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THE HERBAL WAY OF TREATING ARTHRITIS
Arthritis is a joint disorder and requires no introduction as such. When a person complains of joint pain especially of the knee, with or without swelling and with difficulty in movement of the joint, he or she is most likely to be suffering from arthritis. Generally, this is a disease of the middle and the elderly though rheumatoid arthritis affects the young.
When joint pain is associated with fever and is of a fleeting nature is known as 'Ama vata' in Ayurveda or simply, the rheumatic arthritis. This disease affects the big joints, is usually recurrent and is often caused due to exposure to cold. If untreated it causes deformity of the limbs and affects the heart. This is produced in the body by indigestion as well as metabolism and gets lodged in the joints to produce inflammation and pain.
The systemic complaints are loss of appetite, body ache, excessive thirst, constipation, excessive urination and joint stiffness. The pain experienced by the patient is excruciating and is compared to the pain caused by the sting of a scorpion. Due to the pain and the swelling of the joint, there is reduced joint movement that is the pain prevents the patient from making movements. Lack of movement then causes stiffness and deformity.
First of all treatment for ‘Ama Vata’ is very important for treating arthritis. Since Ama and Vayu are the root causes of this disease, the treatment aims at correcting their imbalance. Persons suffering from rheumatic arthritis are usually constipated and have poor digestive power. This is corrected by first making the patient fast for a few days. Total fasting is only possible in people with a healthy constitution. Those with a weak constitution are put on a low fat and light diet. They are allowed to drink warm water or sometimes a decoction of pippali, sunthi in sufficient quantities to quench the thirst. This decoction helps in digestion and also quenches the thirst.
To relieve constipation the patient is put on castor oil. Since many people find it difficult to take this oil in its own form, it can be mixed in the flours of jowar or bajra that is used to make chappatis. The use of other oils is prohibited in arthritis but castor oil is beneficial. Castor oil has a purgative effect and is not absorbed by the body. Along with this effect it shows some degree of anti-inflammatory action hence castor oil is highly recommended in ‘Ama vata’.
Along with oral medications, local use of a hot bag of sand or rock salt for fomentation is advised. Sauna baths are also helpful in relieving the pain of arthritis. In osteoarthritis, use of herbal oil for local massage is also advised.
Dietary restrictions are a must for a person suffering from arthritis. The patient should strictly avoid sour things such as tamarind, tomatoes, pickles and even curd. Pulses such as peas, beans dal, fried items and fermented food products such as idlis should be avoided. Rice should also be avoided. The patient should have plenty of garlic, ginger, bitter gourd (Karela) and drumsticks. Bajra rotis are very beneficial and should be taken regularly. Moong dal and green leafy vegetables should also be included in the diet.
One to two garlic cloves swallowed with warm water an hour before breakfast provide heat and lubrication to the joints. This should be practiced daily for at least two months.
Avoid taking sugar and use pure honey, molasses as sweetening agents. Raw juices made from Alfa alfa, beet root, carrots, celery ,(Aiwan ka patta), cucumber and parsley can be helpful.
Fresh pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that has significant anti-inflammatory properties. Reduce intake of vegetable oils and increase the intake of oils rich in omega three fatty acids, 200 grams of fenugreek seeds (Methi), 100 grams of kala jeera and 25 grams of ajwain are powdered and half a teaspoonful of this mixture is very beneficial if taken twice daily with water. Juices of holy basil (tuisi) leaves mixed with raw turmeric juice if taken daily helps in curing the disease. Walnuts are very beneficial in arthritis. Two walnuts should be chewed properly empty stomach in winters for fifteen days.
Oil of wintergreen and oil of rosemary can be successfully used in curing arthritis. The patient should take rest but at the same time he should not keep the joints immobilized. He should undertake some light and gentle exercises to keep the joints in movement.
Source : AYURVEDA and ALL
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