Published on 02/3/2005

Definition & Cause
Traditionally Ayurveda healed three separate causes of arthritis. It was effective and personal. Excesses of air fire or water excesses were said to be the three causes of arthritis. This illness may be caused by internal and/or external conditions of cold, damp and wind; heat, dry weather; or from an injury.

Ayurveda & Arthritis

Definition & Cause

Traditionally Ayurveda healed three separate causes of arthritis. It was effective and personal. Excesses of air fire or water excesses were said to be the three causes of arthritis. This illness may be caused by internal and/or external conditions of cold, damp and wind; heat, dry weather; or from an injury. Ayurveda saw arthritis caused by poor digestion which created undigested food-toxins. This weakened the colon, pushing toxins to move into the bones and joints. Arthritis is considered an auto-immune disorder, where the body attacks itself (i.e. allergies).

GENERAL SUGGESTIONS Overview Toxins were burned up by increasing the digestive fire, either through short fasts (see a duly qualified practitioner) or eating hot spicy herbs like dry ginger.

Cautions: If one was severely debilitated, pregnant or elderly, fasting was not recommended. If there was inflammation or fever, hot spicy herbs were contraindicated.

Food (nutrition) was also used to remove toxins. Damp, heavy, moist or mucus forming foods were suggested to be avoided until the toxins cleared up.

Massage Oils Herbal oils were also applied to the arthritis to loosen stiff joints, temporarily remove pain, inflammation or swelling; clear the toxins, nourish tissues and relieve pain. The main oil, Mahanarayan, was traditionally used for muscular fatigue, varicose veins, skin nourishment and MS pain.

Dancers and athletes also found relief from these oils.

SPECIFIC THERAPIES Steam Applying heat to the site of arthritis, liquefied toxins, enabling them to flow back into the blood stream to their site of origin (i.e., colon). Herbs, food plans and Pancha Karma removed the toxins from the system.

A pressure cooker with herbal or oil steam, like eucalyptus, dislodged toxins. Oils were also be applied to the arthritis (e.g.,. winter green, mixed in a base oil) to help dislodge toxins and remove pain.

Herbology Traditional anti-rheumatic Ayurvedic herbs include guggul, triphala and boswellian, which cleansed and strengthened bone tissue, increased flexibility, stopped pain, and removed toxins from the colon.

Arthritis - Differentiation Below are the three categories of arthritic symptoms.

Air: variable, migrating, throbbing and cutting pain. Heat relieves and cold aggravates. Skin is scaly or dry, joints are stiff or crack. Movement is difficult, bone deformation is more likely to occur.

Fire: inflammation, swelling, fever or burning. Relief when cold is applied and aggravated from heat. There may be sweating, loose bowel movement and/or irritability.

Water: joint swelling, edema, dull, localized, or heaving pain and aching. Relieved by heat, aggravated by cold and damp weather. Oily skin, chest congestion or mucus in the stool

This article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to treat, diagnose or prescribe. It in no way is intended to substitute for care from duly licensed health professionals.