rasayan vati is herbo-mineral ayurvedic formulation, which is 100% natural. Rasayan vati contains various herbs such as Aswagandha, Shilajeet, Amla, Kesar, Musali, Shatavar, Brahmi Abhrak Bhasam, Swarn Makshik Bhasam, Yashad Bhasam, Mukta pisti, Praval pisti, Jaiphal, Vang Bhasam, Dalchini, Javitri, Gokhru, Kaunch Beej, Saunth, Mirch, Pipli, Amla, Kesar, Manjith, Anant Mool, Brahmi, Musali, Swarn Vang, etc. These ingredients show antioxidant, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, immuno-modulator properties.
Recommended Dosage – Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water.
5. Nerve up tablets:
Nerve up tablets help in balancing the vata doshas and kapha dosha, and acts as nervine stimulant. It shows effective results in improving the central nervous system. It contains natural ingredients like shudha kuchla, shudha shilajeet, abhrak bhasma, praval pishti, shankh bhasma etc. These contains natural vatahar properties and helps in curing vata disorders, speed up physical and mental processes. It act as Respiratory stimulant, helps in Joint pain, Inflammation, Stiffness, Gout, Arthritis, Bodyache, Erectile dysfunction, and Body weakness.
Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily.
6. Sheet dhara syrup:
It works on all the three doshas of body but mainly act on pitta dosha. It contains Ajwain, Kapur (camphor) and Mint leaves that help reduce Acidityand burning sensation in chest region with its cooling effects. It relaxes your mind also maintains Bloodpressure. CAC Sheet dhara help in controlling mood swings by which many women are affected nowadays. It also controls burping ,nausea and bloating. Acid Reflux, Burning sensation in chest region, Bloating, Nausea, Burping, Hiccups, Maintain blood pressure, Control mood swings, Stomach ulcers, Improves Appetite.
Recommended Dosage: Take 1/2 or 1 teaspoon of sheet dhara twice daily empty stomach.
7. Pain-O-kill Tablets
As the name suggests these tablets will kill the pain naturally. The herbs present in the formation of these tablets are Ashwagandha, Hadjod, Punarnava, Nirgundi, Methi, Garlic, etc. These herbs in combination show antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulator properties. The regular use of these tablets reduce body pain and acts on its root cause.
Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water.
These Ayurvedic formulations for Rheumatoid Arthritis are 100% safe, natural and are free from preservatives, fillers, colors, and additives. These are prepared under the strict supervision of MD Ayurveda Experts.
Rheumatoid Arthritis refers to the severe joint pain. It is an autoimmune disorder common in all age groups particularly in people over 40 years of age. In this disease the chemicals produced by our immune system attacks the soft tissues known as synovium of the joints and cause inflammation in them leading to swelling, stiffness, redness and pain in the joints. This inflammatory process damages the bone cartilages and the joint surfaces. In some cases, it even causes joint deformities and disability. Smaller joints are affected first in a symmetrical manner and then any joint get affected with the disease. Sometimes along with the joints, other organs and systems of the body, including the lungs, heart and kidneys can also get affected.
