Understanding Rheumatoid arthritis in Ayurveda

 The concept of Ama has been for centuries discussed in Ayurveda. This concept of Ama is used in treatment of rheumatism. We shall try to understand initially what the word AMA means. Ama is commonly used for toxins or undigested food. According to Ayurveda, person who has a lower rate of cellular metabolism or Agni leads to collection of toxins. Usually people think if they have good metabolism at digestive tract they should be very healthy.  Ayurveda mentions about metabolism or Agni at different levels so we should more think of cellular metabolism as a whole.

Agni can be understood at various levels;

1. Jatarangi –  metabolism at Gastrointestinal tract
2. Bhutagni –  metabolism at 5 elemental level
3. Dhatvagni –  metabolism at 7 tissue level

Considering these 13 types of Agni we could say in general as metabolism at cellular level. Weakness to any of the above mentioned Agni results in Ama.

Rheumatism can be more closely related to Ama-Vata mentioned in Ayurveda texts, as we find almost all symptoms and signs mentioned in both modern medicine and Ayurveda. Ayurveda texts talk about an imbalance to either the Agni or Vata could result in Ama-Vata. Thus we shall work to balance both the imbalance of Agni which burns up the Ama or the imbalanced Vata.

to know more about signs and sypmtoms - http://www.medicinenet.com/rheumatoid_arthritis/page2.htm

Usually people mistake rheumatism with Osteoarthritis. So to confirm always a blood test is recommended.  In Rheumatism usually RA (rheumatoid arthritis) factor is positive in blood.

i also recommend antibody testing for RA as it helps us also with CRP  to understand the amount of inflammation.

Ayurveda treatments –

There are simple methods which we recommend people in their daily lifestyle.

1. Application of ricinus oil on their body for massage/application. Ricinus oil has properties to ignite the Agni and digest the Ama. It also helps to bring Vata to balance. As Vata has properties like cold and dry. Sometimes we recommend in our clinic Ayurclinic Goa  to also use ricinus oil in food along with olive or replace olive oil with ricinus for a while.
2. Khizi is another recommended therapy for Ama-Vata.  Khizi helps circulations and thus helps to ignite Agni and bring also Vata to balance.
3. Peya is usually given in our clinic to drink for a week or 2. This helps the Agni to get back to normal in some amounts. Since peya is lighter and easily edible our body doesn’t get overloaded and helps built up Agni. (preparation of peya – in ½ liter water add 1 cup rice and ½ cup soaked moong beans. Also add ginger powder, cumin and curcuma in a little amount for taste. Boil and cook till it appears like porridge).
4. Drinking Ginger tea instead of water. Too much of water when diagnosed with rheumatism can lead to increase of Ama. so ginger can help digestion  also cumin.can be added.
5. Avoid sleep during day time.

Yoga exercises and other exercises help to burn Ama and ignite the Agni. Exercise or yoga should not be too forceful. It should be done as per ones capacity.

Pranayama and Agni saar kriya also help.

Ayurclinic Goa  recommends cleansing therapies like basti and virechan on advice of our doctors.

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