Herbal Remedies For Fibromyalgia
Abstract
Fibromyalgia is a muscle disorder of muscle pain. Muscles are the contractile tissue that is found in animals. The muscle cells of skeletal muscles are longer than any other type of muscle cells. The function of muscles is to produce motion or muscles have a range of functions from pumping blood to supporting movement to lifting heavy weights or to give birth. These muscles have pain receptors too. If there is any injury due to any cause then these pain receptors senses the damage and causes the pain to the person. But there is a disease in which these pain receptors causes pain with or without any cause. So in today’s article we are going to discuss fibromyalgia and herbal remedies for fibromyalgia.
Introduction
Fibromyalgia is a condition which is characterized by chronic widespread pain and a heightened pain response to the pressure. This is a long term condition that causes widespread musculoskeletal pain all over the body that is accompanied by sleep problems, fatigue, memory problems and often emotional as well as mental distress. In this condition, patient may be more sensitive to pain than people without fibromyalgia. Women are more likely to develop fibromyalgia than men. This disease affects about 4 million people in the world. Basically, fibromyalgia means muscle and fibrous connective tissue pain.
Ayurvedic Aspect Of Fibromyalgia
By seeing the symptoms of this disease we can simply correlate this disease with Mansagata Vata disease. This is all because pain is due to vitiated Vata dosha. Vitiated vata dosha takes place from either wasting of dhatus or obstruction in the passage. Acharya Charak mentioned that due to rough, cold, little food, excessive coitis, excessive movements such as leaping, jumping, wayfaring and physical exercise, excessive emaciation due to anxiety, grief and illness, suppression of urges and indigestion will lead to vitiation of vata dosha and further this will results into contractures of the joints, stiffness in joints, tearing in bones and joints, Pricking pain all over the body, generalized bodyache, fatigue, heaviness in the body, horripilation, delirium, sleeplessness, numbness in organs, tearing, piercing pain, distress, convulsion, mental confusion and exhaustion. These all are the causes and symptoms of vitiated vata dosha and so as in fibromyalgia. Hence this disease is well correlated with fibromyalgia.
Etiology/Causes
There is no exact cause for fibromyalgia. However, doctors believed it to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors and also it believes that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way that brain and spinal cord process painful and non painful signals. This condition runs in families and hence many genes are believed to be involved. Environmental factors may include trauma, stress and other infections. Also in recent studies, a study investigated that autoimmune may contribute to this disease. One theory proposes that in this disease there is increased reactivity of pain sensitive nerve cells in the spinal cord or brain.
Clinical Features/Signs And Symptoms
The most common symptom of fibromyalgia is bodyache. The other symptoms of this disease are:
- Muscle Pain
- Muscle twitching or tightness
- Tender Joints
- Sleep Disturbance
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Headache
- Sensitivity to cold, heat, light or sound
- Memory Impairment
- Weakness
- Tingling or numbness in hands and feet
Risk Factors
The known risk factors include:
- Women are more prone to this disease than men.
- If someone is suffering from Rheumatoid arthritis or Lupus then that person more likely to develop fibromyalgia.
- Chronic stress or traumatic events.
- Family history
- Obesity
- Repetitive stress on a joint
Complications
The continuous pain, fatigue and poor sleep quality associated with fibromyalgia results in depression and health-related anxiety.
Diagnosis
There are no exact laboratory findings or biomarkers that can diagnose fibromyalgia. But the following criteria should be used for the diagnosis of this disease:
- A history of pain lasting more than three months
- Tender points on the body: There are some specific tender points on the body to make a diagnosis. To meet the criteria, must have pain in at least four or five areas in the body:
- Left and right upper region: It includes shoulder, arm or jaw.
- Left and right lower region: It includes hip, buttock or jaw.
- Axial region: It includes neck, back, chest or abdomen.
Ayurvedic Management For Vataj Disorders
In this condition we have to give drugs which pacify vata dosha like madhura (sweet), Amla (sour) and lavana (Salty) taste. To alleviate Vata dosha we can also give snigdha Aahara (food containing more water content). For vata disorders we have to do Niruha basti (unctuous Enema) because basti is the best treatment for Vata disorders. These all measures are effective in pacifying vitiated Vata dosha and alleviate pain in the body, because Vata is the root cause of pain.
Some classical Ayurvedic formulation for Vataj Disorders
Ras
- Vata gajankush ras
- Vata Chintamani ras
- Chaturmukh ras
- Yogendra ras
- Vatari ras
- Vata vidhwansan ras
- Rasraj ras
- Trailokya Chintamani ras
Churna
- Ashwagandha Churna
- Panchkol Churna
- Narsingh Churna
Kwath
- Maharasnadi Kwath
- Rasnasaptak Kwath
- Dashmool Kwath
- Gokshuradi Kwath
Guggul
- Yograj Guggul
- Mahayograj Guggul
- Kaishore Guggulu
- Sinhaad Guggul
- Panchamrut Loha Guggul
Asava/Arishta
- Dashmoolarishta
- Balarishta
- Ashwagandharishta
- Drakshasava
Taila
- Mahanarayan Taila
- Bala Ashwagandha Taila
- Prasarini Taila
- Bala Taila
Herbal Remedies For Fibromyalgia
The effective herbal remedies are provided by Planet Ayurveda. This is a manufacturing company that is GMP certified and also this is a leading herbal company worldwide. The products are natural and prepared from the potent herbs extracts. They are made under the guidance of expert Ayurvedic physicians. The Planet Ayurveda offers the following herbal remedies for Fibromyalgia:
- Joint Aid Plus
- Aamvatantak Churna
- Stress Support
- Boswellia Curcumin
- Shatavari Ghrit
Product Description
1. Joint Aid Plus
This is a poly herbal formulation. It is the best herbal remedy for joint problems. This is made from the wonderful herbs like Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Nirgundi (Vitex negundo), Shallaki (Boswellia serrata), Guggul (Commiphora mukul) and Shunthi (Zingiber officinale). These herbs have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. They work quickly and are excellent alternatives to painkillers without any side effects. This is a pure natural product for all types of painful and inflammatory conditions. These herbs calms the over excitement in the muscles and also calms the brain over activity. This herbal product is useful in osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Tonsillitis, Psoriatic arthritis, Fibromyalgia, etc.
Dosage: 2 capsules twice daily with warm water.
2. Aamvatantak Churna
This is an herbal formulation in a powder form. This is the best herbal formulation for arthritis and painful joints and muscles. This formulation contains the herbal extracts of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Shunthi (Zingiber officinale), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Suranjan (Colchicum autumnale), Gorakhmundi (Sphaeranthus indicus), etc. These herbs help in reducing the inflammation and pain in the body. This Ayurvedic formulation is also helpful in improving digestion as it has digestive and appetizer properties. These herbs act together in a synergistic manner and control acute and chronic pain in joints and muscles.
Dosage: 1 teaspoonful twice daily with warm water.
3. Stress Support
This is a poly herbal formulation of Planet Ayurveda. This is an effective stress relief formula for stress and anxiety due to any cause. This herbal remedy is a powerful combination of herbs that gives relief from stress such as Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Tagar (Valeriana wallichii) and Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri). These three herbs have properties to calm down the brain over activity and help in fighting against chronic diseases or debilitating conditions. It contains adaptogenic herbs which adapt the mind to fight stress naturally. These three herbs do not contain any kind of chemicals and preservatives that cause drowsiness or memory loss.
Dosage: 1 capsule twice daily with warm water.
4. Boswellia Curcumin
This is a wonderful herbal combination of anti-inflammatory herbs. These capsules are made from the standardized extracts of two herbs i.e. Shallaki (Boswellia serrata) and Curcumin (Curcuma longa). These two herbs have very potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It reduces the pain in the joints and muscles. So helpful in the treatment of fibromyalgia. They promote the blood circulation in the muscles and joints to improve the health of the joints and muscles.
Dosage: 2 capsules twice daily with warm water.
5. Shatavari Ghrit
This is a natural Ayurvedic formulation used in the treatment of Gynecological disorders. This herbal medicine is in ghee form. This product is prepared from the ingredients such as Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), doodh (Bos taurus), Mulathi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Jeevak (Microstylis muscifera), Kakoli (Lilium polyphyllum), Munakka (Vitis vinifera) etc. This is a very helpful remedy for maintaining the female health. This product balances Vata and Pitta doshas. It balances the hormonal disturbances in the body. Shatavari ghrit is used in the diseases like urinary tract infections, menstrual problems, ache in limbs, leucorrhea, infertility, dysmenorrheal, etc.
Dosage: ½ tsp twice a day with warm water.
Conclusion
We concluded that herbal formulations have a great role in treating these kinds of chronic problems. The above mentioned herbal products are very safe to use as they do not have any side effects and also they provide wonderful health benefits. For more doubts you can visit www.planetayurveda.com
