Arthritis

The term 'Arthritis' refers to at least 25 different diseases, the most common being rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and gouty arthritis. All these are characterised by inflammation in one or more joints.

*Causes

Mostly unknown. In some cases, it follows the stress of sprains, infections and joint injuries. Some researchers suggest the patient's inability to produce endorphins or naturally produced pain-killers, as a cause.

*Signs & Symptoms

Inflammation of the joint, swelling, pain and loss of function. Usually if the left knee is affected, the right knee is also affected, though in a different degree.
Sometimes associated with fever.
Usually reappears at exposure to cold.

*Herbal Medicines

1. 10 gm of dry ginger powder (sonth) well mixed with 15ml castor oil may be taken internally for relief from painful joints for 40 days continuously.
2. A confection of garlic and til oil (2 cloves + 30ml oil) may be taken internally and the oil boiled with garlic may be applied over the painful joints for relief.
3. Heated papaya or nirgundi or castor leaves may be applied over the painful areas. Also onion juice with mustard oil may be applied on the affected joints.

*Ayurvedic Remedies

1. Simhanada Guggulu: It is available in the pill form 2 pills i.e., 500mg twice a day with lukewarm water should be taken for 40 days for sustained relief. (Since this contains castor-oil, it may in rare cases cause loose motions, which can be controlled by reducing the dose from 2 pills to 1 pill).
2. Maha Rasnadi Kada, an oral liquid should be taken along with the above said pills, in the dosage schedule of 20ml with equal quantity of lukewarm water twice a day.
3. Mahayograj guggulu can be given with good results. In winters two tablets 3 to 4 times a day and in summers two tablets 2 times a day with warm water or warm milk.
4. Mahanarayan Tailam is used for massage.
5. Brihat Vat Chintamani Ras is a drug of choice given in the dose of 125mg to 250mg twice or thrice daily.