Are you suffering from arthritis? It is a good idea to understand some
of the grave issues that surround the common disease. Read on to find
the Ayurvedic explanation of this problem and how the use of herbs forms
the mainstay of its therapy.
What might appear, as a bit of surprise to you is that two of the ancient
treatise on the science of life i.e., Charaka samhita and Madhav nidana,
include arthritis in many of the nervous system disorders. Ayurveda
terms arthritis as amavata.
Ama is the undigested byproduct of the impaired digestion (for which
modern chemistry has no correlate) and vata is one of three doshas or
body humors. The other two body humors are pitta and kapha.
Ayurveda attributes cause of any disease to an imbalance in one or
all of these, and hence every disease has a supporting theory by the
name of tridosha.
Charaka samhita mentions: “if the level of vata increases in
the body, there is quivering and breaking pain in the limbs and joints,
as if crackling.” But, “if it is localized ina particular
joint, it produces swelling that feels like an air-filled bladder and
produces pain on movement; this description is suggestive of arthritis.”
Generally in case of arthritis, vata doesn’t increase at random
in every joint throughout the body. It affects one part – mainly
a joint – and gradually spreads to other joints. This is very
typical of arthritis. It starts with a joint, say an elbow joint, and
then manifests in another elbow joint and progresses in the sequence
of other joints. Keeping this thing in mind, no persistent joint pain
– more pronounced particularly on movement – should be taken
lightly.
With reference to joints, vata, pitta, and kapha relate to the process
of motion, metabolic and secretory functions (in this case synovial
fluid embedded between joint spaces), an dlubrication and preservation
(like that of structure and homoestasis), respectively. The vata dosha,
which has hot, airy, and mobile attributes, plays a critical role in
causing arthritis.
Since vata has high degree of mobility, its vitiated form spreads fast
to other joints and triggers off a spate of imbalances in the rest of
the body humors. Kapha, responsible for lubrication, suffers the most.
Joints, minus their lubricating fluids, means more friction and subsequent
pain on movement. Higher the imbalance, higher is the pain.
Chronic arthritis patients experience it on knee and elbow joints even
when a puff of a breeze touches them. Such people are normally vata-types
by prakruti or constitution. Since we all have a different physiological
and physiological constitution, each one of us requires specific treatment
for a problem – including arthritis -- which might have similar
symptoms.
Use of herbs forms the mainstay of arthritis cure through Ayurveda,
besides dietary and lifestyle modifications. In the hierarchical manner
of cosmic evolution, herbs consist of the same basic matter called panchamahabootas
i.e., earth, water, air, fire, and ether as that of human beings, and
derive attributes that subsequently dictate their medicinal and healing
properties.
In case of arthritis, herbs (single or in combination) that have anti-vata
properties are used to bring down the level of vata in the body. There
are a number of over-the-counter Ayurvedic medicines being used in the
US and elsewhere for the treatment of arthritis. The indiscriminate
use of these medicines through third-person recommendations or self-prescription
may not always be the right thing to do. Your prakruti may not fit into
the prescription your neighbor has got for arthritis. Ayurvedic therapy
and herbal combinations have to be personalized for each person to provide
an arthritis patient what he or she is always looking for – a
pain-free life full of mobility.
© http://www.augustayurveda.com
AugustAyurveda.com is a comprehensive and interactive Ayurvedic resource
for one and all offers Free Multispeciality Online Consultations, Customized
Ayurvedic Packages, Package Tours, Panchakarma Programs, Promotional
Support, Weekly Newsletter, Products, Books, Films, and practical information
that you can use.
Back
to the Ezine Archive
Back to the Bazaar