Arthritis is generally a very painful disease and if left unchecked it may lead to deformities. It is also one of the most common ailments in the world today. Ayurveda has been found very effective in curing Arthritis as it uses natural remedies with herbs and other natural processes to restore the body back to its healthy condition and also to strengthen it to resist any further disease.
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Symptoms of Arthritis
The major symptoms of Arthritis are indigestion, constipation accompanied by overeating, and low or no physical activity. Sometimes emotional stress can also contribute to the ailment. Physical, as well as emotional rest, forms part of the treatment.
The presence of Arthritis is noticed by the following symptoms
- Pain in the joints
- Swelling in the joint areas and in all joints
- Stiffness in the mornings
- Crackling in the joints with pain
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Cause of Arthritis
Arthritis is a condition in which the body suffers from a group of ailments. The joints of bones get inflamed or swollen, or there is friction accompanied by severe pain and sometimes crackling pain or there may be stiffness in that area.
Ayurveda attributes most of the pains to Vata dosha which is related to air. It is caused by the accumulation of ‘Ama’, the toxic by-product created by improper digestion and vata aggravation. Ama gets circulated to the entire body and attacks the joints, especially where there is weakness. Arthritis is therefore known in Ayurveda as ‘Ama vata.’
Ayurvedic therapy for Arthritis is aimed at reducing the vata dosha and preventing the creation and collection of Ama in the body. Simultaneously the pain and inflammation should also be done away with. So fasting is recommended in Ayurveda to reduce the vata aggravation.
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Ayurvedic Remedies for Arthritis
Depending on the patient’s strength, the season, and the climatic condition of the place, a liquid diet consisting of lemon juice, warm water, and honey is advised to be taken twice a day.
Liberal use of orange juice or sweet lime juice can improve the efficacy of drugs due to the pain-relieving nature of Vitamin C.
Guggul is a herbal medicine that is helpful in curing arthritis. Light exercise is recommended like walking to improve blood circulation and flexibility.
Apply castor oil with castor leaves on the swollen area and use fomentation with a warm heated towel in the area for a few minutes.
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Diet Recommendation
Easily digestible foods that do not cause the production of gas should be taken. Soups and juices of vegetables should be taken such as juices of cucumber, carrot, and beetroot blended together. Moong soup taken for dinner is good. A salad with a pinch of salt with lemon juice is helpful too. Cooked vegetables like pumpkin and spices like cumin, ginger, coriander, asafetida, fennel, turmeric, and garlic are helpful in alleviating the pain of arthritis. Staying away from excess tea and coffee, alcohol, and white sugar is advised. Ayurveda also warns that excessive smoking, keeping awake till late in the night, and stress should be avoided.
Herbs used in the treatment of Arthritis
Ginger: Ginger is found to have anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger can be had in the form of tea or can be had before meals with honey in the form of powder in a small quantity
Guggul: It can be taken twice a day with warm water after meals.