| Arthritis is inflammation of the joints. | | | | arthritis. These include bitter gourd |
| It can occur anywhere in the body and, | | | | and bitter drumsticks. |
| based on that, there are several types | | | | (3) Ayurvedic Treatment for Arthritis |
| of arthritis. The most common type of | | | | Mahayogaraja Guggulu is the drug of |
| arthritis is osteoarthritis, which is | | | | choice in arthritis. Its dosage depends |
| the common ailment of pain in the joints | | | | on the climate. In winter season, the |
| observed in elderly people. Other common | | | | dosage is double of what it is in the |
| types of arthritic ailments are | | | | summer. In summer the dosage is two |
| rheumatoid arthritis and gout. | | | | tablets twice a day. The preferable mode |
| The word arthritis is derived from two | | | | of taking these tablets is on an empty |
| root Greek words - arthros meaning | | | | stomach, and they should be taken with |
| 'joint' and itis meaning 'inflammation'. | | | | milk or warm water. |
| Hence, arthritis literally translates as | | | | For bigger joints suffering from |
| inflammation of the joints. | | | | arthritis, Brihadvata chintamani is |
| Arthritis is an auto-immune disease, | | | | given in a dosage of 250 milligrams |
| which means, it is a disease in which | | | | twice or thrice a day. If the spine also |
| the human body attacks itself. It begins | | | | develops arthritic pains, then the |
| in one or two joints where an acute pain | | | | dosage increased for a week; then |
| is felt. This is the most miserable | | | | returned back to normal. For chronic |
| phase of arthritis. Over time, this pain | | | | arthritis, Maharasandhi kwatha is |
| may disappear, but it could cause | | | | prescribed. |
| permanent deformities in the bones and | | | | Mahanarayana taila is prescribed for |
| joints. | | | | external application over the affected |
| In all types of arthritis, the following | | | | joints. The application must be done |
| symptoms are observed:- - The initial | | | | with a gently massage. In the winter |
| pains are felt as fleeting pains in the | | | | months, the oil must be warmed before |
| joints, which seem to be no more than a | | | | application for better results. |
| twitching pain. - Pains alternate | | | | (4) Home Medications |
| between various joints quickly. - If | | | | Some household remedies are known to |
| the arthritis becomes acute, then on a | | | | provide relief from arthritic pains. The |
| particular day there is very sharp pain | | | | following are some of the more |
| in a joint, and it becomes absolutely | | | | benefiting ones:- |
| normal the next day. The next day | | | | - Applying a paste of limestone and |
| another joint could be affected in a | | | | honey on the affected joints externally |
| similar fashion. - The pains could | | | | provides relief. |
| increase in the winter season or in cold | | | | - Mash some mustard in warm water and |
| nights. | | | | apply this solution on the joints. This |
| (1) Useful Herbs in the Treatment of | | | | must be done repeatedly to get results. |
| Arthritis | | | | - Put two teaspoons of cumin into a |
| - Alfalfa (Medicago satina) Alfalfa | | | | glass of water. Bring this to a boil. |
| makes the food residues in the body | | | | When the water is still hot, soak a |
| alkaline, which helps in assimilating | | | | towel in it and foment the affected |
| them easily into the blood. This is | | | | region with this towel. This will |
| effective in reducing the rheumatoid | | | | provide relief from the pain within a |
| pains. Tea is made from the seeds of the | | | | few hours. |
| alfalfa for consumption. | | | | - Asafetida mixed with egg yolk |
| - Castor seeds (Ricinus communis) The | | | | can be applied on the affected joints to |
| seeds of castor are beneficial in | | | | seek immediate relief. |
| arthritic pains that are of a gouty or | | | | - Prepare a pancake from wheat flour. |
| rheumatoid nature. The seeds are made | | | | Roast it on one side, but leave it |
| into a poultice and applied over the | | | | uncooked on the other. Then put some |
| affected joints. | | | | heated mustard oil on the uncooked side. |
| - Celery (Apium graveolens) The high | | | | When it is hot, tie it like a tourniquet |
| sodium content of celery is useful in | | | | on the affected joint, or provide |
| relieving the pains of arthritis. | | | | fomentation with it. This provides quick |
| Freshly extracted juice of the celery | | | | relief. |
| plant must be taken for the best | | | | - Mix some cardamom in milk. Put a pinch |
| results. | | | | of turmeric in this milk. This is to be |
| - Garlic (Allium sativum) The benefits | | | | drunk every night while going to sleep. |
| of garlic in the treatment of rheumatoid | | | | This makes the person sleep peacefully |
| arthritis are acknowledged all over the | | | | in the morning. |
| world. It relives the pains of arthritis | | | | Simple yogic asanas and light exercise |
| due to its anti-inflammatory properties. | | | | helps proper digestion of the body and |
| There are very little or no side-effects | | | | also protects it from autoimmune |
| in using garlic as a remedy. | | | | problems. Hence, these are beneficial in |
| (2) Dietary Treatments for Arthritis | | | | arthritis. |
| Constipation can aggravate arthritic | | | | If you have recurrent pains in the |
| pains. Hence foods that are difficult to | | | | joints, then do not keep the joint |
| digest must be avoided. | | | | covered. As far as possible, keep the |
| The following foods must be avoided if | | | | joint exposed to the air. For example, |
| you have continuous arthritic pains:- - | | | | if you have pain in the knee joints, |
| Animal fats - Fried foods - Foods rich | | | | then do not wear tight denim clothing; |
| in carbohydrates like potatoes - | | | | shorts would be a good idea. This will |
| Tomatoes - Peppers - Salt - Sour | | | | provide freer circulation of blood in |
| foods, including curds | | | | the joint and reduce the pains. |
| Taking five cloves of garlic early | | | | Read More on Arthritis Cure by Ayurveda |
| morning is a good diet remedy for | | | | and Acidity Home Remedies. |
| reducing arthritic pains. Bitter | | | | Read more about Ayurveda at World's |
| vegetables have also been found to have | | | | Largest Portal on Ayurveda and Ayurvedic |
| excellent properties in the treatment of | | | | Remedies. |