Rheumatoid Arthritis

Holistic Ayurvedic Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis in Kerala

If you want to treat the root cause of the disease instead of just taking painkillers and seeking temporary relief, then Ayurvedic treatment for rheumatoid arthritis in Kerala can make a big difference for you. 

Dr Arun Radesh R (BAMS, MBA, D.Litt.), the fourth-generation Ayurvedic doctor at Ayur Wakeup Ayursoorya Ayurveda Hospital in Trivandrum, has a goal to help reduce pain, improve mobility, and support long-term joint health in life by removing the toxins (ama) that accumulate in the body and preventing the weakening of the joints.

How Does Ayurveda Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis (Amavata)?

Ayurvedic treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis focuses on eliminating Ama (digestive toxins) and balancing Vata dosha. Through a specialized 4-stage protocol including Deepana-Pachana (digestive fire activation), Virechana, and Basti (medicated enemas), Ayurveda reduces systemic inflammation and modulates the immune response. This approach targets the root cause to restore joint mobility and prevent long-term bone erosion without the side effects of steroids.

What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis in Ayurveda?

While modern medicine views rheumatoid arthritis as an ‘autoimmune’ disease, Ayurveda calls it ‘amavata’. Simply put, it is a condition in which toxins produced due to problems in the digestive process of our body affect the joints.

How Does This Condition Occur?

When the food we eat is not digested properly, a type of digestive poison known as ‘ama’ is formed in the body. This poison combines with Vata (air) and enters the joints of the body and attacks them. This causes severe pain and swelling in the joints.

Common Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Early detection of rheumatoid arthritis is very important to protect the health of your joints. Although the symptoms of this disease vary from person to person, some of the common symptoms are as follows:

Morning stiffness

The main symptom of this disease is difficulty moving the joints of the limbs when you wake up after sleeping. This stiffness usually lasts for more than an hour.

Swelling and pain in the joints

You should pay attention to the pain when touching the joints; the joints are swollen due to swelling and a slight warmth in that area. This usually appears first in the fingers, wrists, and knees.

Symptoms seen on both sides at the same time (symmetry)

A unique feature of this disease is that it affects both sides of the body equally. For example, if you have pain in the fingers of your left hand, you are likely to experience pain in the fingers of your right hand.

Chronic fatigue and mild fever

Apart from joint pain, symptoms like feeling tired all the time, mild fever, loss of appetite, and sudden weight loss can also be part of rheumatoid arthritis.

One thing to note: If these symptoms persist for more than two weeks, it is advisable to seek the advice of an Ayurvedic expert. With an accurate diagnosis, it can avoid major trauma to the joints.

What Are the Types of Arthritis and Their Major Causes?

Types of Arthritis Description Major Causes
Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition in which our immune system mistakenly attacks our joints, causing severe pain and swelling. Genetics, hormonal changes, unhealthy diet, smoking and infections
Osteoarthritis This is a condition that causes pain and difficulty moving due to the wear and tear of the cartilage that helps prevent bones in the joints from rubbing against each other. Age, obesity, joint injuries, gender (more common in women than men), strenuous work and heredity
Gouty Arthritis Gouty arthritis is a condition that causes severe pain, swelling, and redness in the joints due to excess uric acid in the body. Poor diet, alcohol, sweetened beverages, overweight and lifestyle diseases, genetic causes and certain medications
Ankylosing Spondylitis Ankylosing spondylitis is a condition that causes severe pain in the spine and joints that become fused, and the spine loses its flexibility. Genetic factors, immune system disorders, age, gender (more severe in men than in women) and family history

Dr Arun’s Approach: Ayurvedic Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Ayurvedic treatment for rheumatoid arthritis is not just an external application of oil. It is a process of restructuring the immune system by cleansing the body internally. For this, the doctor proceeds with the following stages:

1. Deepana and Digestion (The Starting Phase)

This is the first phase of treatment. Its aim is to digest the ‘ama’ (toxins) accumulated in the joints and cells of the body.

  • Why: It helps in increasing the digestive power (Agni) and reducing severe oedema in the body.
  • Method: Water mixed with herbs like dry ginger and cumin or special deepana herbs is used for this. Oil-based treatments (abhyanga) are usually not done after this stage.

2. Panchakarma Treatment (Deep Detoxification)

Once the body is ready through digestion, Panchakarma begins to eliminate waste products:

  • Basti: This is the best treatment for Amavata. This basti, made with tamarind, jaggery and special oils, helps reduce stiffness in the joints and soothes Vata Dosha.
  • Virechana: By cleansing the intestines, it removes excess bile and toxins from the blood. This is effective in reducing swelling and inflammation in the joints.

3. Lubrication & Sweating

  • Dhanyamamla Dhara: A medicinal liquid made by fermenting grains is poured into the body in a stream. This helps in quickly reducing severe inflammation in the joints.
  • Swedana: Sand is more effective than oil in the early stages of arthritis, as it provides dry heat. It helps dissolve the arthritis that is stuck in the joints.

4. Rejuvenation & Immunity (Rasayana)

This is the final stage of treatment.

  • Why: Rasayana medicines help in preventing relapse and rejuvenating the cells in the damaged joints.
  • Benefits: It regulates the body’s immune system in a healthy way.

Benefits of Ayurvedic Care for Rheumatoid Arthritis

  • Focuses on eliminating the root cause (Ama)
  • Helps reduce joint inflammation and stiffness
  • Supports improved mobility and flexibility
  • Aims to regulate immune system imbalance
  • Promotes long-term joint health and prevents progression

How to Prevent Arthritis?

  • Control your weight
  • Proper and regular exercise
  • Follow a healthy diet
  • Avoid injuries
  • Quit smoking

Contact Today to Get Your Consultation

To know more about his special Ayurvedic treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis and to speak to the doctor, you can contact the following number or email.

Frequently Asked Questions

According to Ayurveda, rheumatoid arthritis is a condition in which toxins (ama) in the body due to poor digestion accumulate in the joints. The main Amavata symptoms are severe pain in the joints, swelling, and stiffness of the joints felt when waking up in the morning.

Yes, Ayurveda has a method of finding and solving the root cause of joint pain. Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain is not just about relieving pain but also restoring the health of the joints through Panchakarma treatments that remove toxins from the body and a proper diet.

Kerala is the land where Ayurveda is unique. The climate here and the traditionally handed down medicinal mixtures and treatment methods help a lot in curing chronic diseases like arthritis.

Diet plays a major role in Ayurvedic treatment. Avoid curd, fish, cold foods, and fried foods that are difficult to digest. Instead, eating ginger, turmeric, and light, warm foods can help reduce swelling.

The outcome depends on how old the disease is. However, if detected early and proper Ayurvedic treatment and lifestyle are followed, the disease can be completely controlled without causing damage to the joints.