Rheumatoid arthritis

Ayurvedic home remedies for rheumatoid arthritis

In rheumatoid arthritis, the lining of joints or lining of internal organs are inflammed . This disease may be chronic (lasts for a long time ) or may flare up intermittently. The inflammation of lining of joints causes swelling, pain, redness, stiffness and warmth in the affected region . The cells of the inflammed lining release enzymes which may harm the related bone and cartilage. This process may cause deformity of joint, pain and may restrict joint movements.

Causes
The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is not known. But, immunologists have discovered that rheumatoid arthritis is an auto immune disease. Some may have a tendency to inherit this disease.

Local symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are

* Inflammation of joints
* Stiffness
* Swelling
* Difficulty in moving
* Pain
* Usually starts in hands and feet (wrist and hand joints)
* Can also affect neck, shoulders, knees, hips and ankles
* Sometimes affects the same joints on both sides of body
* Rheumatoid nodules
* Chronic RA may cause a damage to affected joints

 

Systemic symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are

* Fever
* Loss of energy
* Loss of appetite
* Weakness
* General fatigue (early symptom)
* Other boy organs may be affected
According to ayurveda the systemic symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis are described as follows.

* Body pain (angamarda)
* Distaste to food (aruchi )
* Thirst (trishna )
* Malaise (aalasya)
* Fever (jwara )
* Indigestion (apaaka )
* Weakness (shoonata )

Tips to reduce pain in joints

* Weight reduction
* Exercise well moving all your joints
* Take a warm shower everyday

Ayurveda tips to reduce pain

* Avoid curds , fish, milk, urad dal, jaggery, and constipating food
* Consume horse gram, ginger, bitter gourd, drumstick
* Remove the sprouts (which is present inside garlic cloves) of garlic by splitting, soak them in buttermilk over night. The next morning, wash the garlic with plain water; grind to a thin paste. Eat half a teaspoon of this paste with warm water every morning on an empty stomach.
* Always use hot water to bathe and to drink
* Avoid cold breeze
* Do not consume opposite foods
* Empty bowels regularly
* Do not control natural urges
* Avoid late nights and afternoon sleep

Top 10 home remedies for Arthritis .

1. Honey and Cinnamon

The combination of honey and cinnamon powder is a good way to treat arthritis in hands due to their excellent healing properties. Honey has antiseptic qualities, while cinnamon has good antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. When both honey and cinnamon are used together it helps in relaxing the stiff muscles of the body. Those suffering from finger arthritis must take a mixture of one tablespoon of honey and half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder on daily basis. It is advisable to eat this mixture every early morning on empty stomach.

2. Olive Oil

There is a strong connection between olive oil and inflammation caused when suffering from arthritis. There is a special compound known as oleocanthal present in olive oil that helps in preventing the production of pro-inflammatory COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. So, when olive oil is used for cooking food, it helps a lot in reducing the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. At the same time you can use olive oil to massage your hands and fingers. For massaging, make a mixture of warm olive oil and lavender oil and massage the hand with gentle strokes to alleviate discomfort and inflammation.

3. Epsom Salt

Epsom salt is a rich source of magnesium that helps in improving the usage of oxygen and at the same time it prevents hardening of the arteries and blood clots. Simply soaking your hands in warm water mixed with Epsom salt for half an hour daily can help in reducing the inflammation and will give you much relief from muscle cramps and pain. At the same time you can also add two handfuls of Epsom salt and one handful of rock salt along with fennel oil and juniper oil in warm water to soak your hands for fifteen minutes daily. This remedy will also help a lot in reducing the stiffness, inflammation and pain associated with arthritis.

4. Potato

Potato has anti oxidant and anti inflammatory properties that can help a lot to treat hand arthritis. You can prepare potato juice by cutting a medium-sized potato into thin slices, without peeling the skin and then put the potato slices in cold water overnight. Next morning strain the solution and drink the water on an empty stomach. When this raw potato juice is consumed daily, it will give you relief from pain and the joints will become more flexible. Else you can extract the juice of a medium sized potato and dilute it with some water before drinking it. This remedy is not for those suffering from diabetes.

5. Castor Oil

Castor oil has powerful medicinal and curative powers. The medicinal component known as Ricinoleic Acid present in castor oil has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. This is why castor oil helps a lot to get relief from arthritis pain. Take any castor oil and apply to the affected area and gently massage it twice a day in order to reduce the pain. Else boil two tablespoons of castor oil and then add it into a glass of fresh orange juice. Drink this juice before eating your breakfast daily and within weeks you can notice improvement in your condition.

6. Garlic

Garlic is another effective ingredient that can be used in the treatment of arthritis in hands. It contains an anti-inflammatory property which helps in lot in reducing the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis. At the same time garlic contains a substance known as allicin which helps the body to suppress the growth and reproduction of micro-organisms that can worsen the symptoms of arthritis. On regular basis, you can eat garlic, either in raw or cooked form as per you according to individual preference. Else take a few garlic cloves and heat them up with some mustard oil. Once the oil comes to room temperature apply it on your fingers and gently massage it. Repeat the process several times a day to get quick relief.