Abstract

A COMPREHENSIVE AYURVEDIC REVIEW OF AMAVATA WITH FOCUS ON RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

*Dr. Prakash Chhipa, Dr. Sunita Dangi, Dr. Kiran Kumari, Dr. Pramod Kumar Mishra, Dr. Brahmanand Sharma

Abstract

Amavata, described in ayurveda, is a disorder caused by impaired digestion that leads to the formation of toxic metabolites (ama) and aggravated vata dosha. This combination results in pain, stiffness, swelling, and systemic manifestations. In modern medicine, Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by persistent synovial inflammation, pannus formation, and progressive destruction of cartilage and bone. The clinical features of amavata, as described in classical ayurvedic texts, show close resemblance to RA. This article reviews amavata with special reference to RA, emphasizing etiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis, and management. ayurvedic treatment emphasizes purification (shodhana), palliative therapies (shamana), herbal formulations, and lifestyle modifications, while modern medicine employs nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and biologics. An integrative approach that combines ayurvedic therapies with modern treatments may yield better outcomes and improve quality of life.

Keywords: Amavata; Rheumatoid Arthritis; Ayurveda; ama; vata dosha; panchakarma; shamana therapy; basti; Integrative medicine; Autoimmune disorders.