Abstract

A STUDY ON THE PROSPECTS OF AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF AMAVATA (RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS)

*Dr. Raghvendra Kaushik, Dr. Yogesh Singh Kushawaha and Prof. Swapnil Singhai

Abstract

Amavata is a Shula pradhana vyadhi in which the intensity of the pain is high. It is one of the crippling diseases, claiming the maximum loss of human power. It is not only a disorder of locomotor system but is a systemic disease and is named after its chief pathogenic constituents i.e. Ama and Vata. Kapha and Pitta are also invariably involved in its samprapti. Sandhishoola, Sandhishotha, Stabdhata and Sparshasahyata are salient feature of the disease. The disease Amavata run a chronic course and Jadya, Sankocha, Angavaikalya etc. are responsible for crippling of the patients in the long run. Chakrapani laid down the principle and line of treatment of Amavata. It includes Langhana, Svedana, drugs having Tikta, Katu Rasa and Deepana action, Virechana, Snehapana and Anuvasana as well as Kshara Basti. Rukshasweda and Upnaha were added afterward by Bhavaprakasha and Yogaratnakar. The line of treatment denotes firstly the Pachana of Ama by Langhana, Swedana, Pachana and Deepana, then restoration of Agni by Deepana dravyas and finally control of Vata Dosha by Virechana, Snehapana and Basti. Here an attempt is being made to substantiate these principles.

Keywords: Amavata Chikitsa, Basti, Snehapana, Langhana, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Virechana.