AYURVEDIC REMEDIES FOR RHEUMATISM
Rheumatism is a disease
marked by
inflammation and pain in joints and muscles, usually recurrent and often caused due to exposure to cold. It is at times associated with fever. If not treated in time it may affect
the heart. In Ayurveda this is known as amauata. This disease is caused by the production and circulation of a substance called ama in the body. This ama is produced by improper
digestion as well as metabolism, and it gets lodged in joints etc., to produce inflammation and pain. Usually persons with constipative tendency and dietetic irregularity are
affected by amavata.
Ayurvedic Treatment for Rheumatism: The choicest medicines for the treatment of this condition are and Simhanada guggulu. The chief ingredient of these and such other
medicines for the treatment of this
disease, is guggulu.
For patients having constipative tendency Simhanada guggulu is more useful. For other types of patients, Mahayogaraja guggulu is a better medicine. The dose of both of them is, in
the beginning, two tablets three times a day: After the intake of this medicine, healthy patients should be given a cup of warm water. For weak and emaciated patients, a cup of milk
is indicated.
The dose of this medicine should be slowly increased. In divided dose, about twenty tablets can be given to a patient per day. These medicines have no toxic effect whatsoever. But the
patient may, at times, feel a little warmth in the body and in that case the dose should be reduced. In winter season these medicines are well tolerated.
These medicines show marked efficacy only when the patient who uses them is having clear motion. To remove constipation in a patient suffering from rheumatism, castor oil is considered
to be the best purgative. Apart from the purgative effect, various parts of the plant, viz., seeds, roots leaves etc., are known to have anti-inflammatory effect when used both
externally and internally. The next best medicine for the clearance of the bowel is the powder of haritaki.
A medicated oil known as Saindhavadi taila is recommended for external use. It should be applied over the affected joints and rubbed gently. It can be used for massage on other parts
of the body as well.
Diet to taken by Rheumatism patients: Curd, other sour things, pulses and their preparations (except moong dal) are contra-indicated in this condition. Fried things
and exceedingly cold things should be avoided as
far as possible.
Other regimens: Sleep during daytime is prohibited. The rheumatism patient should resort to only restricted physical exercise. Long Walks at a fast
speed and any exercise involving violent
movement of the affected joints should be avoided
