Treatment of Arthritis in Ayurveda

Treatment of Arthritis: Arthritis is the condition of joints which include inflammation and tenderness of the joints. It can affect one or more joints.  It comes under chronic disease. (1) Women are more prone to have arthritis than men.

Types

There are many types of arthritis but the two most common types of arthritis are the following:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis.

Studies show that worldwide, 9.6% of men and 18.0% of women older than 60 have symptomatic osteoarthritis (2). For rheumatoid arthritis, prevalence rates vary between 0.3% and 1% and are more common in women than men and in developed countries(2).

Parts of the Body Affected by Arthritis

Arthritis is mainly an inflammation of the joints but later it causes damage to cartilages and bones.

Causes of Arthritis

It may be due to the abnormal functioning of the immune system and due to the destruction of cartilage (the deposition of material which protects the bones). It leads to the damage of joints and creates pain and inflammation there.

(Reference: AstangHridyam, Sutrasthanam, Chapter No., Shloka No. 13 & 14)

Meaning:

According to this shloka, a person who takes incompatible foods, excess of food and undigested food originates the excess of Amadosha which is considered as a poison.

Early Signs and Symptoms of Arthritis

The main common symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness. But there are also some early signs and symptoms that a person may experience which are estimated to be arthritis. These early signs help people to receive treatment at an early level.

Some early Signs and Symptoms of Arthritis are the following:

1. Fatigue

Fatigue is one of the common symptoms of arthritis, especially when inflammation of joints occurs. Generally, fatigue is a response of the body to inflammation, poor sleep, anemia, and medications. It results in laziness, lack of energy which affects feelings, emotions, and mood.

2. Joint Pain

Joint pain also caused due to the inflammation. It occurs in the wrist, fingers, and feet. It is a common sign of arthritis. Due to inflammation of the lining of the joint (synovium) becomes thicker and causes the production of synovial fluid. This made pressure on the joint capsule and disturbs the nerve endings which leads to joint pain.

3. Joint Swelling

Swelling the joints of hand and feet is a typical sign of arthritis. But little swelling in the joints which is difficult to understand is the early sign of arthritis. Sometimes, due to swelled joints, it becomes difficult to move joints and banding of fingers.

4. Joint Stiffness

Small joint stiffness is a very common early sign of arthritis. It can occur at any time of the day but in the morning it is common in arthritis. This can also happen when you are active or inactive.

5. Joint Warmth and Redness

The skin over the inflamed joint becomes red because the capillaries of the skin become widen due to inflammation. Joint warmth also occurs on the inflamed joint.

6. Joint Damage

Chronic arthritis can cause deformity or damage to joints. Inflammation leads to both abrasions of ligaments, cartilage, and bones.

7. Loss of Sensation in Joints

It includes numbness and tingling sensation of the hands and feet. It also comes under the early sign of arthritis. Due to the inflammation of the joints, nerves get compression which results in the loss of sensation.

8. Loss of motion in Joints

In the initial stages of arthritis, a person may have difficulty in bending the wrist. Over time, it can damage the joints (ligaments and tendons).

9. Anemia

In arthritis, chronic inflammation causes the bone marrow to reduce the discharge of red blood cells into the circulation. It causes anemia. So, it may an early sign of arthritis.

10. Fever

Mainly joint pain, inflammation, and other symptoms of joints are associated with arthritis. But low-grade fever may be an early sign of arthritis.

Treatment of Arthritis in Ayurveda by Planet Ayurveda

According to Ayurveda arthritis occurs due to an increase in Vata dosha in the body which causes pain and inflammation in the joints. Ayurveda provides proper treatment to manage the symptoms of arthritis. It includes some herbs which decrease the Vata dosha in the body and provide relief from the arthritis symptoms.

Herbs for Arthritis

• Curcumin (3)
• Ashwagandha(4)
• Shallaki (5)
• Boswellia (6)
• Green tea
• Willow bark

These herbs are used to form herbal products for arthritis. Planet Ayurveda provides the best Ayurvedic treatment of arthritis. The combination of herbal product is named as “Joint Support Pack”. The products included in this pack are the following:

1. Bone Support
2. Boswellia Curcumin
3. Yograj Guggul
4. Coral Calcium Complex

Products Description

1. Bone Support

Bone support capsules an effective Ayurvedic remedy for the treatment of arthritis. It contains a mixture of standardized extract of various herbs such as ShudhLaksha (Laccifer alacca), Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), Praval pishti (Corallium rubrum), Asthi shrinkhala (Cissusqua drangularis), and Sahijan (Moringa oleifera). Shudh Laksha strengthens the muscles and improves the calcium deposition in the bones. Arjuna relieves joint pains and maintains the strength of the bones. Praval Pisti is a natural source of minerals and calcium which are useful for the health of bone and joints.

Dosage: Two capsules two times daily with plain water after meals.

2. Boswellia Curcumin

Boswellia Curcumin is a made of standardized extract of two herbs i.e. Shallaki (Boswellia serrata) and Curcumin (Curcuma longa) which has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, dosha balancing, immunity uplifting properties. This formulation can be used in disorders like ankylosing spondylitis, cervical pain, knee pain, osteoarthritis, muscle stiffness, ligament injury, neck pain and many more.

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

3. Yograj Guggul

Yograj Guggul is a classical ayurvedic preparation in tablet form prepared using Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica), Yavani (Trachyspermum ammi) and numerous other herbs. Yograj guggul is a very good rasayan and immune booster. Along with managing joint disorders, it also gives good effect in digestive tract problems and acts as digestive and carminative. It balances all the three doshas but predominantly works in vata imbalance.

Dosage: 2 tablets twice daily with plain water after meals.

4. Coral Calcium Complex

Coral calcium capsule contains many ingredients such as Akikpishti, Muktapishti, Jwarmohra pishti, Kamdudha rasa, Praval pishti, and Giloysatva. Parval Pisthi makes bones strong. Akki Pishti improves the absorption of calcium in bones and strengthens the bones. Kamdudha Ras is a good source of calcium and improves the strength of joints.

Dosage: One capsule two times daily with plain water after meals.

Conclusion

This is the information about early signs and symptoms of arthritis and Ayurvedic treatment which helps to manage these symptoms. The herbs for this disease and herbal products provided by Planet Ayurveda are the natural remedies to treat arthritis. The products are 100% natural, pure, safe, and are free from any chemicals, additives, preservatives and produce no side effects.

References

1. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4969287/
2. www.who.int/chp/topics/rheumatic/en/
3. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5003001/
4. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25857501
5. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3361921/
6. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3309643/