When the cartilage cushioning the ends of the bones starts losing its elasticity and wears out, this condition of the joints is called osteoarthritis. Since the bones do not get the protection of the cartilage, they start rubbing against each other, leading to stiffness, inflammation, and pain. This even restricts movement.
Osteoarthritis can develop in any joint of the body but usually they occur in the hands and weight-bearing joints like the knees, hips, and spine, particularly in the neck and lower back.
Causes of osteoarthritis
While science has no definite answers about the factors that cause osteoarthritis, some of the factors identified are inflammation and cellular disorders that lead to the abnormal breakdown of cartilage, and biomechanical imbalances that put stress on the joints.
Ayurvedic approach to osteoarthritis
Ayurveda believes that due to vitiation of agni, ama or partially digested or undigested nutrients, toxins develop and accumulate in the gut and is then spread through channels of the body and reach the joints with the help of Vata.
Ayurveda focuses on treatments like Panchakarma to return the toxins to the gut for excretion and rehabilitation of agni. It also suggests lifestyle and dietary changes to address the initial cause of vitiation of agni and buildup of ama.
Ayurveda offers many herbal treatments for osteoarthritis. Herbs like boswellia, turmeric, ashwagandha, ginger, triphala, guggulu, and shatavari have shown to decrease inflammation.
Ayurvedic approach to rheumatoid arthritis
The chronic inflammatory joint disease called rheumatoid arthritis occurs due to vitiation of Vata dosha and accumulation of ama in joints. Whenever ama gets localised in the body tissue or joints, it leads to pain, stiffness, swelling, and tenderness in the related joints. The chronic condition may cause debility, deformities of joints and crippling.
Voluntary and involuntary functions are all under the control of vayu. In rheumatoid arthritis, the normal function of Vata gets disturbed and produces stabdhata and sandhigraha leading to restricted movements of joints.
According to Ayurveda, rheumatoid arthritis originates gradually with fatigue, loss of appetite, morning stiffness, general muscle pain and weakness. Sooner it leads to joint pain as joints become warm, tender, and stiff when not active for long. Inflammation of the synovial lining produces more fluid and joints start swelling. It usually affects the wrist, knees, toes, fingers, elbows, ankle or even neck.
Ayurvedic treatments for rheumatoid arthritis depend on the diagnostic guidelines the practitioner uses. Some believe that imbalances in the gut and inflammatory compounds cause rheumatoid arthritis, while others believes that it is the result of poor dietary and lifestyle habits that cause inflammation in the body. Both the school of thoughts use herbs, supplements, dietary changes, and exercise to help relieve rheumatoid arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis can be managed well with Ayurvedic medicines and Panchakarma, and they don’t have any side effects.
Given that conventional treatment has moderate effectiveness and potential side effects, people are turning to Ayurvedic treatments. While Ayurveda suggests hot fomentation for the affected joints, Ayurvedic medicines like Ruamit tablets, manufactured by Avance Pharmaceuticals, is an effective drug used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Ruamit tablets for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
Based on a complete vegetarian formula for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis with proven synergistic herbs, Ruamit tablets are manufactured by Avance Pharmaceuticals. It is an Ayurvedic proprietary medicine, which is an analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug.
A novel and inimitable formulation, Ruamit contains synergistic herbs that radically decrease morning stiffness, swelling of joints, pain and joint stiffness. Ruamit promotes healthy cartilage, ligaments and synovial fluid. It contains anti-oxidant which aids in mitigation of rheumatoid arthritis.
Dosage
It is recommended to take one capsule twice daily or as directed by your Ayurvedic physician
