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Ayurvedic Treatment for Arthritis: Arthritis, a chronic disease characterized by joint inflammation, affects millions of people worldwide. The two most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Both types of arthritis cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints, which can lead to deformity and disability. While conventional medicine offers several treatment options for arthritis, Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, provides natural remedies that can help alleviate the symptoms of arthritis and improve the quality of life of arthritis patients.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Arthritis
Osteoarthritis: Causes and Symptoms
Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that usually affects older adults, results from the wear and tear of the articular cartilage in the joints. The most commonly affected weight-bearing joints are the spine and knees. The main symptoms of osteoarthritis include joint pain and stiffness, which are aggravated by physical activity. Other symptoms associated with osteoarthritis include watery eyes, dry neck, leg cramps, allergies, arteriosclerosis, gall-bladder dysfunction, and liver disturbances. The possible causes of osteoarthritis include malnutrition, continuous physical stress, obesity, glandular insufficiency, calcium deficiency, and shortage of hydrochloric acid.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Causes and Symptoms
Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious autoimmune disease that affects not only the joints but also the muscles, tendons, and other tissues of the body. The disease is characterized by an inflammatory process of the synovium or lining of the joints, which eventually leads to swelling and deformity of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is often called the “cooked food disease” because it is believed to be caused by the consumption of cooked and processed foods.
The main symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include joint pain and stiffness, which are often worse in the morning and after periods of inactivity. Other symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis include anemia, colitis, constipation, gall-bladder dysfunction, low blood pressure, and deformed hands and feet. The condition may be caused by hormonal imbalance, physical and emotional stress, infection, severe fright, shock, and injury. Hereditary factors may also play a role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Arthritis: Diet and Lifestyle Changes
Ayurveda emphasizes the role of diet and lifestyle in the prevention and treatment of diseases. According to Ayurveda, the diet of an arthritis patient should be planned along alkaline lines and should include fruits and vegetables for protection, and proteins and carbohydrates for energy. The diet may consist of a couple of fresh raw vegetables in the form of a salad and at least two cooked vegetables. Raw salad vegetables like cabbage, carrot, celery, cucumber, endive, lettuce, onion, radishes, tomatoes, and watercress can be used. Cooked vegetables like asparagus, beets, cauliflower, cabbage, carrots, celery, brinjal, mushroom, onions, peas, beans, spinach, tomatoes, squash, and turnips can be consumed.
1) Vegetable juice therapy
In severe cases, it is advisable to put the patient on raw vegetable juice therapy for about a week. Green juice, extracted from any green leafy vegetable, mixed with carrot, celery, and red beet juice, is specific for arthritis. The alkaline action of raw juices dissolves the accumulation of deposits around the joints and in other tissues. Fresh pineapple is also valuable as the enzyme in fresh pineapple juice, bromelain, reduces swelling and inflammation in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Repeated juice fasts are recommended at intervals of every two months.
The raw potato juice therapy is considered one of the most successful biological treatments for rheumatic and arthritic conditions. Potato juice has been used in folk medicine for centuries. The old method of preparing potato juice was to cut the potato into thin slices, without peeling the skin, and place them overnight in a large glass filled with cold water. The water should be drunk in the morning on an empty stomach. Fresh juice can also be extracted from potatoes and diluted with water on a 50:50 basis and consumed first thing in the morning.
2) Seeds in water
Black gingelly seeds, soaked overnight in water, have been found to be effective in preventing frequent joint pains. The water in which the seeds are soaked should also be taken along with the seeds the first thing in the morning. Drinking water kept overnight in a copper container also serves the same purpose. This water has traces of copper which helps strengthen the muscular system. For the same reason, wearing a copper ring or bracelet can also be helpful.
3) Oil Massage
Warm coconut oil or mustard oil, mixed with camphor, can be massaged in case of stiff and aching joints. Massaging increases blood supply and reduces inflammation and stiffness on account of the gentle warmth produced while massaging. Camphorated oil is an ancient rubefacient used for the purpose.
4) Benefits of Lime
The lime has also been used as a home remedy for arthritis for a long time. The citric acid found in lime is a solvent of uric acid, which is the primary cause of arthritis. Other remedies found useful in relieving pains in the joints include green-gram soup mixed with crushed garlic cloves and a teaspoonful of powdered fenugreek seeds in warm water taken every day.
5) Yoga and Pranayama for Arthritis
Yoga, the ancient Indian system of physical and mental exercises, can be a powerful tool in managing arthritis. The yogic asanas that can be helpful in curing arthritis include trikonasana, bhujangasana, shalabhasana, naukasana, vakrasana, and shavasana. These asanas help improve joint mobility, strengthen muscles and bones, and reduce pain and inflammation. Yogic kriyas like jalneti and kapalbhati, and pranayamas such as anulomviloma, ujjai, and bhrameri are also beneficial in managing arthritis.
6) Sea Bathing for Arthritis
Sea bathing is considered beneficial in the treatment of arthritis. The natural iodine in the sea water is said to relieve arthritis pain. Iodine regulates the acid-alkaline balance in the blood and tissues, helps to repair and regenerate worn-out tissues, and nourishes the skeletal structure. It enters into the thyroid gland’s secretion, which uses this iodine to nullify germs in the bloodstream and to create a self-cleansing of internal toxemia.
If sea bathing is not possible, the patient can relax for 30 minutes every night in a tub of warm water in which a cupful of sea salt has been mixed. The minerals in the sea salt, especially iodine, can be absorbed through the skin pores. This can help correct an internal imbalance.
Conclusion
Arthritis is a debilitating disease that affects millions of people worldwide. While modern medicine offers several treatment options for arthritis, Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, provides natural remedies that can help alleviate the symptoms of arthritis and improve the quality of life of arthritis patients. Ayurvedic treatment for arthritis involves making changes in diet and lifestyle, using natural remedies like raw vegetable juice, potato juice, black gingelly seeds, warm oil massages, lime juice, and sea bathing, and practicing yoga and pranayama. By incorporating these natural remedies into their daily routine, arthritis patients can manage their condition and lead a healthy, pain-free life.
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