AMAVATA/ RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that primarily affects joints, causing inflammation, pain, and stiffness. It can also impact other parts of the body, including the skin, eyes, and lungs. Early diagnosis and treatment can help manage symptoms and prevent further joint damage.

 

                                     Amavata

Amavata is a disease described in Ayurveda closely resembles Rheumatoid arthritis in modern medicine. It is a chronic condition that affects the joints and sometimes other body parts.

General Description of Amavata:

• Definition:
  Amavata is a disease caused by the accumulation of Ama (toxins) and the aggravation of Vata dosha. Here, aggravated vata dosha takes away accumulated ama and gets it lodged in the joints, causing Amavata. The word "Amavata" is derived from two Sanskrit terms:
• "Ama" – undigested or toxic substances formed due to weak digestion
• "Vata" – one of the three doshas, responsible for movement and circulation in the body.

 

Here are the main texts where Amavata is mentioned:

1. Madhava Nidana; chapter 25

2. Charaka Samhita; Chikitsa Sthana - vata vyadi chikitsa

3. Ashtanga Hridaya & Ashtanga Sangraha (by Vagbhata)

4. Bhava Prakasha; Madhyama khanda

5. Other Nighantus and Modern Ayurvedic texts, such as Rasatarangini, Bhaishajya Ratnavali.

Causative factors for Amavata;

अजीर्णे भोजनं ग्राह्यं गुरुस्निग्धं समं सदा।
व्यायामश्चातिसन्तप्ते जलप्रवेशनं तथा॥

वेगसन्धारणं चात्र हेतवो दोषसंभवाः।
तैर्भवत्यामवाताख्यो व्याधिर्जन्तोरति दारुणः|

                                                    माधव निदान – आमवात निदान अध्याय (अध्याय २५)

​अतिस्निग्धगुरुशीतं विरुद्धं चातिमात्रतः।
आहारं यः समश्नाति स सन्दोषं समाप्नुयात्॥

                                                            Bhaishajya Ratnavali (Chapter 29: Amavata Roga Adhikara).

·        Taking heavy, unctuous food during indigestion (ajirṇa),

·        Regular intake of guru-snigdha ahara,

·        Excessive physical exertion,

·        Bathing or entering water when overheated,

·        Suppression of natural urges.

·        Frequent intake of incompatible food.

 

सम्प्राप्ति एवं लक्षणानि – Pathogenesis & Symptoms

These are nidhana (causative factors) that vitiate dosas, especially Vata and ama, leading to a painful and dreadful disease called Amavata.

सोपः साङ्ग्रहशूलश्च शीतः स्पर्शे च वेदना।
भ्रमश्च ज्वरदाहश्च श्लेष्माणं चोपशोषणम्॥

स्तब्धता जङ्घयोर्गौरवं अङ्गानां गलः शिरः।
आमवातविकारे तु ज्ञेया लक्षणसङ्ग्रहाः॥

• Swellings in the joints (Shopha),
• Generalized pain (sangraha-shula),
• Coldness on touch with pain,
• Giddiness (Bhrama), fever (Jvara), burning sensation (daha),
• Dryness or depletion of Kapha,
• Stiffness in lower limbs, heaviness, and
• Pain in the neck and head.

These are the characteristic symptoms of Amavata.

 

Amavata Chikitsa Sutra (Therapeutic Guidelines);

आमं जयेल्लङ्घनकोष्णपेया लघ्वन्नसूपौदनतिक्तयूषैः
विरूक्षणस्वेदनपाचनैश्च संशोधनैरूर्ध्वमधस्तथैव ॥

                                                          (Bhavaprakasha Madhyama Khanda, Jwara Adhikara, Verse 57)​

This verse outlines the treatment approach for conditions involving Ama, which is central to the pathogenesis of Amavata.​

स्निग्धं तिक्तं कषायं च लघ्वन्नं दीपनं लघु।
बस्तिं सस्नेहसंयुक्तं काले साधारणं हितम्॥

स्वेदो दीपनपाचनं बस्तयः स्नेहवर्चसः।
आमवाते प्रशस्यन्ते चिकित्सायां विशेषतः॥                                                             

                                                        भैषज्य रत्नावली – आमवात चिकित्सा (अध्याय २९)

• Use of light, bitter and astringent food,
• Deepana (appetite stimulants) and Pachana (digestive drugs) to remove Ama,
• Snehana (oleation) and Svedana (sudation) therapies,
• Basti (medicated enema)—especially Anuvasana and Niruha basthi —is considered highly beneficial in chronic stages.

 

Classical Formulations (Yoga) Used in Amavata

Formulation	Type	Function
Rasnadi Kaṣāya	Decoction	Anti-inflammatory, vata-shamaka
Amṛtottara Kaṣāya	Decoction	Deepana, Pachana, anti-Ama
Simhanada Guggulu	Tablet	Removes Ama, relieves joint stiffness
Yogaraja Guggulu	Tablet	Strengthens digestion, relieves pain
Mahayoṣadhi Kaṣāya	Decoction	Detoxifies & reduces inflammation
Eranda Mūla Taila Basti	Enema oil	Vata anulomana relieves constipation
Rasna saptaka kashaya	Decoction	Anti-inflammatory, vata-shamaka
Maharasnadi kashaya	Decoction	Reduce stiffness and swelling in joints
Dashamoola preparations	-	Anti-inflammatory and analgesic
Eranda taila	-	Purgative action to eliminate ama
Trayodashanga guggulu	Tablet	In deformity and muscle wasting.

 

Proprietary formulations that are effective in Amavata;

·       Nurodex capsule (Jaffman pharmaceuticals)

·       Artikad liquid (Jaffman pharmaceuticals)