Arthritis: The Ayurvedic Concept

Table of Contents

Introduction

Arthritis is a general word to indicate the inflammation of a joint or the disease of a joint. It can be divided into four characters: rheumatic arthritis, degenerative arthritis, infectious arthritis, and general arthritis.

Rheumatic arthritis is especially common in persons who previously had rheumatic fever. Because, if rheumatic fever is not properly treated the temporary arthritis which is the main symptom of rheumatic fever, will permanently weakens the affected joints and causes chronic arthritis (rheumatic). The weakness of a joint depends upon the pathogenic defect of the synovial mucous membrane of a joint. The fundamental cause of rheumatic fever is the toxic condition of serum, which turns acid and aggravates the synovial mucous membrane of a joint. In this condition, the synovial mucous membrane, at the beginning, becomes inactive or weak and results in dryness. The bodily grease i.e. mucous being counteracted with the effects of dryness, the nervous system can not function properly and the affected joint’s cartilage rubbing each other manifests the symptoms of arthritis of big joints.

Degenerative arthritis is concerned with gout. The person who is suffering from gout, if is not treated properly, the temporary joint pain, which is the main symptom of gout, can be a cause of chronic degenerative arthritis. In this case, the synovial mucous membrane of the affected joint if injured with the effect of uric acid causes dryness, degeneration of cartilage, and disturbance of the nervous system or function. Ayurvedic way points out that abnormal amounts of uric acid can be accumulated in the hollow space of a joint, especially of a toe.

Infectious arthritis is common in the pathogenic defect of blood, which in general, is characterized by the condition of blood acidosis. In this condition, infectious diseases often cause problems, and in time, if they are not treated properly they can be the cause of infectious arthritis which is especially common in the knee joint.

The general arthritis is concerned with the nerve-natured body type. Thin skin with clear veins; difficulty gaining weight (skinny); disproportionate face; restless; nervous and talkative attitude; and weak digestion are the main characteristics of the nerve-natured body type. In this condition, by birth, the nervous system becomes weak which in fact, results in general arthritis affecting any weak joint concerned with injury, impact, or constant use.

The general treatment of arthritis is based on the application of oil massage, warm fomentation, warm poultice, nerve tonic, general tonic, and carminative drugs. These applications aim to increase the blood circulation and to stimulate the nutritive function. An increased blood circulation will supply proper heat in the body, which is essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system. The active nutritive function restores the proper functioning of the joint’s synovial mucous membrane, which is very important to keep healthy the joints.

Causes of Rheumatic Arthritis

The acid toxin produced from undigested greasy foods or contradictory foods is called “Amavata”, which is considered a fundamental cause of rheumatic arthritis. Right after having greasy foods e.g. ghee, butter, oil, fat, etc, heavy work or exercise is not good for someone who has weak digestion. In this condition, the essence of greasy foods not being well digested if assimilated through the portal vein results in acid toxins, which cause acidosis of serum. Blood serum, in general, has to be sweet in taste, because, it contains blood sugar. Acid serum circulating through the arteries aggravates the function of the mucous membrane including the synovial mucous membrane and the nervous system. In these morbid conditions, the viscous exudation from the synovial mucous membrane weakens the physical structure of a joint. That, in fact, causes chronic rheumatic arthritis.

The contradictory food e.g. milk is taken together with sour foods or fruits or meat or fish etc. if is not well digested, the essence of them can stay a long time in the body, without metabolic change. The long-standing essence of food is considered a toxin.

Vinegar; alcoholic drink; sour fruits or foods; yogurt; fermented sour food preparations; meat and fish; toasted, burnt, or fried food preparations; effect of damp or cold climate; sleeping during the day, especially after the meal; indigestion, etc. are the aggravating agents of recurrent attack of rheumatic arthritis.

Causes of Degenerative Arthritis

The acidosis of blood or the condition of high uric acid in blood is the fundamental cause of gout, which manifests as chronic degenerative arthritis. The accumulation of abnormal amounts of uric acid in blood circulation throughout the blood vessels aggravates the function of the synovial mucous membrane and the nervous system of the affected joints. In these morbid conditions, the uric acid accumulated in the joints, and the synovial mucous membrane of the affected joints can be injured and lead to chronic degenerative arthritis.

Excess or daily indulgence in acid foods or fruits; vinegar; alcoholic drinks; yogurt; meat and fish; stale and rotten foods; roasted, fried or burnt food preparations; acidity; contradictory foods; overeating; sleeping during the day; awakening at night; jogging or running; sedentary life, etc. are the aggravating agents of degenerative arthritis.

Causes of Infectious Arthritis

The main cause of infectious arthritis is infectious diseases e.g. abscess, pyorrhea, tonsillitis, etc. which can be a cause of pyemia. Pyemia is a kind of blood defect containing pus cells in the circulating blood. The infectious disease, not being treated well, the condition of pyemia, as a blood defect, can be a cause of infectious arthritis. Ayurveda points out that the condition of acidosis, whatever may be the causes of it, can be the aggravating agent of infectious arthritis.

Causes of General Arthritis

The main cause of general arthritis is poor blood circulation which is common to a person with a nerve-natured body type. Ayurveda indicates that the proper function of the artery system regulates and controls the function of the nervous system and the poor function of the artery system aggravates the function of the nervous system. The aggravated or overactive nervous system causes dryness counteracting the bodily grease. In this condition, the synovial mucous membrane, which is considered as a lubricating substance of the joints, becomes inactive. That, in fact, is the cause of the problems of general arthritis affecting any weak joints concerned with injury, impact, or constant uses.

Excessive or daily use of bitter, pungent, and astringent foods; fasting; loss of blood; overindulgence in sex; accidental injury; effect of damp or cold climate; heavy labor; withholding the natural urges of stool, urine or gas; fever; traveling by vehicles which constantly vibrates the body etc. are the aggravating agents of general arthritis.

Symptoms of Rheumatic Arthritis

Severe joint pain, swelling, tenderness, and redness of the affected joints are the main symptoms of rheumatic arthritis. In this case, any big joint of the hand, feet, ankle, head, thigh, knee, and loin can be affected. The recurrent attack of joint pain is common with fever, constipation, indigestion, and polyuria. During the period of attack, some more complicated symptoms e.g. bad taste of mouth, heaviness, hot sensation, weakness, abdominal colic, tympanitis, insomnia, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, and heart disease can develop.

Ayurveda points out that the prominent symptoms of inflammation with redness and hot sensation are concerned with the aggravated function of the vein system (Pitta); the prominent symptoms of unbearable pain are concerned with the aggravated function of the nervous system (Vata); the prominent symptoms of the heaviness with itching sensation are concerned with the aggravated function of the artery system (Kapha); the prominent symptoms of general swelling with severe joint pain are the significance of loss of coordination of the nervous system, vein system and the artery system. Rheumatic arthritis with the prominent symptoms of general swelling with severe joint pain is considered not to be cured or very difficult to cure.

Symptoms of Degenerative Arthritis

Joint pain (something very severe), swelling, and tenderness are the main symptoms of degenerative arthritis. In this case, the joints of the toe, fingers, loin vertebra, knee, and thigh can be affected. Degenerative arthritis appears with allergic rashes of skin and numbness. In the beginning, the joint pain comes and goes not even causing any big problems. The tissues of the affected joint, especially the cartilage in the chronic stage, being degenerated causes contraction of the tendons with stiffness, abnormal growth of the soft bone, and inability to move the joint.

Ayurveda points out that the case of degenerative arthritis can be classified into five different prominent symptoms; degenerative arthritis with the prominent symptoms of irregular swelling and severe pain (Vatika); degenerative arthritis with the prominent symptoms of painful swelling and itching (Raktaja); degenerative arthritis with the prominent symptoms of swelling and hot sensation (Paittika); degenerative arthritis with prominent symptoms of swelling and cooling sensation (Shlaishmika); degenerative arthritis with the prominent symptoms of swelling and some other complications.

Insomnia, infection, fever, delusion, erysipelas, neoplasm, and crippling conditions are the complications of degenerative arthritis. Having these symptoms, especially, delusion, the case of degenerative arthritis is not curable or very difficult to cure.

Symptoms of Infectious Arthritis

Infectious arthritis often infects the knee with inflammation, severe pain, and stiffness. Suppuration, hot sensation, throbbing pain, fever, and degeneration of the joint tissues are the complicative symptoms of it. In this case, toxemia can be developed, if it is not treated well.

Symptoms of General Arthritis

The main symptom of general arthritis, in its primary stage, is mild joint pain with or without swelling. The joint pain will often come and go. It will appear especially in the winter, cold climate, cloudy days, rainy season, or in a condition of physical weakness and fever. It is important to pay attention that the joints, which are weak in certain conditions of injury or constant uses, are often affected in the case of general arthritis. Constant pain and deformation of the affected joints are the main symptoms of chronic general arthritis.

Spondylitis, scoliosis, arthrosis, lumbago, osteoarthritis, etc. are the particular names of general arthritis related to different joints and their conditions.

Prevention from Arthritis

Not to have rheumatic arthritis, rheumatic fever has to be properly treated with proper diet maintaining the digestive system or power. For rheumatic fever while being treated well, some digestive drugs that contain ginger should be prescribed, at least, for a year avoiding yogurt, meat, fish, greasy foods, alcoholic drinks, vinegar, acid fruits and foods, etc.

Not to have the problem of degenerate arthritis, gout has to be treated well with a proper diet. In this case, the blood cleaning drug which maintains the normal amount of uric acid, should be prescribed at least, for three months avoiding acidic fruits and foods, yogurt, alcoholic drinks, roasted fried or burnt food preparations, vinegar, meat, and fish, greasy foods, etc.

Not to have the problems of infectious arthritis, if someone has pyorrhea, tonsils, etc. they have to be treated well as soon as possible maintaining the alkaline reaction of blood and avoiding the acid fruits and foods, meat, etc.

General tonic, high protein diet, and oil massage are the remedies to prevent the problems of general arthritis. The nerve-natured person, who is liable to have general arthritis, especially has to be careful to maintain the digestive power.

General Treatment of Arthritis

The general theory of arthritis treatment is based on increasing blood circulation and stimulating the nutritive function. An increased blood circulation will supply proper heat in the body which is essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system. The active nutritive function restores the proper function of this joint’s synovial mucous membrane. To achieve these objectives, oil massage, warm fomentation, warm poultice, nerve tonics, general tonics, and carminative drugs are prescribed in the treatment of arthritis.

The oil massage helps to counteract the aggravated condition of the nerves in the affected joints causing heat and alleviating the dryness. Narayanatail, an oily drug made of Asparagus racemosus and other herbs, is one of the best oily drugs for massage. It is prescribed twice a day to be performed until the oil is absorbed into the skin. Oil massage must be done gently in the treatment of arthritis with swelling. Strenuous massage is harmful and will cause more pain and swelling. Oil massage in general, must follow the muscular structure of the joints, otherwise, it will cause pain, swelling, and hot sensation.

The application of warm fomentation is useful to soften the tissues and to clean the duct system. It is not necessary to prescribe in the treatment of the primary stage of arthritis; however, it is essential in the treatment of chronic arthritis with stiffness and contraction of the tendons. Warm fomentation should be applied after oil massage. After each application of it, the affected joints must be gradually manipulated in order to have normal function. The warm meat soup prepared with ghee or oil, or warm decoction made from Bala (Sida cordifolia) is generally beneficial for fomentation.

The warm poultice has the same effect as warm fomentation. It is prescribed in the treatment of chronic arthritis for better results. Steamed meat or milk rice wrapped in soft cloth is the basic thing for poultice.

Maha Yogaraja Guggulu, a specific compound of Balsamodendron Mukul with other herbs and minerals, is the best nerve tonic. It is prescribed, in general, in the treatment of arthritis for internal use. It has medicinal value to strengthen the function of the nervous system.

The general tonic has medicinal value in the treatment of especially chronic arthritis of old age. An aphrodisiac drug also can be used as a general tonic. Aphrodisiac drug stimulates the red marrow to produce more and more new red blood cells which are very important to the health and strength of the bodily tissues. Chandrodaya, a gold compound is one of the best harmless aphrodisiac drugs.

Carminative drugs relieve gas from the colon. It is well-investigated that to achieve a quick cure for any disease concerned with nerves, the colon should function properly. The gas problem in the colon can aggravate the function of the nervous system and result in dryness. Regarding this fact, carminative drugs must be prescribed in the treatment of arthritis. Ajamodadi, a compound of Carum roxburghianum with other herbs, is one of the best carminative drugs.

Specific Treatment of Rheumatic Arthritis

The treatment of rheumatic arthritis contains laxatives, diuretics, digestive, antacids, antitoxin, and plastering drugs along with the general treatment of the arthritis. The laxative, diuretic, antitoxin, and plastering drugs are prescribed only in the period of attack with swelling and severe pain. However, the digestive, antacid, and general treatments should be prescribed for the cure for three to six months.

Laxative drugs help to subdue the inflammation. Lolimbaraja, a compound of Senna leaf with other herbs, is one of the best medicines among the laxative drugs.

Diuretic drugs play a major role in reducing the acid toxin of the serum. Sorakayoga, a compound of potassium nitrate with Calotropis gigantia, is one of the best diuretic drugs.

Digestive drugs are also very important to prescribe in the treatment of rheumatic arthritis. It helps to digest the undigested fat circulating in the blood. Pippalyadi a compound of Piper longum with other herbs is one of the best digestive drugs.

The antacid drug is one of the potential remedies against rheumatic arthritis. It is prescribed to neutralize the acid reaction of the serum. Kaisaraguggulu, a compound of Balsamodendron Mukul with other herbs, is one of the best antacid drugs which are used as a blood cleanser.

Anti-toxin drug contains some harmless poisonous plants and minerals. Poison for poison is the theory of Ayurveda. Karanjabati, a compound of Caesalpinia sepiaria with other minerals, is one of the best anti-toxin drugs. It helps to neutralize the rheumatic toxin.

The plastering drug against rheumatic inflammation contains sulfur.

Specific Treatment of Degenerative Arthritis

The treatment of degenerative arthritis contains laxatives, diuretics, and antacids along with the general treatment of arthritis. Besides that, the application of plaster and bloodletting practice has to be prescribed in time.

The bloodletting practice is very effective in the treatment of degenerative arthritis. The aim of it is to reduce the uric acid for quick relief.

The plaster made of sesame paste has medicinal value to reduce swelling with severe pain.

Some other laxative drugs, diuretics, and antacid drugs are prescribed in the treatment of rheumatic arthritis.

Specific Treatment of Infectious Arthritis

Infectious arthritis in its beginning stage should be treated with anti-inflammatory plasters, blood-letting practices, anti-pyrexia drugs, and laxative medicines. The inflamed knee, if is neglected, can be infected with full of pus. In this stage, it has to be treated with surgery.

Shilajatulepa, a plaster made of bitumen (rock secretion) and leaves of Datura metal, is one of the best anti-inflammatory medicines for plaster.

Prohibited Foods and Behaviors

General Arthritis

Prohibited Foods for General Arthritis

Food preparations made of millet, oat or corn;
Beans;
Mutton;
Fresh vegetable salad;
Ice cream;
Cold beverage;
Chili;
Potato;
Yam;
Pumpkin;
Squash;
Mushroom

Prohibited Behaviors for General Arthritis

Withholding the natural urges of urine, stool, or gas.
Swimming;
Overindulgence in sex;
Awakening at night;
Anxiety;
Strenuous exercise or malpractices of yoga;
Irregular meal;
Fasting;
Traveling by vehicles that constantly vibrate the body;
Overeating;
Effect of cold or damp sleeping naked;
Working with or in water;
Rain wet;
Bloodletting practices or blood donation.

Rheumatic Arthritis

Prohibited Foods for Rheumatic Arthritis

Meat and fish;
Milk products, especially yogurt (curd);
Vinegar;
Alcoholic beverages;
Sour foods and fruits;
Roasted, fried, or burnt food preparations;
Overeating or overcooking;
Strong tea or coffee;
Greasy foods;

Prohibited Behaviors for Rheumatic Arthritis

Sleeping during the day;
Withholding the natural urges of stool, urine, and gas;
Swimming;
Working in or with water;
Anxiety;
Overindulgence in sex;
Strenuous exercise;
Irregular meals;
Sleeping naked.

Infectious and Degenerative Arthritis

Prohibited Foods for Infectious or Degenerative Arthritis

Roasted, fried, or burnt food preparations;
Sour foods and fruits;
Vinegar;
Alcoholic beverage;
Strong tea or coffee;
Smoking;
Yogurt;
Meat and fish;
Greasy foods;
Overeating;
Irregular meals;

Prohibited Behaviors for Infectious or Degenerative Arthritis

Sleeping during the day;
Effect of cold or damp;
Swimming;
Withholding the natural urges of urine, stool, and gas;
Overindulgence in sex;
Tight shoes;
Running;
Jogging;
Sedentary or luxurious lazy life.

Author

Dr. Mana Bajra Bajracharya
PIYUSHAVARSHI AUSHADHALAYA
Ayurvedic Clinic
Mahabouddha, Kathmandu, Nepal

For any inquiries or questions, please contact us