Abstract

“BASIC PRINCIPLES OF AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF AMAVATA (RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS)”

Dr. Prabhat Kumar Srivastava*

Abstract

Amavata is one of the most common diseases occurring especially after 35-40 years of age. It has been correlated with rheumatoid arthritis of modern medicine. Treatment with modern system of medicine does not correct it completely and provide symptomatic relief only while Ayurveda focuses on complete treatment of amavata with its scientific principles of management like avoidance of etiological factors (food, drugs or activities producing amavata), langhana (partial or total fasting, therapy bringing lightness in the body or reducing the weight), swedana (rukshasveda and upnaha sveda), use of drugs having tikta-katu rasa and dipana property (drugs with bitter-pungent taste and stomachic properties), virechana ((Purgation therapy), snehpana (oral administration of butter oil, oil etc.) and anuvasana basti (rectal administration of medicated liquid materials). This article reviews the basic principles of management of Amavata in Indian system of medicine.

Keywords: Amavata, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ayurveda.