Ayurveda suggest that the arthritis pain is caused by Vata, one among the three somatic humors. The function of arthritis or vata in the body is circulation, mobility, respiration etc. So if this is vitiated, it will damage the locomotion. The important disease causing mobile problems is Arthritis, which is according to Ayurveda, caused due to the aggravation of Vata.

Ama is a toxic by-product of improper digestion, also play a co actor for arthritis. This ama circulates in the whole body and deposits or gets collected at the weaker sites. When ama deposits in the joints and at the same time there is aggravation of vata, it results in arthritis. So the treatment of the arthritis should be aimed in removing ama and pacifying vata.

For remedies; as described above vata and ama are the main causes, so efforts should be made to digest ama and to reduce the vata. This can be achieved by medicine, diet and exercises. The digestion should be improved and elevated so that no further ama is produced. For this greatest care should be given to light the fire inside the body. Efforts should be made to relieve the arthritis pain and inflammation which is the line of treatment according to Ayurveda. Fasting is very helpful for digesting the ama. The fasting should be complete or partial depending on the strength of the people, season and place. After the fasting, people should return to their normal diet slowly through different steps. First they have to use full liquid foods to semi solid to solid food. Two tea spoons of lemon juice should be mixed in 250 ml. of warm water and a tea spoon of honey should be taken twice a day, morning and evening.

Body massage with mustard or sesame oil or any Ayurveda herbal oils like Murivenna, Dhanwantharam oil etc helps to reduce the vata and thus reduce the pain. Other useful oils are Rymanyl, Myaxyl, Rhue and Arthrum.The joints affected by arthritis pain can be massaged for longer time till the pain reduces. Light exercise is useful but people must know their limits. Exercises without giving weight are better. For example bending the knees in lying position or at a height is a good process for Osteoarthritis of Knee. As a general rule if any exercise, including walking, causes pain after one hour, people should know they have crossed their limit.

Liberal intake of sweet limejuice or orange juice or gooseberry enhances the efficacy of any anti rheumatic drug, since Vitamin C can reduce skeletal pain. Guggul is a very effective herb for curing arthritis; this can be taken in one to 3 gm dose twice a day after meals with warm water. The capsule form of Guggul is now available in the stores. Rumalaya Forte tablet, Osteolief, Cervilon and Arjith forte capsules contain Guggul.



Ayurveda panchkarma therapies are very helpful for managing chronic and acute arthritis. Vasti, Dhara, Kizhi etc are very good for different types of arthritis. The Ayurveda physicians select the choice after a thorough consultation. Kerala in India is the best place for this panchkarma treatment.