Skip to main content

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.

if you have any querry. You are free to ask your questions in our Forum -

http://ayurvedagoa.org/forum/index.php

www.ayurvedagoa.org

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Vata - learn more about it

 Vata also known as Vayu, is a combination of Air and Space Elements. why is it important to know more about Vata ? being air dominant it has features - 1. Moving - which brings lack of Grounding in the person, when it affects the mind. it makes the thoughts and actions in mind to increase, the person finds it difficult to Focus and also sit at one place. I also find people they are really not able to listen to others since their mind is making constant thoughts. Moving quality also helps the person not to go in deep sleep. How to balance  ? Practice listening to slow music - helps to calm the mind slow down your practise of yoga and hold postures longer and focus after work or meeting people come home and try to relax mulabandha or focusing on lower chakras.   2. Cold  - according to Ayurveda, this brings closure or blocking the Strotasas or Nadis , that could further affect the emotions and energy of the person. Vata person also gets cold or Raynaud's due to slo...
Post a Comment
Read more

TRIPHALA - Ayurveda Elixir

 Triphala is one of the commonly used herbal combinations of Ayurveda. since its a combination of 3 herbs  1. Amalaki ( Emblica Officinalis) also commonly known as Amla or Indian Gooseberry. 2. Haritaki ( Terminalia Chebula ) also commonly known as Hirda in local language 3. Bhibhitaki ( terminaila Belerica) also known as beheda. Also Known to many as a laxative and to some as a rejuvenating Elixir, This herb can used as a wonderful drug. also known to balance the tri-Doshas. lets try to put some of its benefits down - 1. Laxative effect - Commonly used by many as a laxative, i recommend a lot of people not to make it a habit forming drug for constipation, can be used on regular basis but if taken for 3 months, recommended to take a break for a month. it can also be lightly fried with castor oil if you are a Vata type so it doesn't increase dryness in the body. 2. weight reduction - this is my favorite drug of choice used in my clinic for weight reduction, while there are ...
Post a Comment
Read more

What tips can people use in Covid 19 – lockdowns.

 Dear readers, ( I am writing this post keeping in mind the patient  I see in my clinic,who have become tired or fatigued or emotional due to staying most of the times in their home ,just like i advise my patients, I thought to write this as many more could be benefited) Namaste!!! Considering todays situation, with most of the countries going in lock downs and less of movement, we are finding 1 . The heaviness in the body is increasing (we can call it Kapha increase or also blockage of Nadis / meridians) 2. The mind becomes too active and Rajasic quality of mind becomes very fast. This is a very general thing I have observed in my daily practice, apart from many imbalances.   I have been recommending simple tips during this days – and we see a lot of improvement. Simple changes when you are in lock down can be practiced Like the following 1.          POOR MAN WALK MILES TO EARN THEIR BREAD AND RICH WALK MILES TO DIGE...
Post a Comment
Read more