Arthritis is a debilitating condition that affects millions of people globally, causing pain, inflammation and stiffness in the joints. Modern medicine has been struggling to come up with an effective cure for arthritis. However, in Ayurveda, arthritis is considered as an imbalance of vata (one of the three doshas) and can be treated effectively through a combination of ayurvedic remedies and panchakarma therapy.
Ayurvedic remedies for arthritis include dietary changes, herbal supplements, and topical applications. Ginger, turmeric, and boswellia are some of the herbs that are commonly used to reduce inflammation and pain. Ayurvedic practitioners recommend reducing foods that are considered to be vata-aggravating such as processed foods, cold and raw foods, and dried fruits. They suggest eating warm, cooked foods, fresh fruits and vegetables and plenty of hydration.
Panchakarma therapy is a five-step cleansing program that has been used for centuries to restore balance to the body and mind. In the context of arthritis, panchakarma therapy helps to flush out the toxins from the joints and bring back the balance of the doshas.
" Panchakarma therapy is usually administered under the guidance of a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner and is usually performed over a period of seven to 21 days. It is important to note that panchakarma therapy is not a quick fix for arthritis and requires commitment and discipline to follow the regimen."
The five steps involved in the panchakarma therapy are as follows
Vamana
This involves inducing vomiting to remove toxins from the digestive system.
Basti
This involves administering herbal enemas to cleanse the lower intestine and to relieve joint pain.
Snehana
This involves the application of herbal oils on the body to lubricate the joints and reduce stiffness.
Virechana
This involves administering herbal laxatives to cleanse the colon and remove toxins from the body.
Swedana
This involves the use of steam to promote sweating and to open the pores, allowing the toxins to be released.
Arthritis can be effectively treated through Ayurveda and panchakarma therapy. By combining dietary changes, herbal remedies and panchakarma therapy, one can restore balance to the body and reduce inflammation and pain in the joints.